GROUP 5 – 24H ENDURANCE RACE 1977 - with real BeamNG Racing

GROUP 5 – 24H ENDURANCE RACE CHALLENGE (1977)

(Includes Actual Beam Racing)

Sponsored by WidowMaker Industries
BeamNG Endurance Event – Automation Build and Race Challenge


:scroll: Background & Theme

The year is 1977.
Group 5 (Gruppe 5) represents the extreme edge of production-based motorsport:
silhouette racers derived from real road cars, pushed to absurd levels of power, aero, and endurance capability — yet still recognisable.

This challenge is the opener of the WidowMaker Motorsport Championship (WMC) and serves as the technical entry phase for a 24-hour endurance race event in BeamNG. You can see here: https://youtu.be/L4zpCdPfH-k

Your task:
Design and build a Group 5 race car capable of surviving endurance racing, derived from a legitimate road-car platform, following historic spirit and modern Automation challenge standards.


:chequered_flag: Event Format (Important)

  • Race type: 24h Endurance Race on Nordschleife

  • Driving time per participant: 2 × 3h stints

  • Race session: Saturday evening, Start at 28th of February, at 11:00 UTC

  • We already have 50 confirmed entries

  • You will get a team of 3 extra drivers to make all the stints in a convenient time for you.


:brick: Base Car & Homologation

You must first build a road-legal base car, then convert it into a Group 5 race version.

You may choose Campaign or Sandbox homologation.


:white_check_mark: Campaign Homologation

You may use a pre-1977 campaign car if all conditions are met:

  • At least 20,000 units sold by December 1976 (all trims combined)

  • Sold as Fun / Sport / GT / Family Sport or similar

  • 5 doors or fewer

  • Base engine must be offered pre-1977

  • If a race trim with ≥25 sales exists:

    • That trim may be used directly

    • Only aero may be changed

  • Otherwise, convert the base car via “Making a Race Version” rules


:white_check_mark: Sandbox Homologation (Base Car)

  • Year: ≤ 1977 (last year allowed: 1977) (3 door or less)

  • Tech Pool: +5 (standard)

  • Max quality: +3

  • Emissions: Must pass

  • Reliability: No warnings

  • Body material: No Fiberglass or Carbon

  • Engine cost: ≤ $1,800

  • Body cost: ≤ $7,500

  • After completion, the car may be converted into a Group 5 race car using the rules below

:hammer_and_wrench: Making a Group 5 Race Version

Body & Chassis

  • Extreme aero and widebody encouraged

  • Silhouette must remain somewhat recognisable

  • Race number + GR.5 sticker required

  • Weight reduction allowed via:

    • Race interior

    • changing seats

    • lowering chassis quality to -15

    • Lighter slider

  • Weight bias: ±30 points allowed

  • Suspension: Ride height & tuning only

  • Drivetrain layout, gearbox type, diffs: Must remain

    • Gearing may be changed
  • Tires: Race Soft / Slick

  • Rim material: Must stay stock

  • Brakes: Stock system, race slider allowed and bias change

  • Quality: max +5 to non-engine components (body)


Engine Rules (Group 5 Freedom)

  • Rev limit increase allowed

  • Bore & stroke changes allowed (within displacement limits)

  • Compression increase allowed

  • Cam profile: up to +60 points

  • Springs & lifters: up to +60 points

  • Intake & exhaust: free (race headers, straight pipe allowed)

  • Turbo or supercharger allowed

  • Fuel system stays stock (configuration & tuning allowed)

  • Fuel: 98–100 RON Unleaded

  • Max +8 quality, except:

    • Engine family & turbo remain base / 0 quality

:balance_scale: Balance of Performance (Mandatory)

Power is limited by weight-based HP/ton:

Weight Max Power NA Cap Forced Induction 1.4x Cap
700 kg 385 hp 3.0 L 2.1 L
undefined ---- ---- ----
800 kg 440 hp 4.0 L 2.8 L
undefined ---- ---- ----
900 kg 495 hp 5.0 L 3.5 L
undefined ---- ---- ----
1000 kg 550 hp 6.0 L 4.3 L
undefined ---- ---- ----
1100 kg 605 hp 7.0 L 5 L
undefined ---- ---- ----

:red_exclamation_mark: Exceeding HP/ton disqualifies the entry. 2% leeway.


:video_game: BeamNG Racing Rules

  • NO car setting changes in BeamNG

    • No gearing, aero, TC, tire pressure, etc.
  • All assists: Realistic

  • Settings are monitored via server & replay tools

  • no config changes


:racing_car: Sporting Conduct

  • Track limits: no penalty unless deliberate

  • The following driver is responsible for contact unless clearly pushed

  • No respawn / teleport

  • Repairs allowed only under defined conditions

  • Pitstop if you initiated a crash (Stop, reset and go) OR wait 10 seconds and reset after the crash

  • Cheating = permanent ban

  • Steward decisions are final


:performing_arts: Roleplay & Reveal Rules

  • NO revealing cars or stats before the official reveal

  • Includes lap times, screenshots, specs

  • Pre-race:

    • Design reveal

    • Design award

    • Roleplay banter encouraged

TimeTable

  • We will do a Qualifying Race on the 14th to see who out of our 60 participants have the top 15 Cars. Those 15 People will be the leader of their team and they will get 3 extra random people that will race with the Leaders Car in the Race - we will make sure that you have a diverse amount of timezones in your team, so that everyone in your team can easily drive in a nice time.

:trophy: Championship Structure

  • Podium Afterwards for the Team, and most km covered in one stint

  • Special awards:

    • Overall winner

    • Best design


:paperclip: Disclaimer

By entering, participants agree to recording, broadcasting, and publication of cars and results.


Welcome to Group 5.
Build something brutal. Make it last 24 hours.

We do have a discord with a designated car inspector, adjudicators, more indepth race explanations etc. but i dont know if its Legal to post it here! So:
◆ submit the car to myself @pascinator
◆ Submissions are open
◆ Submissions close on Thursday, 12th of February.

6 Likes

So do we have to drive the cars or like a bot does it for us? And what do you mean that we mustnt show the cars, you nean that we dm you the cars and not make and ad?

Hey, love the challenge. What region are the servers hosted in? Would racing from Aus be viable? If not, is it possible to make a car anyway?

We are driving. Its a real race. I hosted auto beam races for the last 6 months. you can find out more here: Widowmaker Industries

The servers are hosted in germany, but for the last 6 months there is as many US And New zealand, asutralia, japan players as there is europeans and it was never a problem.

Do we know how many hours it will take and at what time? Otherwise, I won’t be able to participate.

Hello, is submitting the car enough to participate ? Do we submit on discord ?

Thanks !

u can find all those infos in the dicsord. U can make a guest car only in theory.

yes, u can find all those infos in the dicsord. Once youre in a team u can choose your times freely. The 24 hour race gives you the option between one and 2 3 hour stints at your local saturday evening time.