2014 Final thoughts

[GTP_MacGyver]

So – now it is done. GT Academy 2014 came to an end. At least for 99.9% - and a few of us will advance to the national finals and even further. Congrats to all who made it! Good luck and success as well. Well, well done!

Kudos to @IMMORTALPILOT for an outstanding lap and the guys from UK for this enjoyable battle which you had there at the top of the board. Great stuff!

And here is a short report of my personal experience this year:
In the last 12 months, after GTA 2013 I just performed twice on my highest level before entering the final event at SPA this year. Last year in the WRS and in February this year in an official GT6 TT. That was all. I had not so much time and also sometimes got a lack of motivation. So, couple of months I was not racing at all and my condition before GTA 2014 was not the best at all. Not really.

Anyway, the level of performance in the GTA is so high and the competition so tough that – every year again – I am really looking forward to the Academy Qualifier. No exception this year. And, concerning my lack of seattime the last 12 months, my goals this year were pretty high. Finish in the Top 2000 worldwide and in the regional Top 200.

On day one I started with a mid 2’19 – and day by day I improved, mostly not much. Was tough for me, lot of kilometers driven. But I took it step by step. During week two I finally made it into the 16’s, which meant a lot to me, cause I came to a point which I couldn’t reach the years before…. It turned out like this:

Week 1
2’19.463
2’18.799
2’18.154
2’18.038
2’17.874
2’17.577

Week 2
2’17.451
2’17.346
2’17.267
2’17.207
2’17.034
2’16.938
2’16.841
2’16.743

Final Time:
2’16.743

Best sectors and [theoretical best]:
37.284 [37.050] – 1’03.750 [1’03.600] – 35.709 [35.709]

Year / World Rank / Regional Rank
GTA 2012 / 3960 / 376
GTA 2013 / 2652 / 215
GTA 2014 / 1689 / 120* - (1st time ABS 1 only)
* if the german academy would’ve run 2 weeks my regional rank should’ve been approx around 170

So now – as GTA has finished – I am really happy with my results and improvements, even I could have been slightly faster around Spa. Anyway, I learned a lot and gained a lot of experience.

Thanks also to @Tidgney and ‘his guide’ Which helped a lot. Thanks for all your work and passion you put into your stuff.

But how it was for you guys out there? Did you reach your goals and what you expect for next year? What are your goals and what were your experiences during the last two weeks? Would like to know…

Cheers to all. See you maybe soon in the WRS – its time to move my ass and qualify for me I guess. But for sure we will ‘see’ us next year. Maybe within the Top 1000. I will go for it….

MacGyver

P.S.: @GTP_CargoRatt – Seriously - be proud of what you did the last two weeks. You’ll come back strong 2015. That’s for sure!

 

[DBY___86]

I finished about 570 in the uk last year after only just getting a wheel. I've had a few months on iracing before GTA14 but no gran turismo experience. I knew this year my target was top 100 in the uk and I finished 97th with a 2.16.2. I know if I spend more time on gt throughout 2014 and early 2015 I will be able to challenge top 25 and with any luck get into the top 14 in GTA 2015! That's the goal anyway. Really enjoyed this year but am well aware I need a lot of hard work if I'm to realise my goals next year!

 

[Wiz]

My goal every year has been to be in the top 100 in my region and top 1000 worldwide. I'm happy to say for the first time ever, I've met that goal.

I also met my laptime goal for this year, which was to break into the 2:15's.

2:15.998

74th USA
726th Global

 

[GTP_SniperWolph]

Being in the Top 100 for USA is Insane, Pushing for those last few 100ths is an experience I will remember, mentality plays a huge role telling myself keep pushing, keep going, Brake earlier, brake later, more lock, turn on this visual queue...so exhausting. I enjoyed this GTA more then the others.

I consider this failure to Qualify more experience for next year, If there is one. It was definitely a pleasure, Now for those who qualified.

Step 1: GTA (Check )
Step 2: Regional Finals ( Push Harder )
Step 3: Get Ready for Dubai!

Failure will lead to success,
Push Harder, that breakthrough is a curve away.

2:16:178

99th USA
960th Global

 

[OutlawQuadrnt]

This year, I was the fastest driver in America.



That's more to many of the prior finalists not running laps than anything else. Still, I cannot believe that my name's on top of a national list for anything.

 

[LLOYDZELITE69]

Sorry but in the United States you were lol. Not all of North America Well done though and congratulations!!!!!!

 

[OutlawQuadrnt]

Sorry but in the United States you were lol. Not all of North America Well done though and congratulations!!!!!!

It's all Canada's fault.

Actually, I just realized I'm still 3rd fastest in North America. USA's on the podium.



Also, 77th in the world and shockingly, within a second of the fastest man in the world. 123 people hit a 14 as well.

 

[et_]

Goals:
-Doing my best [check]
-Within a second of the overall fastest [check]
-Qualify to the national finals [check]
-String together that perfect lap [fail]
-better overall position than last year [check]
-Top 100 overall [fail, but so close]
-2:14.xxx [check]
-Fastest in my country [fail]
-Top 50 overall [fail]
-Fastest in my region [fail]
-Top 10 overall [mega-fail]

 

[GTP_MacGyver]

This year, I was the fastest driver in America.



That's more to many of the prior finalists not running laps than anything else. Still, I cannot believe that my name's on top of a national list for anything.

Great, great lap! You made it look so freakin easy. Well done and congrats!

 

[OutlawQuadrnt]

Great, great lap! You made it look so freakin easy. Well done and congrats!

I recall being more deliberate on this lap, so it does come out as rather tidy. The only corners which I know I could've done better was the one before Bruxelles and Turn 11. Problem was that I had so much trouble not losing speed through Eau Rouge, I never could beat or even match my Sector 2 split for the remainder of the Academy.

 

[mistersafeway]

2:17.141, 221st regional, 2,352nd worldwide.

I think what I can take from this year is that I should prepare a lot more, and actually put in an effort in future. I think I did slightly better than last year, with 2-3 hours and hardly any effort (not an exaggeration, also not a claim I could have made the cutoff), as opposed to 1-3 full days and driving as hard as possible last year. I feel slightly guilty about being so lazy after seeing all the people who were trying so damn hard in the threads, too, like I've let everyone down...

Hopefully none of this post comes across as arrogant, and rather is received as intended: I'm a decent driver who is extremely lazy. My current GT6 stats are 28,878.9 miles driven, 1,013.4 hours of "driving time", and favourite car being the X2014 Standard with 3,629.0 miles driven. You work it out.

 

[ODB]

Din't really have any goals but to see what's it all about since it was my first GTA. Actually almost missed the whole thing, I had already done those first challenges on senna tribute when I came back next day and saw that GT ACADEMY is available I mean I almost 🤬 my self when I realized I have been doing these TT's while others have been training on these GTA events... So I hit those first challenges first couple days like mad to get some idea what they where all about, then I moved on to the final and started to study it. Golding the thing seemed bit hard at first but in first stint I got it under .20. First few days were kind of stressful since it felt like I was coming late to work or something like that but ones I got that thing up to speed I was chipping down times and it felt really good. Ones I started to hit it constantly under .17 things got though. It seemed rather impossible to me to do fully clean lap since (it's impossible to us mortals ) a very long track and a car that you could perform miracles, I mean I did some awesome first sectors, but none of those laps didn't give me any result, probably because I usually get nervous immediately I see my ghost 2 car lengths behind me ( I wonder if anyone of you could give me any pointers how to avoid that, I mean I know I just have to get used to it, but really any tip would be great!!!)

I was learning something new daily, all so it felt like I forgot somethings I already learnt and had to figure them out ones more. Ones I made a lap of .16.5xx I was really confident, felt like when I come back to morrow, I must make It at least under .16 but guess what I was getting no where near it maybe because it was friday and I was worn out by work, and guess I could have been a bit worn out due the massive mileage also so I gave it a rest for that day, came back and was on the speed ones again, soon enough I realized it was not gonna be nothing easy to make it even to high .15s but still I hit it hard and was able to shave off over .3. At that point I actually felt kinda empty, finally I made a half decent lap, which had couple of obvious errors but since I made really good effort on other parts it was pretty good over all, especially the way I nailed the chicane faster than probably never before, made me so euphoric that it felt too hard after that to keep on pushing. And even though I know how stupid this sounds but one more week and I would have done it to mid 15s. since I was still making some progress...

But the most importantly, now I can really start to figure what I'm gonna do next year. I mean first of all I'm gonna take my vacation during the academy so I can but a double amount of effort to it, gonna start doing the practice trials as soon as they come available (and I'm gonna do them a lot) also it would't be to bad to actually do some push-ups and pull-ups since turning that wheel 4 hours a day is gonna wear you up pretty soon if u don't have any strength. Also some other sport (besides GT ) that would sharpen my reflects would not be too bad either.

I also think I red somewhere that TRL_SAMURAI is actually Italian?? I mean if that is indeed true, i'm gonna eat nothing but sea food, pasta, tomato, some olives and drink a lot of wine from now on ( I already do the drinking part so that probably is not the reason why he's faster than me )

 

[Saidur_Ali]

2:17.141, 221st regional, 2,352nd worldwide.

I think what I can take from this year is that I should prepare a lot more, and actually put in an effort in future. I think I did slightly better than last year, with 2-3 hours and hardly any effort (not an exaggeration, also not a claim I could have made the cutoff), as opposed to 1-3 full days and driving as hard as possible last year. I feel slightly guilty about being so lazy after seeing all the people who were trying so damn hard in the threads, too, like I've let everyone down...

Hopefully none of this post comes across as arrogant, and rather is received as intended: I'm a decent driver who is extremely lazy. My current GT6 stats are 28,878.9 miles driven, 1,013.4 hours of "driving time", and favourite car being the X2014 Standard with 3,629.0 miles driven. You work it out.

Quite hardcore your GT6 stats, I think my stats are less than 20% of that . Just need to think next GT Academy, you are driving the X2014 as clearly you can put effort in .

I did similar amount of time about a 2 hour session using steering wheel on last night of competition. I just wanted to try combo out before it finished, drove without ABS to minimise chances of getting a lucky lap and doing a qualifying time. Just wanted to see how far off pace I will be having not driven with wheel for a few weeks and also not to finish bottom of my friends list.

Managed to get reasonable pace towards end, I think if I hooked a lap close to my best sectors, would have been a low to mid 2:15 but never managed to get a lap together as I usually messed up one of the corners a lot with front and rear locking and didn't do enough attempts once I got up to pace. I was surprised that I managed to make time on Tidgney's line in start of second sector too a few times so was quite close to his line about a tenth or two off going into Rivage corner and I knew he had a time close to mid 2:14 too.

 

[mistersafeway]

Quite hardcore your GT6 stats, I think my stats are less than 20% of that . Just need to think next GT Academy, you are driving the X2014 as clearly you can put effort in .

I did similar amount of time about a 2 hour session using steering wheel on last night of competition. I just wanted to try combo out before it finished, drove without ABS to minimise chances of getting a lucky lap and doing a qualifying time. Just wanted to see how far off pace I will be having not driven with wheel for a few weeks and also not to finish bottom of my friends list.

Managed to get reasonable pace towards end, I think if I hooked a lap close to my best sectors, would have been a low to mid 2:15 but never managed to get a lap together as I usually messed up one of the corners a lot with front and rear locking and didn't do enough attempts once I got up to pace. I was surprised that I managed to make time on Tidgney's line in start of second sector too a few times so was quite close to his line about a tenth or two off going into Rivage corner and I knew he had a time close to mid 2:14 too.

Yup.

I know at least half that time has been spent watching races and talking, though, so... lazy!

 

[GTP_CargoRatt]

My goal was to be a U.S. finalist which was not meant...failed miserably. No excuses and nothing more to say on the matter. See you next year.

 

[GTP_MacGyver]

My goal was to be a U.S. finalist which was not meant...failed miserably. No excuses and nothing more to say on the matter. See you next year.

Mitch - really - you make me angry. We dont really know each other. And sure, I am not often really active here on the GTplanet. Anyway, I am often online here and read stuff. And i always have an eye on you. WRS, TT Seasonals and stuff like this. Not sooo long ago you came up in Div4 - and since then - you always kept fighting. Pushing. Never gave up on smth. And you made your way up. Div2Silver already. And now, i read your posts here. And it really upsets me. Seeing you here, punishing yourself. Even it sounds hard, but to make it to the nationals this year.... Its not about what was meant to be or what not. It was just unrealistic. This year. And probably it will be also not much realistic next year. But i know that you can do it. And i am sure that you will. At least thats the Cargorat i used to know. For a long time - we both - were pretty much performing on the same level. And - believe me or not (its up to you) - but you did extremely well with your 2:16.441. I hope you dont misunderstand me. Its not so easy to say such things when its not your native language. But i hope, and i really do, that soon you see all this stuff from another angle. And that you look proudly back on your performance in Spa this year. You have all reasons to.

Tommi

 

[Bisqui]

This is my first time here in the Forum and it was my first time playing GT Academy. Actually, it was my first time playing GT. As you can see my picture, I am not exactly racing driver material, and I would probably be called Grandpa Bisqui if I had made it to the finals. Anyhow, this was an extremely rewarding experience for me. I have learned a lot through out this process, and I think I did ok for an old man playing in his basement with a Logitech GT fixed on to a little plastic folding table....hehehehe. Final time 2:17:099, # 228 in the USA.
I found this was the only game other than Angry Birds that I can beat my 3 Teenager sons! LoL...feeling accomplished!
I will keep playing GT and having lots of fun on my rare spare time!
Congrats to everyone who played and for those who made it to the Finals.

Bisqui.

 

[GTP_CargoRatt]

Mitch - really - you make me angry. We dont really know each other. And sure, I am not often really active here on the GTplanet. Anyway, I am often online here and read stuff. And i always have an eye on you. WRS, TT Seasonals and stuff like this. Not sooo long ago you came up in Div4 - and since then - you always kept fighting. Pushing. Never gave up on smth. And you made your way up. Div2Silver already. And now, i read your posts here. And it really upsets me. Seeing you here, punishing yourself. Even it sounds hard, but to make it to the nationals this year.... Its not about what was meant to be or what not. It was just unrealistic. This year. And probably it will be also not much realistic next year. But i know that you can do it. And i am sure that you will. At least thats the Cargorat i used to know. For a long time - we both - were pretty much performing on the same level. And - believe me or not (its up to you) - but you did extremely well with your 2:16.441. I hope you dont misunderstand me. Its not so easy to say such things when its not your native language. But i hope, and i really do, that soon you see all this stuff from another angle. And that you look proudly back on your performance in Spa this year. You have all reasons to.

Tommi

I really appreciate your kind words and inspiration, I really do. Sorry if my statements anger you, that is certainly not my intent. Yes, I should be proud of what I have accomplished and I suppose I am in a microscopic way, but as a whole, I am really disappointed. Disappointed that after so much work, I come up short again. And has I have said before, father time, and my health, is certainly not on my side. I will be 49 next year and my body (reflexes, eye sight, etc) is certainly not getting any younger so I am having to fight that battle as well, as well as my disabilities from my accident. So you see, I really need to get this done as soon as I can, it is important to me and would really mean the world to me if I was able to accomplish the two goals I have set for myself in the game - this one and WRS Division 1 Gold. This game is really all I got in life that I am able to do because of my health, so that's why these goals are so important to me. I am this way in real life too....tell me I can't do something and if there is the slightest possibility that it can be done, well I'm going to do it. So, maybe you can politely see my disappointments here. Yes I agree, I should be more positive and proud of my accomplishments so far and taking your advice, I will try to more so in the future. Again, thank you very much for your post, concern, and words of inspiration, they are very much appreciated and will not be forgotten. Thanks for being a good friend here Tommi, appreciate it.

Mitch

 

[GTP_MacGyver]

I really appreciate your kind words and inspiration, I really do. Sorry if my statements anger you, that is certainly not my intent. Yes, I should be proud of what I have accomplished and I suppose I am in a microscopic way, but as a whole, I am really disappointed. Disappointed that after so much work, I come up short again. And has I have said before, father time, and my health, is certainly not on my side. I will be 49 next year and my body (reflexes, eye sight, etc) is certainly not getting any younger so I am having to fight that battle as well, as well as my disabilities from my accident. So you see, I really need to get this done as soon as I can, it is important to me and would really mean the world to me if I was able to accomplish the two goals I have set for myself in the game - this one and WRS Division 1 Gold. This game is really all I got in life that I am able to do because of my health, so that's why these goals are so important to me. I am this way in real life too....tell me I can't do something and if there is the slightest possibility that it can be done, well I'm going to do it. So, maybe you can politely see my disappointments here. Yes I agree, I should be more positive and proud of my accomplishments so far and taking your advice, I will try to more so in the future. Again, thank you very much for your post, concern, and words of inspiration, they are very much appreciated and will not be forgotten. Thanks for being a good friend here Tommi, appreciate it.

Mitch

@GTP_CargoRatt
It makes me kind of angry because i know – at least i think I know – what this laptime/performance means, also in comparison of your performance-level right now. You are on the way Mitch, ever since you decided to leave the NASCAR oval. It’s great to see what you have done and what you still do. And it is a long way, and air is getting thin as you move up the boards.

And yes sure, your age, your health and all this, true, all this makes it even harder. I understand that. But – I mean – even with all this ‘handicaps’, you walk on, you fight, you improve and also it makes your result this year even more impressive.

But, speaking about your two goals – don’t try to make one step before the other. Go for the Gold and the ‘Nationals’ will come with it. But it takes time. There will be no magic laps and 1-second-plus-improvements won’t come out of nowhere – especially not on this level.

It’s not just about the precision, dedication, passion and faith which will lead to your goals, also self-reflection will be needed and the ability to face the truth, as well as to set the right targets at the right time.

You will do it Mitch! If you keep going, keep fighting – your time will come. But the time was not now. Not today. But you are still on track. Your self-destruction and punishment right now will lead you aside. I tell you that. Take some days off the wheel, enjoy nature, get a fresh mind and analyse and realize your accomplishments. Not just from GTA, even go back 2-3 years….

I don’t know – I am pretty sure you know what I mean – but there will be days or weeks with a lot of frustration. Ups and downs. But most important – try to take and keep the good things, the positive aspects in and with you – all the other crap – leave behind. And I am sure you will find tons of good things. Be proud of yourself Mitch.

Damn it, I need to finally qualify for the GT6 WRS to ‘beat the crap out of you’

And – btw - as we are both kind of insane, I can proudly tell you, that my total mileage was even higher than yours

And you see, you are freakin 3 tenths in front of me buddy!

Enjoy the rest of the day and see you soon on track!

 

[GTP_CargoRatt]

@GTP_CargoRatt
It makes me kind of angry because i know – at least i think I know – what this laptime/performance means, also in comparison of your performance-level right now. You are on the way Mitch, ever since you decided to leave the NASCAR oval. It’s great to see what you have done and what you still do. And it is a long way, and air is getting thin as you move up the boards.

And yes sure, your age, your health and all this, true, all this makes it even harder. I understand that. But – I mean – even with all this ‘handicaps’, you walk on, you fight, you improve and also it makes your result this year even more impressive.

But, speaking about your two goals – don’t try to make one step before the other. Go for the Gold and the ‘Nationals’ will come with it. But it takes time. There will be no magic laps and 1-second-plus-improvements won’t come out of nowhere – especially not on this level.

It’s not just about the precision, dedication, passion and faith which will lead to your goals, also self-reflection will be needed and the ability to face the truth, as well as to set the right targets at the right time.

You will do it Mitch! If you keep going, keep fighting – your time will come. But the time was not now. Not today. But you are still on track. Your self-destruction and punishment right now will lead you aside. I tell you that. Take some days off the wheel, enjoy nature, get a fresh mind and analyse and realize your accomplishments. Not just from GTA, even go back 2-3 years….

I don’t know – I am pretty sure you know what I mean – but there will be days or weeks with a lot of frustration. Ups and downs. But most important – try to take and keep the good things, the positive aspects in and with you – all the other crap – leave behind. And I am sure you will find tons of good things. Be proud of yourself Mitch.

Damn it, I need to finally qualify for the GT6 WRS to ‘beat the crap out of you’

And – btw - as we are both kind of insane, I can proudly tell you, that my total mileage was even higher than yours

And you see, you are freakin 3 tenths in front of me buddy!

Enjoy the rest of the day and see you soon on track!

Very, very well spoken my friend, your words here are very inspiring make a lot of sense (so much so, I'm going to print out your post here and hang it where I can see it every day. 👍) and I will no doubt take your advice. You have just really made me realize just how thankful I should be in coming as far as I have, thanks for that. 👍 You are a great friend, stay in touch as it helps to have people in my life such as you as a positive role model. Now, if you'll excuse me, I am seriously going to print out your post and hang it by my Playstation TV, thanks again, you have made me feel a whole lot better, both about myself and my performance.

A friend always,
Mitch

 

[GTP_MacGyver]

Very, very well spoken my friend, your words here are very inspiring make a lot of sense (so much so, I'm going to print out your post here and hang it where I can see it every day. 👍) and I will no doubt take your advice. You have just really made me realize just how thankful I should be in coming as far as I have, thanks for that. 👍 You are a great friend, stay in touch as it helps to have people in my life such as you as a positive role model. Now, if you'll excuse me, I am seriously going to print out your post and hang it by my Playstation TV, thanks again, you have made me feel a whole lot better, both about myself and my performance.

A friend always,
Mitch

You are more than welcome my friend. We should do some racing / training sessions from time to time. Lets figure smth out these days / weeks. Would appreciate it.

 

[GTP_CargoRatt]

You are more than welcome my friend. We should do some racing / training sessions from time to time. Lets figure smth out these days / weeks. Would appreciate it.

Yea, that sounds like a plan, would really appreciate and enjoy that. 👍

 

[GTP_Patrick1]

I will be 49 next year and my body (reflexes, eye sight, etc) is certainly not getting any younger so I am having to fight that battle as well,

Mitch

I don't have your other health issues, but I am 5 years older and am still getting faster. I am doing better than ever in WRS TTs and races. So don't worry about your age. I am sure it helps to have younger reflexes, but I only started playing a few years ago, so what I am figuring out, as to how to get faster, is outpacing my age.

 

[SniperRed3]

I'm just sat here like oh yeah I've got a race car.

 

[David Bailey]

Just scraped in with 2:20 odd. Got the car happy with that. Anyway at 93kgs I'm to heavy for a real race car anyway.

 

[01Michael]

Great GT Academy this year. Nice way to spend your time when not revising for exams. Bring on Silverstone! Preperation is a good excuse to go karting I reckon!

 

[VettelIsGod]

I have experienced problems with my Internet connection for the past couple of months and I therefore couldn't update GT6. This meant that I had to miss GTA this year.. Very frustrating to be honest -,-

Does the Nissan GTR GT3 N24 Schulze Motorsport '13 car have the same performance as the one used in the Spa round of GT academy? Thank you in advance

 

[hOt6o4bOi]

After coming back to GT after about 6 years off of it. It's sad to see just how bad the game really is now days...

Really provides a great opportunity tho!

Congrats to all competitors who made it.

Back to iRacing I will go...

 

[scca_ziptie]

Does the Nissan GTR GT3 N24 Schulze Motorsport '13 car have the same performance as the one used in the Spa round of GT academy? Thank you in advance

No

 

[GTP_MacGyver]

No

No? I am not 100% sure - but stock setup should be nearly the same, as well as PP and BHP. 609PP and around 590 or 591 BHP. Even it was shown 541BHP at the academy. But the same phenomenon shows up when you buy the other GT-R GT3's. Shown and listed with 541BHP at the Dealership, but when you check the Setup Sheet - tada - 591BHP. But probably i am wrong and some other stuff or whatever is different...