Just got back from the Melbourne event. They're using GT-R GT3 at Brands Hatch. You get a 2 lap race to qualify, and if you meet the minimum cutoff time you get the actual qualifier (I won the race so I don't know what's the minimum time, sorry). Qualifier is 4 laps TT at Brands using the same car. They say no aids but I took a quick peek at the driving options before the race and ABS is on (everything else is off). Tyres is Racing Soft. Wheel is using Thrustmaster T300, CCS 3, FFT 5, FFS 8 (I'm typing this from memory so don't crucify me if something is off lol). My best time was 1.26.9xx but I'm usually 2-3 secs behind the top guys so I expect a 1.23-1.24 for the qualifying times. I asked and they say you get 3 tries per location. I'm not gonna go back myself but get in early if you do because the lines are already quite long when I finished.
I rushed back home and immediately drove the same car-track combo in GT6 to compare.
IMO, GTS is pretty underwhelming. Graphics look good but the physics are only marginally improved over GT6. I think GT5 to GT6 is a bigger leap than GT6 to GTS tbh. Lift off oversteer is more pronounced (entry to Paddock Hill and Dingle Dell is especially tricky). Previously you can only get lift off oversteer if you turn ABS off in GT6, but GTS with ABS on you also get it. Corner exit throttle management is also more sensitive, coming out of Druids you can just floor it in GT6 but I had to catch a slide a couple times in GTS. Aside from that, mid corner behaviour is pretty much the same. Engine braking behaviour is also the same. Disappointingly, I can feel a hint of the "Ridge Racer" style braking exploit still present in the physics. Going into Stirlings bend I can get an extra rotation using this. No, it's not as bad as 2015 GT Academy (Round 2 was also GT-R GT3 at Brands), but it's still there.
Wheel FFB I can't comment much because I have a G25 at home so it's not a direct comparison. I have to say the T300 doesn't impress me that much. It's smoother but it doesn't give any extra info that my G25 already provides. Maybe it's just the FFT settings though. I run FFT 10 at home and everything just feels stronger. GTS feels flaky and numb by comparison. Again, could just be the wheel so don't take this as gospel.
Sounds are slightly improved. They provide headphones so I don't know how much that improves things. The basic sound of the GT-R is the same, but the turbo BOVs are very pronounced on lift off and downshifting. Oddly I don't think the real car has those sounds, but it does make the game less sterile.
AI wise they seem to be more aware of surroundings. Still pretty slow though. In the 2 lap pre-quali I started last and got to 3rd by the end of lap 1, and passed the 1st place guy just at the finish line. I made 2-3 mistakes in that race. Could be just the difficulty is put on Easy, but with PD, I gave up on AI a long time ago. Damage is also non-existent. Same bumper car affair of past games.
I think that's all I can glean from the short experience. I'm doing this to get a feel for GTS and the T300 more than GT Academy
Sad to say I'm not really impressed. I'll probably still get GTS but it'll be more for the photomode Scapes more than the actual driving. After comparing with GT6 I also did a few laps in AC with the same combo, and the difference in physics and FFB is just from another world.
My quick laptime comparisons
GTS 1.26.9xx (RS)
GT6 1.24 (RH), 1.22 (RS)
AC 1.28 (RS on low fuel)
Good luck to everyone participating
EDIT: Someone got a 1.23.9xx, just as I predicted (courtesy of Nissan Australia's twitter). That was set quite early in the day, so maaaaybe a low 1.23 is possible. These aliens never cease to amaze me 👍