Project Torque

Simulation is a mode designed to portray the realism of racing. With recent updates, the mode has become a mix of arcade and simulation mechanics. Differences from arcade mode is less forgiving steering, cosmetic and mechanical damage, and bonus points rewarded for racing in simulation mode. This mode features up to 2–8 players and a variety of tracks that can be raced on several lap segments (1/3/5/7/10/15/20).

Arcade is a mode similar to most other racing video games. Unlike simulation mode, it has an easier steering system, an optional "no collision" system (called ghost mode), and less mechanical damage. This mode features up to 2–8 players and a variety of tracks that can be raced on several lap segments (1/3/5/7/10/15/20). Newer players to the game will only be able to race in arcade mode until they unlock access to simulation mode tracks.

Thunder Alley is very similar to NASCAR. It is one of the most popular modes of Project Torque and includes three classes of cars: Rookie, Pro, and Intimidator. The Rookie class is similar to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour series, the Pro class to the Car of Tomorrow (wing model) used by the NASCAR Cup Series at the time, and the Intimidator class to the Generation 4 cars at the time used by the then-NASCAR Nationwide Series. With ongoing updates, a few other cars were added later to expand the number of available cars in this mode.

Thunder Alley mode provides a wind tunnel mechanic and a fuel consumption mechanic that the other racing modes lack. Currently there are five tracks for this mode: Sunbay Speedway (resembling Talladega), Livenport Raceway (resembling Bristol), Jankwill Raceway, Nurgenhoch and Red Rock Speedway. The mode features the ability to race up to 20 players, and to run up to 60 laps a race. Unlike the NASCAR series where they have caution flags, Thunder Alley has a penalty system that forces a driver to do a pass through the pit lane when the driver breaks too many violations. This system, however, has been criticized for the inaccuracy of the penalties as it would penalize a victim of another driver's faults.

Drag is a mode where 2–4 players line up in a quarter or a half mile strip to smoke some rubber and see who is the fastest racer. You have to shift manually in Drag mode, as it requires shifting at the right RPM to gain a faster run. Drag mode also features a different engine damage system, compared to other modes, which makes the engine blow up from improper shifting. A drag race session can involve multiple heat runs, and the player with the best set of heats wins.

Capture the Flag is an arena "cat and mouse" type mode played with 2–8 players. One player grabs the flag and runs through checkpoints, while other players try to grab the flag away by running into the flag carrier. The flag holder can also lose the flag by repairing, recovering, or rolling their car over. The player who scores the most points wins. Players gain points by holding the flag for long periods, running through checkpoints with the flag, stealing the flag or chasing the flag holder.

Explorer is a "freeroam" type mode with 2-8 players. The goal is to pick up the most tokens as possible that are placed around the entire map. The tokens have different colours and designs, while most of them have just a simple colour, a few also grant the player an enhancement for his (better grip, more power) or have a direct positive influence in the gameplay to help the player for a short period of time (magnet to collect tokens easier, radar to guide to the nearest token etc.). A very special variant of the tokens is the question mark. It can not only contain the positive effects you can find on the street, but also might surprise the player with a trap that disturbs the player for a short period of time (reversed steering, flipped screenview, slippery tires etc.). If the player is lucky enough, it also might reward him with special items that normally only can be bought in the shop, reaching from simple flame skid marks to cars and other special items.

Drifting is a 2–8 player mode that uses the same tracks as simulation and arcade modes and also comes in addition with an currently for this mode exclusive track. Lap times and position do not matter, rather the winner of a drift round is determined by how many drift points the players can score. Drift points are determined by angle (of the car in the curve), speed, length of the drift, and the drift multiplier. A unique feature of the drift mode is the ability to use specialized drifting cars, one of which resembles the Falken Mustang driven by Vaughn Gittin.

Challenge is a 4-8 player mode that uses the physics and a small number of tracks of simulation. The difference is, that the optional "no collision" system ( called ghost mode) is always enabled and the players start at the same position instead of distributed on a grid.

The most important difference is that the first and second place gets rewarded not only with the ingame currency (RP) and experience (XP) but also rewards with GP (Ingame currency that normally only can be bought with real money).

Having GPs as reward, makes the entry in this mode quite special. Not only are at least four players needed to start the race, but in order to join this lobby the player has to get a "Racing Challenger Ticket" first. This ticket can only be bought with GP or found with much luck in the explorer mode when picking up a question mark token.