When I go to a dedicated server .. no lag I get when trying to connect and shows "timeout"
have you tryed all different servers and ones without people on them? and its sometimes because of internet connection, do u have a good in ternet connection? and i have heard if you change your routers to 10600 or something that will work to! ???
open the port is usually for the server side. Client side is usually OK but will depend on the firewall setup. Try the realism-racing server to try it out as people are on and off it all day.
BTW. Liam, you haven't signed up to the new F100 series yet :). Passwords this year for race nights