Epic GTP race series reveals Truth about 600PP

[Biggles]

Just came off the most epic 3 hour series of racing on Suzuka 600 PP featuring many GTP racers starting with Vanos2990 & Sphinx with more & more GTPers popping up, climaxing (if I can use that expression) with several races with 10 or 11 GTPers participating: among them Hammer, Angel, TwistyBits, CWR, DramaKyd, L_Hamilton & others I can't recall (perhaps you can remind me).

I believe the intense racing series made a number of things quite clear:

1) (and it pains me to say this) at Suzuka (at least) AWD rules. In spite of occasional small victories, at the end of the day even the best efforts of the genteel Vanos (F430) & the desperate SimcoeAce (Clio/tuned), could not match the control & acceleration out of the turns of the AWD brutes (R8s, Evos & GT-Rs). Kudos to Angelx for his (mostly) dominant driving in his R8.

2) GTPers rock! It was an impressive display of controlled driving (with some minor mishaps) & at times genuinely felt like "real racing". It was the occasional non-GTP "interloper" who generally provided some of the in-race "problems". They must have been shocked to see a whole grid of GTP cars...

3) It really feels like the "online boost" is mostly gone - anyone falling behind in such a competitive field had little chance to move back up unless another driver made an error. Gains made against the field were hard-won & seemed to be measured in one or two seconds a lap rather than 9 or 10.

4) Speed off the line is essential in a fast & competitive field. In three laps it's simply not possible to make much headway against uniformly strong drivers - this is where the old boost used to make a difference. Sadly, my beloved Clio, so slooow off the line is no longer competitive (I think it benefited a lot from the old boost).

5) With skilled & controlled driving, & mutual appreciation for the "rules", "damage" is certainly less of an issue.

6) Sphinx never sleeps.

Thanks to everyone for a great series - it really showed what GT5 online could be. Apologies for any bumps & knocks in the heat of the moment...

 

[Timppaq]

Just came off the most epic 3 hour series of racing on Suzuka 600 PP featuring many GTP racers starting with Vanos2990 & Sphinx with more & more GTPers popping up, climaxing (if I can use that expression) with several races with 10 or 11 GTPers participating: among them Hammer, Angel, TwistyBits, CWR, DramaKyd, L_Hamilton & others I can't recall (perhaps you can remind me).

I believe the intense racing series made a number of things quite clear:

1) (and it pains me to say this) at Suzuka (at least) AWD rules. In spite of occasional small victories, at the end of the day even the best efforts of the genteel Vanos (F430) & the desperate SimcoeAce (Clio/tuned), could not match the control & acceleration out of the turns of the AWD brutes (R8s, Evos & GT-Rs). Kudos to Angelx for his (mostly) dominant driving in his R8.

2) GTPers rock! It was an impressive display of controlled driving (with some minor mishaps) & at times genuinely felt like "real racing". It was the occasional non-GTP "interloper" who generally provided some of the in-race "problems". They must have been shocked to see a whole grid of GTP cars...

3) It really feels like the "online boost" is mostly gone - anyone falling behind in such a competitive field had little chance to move back up unless another driver made an error. Gains made against the field were hard-won & seemed to be measured in one or two seconds a lap rather than 9 or 10.

4) Speed off the line is essential in a fast & competitive field. In three laps it's simply not possible to make much headway against uniformly strong drivers - this is where the old boost used to make a difference. Sadly, my beloved Clio, so slooow off the line is no longer competitive (I think it benefited a lot from the old boost).

5) With skilled & controlled driving, & mutual appreciation for the "rules", "damage" is certainly less of an issue.

6) Sphinx never sleeps.

Thanks to everyone for a great series - it really showed what GT5 online could be. Apologies for any bumps & knocks in the heat of the moment...

1) I thinks the AWD's and MR's are quite evenly balanced. That' is only my 6h of yesterdays racing experience.. Didn't see any R8 that would have been fast enough, one ´07 Subaru was very fast, but mainly I got beaten by NSX's (Truth123 & tameturtle, fast indeed both of them!) I'll get back to this when I get more experience with fast 4wd-drivers..

2) sounds you had a great time, wish I could have been there! 👍

 

[Chadwicksracing]

It certainly amazes me how much AWD makes a difference. It also shows who has the setups figured out with the AWD. I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to get that R8 to go as fast as Angel. I tried different setups, lines..and I mostly ended up over driving the car.

There was a level of professionalism displayed the entire time we raced. I don't think we could mimic that kind of racing again. It was extremly lucky to get mostly GTP in the races. I know ever time there was a non GTP they either slowed me down or they block/punted me off the track.

ONE other thing. when racing non GTP I look back in the mirror constantly to see where the hacks are. Because sadly I get punted a lot. In our races.. I never worried about my other competitors! I trusted them to know where there braking points were and how to control their car. You just can't find that kind of quality anywhere else in the world.

I would like to thank everyone who raced for giving me the drive of the life time. That was more thrilling than almost any GTP race I have ever had. Thanks for that. Because of those races tonight you will see me around a lot more, in an effort to find that sort of racing again.

 

[Timppaq]

Anyone got videos of these races? ...Sphinx?

 

[cudadude2]

2:30 AM!? Dont you guys have jobs???

b

ps wish i was there

 

[nifty1]

Sounds like great fun was had by all, I would have had a good view if I was there!....from the back!

2:30 AM!? Dont you guys have jobs???

b

ps wish i was there

That's a good point actually.
How long do people spend playing GT5P just out of interest?

Or is this worth a poll?

 

[gitSehT]

Damn, I wondered why fuji 600 was so dead last night, I knew I should have changed tracks. Sounds like you guys had a great time.

 

[AERO_HDT]

Yeah sadly, the truth of Suzuka 600PP is that AWD cars do have an edge and I've been saying this a while. Rarely do I come across guys who can handle MR cars, I can probably count them on one hand.

Sadly I'm one of the AWD brigade, but it irks me because AWD is so easy. I wish the PP would be adjusted to make cars like the M3, IS-F and other rear wheel drive cars more competitive. It would surely open up the racing a great deal.

Wish I could've been part of that race the other night.

BTW, I don't think all non-GTP guys are poor drivers. I've come across some excellent racers who have no idea what GTP even means. I wear no GTP tag, does that make me a poor driver too?

 

[toracer32]

BTW, I don't think all non-GTP guys are poor drivers. I've come across some excellent racers who have no idea what GTP even means. I wear no GTP tag, does that make me a poor driver too?

Couldn't agree with your last statement more Aero. I was in these races for a few hours last night, don't use a GTP ID, won one, got second in another, did screw up a few times, but don't think I did anything that would make me a "poor driver," just more of a first timer at Suzuka with my R8.

 

[Sphinx]

BTW, I don't think all non-GTP guys are poor drivers. I've come across some excellent racers who have no idea what GTP even means. I wear no GTP tag, does that make me a poor driver too?

I don't think anyone said that "all non-GTP guys are poor drivers". Those are your words, not anyone else's.

Couldn't agree with your last statement more Aero. I was in these races for a few hours last night, don't use a GTP ID, won one, got second in another, did screw up a few times, but don't think I did anything that would make me a "poor driver," just more of a first timer at Suzuka with my R8.

Again, no one here has made a claim that "all non-GTP guys are poor drivers".

 

[Biggles]

My first race with Vanos & Sphinx was around 10.30 pm, the last one (with, by this time a whole array of GTPers) at 2.30 am. Those 4 solid hours of back-to-back races with the same opponents revealed more about the nature of GT5P online than hundreds of other races with the usual uneven & inconsistent collection of opponents.

It was a new experience to be part of a row of 10 or 11 cars filing through Turn 1 & the esses at maximum speed, bumper to bumper with no-one punting anyone else off (well, most of the time anyway ). In this situation, being at the back going into Turn 1 was an almost insurmountable disadvantage: the only way to make your way through the field was one, hard-fought position at a time, by which time the race leaders were too far ahead to catch.

Well, they were too far ahead to catch with no "boost": I'm convinced, based on last night's experience that the boost, while possibly still present, is now very minor - perhaps a second or two a lap. I believe this has significantly changed the nature of the race: it's now essential to get a good start, otherwise, against a good field of drivers, there's no chance to catch up & win the race.

I also feel that it's possible that the last update altered the performance balance between the cars somewhat: in the past the Clio & the F430 were able effortlessly to haul in an R8 on the straights. While they are still a bit faster, the speed difference seems to be a lot less than it was. In addition, it feels like the update has lessened the drafting effect.

In any case, the AWD cars were dominant, & whether through better tuning or superior driving - most likely a combination of the two - Angelx's R8 was the car to beat (with Sphinx's Evo close behind).

1) I thinks the AWD's and MR's are quite evenly balanced. That' is only my 6h of yesterdays racing experience.. Didn't see any R8 that would have been fast enough, one ´07 Subaru was very fast, but mainly I got beaten by NSX's (Truth123 & tameturtle, fast indeed both of them!) I'll get back to this when I get more experience with fast 4wd-drivers..

It's quite possible that you've got some better MR drivers than us! But seeing Rudi's 6.51xxx Suzuka Evo run further convinced me.

BTW, I don't think all non-GTP guys are poor drivers. I've come across some excellent racers who have no idea what GTP even means. I wear no GTP tag, does that make me a poor driver too?

There are definitely some fast non-GTP drivers, but last night, without exception, non-GTP were the slowest on the track.

2:30 AM!? Dont you guys have jobs???

We're all trust-fund babies... 👍

 

[OrangeR]

Ahhh I wish I could been there...

 

[homeforsummer]

Yeah, seems a pity I missed all that! Never mind, plenty more nights of racing.

 

[putty]

man, i never see anyone one any more. i just get stuck in crappy 2-3 car races 4/5 times.

i would kill (not really) for a nice 16 person GTP dominated race.

 

[cmpinberkeley]

4) Speed off the line is essential in a fast & competitive field. In three laps it's simply not possible to make much headway against uniformly strong drivers - this is where the old boost used to make a difference. Sadly, my beloved Clio, so slooow off the line is no longer competitive (I think it benefited a lot from the old boost).

Damn, sorry I missed it!! I am not a trust fund baby and had to get some sleep!! I have noticed that Sunday afternoons and evenings tend to get nice grids.

As for your starts, Simcoe, hit me on PSN. I've noticed that I gap you big time on the starts in the same car. I think I use the same technique as everyone else, but my Clio will only lose about 6 or 7 car lengths to the AWDs, which usually has me hitting T1 no lower than 3rd or 4th when starting from pole. Also, I think I had advised you to move further up the grid before. Then at least you have a chance. It's still more fun to drive the RWD!!! These guys will all have to learn how to drive again (joke of course) when we have RWD-only races!!!

See you all next time!!!

 

[superwally]

Great review/report.

I put my PAL copy in right around 9:45 EST (US) time, didn't see much going on-thought maybe you folks were sleeping for once. I ran the F40 Time Trial for an hour and then watched some TV.

Next time, I'll check back every so often. Wish I could have been there!

 

[Chadwicksracing]

Great review/report.

I put my PAL copy in right around 9:45 EST (US) time, didn't see much going on-thought maybe you folks were sleeping for once. I ran the F40 Time Trial for an hour and then watched some TV.

Next time, I'll check back every so often. Wish I could have been there!

Next time if you can why not join the chat to see where we are at.. PAL and NTSC guys are in there almost 24 hours a day. lol

So next time you are bored check it out.

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=106476

The more the merrier I say..

 

[vanos2990]

It was a new experience to be part of a row of 10 or 11 cars filing through Turn 1 & the esses at maximum speed, bumper to bumper with no-one punting anyone else off (well, most of the time anyway ). In this situation, being at the back going into Turn 1 was an almost insurmountable disadvantage: the only way to make your way through the field was one, hard-fought position at a time, by which time the race leaders were too far ahead to catch.

Well, they were too far ahead to catch with no "boost": I'm convinced, based on last night's experience that the boost, while possibly still present, is now very minor - perhaps a second or two a lap. I believe this has significantly changed the nature of the race: it's now essential to get a good start, otherwise, against a good field of drivers, there's no chance to catch up & win the race.:

..What a race series that was , I felt honored to take part in it. Yes after the 3rd hour straight I began showing early signs of carpell tunnel syndrome, and yes my clothes were completely drenched in presperation. I had developed a callous in my left hand from griping the steering wheel as I shifted with my right, and I only got 4 hours of sleep but... I didn't care! That's true endurance style racing! I felt the camaraderie with my fellow GTP'ers duke'ing it out so intensly for such a long time(especially with you Simcoeace, we started the whole thing).

Agree, with solid racers upfront, the LACK of boost is VERY apparent, just cant catch up like I used to

I agree with every assessment you made with AWD and the like, but would like to add that RWD/MR cars like the F430 I was driving could have clipped away at the leading AWD cars had I had more laps.

The Chat system worked like a charm:tupthis is how most of the other players joined in so mysteriously:idea to get everyone playing together. I was busy chatting through the whole ordeal and was able to recruit 4 or 5 of the other GTP guys to link up with our race series. Next time I'd like to see you in the chat Simcoeace

We're all trust-fund babies... 👍

maybe not all of us but It made me realize im not the only crazy GT/racing enthusiast out there willing to "endurance race".👍

 

[Biggles]

Always a pleasure driving with you vanos. 👍 You're right about the 3 lap thing, however, having observed your driving over an extended period of time (on more than one occasion), I think I can say: you're just too nice! Unlike many drivers, you always give your opponent the benefit of the doubt. As the racing got more crowded, intense & competitive it became more of a handicap to drive "politely".

On one occasion I remember there was a bit of a pile up at Degner. You politely slowed down to avoid hitting the car in front & I viciously rear-ended you! Weird thing is, my car stopped dead in its tracks (never had that happen before) & I then promptly got rear-ended by the car behind. LOL.

Haven't tried chat. How does it work? Any chance of everyone getting together tonight again - perhaps Fuji for a change - say at 10.30 E.T.?

toracer: any negative comments were not directed at you - I enjoyed our races. After you "retired" the grid really became crowded with GTPers & for a while there were one or two "interlopers" who managed to get in the way & slow down CWR, vanos, myself & any other "slow-starters". By the time the interlopers spun off the track, we were well-behind the front-runners.

darthdrift: vanos & myself were alone in a sea of AWDs! At one point dramakyd showed up in a Clio, which was somewhat re-assuring, but he ran off to saddle-up an R8 after a couple of unsuccessful campaigns. Could've used the moral support buddy!

Sphinx: you've ignored my comment, but if you actually ARE in the UK, you were playing from around 3.30 am to 7.30 am GMT. What's with that!

 

[toracer32]

I had to retire.

Work in the morning does that sometimes. I'll go to Fuji at 10:30 though, unless you guys show up at Suzuka again...

 

[L_Hamilton]

I had to wake up at 7 but there was no way I was going to miss this great racing..

 

[Sphinx]

Sphinx: you've ignored my comment, but if you actually ARE in the UK, you were playing from around 3.30 am to 7.30 am GMT. What's with that!

Actually it was more like 2.30 am to 6.30am

I had only intended to race on NTSC for a few races but once the word got out I just couldn't pull myself away from the races. Luckily I wasn't working on Monday so it wasn't such a big deal. the only down side was getting caught red handed by the wife as I was trying to sneak into bed.

I would race again tonight, but I have to be at work by midday. 👎

 

[angelx]

We have a bunch of people in the chat and it looks like there will be some more great races tonight so stop by the chat.

 

[Chadwicksracing]

Actually it was more like 2.30 am to 6.30am

I had only intended to race on NTSC for a few races but once the word got out I just couldn't pull myself away from the races. Luckily I wasn't working on Monday so it wasn't such a big deal. the only down side was getting caught red handed by the wife as I was trying to sneak into bed.

I would race again tonight, but I have to be at work by midday. 👎

Man I ended up getting 1.5 hours sleep last night. But it was worth it. I am glad so many could be apart of it.

 

[Biggles]

the only down side was getting caught red handed by the wife as I was trying to sneak into bed.

Consider yourself lucky you're not sleeping on the couch...

 

[atledreier]

what's 'the chat'? Can I come? I think some here can vouch for my cleanliness..

 

[91hondawagon]

what's 'the chat'? Can I come? I think some here can vouch for my cleanliness..

Of course you can come. "The chat" is here:

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=106476

Just follow the link.

As for your cleanliness, we don't care about your personal hygiene. Just if you're a good racer . [/awful joke]

 

[atledreier]

As for your cleanliness, we don't care about your personal hygiene. Just if you're a good racer . [/awful joke]

Hehe! I definetly saw that coming, that's why I put the in there. I'm heading over there right now. Thanks!

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

You know what annoys me most about AWD? It seems to me that the AWD cars accelerate faster too. I was racing a number of AWD cars tonight, and generally keeping up almost in the corners. But then a drag race reveals I have no chance on the straights, wtf?!

 

[atledreier]

Then you obviosly haven't tried the R8. That's a pig to get going on the straights. Either that, or you just get really sucky exits in your rwd. The AWD cn carry more speed in the corners if skillfully driven, and get better exit. But a straight drag? No way. Could be tuning maybe?