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[Buffalo_DRD]

Sorry folks, I haven’t yet made my Prize A pick yet as I was waiting to see what would be there from the UCD.

I’ll take a peek today.

 

[Dragonwhisky]

@Dragonwhisky any news about the tire formula trial moving on to be the regular tire formula ?

As yet, I've seen nothing compelling in the tire trial thread to not leave it the way it is going forward. Please keep in mind, the way I've got the sheets set up at present, we can expand or contract the ranges in one particular sheet and it will replicate to, as near I can tell, every other sheet that uses that data. We can also move the tire grades around as well. The tire trial settings are not written in stone. I would've certainly liked to have seen more thoughts on this subject from more SNAILs over there in that thread. So far, only three have made comments. So, how about it SNAILs?

 

[Buffalo_DRD]

Niagara's Annual Year-In-Review Special
2024 Edition​

We've closed out the 2024 season and we're getting ready to fire up the 2025 season.

A few weeks ago I was about to clear off all of these pictures from my laptop that I've used in writing up my weekly column but then it occurred to me that I should hang onto them until the end of the year and perhaps put together some sort of "Year-In-Review" special.

I joined SNAIL on the 2nd or 3rd week of January of 2024 but only started cataloging pictures in April or May so there's a good chuck of the year missing. And then I contemplated presenting pictures in chronological order, maybe on a month-by-month basis but I'm missing too large of a gap early in the year for that (maybe next year). So then I thought about lumping them together by theme because as I was scrolling through them, some general categories became apparent.

Let's review 2024...

PIT ISSUES​

For a league that runs 15 to 16 minute races and pit stops are not mandatory, I saw plenty of cars heading into the pits, either on purpose or on accident.

These are examples of accidental Pit-Stops in which I believe the driver was either spinning and fighting going into the Pits...

And sometimes the race gets away from you and you need to reset yourself and enter the Pits to calm down.

As the data on the top-left shows, in one case, we actually had two cars in the Pits at the same time. (@DublDee & @Kgffy)

I think this was also @Kgffy , just last race weekend.

Before moving away from Pit Issues, sometimes the Pit Walls themselves can be obstacles and despite being well marked, a lack of concentration around Pit entrances can be deadly. I think this is @A_Higher_Place .

NIAGARA's HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR:​

And while on the topic of pitting and Pit-Walls, I'll share what turned out to be my favorite moment of the year.

Back in July, at Gran Valley, @A_Higher_Place executed what I called the nasty "Bait-N-Switch" move on @DublDee . Where @DublDee was probably focusing more on @A_Higher_Place 's car to ensure maximum slipstream benefitand not on the track. @A_Higher_Place seemed to be discreetly steering towards the pit-wall and veered left at the last second.....

This caught @DublDee by surprised and he went into the wall real hard at high speeds.

@DublDee must have thought the move to be pretty clever as he didn't wait long to try to execute it on somebody else. The very next week, @DublDee tried to pull it off on yours truly, but it was too fresh in my mind for me to fall for it.

BREAKING STUFF​

Readers of my column know that an easy way to get airtime in these pages is to break stuff. Whether it's sending cones flying, or bales of hay, I get a kick out of it.

I am also guilty of it. Smashing these advertisement boards at Road Atlanta.

Cones at Nurburgring.

I think this was @Kgffy running too deep on the last turn at Leguna Seca and knocking off some track markers.

The 2024 award for Best Destruction of Property goes to @Dragonwhisky who went 5-Pin bowling and threw an absolute strike with his Lamborghini taking out all 5 bales of hay at Grand Valley.

SMOKE AND DUST​

Turns out I took a lot of picture of cars kicking up grass, dirt and burning rubber. Here are some of my favorites.

@A_Higher_Place (I think)

@Buffalo_DRD leaving a trail of smoke for no apparent reason.

If memory serves me correctly, this might be @Nicktune chasing @Xradkins .

I'm not sure who is abusing their tires chasing me in this one.

FLAGS OF THE RACEWAY​

This is a Chapter that I really want to improve on for next year's "Year-In Review". If I can frame you with a yellow or a blue flag, expect to see yourself here.

We've had plenty of yellow flags.

And a few blue flags.

I actually went back to try to reframe this picture to see if I can capture a blue flag in it but I couldn't. This moment captures a very rare occurrence in SNAIL history. We were a small grid on this day and we were racing with the karts. But nonetheless, I managed to get the stewards to show @Nicktune the blue flags.

Not many Snails can say they've pulled that off. (I believe @DublDee and @A_Higher_Place were also on the grid. In fact, I think we were an all Canadian Grid of 4 that night)

CHECKERED FLAG BATTLES​

Enough about the comical moments and themes, the real reason we all log on Sunday night is for the good, clean racing with the great group of drivers that we have.

Nothing beats finding yourself in a good battle with the finish line in sight, whether fighting for 1st, 5th or 8th position. Going door-to-door with somebody with your foot to the floor is very rewarding whether coming out on top or not.

Believe it or not, I actually did win a race this year too, way back in January, approximately 200 races ago.

I'll close off this chapter by commemorating one last time @Worst_Driver 's perfect night on December 22nd, thanks to his persistent pursuit and overtake of @bublyman , about 200 meters from the finish line. And honorable mention to @racingchamp30 who also reached perfection earlier this year in D2. (I hope I got that right)

HEATED BATTLES​

It's not only at the finish line where battles occur. They occur mid race at the front, middle and the rear of the grid. Some memorial moments include....

This one stands out to me. @Dragonwhisky got a 2 for 1 pass on one of the straights at Monza back in August.

NIAGARA's CARNAGE​

Unfortunately, I have destroyed many of my cars this year, mostly through unforced errors. I don't have many highlights therefore I'll share some of my lowlights.

WORTH A SECOND LOOK​

The following a few pictures we're going to make it in here but they have me a chuckle as I was reviewing all of my pictures.

Earlier, I said that frustration might get the best of you and when nothing goes right, you opt for the pits. In this sequence, @A_Higher_Place parked next to the fans to sign some autographs.

Following @Nicktune 's line exiting the chicane at the Glen.

Being able to frame @Dragonwhisky , running mid-grid alongside the race leaders even through they are in a different sectors of the track.

CAR OF THE YEAR AWARD​

Based strictly on its usage, 2024 Snail Car of the Year Award goes to the 2017 Alpine A110. This car survived for 9 straight weeks in April and May of this year. I recall thinking it was a real shame that it didn't survive to make it a clean 10.

IN CLOSING OUT 2024...​

I enjoyed my first year as a SNAIL and I know that as the year went on I've improved as a driver. I don't get to win much or even podium often but I suppose that managing to stay as a bottom-feeder in D1 for the duration of 2024 can be considered an achievement.

There's a whole whack of you guys in D1 and in D2 that are faster than I am and I've learned quite a bit from you.
I will continue to chase you in 2025.

So that's it folks. That's how I recall 2024 and I offer apologies if you saw it differently.

It's been a pleasure spending my Sunday nights with you all and I wish all Snails and their families a safe and healthy 2025.

See you at the Car-Show...(damn, still have to go pick my Prize A)

-Niagara

 

[Buffalo_DRD]

Prize A selection:

1990 Nissan Silvia K's Dia Selection (S13)
Tires - CS (I think)
TRACK - Sardegna Road B Reverse
Weather - Afternoon, S04

Lobby Settings:
PP - 446
HP - 171
Weight - 2,513 lbs

Mid Div Lap Times - Approx 1:47.500
9 Lap Race

Car is currently available in the UCD and should be there for Sunday.

Snail data shows this car has never been used with GT7. In fact, it was last used 231 weeks ago way back in July of 2020 with GT Sport.

 

[AronD]

We've teamed up with Mihael Matika from Digit Racing to offer two lucky winners a free enrollment in the EDGE Masterclass racing course!

Whether you are new to sim racing or looking to refine your skills, this course offers a structured pathway to mastering Gran Turismo. From fundamental driving techniques to advanced racing strategies, you will learn how to navigate the complexities of the game, optimise your performance, and compete at the highest levels.
To be eligible for the drawings, one at the end of the January SNAIL racing season and one at the end of the February SNAIL racing season...
* Race in at least 75% of the January or February seasons.
Please note: Each individual is eligible to win only one prize during the 2 month promotion period.





Check out our very own @vovik05 putting SNAIL in the news!!

Spoiler: More Snails in the news!

Don't miss GTPlanet's feature of our very own @CoachMK21!


Congrats to @Neovre for making his debut at Le Mans
(where he scored an incredible P5 finish!)




Congrats to all the SNAILs who competed in the
2015 GT Academy USA Finals!!

2015 USA Finalists

Back Row: @LoCoArMeN, @vovik05, @Ryan Lynch, @Ricky Wilson, @TRL_Importlife, @Tyler Utley, @gtr3123
Front Row: @ConnorWolf, @Crystalline_T
Not Shown (qualified for, but unable to attend finals):@GTP_Compton3, @Matt Sierras, @msgt-sd
* - advanced to Silverstone finals!!

And good luck to the SNAILs who are competing in the 2016 GT Academy Mexico Finals!!

2016 Mexico Finalists

@Enzo_Goiko (second from left), @Ness (second from right), and @pakicote (far right)

Welcome to SNAIL
From our humble beginnings, SNAIL (aka Sunday Night American Interactive League) is now the largest console-based sim racing league in the world. Our mission is to provide our members with clean, intense, and competitive racing - regardless of skill level! We believe that providing full grids of evenly-matched competitions is the most realistic way to race, improve skill, and refine racecraft! Our league night is Sunday at 9:30pm Eastern / 6:30pm Pacific, but we also have a a wide variety of other events held on other nights of the week. If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, please keep reading to learn more about us and how to join.

What Makes Us Different
SNAIL is the only sim racing league in the world that's able to combine five key features into one consolidated package. First of all, we provide you with evenly-matched competition to drivers of all skill levels. In fact, the intense level of competition that we produce has established SNAIL as the "go to" place to prepare for GT Academy. And if you want to keep track of your improvement along the way, you'll be glad to know that we keep the most comprehensive race data available on GTPlanet. We also feature an interactive process that allows all of our members to have a say in which cars and tracks we race. And last but not least, we're the only league that awards our members with valuable prizes just for racing with us!

Evenly-Matched Competition
Have you ever watched a professional race where drivers with completely different skill levels were competing on the same track? Of course not! That wouldn't be fun to watch, let alone fun to participate in. Unfortunately, that disparity of pace is something you'll often find in organized online racing. When this happens, you'll be lucky to have just a few drivers that you're truly competitive with. Everyone else will usually either be faster or slower than you. We prevent that from happening in SNAIL by dividing our drivers into separate divisions based on speed and skill. This results in full grids of evenly-matched competition and creates the closest and most intense sim racing experience around!

Prepare for GT Academy
If you'd like to compete in GT Academy, there's no better place than SNAIL to hone your skills to the elite levels necessary to make it to the finals. You need to be the best of the best to make it to Silverstone, and that's exactly what the drivers in our top division are. Half of last year's and half of this year's Silverstone Finalists have raced in SNAIL. And since our race format (which features multiple sprint races) is almost identical to the format used at the GT Academy national finals, they were able to use their SNAIL experience to help them advance to Silverstone. Click here if you want to advice from last year's eventual champion and click here if you want advice from last year's runner-up.

Valuable Prizes
Have you ever wished you could win free stuff just for having fun? If so, then you might want to know that our members win valuable real-world prizes just for racing with us! These prize are based on participation and not on race results. Some examples of prizes our members have won include GranStand sim racing products like this, this and this, ButtKicker products like a Gamer2 and a Wireless ButtKicker Kit. You can also join Team SNAIL and earn even more prizes, such as shirts (e.g. S.N.A.I.L. shirt, F1 shirt, GT Academy shirt), video capture devices (e.g. Hauppauge PVR), sim racing equipment (e.g. Playseat Evolution), and even gift cards (e.g. Amazon and PSN).

Spec Racing
SNAIL has always been a one-make series, but when we decided to prohibit tuning in all of our races, we became the first "spec" racing league on GTPlanet. Spec racing ensures that success is determined primarily by driving skill and not by differences in power, gearing, suspension, weight, or aerodynamics. Because variables in the car are eliminated, spec racing is the truest measure of driver skill! It also produces intense battles for position because all of the cars are equally strong or weak in the same areas of the track. Plus, you'll never spend hours tuning cars or wondering if someone is truly faster than you or if they just have a better tune.

Race Format
Our league night lasts for two hours and is split into three rounds. Each round consists of two races that last 10 to 12 minutes on a predetermined car and track combo. At the beginning of each round, a brief qualifying session determines the order of the starting grid. The first race is set to 'Fastest First' to reward the best qualifiers and the second race is set to 'Reverse Grid' in order to promote on-track action. Points are awarded based on our "perfect" points system. After a round is completed, we move on to the next round and repeat the same process with the next car and track combination. Once all three rounds are complete, we tally up the points and then let our interactive format kick in.

Interactive Participation
Our unique format allows everyone to have a say on which cars and tracks we race. It's also used to strike a balance between familiarity and variety of our car and track combos. In other words, the progression of cars and tracks that we race is slow enough for us to learn them well, but fast enough that they don't get "old". At the end of every league night, everyone votes on which car and track combo they enjoyed the least. The combo that receives the most "elimination votes" is dropped from the next week's lineup entirely. The combo that receives the second most votes is also dropped, but only partially. This is where our prizes come into play:

Prizes
A prize is awarded to the divisions winners with the three highest scores*. The division winner with the highest score gets Prize A. The division winner with the second highest score gets Prize B. The division winner with the third highest score gets Prize C: (NOTE: We now have a new process for breaking ties in the elimination vote)
Prize A: The right to select the new car and track combo to replace the combo that was voted off
Prize B: The right to replace either the car or the track of the combo that received the second most votes
Prize C: The right to "freeze" either the car or the track of the combo that received the second most votes

Promotion and Relegation
Although we split our drivers into separate divisions based on performance and skill level, we realize that our drivers are constantly improving and deserve a chance to climb the ladder of success. That's why we promote and relegate drivers before every season based on the results and data compiled during the previous season. This is also done to ensure that our races are as competitive as possible for all of our league members, top to bottom. Regardless of which division you're in, you will almost always be fighting to gain or defend a position on the track. Simply put, no other Gran Turismo league in the world can offer this much competitive racing to so many different skill levels.

Comprehensive Race Data
It's not always accurate to promote and relegate drivers based on championship points alone. That's why the massive amounts of data we track are invaluable to our league. You'd be hard-pressed to find a sim racing league anywhere in the world that tracks driver data and race results more comprehensively than we do. In fact, our SNAIL Data document contains so much information that we have to archive old data to avoid exceeding the GoogleDoc's maximum capacity! You can use this data to track the points championship for each season and compare yourself to other drivers in categories such as fast laps, total race pace, total points, average points per race, and power rankings.

Rules
We expect all drivers to follow our OLR Rules and pursue good racecraft at all times. If you're not sure what good racecraft is, watch this video. It can be summed up in one simple 'Golden Rule' of motorsports: It is the responsibility of the overtaking driver, meaning the car that is attempting to execute the pass, to make sure that the pass is made cleanly and incident free. If you don't agree with this rule or don't think it applies to you, this is not the league for you. If you ever feel like a driver is not following the rules, please wait until league night is over, then file a Racing Incident Report. Our Stewards will review the incident and issue the appropriate penalties.

Settings
Lobby Settings
Tire Settings:

Spoiler: GT6 Information

Based on Dealership PP (not the PP after an oil change)
below 349 PP -> Comfort Mediums
350-399 PP ---> Comfort Softs
400-449 PP ---> Sports Hards
450-499 PP ---> Sports Mediums
500-549 PP ---> Sports Softs
550-599 PP ---> Racing Hards
600 PP & up --> Racing Mediums

How To Join Us
Step 1: Post a reply (by clicking the 'Reply' button at the bottom of this post) stating, "I have read the first post and would like to join," and tell us how you heard about SNAIL. (Do not start a conversation with anyone, just post your request on this thread).
Step 2: Watch the thread for a reply to your post and follow the instructions provided.
Step 3: Purchase the three cars listed in the lineup for our next races.
Step 4: Wait to be assigned to a division and then join that division's lounge on Sunday night.
If you are not sure which division you are assigned to, please check the Offical Driver List

For a list of helpful links and FAQ's, please click here.

I have read the first post and would like to join,
I found SNAIL out of interest in joining a league and finding people to play with. I have no personal friends who play GT7 or any friends on PSN for that matter. I would like to find a place/group to become a better and competitive sim racer.

 

[Oshawa-Joe]

I have read the first post and would like to join,
I found SNAIL out of interest in joining a league and finding people to play with. I have no personal friends who play GT7 or any friends on PSN for that matter. I would like to find a place/group to become a better and competitive sim racer.

Great way to start the new year. You will have fun. Your offical welcome post will probably be delayed a few hours. Combos for Sunday will be posted later today, depending on amount of whiskey enjoyed. Grab all 3 cars when it's posted.

 

[AronD]

Great way to start the new year. You will have fun. You offical welcome post will probably be delayed a few hours. Combos for Sunday will be posted later today, depending on amount of whiskey enjoyed. Grab all 3 cars when it's posted.

Thanks man, Happy New Year!
lol enjoy the Whiskey, I’ve been Sober since 5-23-24! Kind of grabbing a bit harder onto my hobbies now.

 

[Worst_Driver]

@Buffalo_DRD

That was an amazing recap of the year, very well written !

Congrats on your first year in SNAIL. It’s been a pleasure to race with you and also see you improve every week.

 

[nmcp1]

I have read the first post and would like to join,
I found SNAIL out of interest in joining a league and finding people to play with. I have no personal friends who play GT7 or any friends on PSN for that matter. I would like to find a place/group to become a better and competitive sim racer.

@AronD

Here's your official SNAIL Welcome Post!​

Thanks for your interest!
Here's what you need to know (and do) in order to join SNAIL Racing League:

We run a clean league by enforcing a strict penalty system based on the SNAIL OLR (which is a modified version of the GTP OLR). We also expect all of our drivers to know and follow The Good Racecraft Guide. Please become versed in both if you aren't already. Once that is complete, please follow the steps below to complete your entry into the league:

1. You start a conversation and add zer05ive, JLBowler, nmcp1,llNovall, Akzl298 & Dragonwhisky
as participants.

The conversation title should be "Request To Join".

2. SNAIL Administrators will respond with specific instructions on what you need to accomplish to join the SNAIL [Spec] Racing.

3. Place the following links (URLs) in the favorites (or bookmarks) in your web browser for quick reference. Please make every effort to read and understand the following links. Over the years a great deal of time and effort has gone into creating this league and we would like nothing more than to have you but we ask that you take the time and effort to do your homework. 99.9% of any question you may have about SNAIL can be found in the posts below.

• Original Post
• Drivers List
• SNAIL OLR Policies and Guidelines

4. You drive fast and clean on Sunday 👍

Again, the original post has everything you need to know about what to expect on Sunday night and what you will need to have completed in order to be competitive. If you have any questions, please feel free to post your question on the thread.

During the week we run a number of different events, we encourage all SNAILs to join as many as possible.
Welcome to SNAIL

 

[Dragonwhisky]

Gran Turismo 7
Sunday, January 5th, 2025 Lineup
January 2025 Season League Night #1​

1. Abarth 500 '09 Max PP 411 on CS Tires @ Tsukuba Circuit - S01 Afternoon - (13 Laps)​

2. Nissan Silvia K's Dia Selection (S13) '90 Max PP 446 on CS Tires @ Sardegna - Road Track Layout B Reverse - S04 Afternoon - (9 Laps)​

3. Porsche 911 RSR (991) '17 Max PP 732 on RM Tires @ Sardegna - Road Track Layout C - S01 Afternoon - (18 Laps)​

​

We will continue with the tire grade specifications used in December. @Buffalo_DRD we still need a Brand Central car picked.

 

[radliffracing]

I'll be running 3 cars featuring matte black this week. Picture taken somewhere outside of Stuttgart, Germany. This is the first time it's been appropriate for me to use the German Eagle decal I uploaded recently. You can't see it from here but it's on the Porsche. My Granny used to have that emblem on the front plate of her Buick. I've always been told that my fathers side of the family was German and Irish, mostly, while my mothers was English and Scottish. See y'all Sunday!

 

[Worst_Driver]

First liveries of the year.
@Buffalo_DRD I really like your choice of car, it should make for good on track action.

 

[Buffalo_DRD]

@Dragonwhisky - sorry to be late on my backup car.

I put some decent thought to my Prize A selection but I won’t invest that amount of time in my backup car selection.

So….
It’ll be the 2017 Alpine A110.
It`s 248 HP make it that it will be on CS Tires - barely
(Why not?)

 

[Buffalo_DRD]

My entry for 2025's first Car-Show took me to California, specifically to San Francisco.

On January 5th, 1933 construction began on the Golden Gate Bridge to connect San Francisco to Marin County. Upon opening in 1937, it was the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world.

I've never been out here to see it in person but the cars I'll be racing with on Sunday now have.

See you Sunday.