The netcode topology on that game was why the whole 'Clubs' concept never took off. It could have been an incredible game for co-op racing but it just never took off the moment the game was released. A large OCUK club was formed beforehand and then pretty much dead within two weeks.
The entire island is split into sub-sections (a grid of sorts), with each section having it's own sub server. To make matters worse, if you enter a building/shop and then exit - you'll end up on a totally different sub-server to what you previously was on. So this means that you keep encountering new players but will never get to actually stick with them because at any time they could be shifted into another SS once they go into a building/shop, or just get too far ahead of you.
I did a whole load of tests with two mates when the game was released, and the game got ditched. It's a shame because it is a superb racing game on it's own, just forget about multiplayer lol
