Page 35 of Gran Turismo 2's Reference Manual talks about drag racing. You don't have a proper drag strip unless you count the 0-400m courst at Test Course. Gran Turismo 4 has the first-ever drag zone. Unfortunately, no drag racing. I hope GT5 is a step in the right direction for finally having drag racing instead of not making it competitive and interesting. Some people would say that Gran Turismo shouldn't have drag racing. Well, explain rally racing in GT2. Explain F1 cars in GT3 and GT4. Explain the tuner cars in GT4 as well as the LMPs. Explain drifting in GTHD and GT5P. Gran Turismo has basically gone from a series involving competitive road racing to encompassing as many aspects of racing as possible with as many types of cars as possible.
I speak with passion on things I know can be accomplished. So rather than a sound off, here is a passionate editorial I'd like to post regarding seeing drag racing in GT5.
John-itorial: Passionate Defense of Drag Racing in GT5
As you are reading this post, please note that I am not a drag racing professional. I'm likely one to red light or not make effective shifts down the track. I'm speaking passionately for PD to include proper drag racing for the first time in series history. I know what you're thinking. The 0-400m runs at Test Course aren't exactly for pure drag racing. Gran Turismo 2 had two purpose-built drag cars (both Nissans). Gran Turismo 4 had "The Strip" on the streets of Las Vegas, but mostly as a vehicle testing facility. So why be passionate about this? Allow me to explain.
Drag racing has been a concept constantly expressed, but never actually implemented. Nothing of making burnouts, nothing of pre-staging, nothing of cutting a good light, nothing of winning on a holeshot... this has been that feature that has never been given life. It actually saddens me because I never really feel if I'll get the opportunity to actually take part in and enjoy drag racing. First GT-type game I've played that has a drag racing feature was "Sega GT" that I played on the PC. You've had hints of drag racing long ago, but never fully offered drag racing in a final build of a GT game. I once read of some kind of glitch or cheat in which you could race a drag strip at Laguna Seca. However, I'm talking about a proper drag strip that you don't have to cheat to get. I still believe in hope and prosperity. I don't force or demand anything from a game company and a franchise game series. All I'm saying is that this game needs to actually have drag racing to boost the number of racing types as well as finally offer a style of racing that's been mentioned yet never executed.
GT1? No drag racing. GT2? Drag racing cars, but no drag racing. GT3? No drag racing. GT4? A drag racing track, but no competitive drag racing. It's been ten years since GT finally puts in British race courses. Will we see competitive drag racing in series history? Or will we have to wait until GT6? I say PD needs to find a way to have drag racing in GT as well as have various competitions for various types of cars. Will it happen? Will we finally put drag racing to the test in all of the bells and whistles thereforth? Dream it... create it. Open a new chapter of GT history by including drag racing.
And that was my passionate expression for drag racing. As far as NFS-style competition, you can always have proper drag racing with the tuner cars (as well as some of your own beasts). No need for pink slips unless you're looking for a competitive online package.
