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Thanks to Sony and Mercedes, 
received an invite to go along to this little event that they had planned. In case you haven't heard of it by now, ex-F1 racer and current BBC F1 expert pundit, David Coulthard was going to race a Mercedes SLS around a secret location whilst gamers using GT5 would race round the same track, to see who could get the fastest time.
GT5 gamers had been asked by Mercedes to sign up, which they did in their thousands. A random selection was made and 24 lucky people ended up getting invited to Mercedes Benz World at Brooklands to take part.
I was asked if I wanted to go and I jumped at the chance to go to MBW and witness this ambitious event. Whilst not being eligible for the grand prize which was a trip to the 2011 Brazilian GP, I would still get to drive at the same time as the finalists and DC. I was also to get to drive the real SLS but, as I was in the wrong place at the right time, I never got to have a go.
Hopefully something may be sorted out for a later date.
I arrived at MBW at quarter to nine on Monday morning to be greeted by the sight of 14 racing pods complete with PS3s, Logitech DFGT wheels and Sony Bravia TVs. Well, the first sight when I got there was actually the CLK GTR road car in the foyer, but more of that and the other exhibits later.
The GT5 pods by GTRdaan, on Flickr
Who would be standing on this podium later?
The contestants arrived just after 9am. After signing in, they were split up into 3 groups of 8. One group would use the pods to set a qualifying time, and the other 2 groups would head outside to the track. One of those 2 groups would get to drive round the track, and the traction circle, in a selection of AMG machinery including C63 and the SLS, and the other would get a shot of driving the M-class around the off-road course. The groups would then switch over so that each of the 3 groups got a chance to do all 3 of the activities. Driving round the track, and off-road, was just for fun though and the main action of the day would centre around the GT5 pods.
C63 AMG. Sideyways. by GTRdaan, on Flickr
The secret location was revealed to be Dunsfold Park, aka the Top Gear Test Track. Whilst the actual location had been kept secret, the smart money was on the TGTT as it was the only UK track in GT5, apart from the London Street track. DC was also in the UK having taken part in the DTM race at Brands Hatch the previous day. Closing central London was probably too much even for the combined might of Sony and Mercedes, so the TGTT it was.
The contest to find the fastest 6 drivers started with the first group. Those were found by letting them drive the SLS around the Top Gear Test Track for 2, 10 minute sessions. The racers' fastest time from the first session, along with their 2 best times from the 2nd session would be added together and it would be that combined time that would decide who went through. I thought that was good system as it rewarded consistency as well as outright speed.
Sony had brought along a special build of GT5 that only had Time Trial mode with 2 tracks and one car. The tracks were Laguna Seca and the TGTT. There was only one car and it was no surprise to find it was the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ’10. Laguna was used for a practise so that users could get used to the car and the pods.
Car settings were as follows:
Controlling a 570 odd horsepower SLS with no traction control on tyres with not much grip proved a little tricky for some, especially those more used to using a controller, but most were soon into the groove and setting good times. The top drivers were setting times in the mid 1'14s while most were in the 1'16-1'17 bracket. Some drivers who had never seen the TGTT or used a wheel before struggled to get into the 1'20's. At this point, news was coming through from Dunsfold that DC was currently setting times in the 1'20 range also, so it wasn't looking good for DC...
Practise by GTRdaan, on Flickr
Jonathan Legard was there during this period doing bits to camera that would be run later as part of the live broadcast. It was really interesting getting to see this happening, behind the scenes, as it were. I know Jonathan got a hard time from some sections about his F1 commentary style but he really is a nice bloke!
Jonathan chattingup to Pollyanna from the Gadget Show and BBC sports presenter Mike.
After all the drivers had had their "qualifying" runs, the times were added up to get the top 6.
In between the qualifying and the final it was decided to change the tyres that the GT5 players were using. Obviously, the 1'14.xxx set in the qualifying were way too quick for DC in the SLS so the GT5 car was changed over to Comfort Softs. The real SLS was on the tyres it normally comes with so that should have equated to comfort softs in game anyway.
Due to the unforseeable tyre change, the finalists got another test session so they could acclimatise to the less grippy rubber that was now attempting to keep them on the track. It was a slight drawback to have to change tyres part way through the event but there are obviously a lot of unknowns in setting up events like these, not the least of which was the skill level of the chosen few, so it really was the only option open to the organisers.
The top 6 practise ahead of the main event.
Mercedes Live race - GT5 players vs DC
And so, after a morning of practice and qualifying, the main event began.
The top 6 sat in their respective pods. The other 8 pods were filled by reporters and celebrities and me! I was asked beforehand if I wanted a practise but I declined. After all, I should have known what I was doing...
The live feed from Dunsfold was on the big screen and Martin brought the flag down and DC was on his way. 6 eager challengers also set off. Although it was billed as a race, it was really a hotlap contest as no one had to battle their way past other cars. Forget racecraft, forget overtaking, the best time would win.
As I was racing in the my own pod, I was unaware of the times DC, and the other contestants, were doing. I could hear Jonathan and Martin commentating and I could gather that it was really close between DC and Jason. From my limited knowledge of what was happening it seemed that DC set his time early then his tyres or brakes overheated, leaving Jason, with none of those issues to try and better DC's time. Over the course of the contest Jason was chipping away at his times, gaining a tenth here and there on his previous best laps but DC was just slightly too quick for us to keep up. So, unfortunately for us gamers, DC won. Fortunately, for real racing drivers, DC won! But their time is limited!
After seeing how close a real SLS is to a simulated one, massive kudos must go to Sony and Polyphony Digital for giving us a racing simulator that so closely matches the real thing! 👍 Half a second is all that exists between virtual and reality.
With regard to my times, my first few laps were in the 1'20 range, then I had a few slower, or "red timed" laps, then I managed to sneak in a 1'18.897 which I was pleased with.
The podium by GTRdaan, on Flickr
David Coulthard: 1:16.32
Jason Birt: 1:16.86 (+0.548)
Rob Woodhouse: 1:17.53 (+1.214) Alfabob46
Andy Sawley 1:17.88 (+1.564) Hansawlo
Jamie Lunn 1:18.73 (+2.411)
John Morshead 1:19.27 (+2.955) (Has GTP app on phone but not signed up as far as I know)
Keith Brown 1:19.90 (+3.587) KushGuru
David Coulthard and Martin Brundle by GTRdaan, on Flickr
The final times.
The celebrities leaderboard with yours truly at the top. I was pleased with a time that would have put me 6th in the main event. The only issue I had was that the pods don't seem to be designed with folk of my height in mind. My left foot was fouling the brake pedal on occasion [/racing drivers' excuse]
Mercedes Benz World
When you walk in, you are greeted by the exceedingly rare CLK GTR road car
CLK GTR Road Car by GTRdaan, on Flickr
But I have to say that the highlight for me was the deconstructed F1 Mercedes hanging from the ceiling. It is, quite possibly, the coolest thing I have ever seen. The pictures don't quite do it justice and it really needs to be seen to be believed. Go and see it. Do it now!
Mercedes F1 deconstructed by GTRdaan, on Flickr
Mercedes F1 deconstructed by GTRdaan, on Flickr
Mercedes F1 deconstructed by GTRdaan, on Flickr
Mercedes F1 deconstructed by GTRdaan, on Flickr
Oh, and didn't manage to get my photo taken with DC, (although to be fair, I didn't ask) but he did sign my copy of his autobiography that I had brought along. I got my photo taken with Martin though.
Martin Brundle meets me! by GTRdaan, on Flickr
Thanks must go to Sony (David Wilson), Jardine International (Glen Gibson and Calvin) and Mercedes for giving an invitation to come along and watch/take part in this event. Thanks also to Maz/Synwraith for asking me if I wanted to go. 👍
received an invite to go along to this little event that they had planned. In case you haven't heard of it by now, ex-F1 racer and current BBC F1 expert pundit, David Coulthard was going to race a Mercedes SLS around a secret location whilst gamers using GT5 would race round the same track, to see who could get the fastest time. GT5 gamers had been asked by Mercedes to sign up, which they did in their thousands. A random selection was made and 24 lucky people ended up getting invited to Mercedes Benz World at Brooklands to take part.
I was asked if I wanted to go and I jumped at the chance to go to MBW and witness this ambitious event. Whilst not being eligible for the grand prize which was a trip to the 2011 Brazilian GP, I would still get to drive at the same time as the finalists and DC. I was also to get to drive the real SLS but, as I was in the wrong place at the right time, I never got to have a go.
Hopefully something may be sorted out for a later date.I arrived at MBW at quarter to nine on Monday morning to be greeted by the sight of 14 racing pods complete with PS3s, Logitech DFGT wheels and Sony Bravia TVs. Well, the first sight when I got there was actually the CLK GTR road car in the foyer, but more of that and the other exhibits later.
The GT5 pods by GTRdaan, on Flickr
Who would be standing on this podium later?
The contestants arrived just after 9am. After signing in, they were split up into 3 groups of 8. One group would use the pods to set a qualifying time, and the other 2 groups would head outside to the track. One of those 2 groups would get to drive round the track, and the traction circle, in a selection of AMG machinery including C63 and the SLS, and the other would get a shot of driving the M-class around the off-road course. The groups would then switch over so that each of the 3 groups got a chance to do all 3 of the activities. Driving round the track, and off-road, was just for fun though and the main action of the day would centre around the GT5 pods.
C63 AMG. Sideyways. by GTRdaan, on Flickr
The secret location was revealed to be Dunsfold Park, aka the Top Gear Test Track. Whilst the actual location had been kept secret, the smart money was on the TGTT as it was the only UK track in GT5, apart from the London Street track. DC was also in the UK having taken part in the DTM race at Brands Hatch the previous day. Closing central London was probably too much even for the combined might of Sony and Mercedes, so the TGTT it was.
The contest to find the fastest 6 drivers started with the first group. Those were found by letting them drive the SLS around the Top Gear Test Track for 2, 10 minute sessions. The racers' fastest time from the first session, along with their 2 best times from the 2nd session would be added together and it would be that combined time that would decide who went through. I thought that was good system as it rewarded consistency as well as outright speed.
Sony had brought along a special build of GT5 that only had Time Trial mode with 2 tracks and one car. The tracks were Laguna Seca and the TGTT. There was only one car and it was no surprise to find it was the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ’10. Laguna was used for a practise so that users could get used to the car and the pods.
Car settings were as follows:
- Transmission was either automatic or manual depending on each driver's preference.
- Tyres started off as sports hards for the heats but, as those proved too fast, were changed to Comfort Softs for the final.
- ABS was set to 1. All other aids were set to off.
Controlling a 570 odd horsepower SLS with no traction control on tyres with not much grip proved a little tricky for some, especially those more used to using a controller, but most were soon into the groove and setting good times. The top drivers were setting times in the mid 1'14s while most were in the 1'16-1'17 bracket. Some drivers who had never seen the TGTT or used a wheel before struggled to get into the 1'20's. At this point, news was coming through from Dunsfold that DC was currently setting times in the 1'20 range also, so it wasn't looking good for DC...
Practise by GTRdaan, on Flickr
Jonathan Legard was there during this period doing bits to camera that would be run later as part of the live broadcast. It was really interesting getting to see this happening, behind the scenes, as it were. I know Jonathan got a hard time from some sections about his F1 commentary style but he really is a nice bloke!
Jonathan chatting
After all the drivers had had their "qualifying" runs, the times were added up to get the top 6.
In between the qualifying and the final it was decided to change the tyres that the GT5 players were using. Obviously, the 1'14.xxx set in the qualifying were way too quick for DC in the SLS so the GT5 car was changed over to Comfort Softs. The real SLS was on the tyres it normally comes with so that should have equated to comfort softs in game anyway.
Due to the unforseeable tyre change, the finalists got another test session so they could acclimatise to the less grippy rubber that was now attempting to keep them on the track. It was a slight drawback to have to change tyres part way through the event but there are obviously a lot of unknowns in setting up events like these, not the least of which was the skill level of the chosen few, so it really was the only option open to the organisers.
The top 6 practise ahead of the main event.
Mercedes Live race - GT5 players vs DC
And so, after a morning of practice and qualifying, the main event began.
The top 6 sat in their respective pods. The other 8 pods were filled by reporters and celebrities and me! I was asked beforehand if I wanted a practise but I declined. After all, I should have known what I was doing...
The live feed from Dunsfold was on the big screen and Martin brought the flag down and DC was on his way. 6 eager challengers also set off. Although it was billed as a race, it was really a hotlap contest as no one had to battle their way past other cars. Forget racecraft, forget overtaking, the best time would win.
As I was racing in the my own pod, I was unaware of the times DC, and the other contestants, were doing. I could hear Jonathan and Martin commentating and I could gather that it was really close between DC and Jason. From my limited knowledge of what was happening it seemed that DC set his time early then his tyres or brakes overheated, leaving Jason, with none of those issues to try and better DC's time. Over the course of the contest Jason was chipping away at his times, gaining a tenth here and there on his previous best laps but DC was just slightly too quick for us to keep up. So, unfortunately for us gamers, DC won. Fortunately, for real racing drivers, DC won! But their time is limited!
After seeing how close a real SLS is to a simulated one, massive kudos must go to Sony and Polyphony Digital for giving us a racing simulator that so closely matches the real thing! 👍 Half a second is all that exists between virtual and reality.
With regard to my times, my first few laps were in the 1'20 range, then I had a few slower, or "red timed" laps, then I managed to sneak in a 1'18.897 which I was pleased with.
The podium by GTRdaan, on Flickr
David Coulthard: 1:16.32
Jason Birt: 1:16.86 (+0.548)
Rob Woodhouse: 1:17.53 (+1.214) Alfabob46
Andy Sawley 1:17.88 (+1.564) Hansawlo
Jamie Lunn 1:18.73 (+2.411)
John Morshead 1:19.27 (+2.955) (Has GTP app on phone but not signed up as far as I know)
Keith Brown 1:19.90 (+3.587) KushGuru
David Coulthard and Martin Brundle by GTRdaan, on Flickr
The final times.
The celebrities leaderboard with yours truly at the top. I was pleased with a time that would have put me 6th in the main event. The only issue I had was that the pods don't seem to be designed with folk of my height in mind. My left foot was fouling the brake pedal on occasion [/racing drivers' excuse]
Mercedes Benz World
When you walk in, you are greeted by the exceedingly rare CLK GTR road car
CLK GTR Road Car by GTRdaan, on Flickr
But I have to say that the highlight for me was the deconstructed F1 Mercedes hanging from the ceiling. It is, quite possibly, the coolest thing I have ever seen. The pictures don't quite do it justice and it really needs to be seen to be believed. Go and see it. Do it now!
Mercedes F1 deconstructed by GTRdaan, on Flickr
Mercedes F1 deconstructed by GTRdaan, on Flickr
Mercedes F1 deconstructed by GTRdaan, on Flickr
Mercedes F1 deconstructed by GTRdaan, on Flickr
Oh, and didn't manage to get my photo taken with DC, (although to be fair, I didn't ask) but he did sign my copy of his autobiography that I had brought along. I got my photo taken with Martin though.
Martin Brundle meets me! by GTRdaan, on Flickr
Thanks must go to Sony (David Wilson), Jardine International (Glen Gibson and Calvin) and Mercedes for giving
an invitation to come along and watch/take part in this event. Thanks also to Maz/Synwraith for asking me if I wanted to go. 👍
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👍
Saw the beginning of the race but then I had to get back to work.. 
And that CLK GTR is off the hook... I wonder how much they would want for that piece of art?!
. DC's autobiography is a much more sensible thing to get signed though and I guess he appreciates it more.
. Legard said to try and swap, no one will know 
