XD 2.1.4 for Steam version 1.2.1.2 of RACE On now has a problem due to a Steam update. The update fixed the Steam overlay but broke the game as follows.

When you Alt-Tab out of RACE On when you have the XD utility installed, you will not be able to bring the game back up. It does not matter from where you do it (ie. menu, cockpit, car setup screen, etc). The game will either crash when you try to bring it back up, or it will come up invisibly. Removing XD from your installation ‘fixes’ this problem. Hopefully a new version will really correct this soon.

Thanks to HumpheryB on our crew, for bringing it to our attention!

Two more difficult races and SHU will have completed their second season. We’re going to the low lands to race at bumpy Zandvoort next. The following week it will be Macau. Even though we’re not done, talks are already about which cars to drive in our next season, the tracks to visit, and whether some of them should be add-ons. If you have attended before, and really plan to join us, then you should have a vote in what we do next. Visit this thread and let yourself be heard.

For the fifth event of the WTCC championship, the SHU crew ventured deep into eastern Europe to the Tomáš Masaryk circuit, the Automotodrom Brno, in the Czech Republic. Braving the winter cold and running heaters on full blast, the field hunkered down to prepare for an eventful 20 laps. Brno, with its 15 tight turns separated by straight sprint sections and sharp elevation changes, provides plenty of overtaking opportunities which the crew used to their full advantage. The event got underway with a clean start and saw many changes in position over the length of the race. Various pitting strategies came into play, with those who stopped for fresh tires ultimately clawing their way back up thru the field to challenge the front runners. With a podium finish fought on the final turns of the final lap, it was a great race indeed!

The historic Autodromo Nazionale Monza racetrack near Monza, Italy is a legend of motorsport and on January 16, 2010 the SHU crew arrived at the Cathedral of Speed for the fourth event in the WTCC series. At the half way point in the season, Monza saw the largest turn out of drivers so far. Several newcomers joined the crew in time for this event, no doubt attracted to the bright lights, fame and fortune that comes with being a SHU member (no, really it’s true). Determined to put on a good show and prepped for speed the competition for grid position was fierce. With the adrenaline pumping and engines revving the race got underway. Unfortunately a log jam at the first turn resulted in multiple collisions. Undeterred by the carnage and wanting to avoid a restart at all costs, the crew sucked it up and soldiered on quickly regaining composure. The strict no cut rule notorious of Monza caught several drivers when tires began to wear, hitting them with stop n’go penalties late in the race. All in all, a very fast race with many battles was the order of the night. Checkout the post race discussion here

For the third WTCC event of the season, the SHU crew traveled to sunny Valencia, Spain.. home of the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia oranges, sangria and birthplace of ´La Paella´. So it’s no surprise the crew was geared up and ready to jam! The evenings festivities got off on time and without a hitch, which was a blessing after the previous week’s cluster cluck at Anderstorp. The field was tight, with fractions of second separating grid positions. Once again tire wear was a determining factor in the later stages. And for the first time this season the weight penalties could really be seen to have an obvious impact, especially negotiating all those acute corners. Only one dark cloud appeared when for the second time in two weeks the lead driver suffered a computer glitch and was forced to withdraw on lap 18. Despite that, several hard fought battles took place throughout the evening for various positions and good quality racing was enjoyed by all.