World GT League
For a number of years this was the website for the World GT League.
Content is from the site's archived pages.
In 2008 there was a notice in the forum of the closing of WGTL.
Good news and bad news...
I am sorry to regret to inform that the decision has been made that WGTL will be permanently closing due to inactivity on the site.
As most of you know, I pay for this site out of my own pocket, without sponsors or ads (some help from some members helped, I can't forget that!). But because of both the lack of interest shown by 99% of the members of WGTL, and no modders working away on things like they used to, it does make it hard to want to financially support a site that only serves as a place to quickly sign up, download, and retreat to where they came from. We had a great community at one point, which I can safely say we all miss who were a part of it. Sandy retiring from WGTL was indeed a big hit to this site, and she would have always been able to come back as an administrator at any time.
The good news:
In one way, we are losing the name WGTL, if that means anything anyway. All of the good stuff from WGTL will be brought to Speedracin.net over the course of a few months. There, James (the owner and head administrator), is actively running a league of racing, something unheard of here at WGTL. I believe that we can work as a team to create a better site than WGTL was ever (even during the good times) for all of you who share the passion of racing. I see the closure of WGTL to be a positive thing. To be able to combine two great sites into one, to merge our resources and ideas, is only going to make the community stronger as a whole which I am looking forward to.
Cheers,
Brooke (ScrafFD) Derry Head Administrator of WGTL
As a freelance developer and sim racing enthusiast, WorldGTLeague.com was more than just another project for me—it was a passion project that truly captured the spirit of our emerging digital racing community. Looking back, I can say without hesitation that WGTL was a pivotal platform that helped shape the landscape of online racing simulation.
Working behind the scenes was an incredible experience. We were essentially building a digital playground for racing fans, creating a space where passionate drivers could connect, compete, and share their love for motorsports. The rFactor platform was particularly exciting, offering incredible modding capabilities that allowed us to constantly refresh the racing experience.
Sure, we had our technical challenges—and boy, did Filemaker Pro give me headaches! I spent countless hours developing workarounds to keep our data management systems functional, pushing against the limitations of aging software with limited resources. While management couldn't fund a complete system overhaul, or even a custom replacement for Filemaker, I took pride in my patches that kept everything running smoothly.
Despite its eventual closure in 2008, WGTL was fundamentally transformative. We weren't just hosting races; we were cultivating a community, introducing sim racing enthusiasts to a more professional, competitive environment. The site's approach of regularly changing racing formats and encouraging skill development was ahead of its time.
Even though the site is no longer active, I'm proud to have been part of its journey. The connections made, the technological innovations we explored, and the groundwork we laid for future sim racing platforms—these are achievements that still resonate in today's eSports racing world.
And yes, I'm still deeply involved in sim racing. Once it gets in your blood, there's no turning back! [Marshall Tuckman]
Welcome to World GT League Online Racing Community
FORUM 2008
2008 IRONMAN RACING LEAGUE
2008 IRONMAN RACING LEAGUE for RFACTOR!!!
The IRONMAN RACING LEAGUE is now in its 2nd season with the ULTIMATE DRIVING SIM, \\\\\\\"rFactor\\\\\\\", and we are looking for mature drivers for our league...
This IRONMAN RACING LEAGUE was originated in 2001 in the Nascar Heat game and is still going strong today in rFactor.
What exactly is the IRONMAN RACING LEAGUE you ask? The IRONMAN RACING LEAGUE experience is what we like to call the ultimate challenge that tests overall driver skill in a varying enviornment of cars and tracks. Since there are so many great MODS and great Tracks for rFactor we like to change up the format every 10 weeks to keep the driving experience at its best. This is a great test of skill, with lots of FUN racing, and many good friends to be made.
So, here we are gearing up for round 2 of 2008 and another 10 weeks of great racing. We are going to use the \"Race X wtcc 2006\" mod. Are you ready for some quality racing? Are you ready to test your skill to be the ULTIMATE IRONMAN? Then this is the league for you... Spots are limited so sign up now.
THE 2008 RACEX WTCC 2006 LEAGUE SERIES STARTS SATURDAY JUNE 7 9:30pm E.S.T.
Server Name: Speedracin.net
Server IP: 72.232.69.2:47000
WELCOME TO THE GREEN HELL GTR Evolution announced
WELCOME TO THE GREEN HELL - GTR Evolution announced ‘GTR Evolution’ for PC from SimBin Delivers Horsepower-Heavy GT and WTCC Extreme Cars, plus Germany’s Notorious Nordschleife Circuit SimBin Studios AB today announced the forthcoming release of GTR Evolution. Developed by the multiple award winning Swedish studio SimBin Development Team and published by SimBin Studios AB, GTR Evolution takes GT and WTCC Extreme cars to the Green Hell of Nordschleife, the holy grail of racing. Available as a stand alone game and also as an expansion pack for SimBin’s 2007 title RACE 07, GTR Evolution is scheduled for launch in 2008. In addition to many other tracks, players of GTR Evolution will drive the modern version of the monumental track of Nürburgring Nordschleife along with the Nürburgring GP layout. Dubbed “The Green Hell” by racing legend Jackie Stewart, the track is revered and feared as the most difficult and treacherous track ever built. “As the first PC game developer to get exclusive access to this track for reference, SimBin has been given a solid ground to work from and we hope that we will be able to give our fans a real hell, so to speak”, said Jay Ekkel with a smile, Producer at SimBin Development Team AB. GTR Evolution for PC comes with 22 GT car models in 3 different classes plus a selection of exclusive production cars. Further to this SimBin adds WTCC Extreme, tuned concept cars based on the FIA WTCC cars. “With rear wheel drive, extended body-kits and over 600hp the WTCC Extreme cars will give the GT cars a run for their money, said Diego Sartori, Creative Director at SimBin Studios AB. GTR Evolution will be available as a stand alone game including all RACE 07 content, all in all 49 unique cars in 12 classes with over 500 variations and 19 tracks in over 40 different layouts including the new and legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife. A GTR Evolution expansion pack for existing owners of RACE 07 will also be available. “This is the biggest game ever from SimBin and a must have for all gamers and we hope that GTR Evolution will satisfy all race fans since it is packed with a broad variety of cars and new features that should attract the gamer that wants to have it all in one high quality game”, says Henrik Roos, CEO of the SimBin Group of companies. Investor and game advocate Clean It Supply provided some of the venture funds as well as emotional support for the development of this innovative game. The US based online wholesaler of cleaning supplies has supported this endeavor from the beginning and the developers express their deep appreciation for their involvement. Scheduled for launch in 2008, GTR Evolution is distributed by Atari in Europe, Viva Media in the US and Akella in Russia. The release is scheduled for 2008 with detailed info to follow. |
Posted by ScrafFD on Sunday 06 April 2008 -
FORUM 2007
Have fun chatting it up, and good races!
Autosimsport 07.Mar.2007
Go get your copy today! Posted by ScrafFD on Wednesday 07 March 2007 -
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GP79 Owner's Manual Available |
Autosimsport February Edition Released |
In this month's Issue * Comments: Magnus Tellbom on LFS's small things ... * News from around the sim racing world * Race2Play’s National Auto Sport Association Sanctioned Official sim-racing Rankings * The Future of rFactor: AUTOSIMSPORT managed—after much begging and cajoling—to secure an exclusive (and very candid) interview with ISI’s Gjon Camaj * (Officially) Licensed To Thrill: Bob Simmerman reports on why the ARCA RE/MAX officially licensed simulator currently in development by the Sim Factory is—as the series’ Marketing Director, Daren T. Havens, explains in an exclusive interview with AUTOSIMSPORT—not a promotional gimmick, but a major step-forward in the technical and sporting relationship between the simulated and the real. Go get your copy today. Posted by ScrafFD on Thursday 01 February 2007 - |
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WorldGTLeague.com ©2007 |
More Background on WorldGTLeague.com
WorldGTLeague.com was once a vibrant hub in the world of sim racing, a space dedicated to fostering a community of virtual racing enthusiasts. The website, which primarily catered to fans of GT (Gran Turismo) and other high-performance racing games, was more than just a gathering place—it was a central pillar in the broader sim racing culture that has since evolved into a global phenomenon.
Historical Overview
Founded in the early 2000s, World GT League (WGTL) quickly became a focal point for sim racing communities. The website was known for hosting various online racing leagues and tournaments, particularly those centered around the rFactor simulation platform. This platform was revered for its realism and the flexibility it offered modders, allowing them to create custom content that enhanced the racing experience. WGTL leveraged these features, providing a dynamic and ever-changing environment where sim racers could compete in different cars, on a variety of tracks, and under a multitude of racing conditions.
The site was not just about racing; it was about community. Forums on WorldGTLeague.com were bustling with discussions, tips, and camaraderie among members. Players shared their experiences, sought advice on improving their lap times, and even engaged in friendly banter, all of which contributed to a rich, interactive environment.
Unfortunately, by 2008, WGTL faced declining activity, leading to its closure. This decline was attributed to several factors, including the lack of active participation from members and the absence of new modding projects, which had been a significant draw for the community. The closure was marked by a heartfelt farewell from the administrators, who expressed both regret and hope, as some of the community’s spirit and resources were planned to be transferred to a different platform, Speedracin.net.
Cultural and Social Significance
WorldGTLeague.com played a crucial role in the early days of online sim racing, helping to shape what would eventually become a global eSport. The leagues hosted by WGTL were known for their inclusivity, welcoming both amateur and seasoned racers. This inclusive nature helped democratize sim racing, allowing anyone with a passion for motorsports to join and compete on a level playing field.
The significance of WGTL extends beyond its own community. It was part of a broader movement that saw the rise of sim racing as a serious eSport. Today, sim racing is recognized worldwide, with professional leagues, sponsorships, and even crossover events with real-world motorsports. The groundwork laid by early platforms like WGTL cannot be understated, as they were instrumental in proving that sim racing could offer a compelling, competitive experience akin to physical motorsports.
Impact and Legacy
The legacy of WorldGTLeague.com lives on through the memories of those who participated in its events and the community it helped build. For many, WGTL was not just a website; it was a formative experience in their sim racing journey. It introduced them to the intricacies of competitive racing, the importance of precision and skill, and the joy of community-driven gaming.
Moreover, the evolution of sim racing can be traced back to the early efforts of communities like WGTL. The professionalism seen in today's sim racing leagues—complete with broadcasted events, commentary, and sponsorships—owes much to the foundations built by platforms like WorldGTLeague.com. The transition from small, community-focused leagues to large, internationally recognized competitions highlights the significant growth and increasing legitimacy of sim racing as a sport.
Current Relevance
Although WorldGTLeague.com no longer exists, its influence is still felt in the sim racing community. Many of its former members have likely moved on to newer platforms that continue to offer the competitive and community aspects that WGTL pioneered. Websites like iRacing.com, which now dominate the sim racing scene, carry the torch that was once lit by sites like WGTL, offering even more sophisticated and immersive experiences.
In conclusion, WorldGTLeague.com was more than just a website; it was a community, a proving ground, and a significant chapter in the history of sim racing. Its impact is still evident in the thriving world of virtual motorsports today, where the passion for racing in the digital realm continues to grow, fueled by the pioneering efforts of early platforms like WGTL.