I just happen to have problems connecting to match.rfactor.net at the moment, which is the server that lists the available rFactor servers. So I cannot find any servers in the list.

But if you know the address of the server to join you can connect anyway. The obvious solution is to add it manually in the game by hitting the "+" button in the server list. But there is a much more sophisticated way to do it. You can edit the shortcut which starts rFactor or better yet create a new one which takes you directly to the server you want.

In the following example I demonstrate how to connect to the "OcM Server #2". I choose to create a new shortcut, so I can directly join the OcM server, since I do that very often ;), but I still want to be able to start rFactor the normal way.

Step 1: "Create" the new shortcut by right clicking on the shortcut on the desktop which normally starts rFactor for you, then click on "Copy" and after that right click on a free spot on the desktop and click on "Paste". Now there is a new shortcut which can be renamed by hitting F2.

Step 2: Edit the new shortcut by right clicking on it an then clicking "Properties". There is a line called "Target" where we append the following options: +profile "-=OcM=- Diablo" (this is not really necessary but avoids joining with the wrong profile, of course change it to your profile name) and +connect simracing-events.de:34298. So the whole "Target" line should read like i.e.:

  "C:\Program Files\rFactor.exe" +profile "-=OcM=- Diablo" +connect simracing-events.de:34298

Then click OK and you´re done.

Hint: if the server you want to connect to only hosts one session of rFactor or you want to connect to the first session if there are more than one then you can try +connect <adress>:0

Step 3: Double click the shortcut and enjoy the magic. :-D