DiRT 3 trailer is equal parts information and car porn

Having apparently left GRiD to simmer on the backburner for a while, Codemasters has turned their efforts towards the next installment of the DiRT series. Given the excellent response to DiRT 2 with its near perfect balance of simulation and arcade style racing, racing fans should be chomping at the bit to see DiRT 3 in action. While rally racing is still finding its footing in America, it’s received a huge boost in the States from the efforts of Ken Block and his epic Gymkhana videos. How turbocharged monsters going 120 mph down gravel roads and sideways around hairpins isn’t more popular here I’ll never understand.

One of my biggest complaints with Dirt 2 was its lack of vintage vehicles, car selection was limited to purpose built racers from the last decade. Fortunately Codemasters has taken this critique to heart, including a load of historical rallying legends like the Lancia Delta Integrale, Audi Quattro Coupe and the original Mini Cooper. The real kicker is knowing that these vintage wheels will almost certainly be capable of competing with their modern brethren. Let the automotive dream battles begin.

This developer diary also points out some of DiRT 3’s specifics; the game will have 4 new locations, Finland, Norway, Kenya, and Michigan, the career will consists mostly of straight rally races, and most interestingly, the game will now have dynamic weather effects and new terrain, including snow and ice. It’ll take more than just knowing a course to master it now, you’ll need to adapt with inconsistent terrain; gravel is a lot more treacherous when it’s wet.

After the brutal but brilliant difficulty of Codemasters' F1 2010, I’m excited to get back into the cockpit of a gaudy rally car and rip ass around some gravel while obnoxious pop punk tunes and exhaust noises drive my roommates crazy. No specific release date has been announced, but expect DiRT 3 to arrive sometime in 2011. And it better have my Lancia Stratos in it.

Nov 16, 2010