GTP's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car (Episode 21 is up!)

Jordan, the founder.

Others say that I can't think of a second one of these...

All we know is, He is called Jordan


Our tenth guest on GTP's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car is the start of it all, the genesis which started this living and breathing place called GTP. I present the mastermind, Jordan!


So tell us, what has Inspired you to create GTP?

It’s hard to say any one particular thing inspired me to create GTPlanet as you know it today. The original MSN Group was, in a way, built around Gran Turismo 2 by convenience - I desperately wanted to build a website about anything, and my favorite video game seemed to be a logical choice at the time. Over the years, my involvement with the GT series has fostered my passion for sim-racing and motorsports, but I can’t say that is what has ultimately driven me to keep investing so much of my time into GTPlanet. I just love running a site that’s useful and I love managing a community that’s loved by people around the world. It’s a fun and very satisfying thing to do.

As a huge fan of the series, how has GT5 been for you?

I absolutely love the game, but I also agree with many of the critics. It feels disjointed at times, and the overall flow of the game with the levelling system is awkward. Polyphony Digital has built the best driving simulator ever seen on a console, complemented by an amazing selection of cars and tracks. While it’s disappointing the rest of the game doesn’t quite live up to that same standard, the vast content and the online options should keep the game entertaining for a very long time and I always look forward to playing it.

What has been your favourite vehicle to drive at the moment?

That’s a tough one! I like a lot of different cars for a lot of different reasons, but I’d say the Ferrari 458 or the 430 is one of my favorites to drive. Their handling is translated so well in the game, and throwing those cars through corners is just so fun with a bit of throttle-induced oversteer. A close second for me would be the ‘05 Subaru WRX STi sedan or the BMW E92 M3.

What about tracks? anyone particular favorites you have?

For me, it’s all about the Nordschleife. There’s never a dull moment on the circuit and nailing each corner is just so incredibly rewarding. I had the opportunity to do quite a few laps around the real-world track a few years ago, and each lap around the virtual track helps me re-live the experience. Suzuka, Deep Forest, and Autumn Ring Mini are a few others I really enjoy. Laguna Seca is another one of my favorites, but there’s something strange about GT5’s iteration of the circuit that just doesn’t feel quite right.

Have you gotten the chance to play around with photomode at all? If so, how do you like it?

I find it to be a bit like YouTube: I have to be careful or I’ll find myself still fooling around with it at 3:00 AM. My favorite thing about GT5’s Photomode, though, is looking at what other people can do with it. Our Photomode forum is my favorite one to browse through - there’s some stunning shots out there and some very, very talented digital photographers that do an awesome job with the tools available. It’s a real treat and my favorite feature of the game.

So as the head hancho on these here interwebs, What is your favourite GT game and why?

Gran Turismo 2 is my favorite game in the series. I’ve played it more than any other since, and - even though I didn’t have any of the fancy steering wheels or racing rigs that I do now - it’s brought me the most fond memories. GT2 introduced me to so many different cars (I had a trusty yellow Altezza which was my favorite) and really got me excited about the auto industry and motorsports at large. The Cardigan’s “Losing My Favorite Game” still gives me chills.

Have any other video games you enjoy playing?

Unfortunately, I don’t have much time to play games, though I’m really only interested in Gran Turismo. I do, however, enjoy PC racing sims like iRacing, rFactor, and netKar PRO, and I can’t get enough of Angry Birds or Cut the Rope on my iPhone.

Another thing I think all of us want to know is Whats your favorite car and what is it about it that you like so much?

My favorite car is the BMW M3. I love the BMW brand and their history, and I think the M3 represents the soul of the company. The way they look and the way they feel to drive is just special to me. I also like their practicality: they do a great job of hitting the sweet spot between performance and comfort.

When you are away from the comfy disk of Site Admin, Whats your other hobbies?

I’m on a race track any chance I can get, though that’s usually easier said than done - especially in my area. Aside from cars, computers, and cars, I’m interested in golf - I’ve been playing since a young age and I enjoy getting outside with friends. I also enjoy tennis and racquetball in the winter. It’s an intense workout.

Anything else you'd like to say to the good folk out there?Yes, “thank you”. As I mentioned above, I love running a website that other people care about. It’s easy to get caught up in a lot the negativity surrounding GT5, but beyond that there’s an awesome group of people here who just want to have fun, tuning and talking about cars, taking pictures in Photomode, and running these sorts of competitions. That’s what makes GTPlanet great and that’s what makes me so proud to lead this community.

So, let us see what the big boss can do:

[YOUTUBEHD]ot-Wnm81ZUs[/YOUTUBEHD]

And you did in One Minute...Twenty...Eight Point Seven Thirty Two.

3rd place. Pretty good.

Not big , biggets 👍 to Jordan , mastermind behind this site.



Pekka (MadMax)

Famine

Some say he created GTPlanet...

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Others believe he wanted to be part-owner of a certain NBA franchise just so he can get close to all the goings on in NASCAR...

Brilliant read .and nice set of skills too .(No not talking about the Golf)

LOL Awesome job Jordan! --- Randy

Thanks, guys. My only regret is that I wasn't faster than Famine.

NOS Waster

I think it should be standing start as opposed to rolling. . .

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Yes, me too..., kinda think the game could do with standing starts too, why they use rolling starts anyway ???

Great job Jordan, thanks for the amazing site.👍

Jordan

Thanks, guys. My only regret is that I wasn't faster than Famine.

Click to expand...

Famine is the fastest admin (so far,) but you're the fastest site founder 👍

I've got a feeling he'll hold that title for a while too, with that lap.

Good job Jordan

If you wanted to beat Famine, you'd have to use kiddiecam anyway, and where's the fun in that........

👍

daan

Famine is the fastest admin (so far,) but you're the fastest site founder 👍

Click to expand...

It took me a while to get the joke.

Nice lap and cool interview. 👍

Enjoyable read Jordan. 👍
Thanks for this site.

Jordan

Thanks, guys. My only regret is that I wasn't faster than Famine.

Click to expand...

You should've gone flat out through follow through

Whose next? I say Omnis.

Episode 11 coming at 7:30

Our guest today is one of the head hanchos of the GTP's long running WRS, please welcome EDK!

What has brought you here to GTP? How long have you been a member?

I've been a member for just short of 4 years. I found GTP when doing a Google search for prize cars on GT4. The WRS was featured on the main page, and I went ahead and qualified for it. I've been a OLR addict ever since.

How has GT5 been for you?

Overall, GT5 is very good. I really like where the physics ended up. I think they are a nice balance between the challenge of prologue and the grip of GT4. I'm disappointed that the replay platform isn't more conducive to running a fair hotlap series, but the online components over delivered, in my opinion.

The car selection is also tremendous. Since I use bumper cam, I'm really not affected by the premium/standard issue. I've really been focused on acquiring all the cars. I haven't completed a detailed inventory, but I know I'm close, as my garage has over 1,100 cars in it, but with several duplicates of Mopar Muscle Cars in many different colors.

What has been your favourite vehicle to drive at the moment?

I would have to say the '69 Camaro Z28 Race Modified. I'm a big fan of muscle cars, and classic Trans Am cars. I'm more of a Mopar fan overall, but the sound, looks and drivability of that car are just incredible.

I also like many of the premium Super GT cars. I would say the Nissans and Lexuses in particular.

What about tracks? Are there any particular favorites you have?

Laguna Seca is within 2 hours of my house, and I've been there several times to watch different racing events. I love driving RWD Muscle Cars there.

I also really like several of the original circuits. Trial Mountain is probably my favorite, closely followed by Deep Forest Reverse.

Of all the new tracks, I would say that the Nurburgring GP course is my favorite. It has great rhythm and flow, once you learn the layout.

Have you played around with photomode at all? If so, how do you like it?

I use photomode every week when building the WRS races. I really like the addition of the camera #1, that can be relocated to any position.

I would not consider myself the best photographer, but I normally have one photo each week (out of 6-8) that really stands out for me.

What is your favourite GT game and why?

At this point, GT5 is my favorite. I did not play GT1 or GT2. There are definitely aspects of GT3 and GT4 that I enjoy more than GT5, but the complete experience, with online game play at your fingertips, really can't be replaced.

Are there any other video games do you enjoy playing?

My first love in gaming is Madden football. That goes back to Madden '92 on the Sega Genesis. I own the most recent copies of Madden for the PS3, and still enjoy playing it on occasion.

I'm also a fan of the Grand Theft Auto series. It's really fun to play while hanging out with friends and goofing off.

The other game I like is Tiger Woods golf. I'm not giving my endorsement of Tiger Woods' personal behavior. I just think EA do a tremendous job of creating playable and realistic sports games.

Switching over to real life, what do you drive? Is it in the game and if so, how does in compare?

My daily driver is a 2002 BMW 325i. While my exact car is not in the game, there are several E92 BMW's. The game definitely does a nice job of modeling the handling characteristics of the 3 series and even power delivery of the BMW inline 6.

My weekend toy is a 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic.



The game has the 2008 SRT8. The handling and weight transfer as modeled on the game are quite accurate. I especially like driving it on N3 tires around Laguna Seca. My only complaint is that they completely missed on the gear ratios. I have a 6 speed car, but also have driven automatics. If you fit the car with a 6 speed close ratio gear box, the shift points are accurate. The stock transmission is more like a 3 speed slushbox out of a '70 challenger. The final drive gearing is way too high, and you can barely get into 4th on the main straight.

Whats your favorite car and what is it about it that you like so much?

I love cars. My dad is a retired auto mechanic, and I grew up around cars.

It's completely impossible for me to pick one favorite car.

The 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A in Plum Crazy Purple would rank right up there for me.



I also have a soft spot in my heart for the '62 Corvette.

If I strike it rich someday, there is a Ferrari in my future. I really can't pick just one, it's just more about what the brand stands for, and how the cars sound.

What's your other hobbies?

I'm a big fan of Craft Beer. I go to the Great American Beer festival in Denver every year, and several smaller festivals throughout the year. I estimate that I've tried about 2,000 unique beers.

I play the saxophone. I was better in high school than I am now, not enough time to practice these days. But I really like to play when I can, and I like to listen to mainstream Jazz.

I'm also a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL.

Anything else you'd like to say?

I'd like to thank Jordan and the entire community for their passionate enthusiasm. It's great to be able to interact with people who have similar passions.

I've been able to meet several enthusiasts in person here locally, at the various SFGTP events that Smallhorses has been so kind to organize.

I also would be remiss if I didn't give a shout out to Team SMART. I live in California and I've visited Kenny, Jake, Chuk and George in Western Connecticut 3 times, with a 4th trip planned for this summer. It's great to have made friends 3,000 miles away from home.

Now lets have look at your lap:

[YOUTUBEHD]RtnEnwKa0S4[/YOUTUBEHD]

You did it in One Minute...Twenty...Seven Point Nine Twenty Five, which puts you at the top of the board

Brilliant lap Kev 👍!!

Nice interview as well . Though you did leave out a picture of your current car!

Small_Fryz

Brilliant lap Kev 👍!!

Nice interview as well . Though you did leave out a picture of your current car!

Click to expand...

Sorted.

Nice job Kevin, thanks for everything you do for the WRS!👍

Also, Chuck is one I would recommend for GTP' Star. I think he really embodies the spirit of WRS and what is great about GTP. He doesn't always start out fast but he seems to put hour after hour into it to and his dedication almost always puts him near the top. He also seems like a character.

Well done Kev, I have had an interesting read whilst enjoying my cereal, and then to top it off, I see you found those tenths that I didn't have the patience for!

Good interview, and great lap!

👍

Show 'em how the WRS buys do it .Brilliant Work Kev great interview as well

Thanks for the kind comments, guys.

I had a lot of fun running this event. I didn't get to put all the time I wanted into the WRS event that I put up for this track (to the point that I did not submit), so this was a nice Saturday morning diversion.

VEXD

I see you found those tenths that I didn't have the patience for!

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Yeah, I thought about stopping once I was past your time, but like a true hot lapper, I had to see if I could get over that next second barrier.

As it turned out, it didn't take me long to find that last bit, I picked most of it up in the last 2 corners over my prior run........

Our guest today is another longtime GT fan, put your hands (and ketchup bottles ) together for Small_Fryz!

What has brought you here to GTP? How long have you been a member?
I cant actually remember why or how I found GTP. I was 14 at the time and I registered on the 12th March 2003. Ive been a member for over 8years now , which is actually longer than Ive been a member of anything. I haven't lived in a house / town or even attended a school for anywhere near that time. GTP is quite a big part of my life and while I dont always post, I do happen to browse at least once a day.

How has GT5 been for you?
GT5 has been quite fun!, Back in 2006 I switched across to PC sims and left GT4 behind, but with the introduction of GT5 I really saw a big step up in the physics and found that switching across was easy and the driving and racing provided a lot of fun. Having the online feature is the main reason I even considered it as I had a long list of mates whom I had always wanted to race "real time" with on the track. GT5 is not without its flaws, but overall it provides some really entertaining races with your mates.

What has been your favourite vehicle to drive at the moment?
I drive what ever we are racing , I guess I enjoy the JGTC cars on Racing medium or Racing Hards. Very fun category to race. Its rare I will just drive a car to drive it, most of the time I play its for some race or competition.

What about tracks? Are there any particular favorites you have?
Nurburgring Nordscliefe (clear winner)
But these are also brilliant.
Deep Forest
Trial Mountain
Grand Valley

I just love those tracks! and really enjoy racing them.

Have you played around with photomode at all? If so, how do you like it?
Ive taken about 4 pictures and I think I might have saved one?, I love other peoples work and enjoy what they can create but I have no desire personally, to even attempt to use this feature.

What is your favourite GT game and why?
GT5, because its online. It could do with a bit less drafting but I guess that just adds to the tactical element!. I do remember loving GT2 and GT3 a lot but its simply been so long since I've played them that I'm probably a bit biased. Back in those days I played the game to complete it and race the AI, these days its all about the online racing with my mates, I very rarely actually "play" the game with the AI and haven't run a seasonal or AI race since December . So I guess the reasons I play have changed a lot, which probably also changes which my favorite one is.

One thing that sticks out in my mind is I remember saving up for weeks to buy GT2, telling my parents I will go without the take-away dinner if they put that money towards GT2 as i really wanted it . Still remember the disc that smelled like pit lane .

Are there any other video games do you enjoy playing?
Big, big fan of the Grand Theft Auto series, and over the years have posted quite a bit in that section, even participating in the record books . Nothing like getting 4 - 5 stars and going on a massive cop chase. I also play Iracing and GT Legends in the PC world. Other than that I really dont play much games at all.

Switching over to real life, what do you drive? Is it in the game and if so, how does in compare?
I drive a 2008 VW Polo GTI, which is not in the game. The game does have an older version but to be honest I havnt actually driven it .

Whats your favorite car and what is it about it that you like so much?
I really like the BMW M3, Its hard to pinpoint exactly why, but it just seems to be the complete package. I haven't had a lot of experience in driving awesome real life cars, so I just don't think I'm able to answer this question really well.

What's your other hobbies?
I love to ride dirtbikes and play poker. I also enjoy camping and hanging out with mates.

Anything else you'd like to say?
Just want to shout out to all my friends here at the Planet, ranging from my years in the WRS and Online Racing sections to the guys in the Infield and Rumble Strip and the Opinions forum. I have learnt a lot over the years and have made some really good friends . I have a few memberships at other places but GTP will always feel like my forum / internet home, the place where it all started.

Well then, lets have a look at your lap
[YOUTUBEHD]C8xWlwAq2Dk[/YOUTUBEHD]

You did it in One Minute...twenty seven...point...five fourty one, which puts you at the top of the leader board

Brilliant Interview and Don't think anybody Expected anything than a number one Spot

I think there needs to be a D1 board, like the F1 drivers' board on the show.

Seriously, great lap and a nice interview, Dion. 👍

Great idea to make a board for the few who have qualified for GT Academy?

Nice one Fryz. 👍

Unfortunately you forgot to mention how much better I am than you...no biggie. I forgive you.