- 1,236
- Humboldt County
- ExoSphere64
A little late for wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and a little early for wishing everyone a Happy New Year. It has been a hectic couple of months but I actually have a free evening tonight and really wanted to put a few notes up on The Pit Board.
As the year comes to a close, I look back on the past year of racing. There was a point where I just didn't have much to say and now there is so much that I am having a hard time collecting my thoughts. The year has been absolutely fantastic but more so, the last couple of months have been truly epic. As I have mentioned before, a group of like-minded individuals staying together for an extended amount of time on the interwebs is a pretty amazing feat. This group of "individuals" has not only stayed together for an astounding amount of time, we have grown into something I have never experienced in all of the years I have had an internet connection. We are a "FamiLeague".
Our League is made up of some of the most intelligent, respectful, generous and exciting people that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Although I have never met any of you in person, I consider all of you my friends. I have also seen many other friendships develop within our ranks. I am very thankful I found this group. Real life is a challenge for every single member of SNAIL but when we all gather, whether it is on the thread, League night, an impromptu practice or one of the many SNAIL sponsored events, we can always count on SNAIL spirit and values to be a part of each and every activity we participate in. I want to thank each and every member, past, present or future for being who you are and always being my "Happy Place" no matter what is going on in my real world!
I also want to thank GTPlanet for making this all possible. The values that GTPlanet hold are also the quite similar to our Leagues and It is always a pleasure knowing that if I do wander into any other thread, I can expect the same courtesy and respect I enjoy here. When I came to this site for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised to see the level of professionalism and attention to detail. Once I had committed to finding an online racing league I was willing to keep looking no matter how long it took. My first stop was was the Playstation GT5 forums. To be honest it was pretty depressing and I was hoping it got better. The second site was this one. I never looked back. 20 months later, I am still here and don't see an end to it for a very long time. Again, a huge thanks to all of the GTPlanet staff for all of your work and giving us this fertile land to build such and amazing League!
👍I have been anticipating this moment for quite a long time and it has not been disappointing! Everything I had in my mind has come to fruition and then some. For me personally, I have upgraded from a lumpy old couch with a handful of 2x4s holding my wheel in the air and looking at a 20 year old Sony Trinitron to a proper race rig. I now line up in style with my trusty DFGT and my old fanny being supported by a Playseat and a brand new 42" HDTV. I know that isn't all the remarkable to most of you but (don't laugh) it is my very first true flat screen HDTV and I am in pure heaven right now. Up until now I have never seen Gran Turismo the way it was intended. I am having a real hard time as I type this because all I want to do is climb into my rig and just drive my heart out.
For the League, everything is turning up roses as well. There have been and will be a few more bumps in the road as we transition to GT6. How the League and all of its members are handling it is just awesome. Improvise, adapt and overcome almost seems like an understatement. We are also growing. Much faster than I had predicted. Over 1400 pages and WELL over 42000 posts. Many former or inactive members are coming back and it looks like there is a pretty steady flow of newcomers. I see our future as being brighter than ever.
When I discovered GTPlanet I knew I was in the right place. I looked over many different threads. I saw so many great leagues and series that I thought it may take a long time to figure out where I fit in best. In all honesty I never tried anything else. Once I read our O.P. I knew instantly that this was what I was looking for and again, I never looked back. The O.P. has changed several times over the past couple of years and over time it has really matured into the very best this site has to offer. I have checked out several other openers and while I respect what they have done, none of them comes even close. The header changes regularly to keep it interesting and some of the information it brings is not only informative but one of a kind. Buttkicker, GranStand and the latest (and most excellent) promotion of our members participation in GT Academy. I don't think it was coincidence that the so many of the finalists, top three drivers and overall winner are members of this great League.
Thank you all for everything that this League stands for and the fun it brings to me personally. Thanks to zer05ive, kcheeb, Team SNAIL, the stewards and all of the members. The new year is going to hold some of the best and most exciting times we have ever been a part of and I am really looking forward to it. Next year I plan to get The Pit Board back on track as there is so much new (and old) information that needs to be passed on. Long Live SNAIL!!
Race Clean, Race Hard, Race S.N.A.I.L.
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