Japanese Grand Prix
Grand Prix racing through one of the world's largest cities
This season's Japanese Grand Prix leaves the permanent circuit of Suzuka for a high speed, breathtaking true road course through the beautiful Aoyama section of Tokyo.
The high speed track features a nearly 1 mile long front straight with high speed corners and narrow bends that will push both man and machine to the limit. Despite the high speeds of the track there is no runoff areas and going off usually means a date with a concrete wall and the end of your race.
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United States Grand Prix
Elevation changes and Blind Corners will challenge the drivers
The winding, rollercoaster ride that is Infineon Sports Car Course will challenge even the top drivers. This track is without a doubt one of the most technical courses on the schedule which only adds to it's difficulty. Staying on course will not be easy here, as the elevation changes, blind corners, and high rumble strips will not forgive a careless driver.
Adding to the difficulty of the track is the lack of passing opportunities. Back markers could cost the leaders valuable time if they run up on them at the wrong area on the track. Only the German and Monaco Grand Prix surpass this race in terms of difficulty.
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Formula GT Preaseason: Q&A with Loon
11/08/07
Loon is one of 6 rookies and 5 Americans in the Formula GT field. His teammate at the newly formed Renault F1 team is GT4 Defistation, also a rookie.
Q: Renault F1 is an all American team. How important is it for the team to perform well at the United States Grand Prix?
"Very Important. We have the home feild advantage here. If we didn't at least get on the podium then I feel we will have failed ourselves."
Q: Which Grand Prix are you most looking forward to and why?
"Well I was looking forward to the Super Speedway seeing as it was the easiest, which it really isn't. But now I think I'm going to like the Race at Tokyo. Mainly because it has many areas that allow you to go full throttle and really push some G's."
Q: Why did you choose to drive for Renault F1?
"I was sort of recruited I guess you could say."
Q: Do you expect to win this season?
"I'd like to say yes, but if I try and be a little realistic I doubt we'll make on the podium at the end. Especially with the line up of other drivers entering."
Q: Does any course on the schedule concern you?
"You better believe it. Two, as a matter of fact, concern me. The obvious one is "The Ring". With it's crazy curves, banks, and bumps it'll sure be a tough one. The second one is La Sarthe. The first half of the track is fairly easy. From the start to the end of Mulsane straight it is at least. After the straight is where I get worried. The roads aren't very wide and you have to go WOT through a blind corner."
Formula GT Preaseason: Q&A with Blake
11/08/07
Blake missed the first half of the first Formula GT season but finished it strong, swapping poles and wins with eventual World Driving Champion RACECAR at the final 2 Grand Prix of the season.
Q: Why did you leave Silver Arrows for Ferrari?
"Jack left the series and I felt the opportunity to join Ferrari with a team mate as strong as Pascal was one I couldn’t resist. I feel the Ferrari team has a great shot at the teams championship in Season 2."
Q: Most Formula GT drivers lack oval experience. Have you had the chance to test at Super Speedway and feel comfortable on the oval?
"I haven’t had the opportunity to drive anything since the final race at Grand Valley speedway, let alone do any FGT testing. I’m not too worried about the oval, though. It’s probably going to be a pretty random result so I’m not sure the championship will hinge on getting it right."
Q: Most experts are picking either you or RACECAR to win the Driving Championship. Do you see this season turning into a 2 horse race?
"Not necessarily. There are a lot of strong rookies this season and it’s hard to judge their form without seeing them race. Pascal and I will just do the best we can and see if one of us can end up with some silver wear at the end."
Q: Which Grand Prix are you most looking forward to this season and why?
"I’m looking forward to the Nürburgring. I didn’t get the opportunity to race there last season, so I want to prove what I can do. Pole in Germany is more important to me than most other races are, so I’ll be going all-out to find the limit."
Q: Eagle will be a rookie this season. What advice do you have for him?
"Be careful in the high speed sections!!"
Formula GT Preaseason: Q&A with RACECAR
11/08/07
RACECAR is the defending World Driving Champion. His streak of 6 straight podiums helped him clinch the Title at the last race of the season. This year his number 1 rival appears to Blake, instead of of The Internet.
Q: You've had a chance to look over the current driver roster of Formula GT. Do you think it will be easier or tougher to win the Driving Championship this year?
"With blake's return to the series as well as The arrival of GT4 Defistation whom I know from Group C, I think it may be tougher to win the driving championship."
Q: Does your success in other series like Group C and GTPLMS help you in Formula GT?
"It does, Particularly the courses I've visited before."
Q: Which Grand Prix are you most looking forward to this season and why?
"I'm looking forward to The French Grand Prix because of my vast experience of the track and The Gran Turismo Grand Prix For the same reason."
Q: Do you have oval experience? If so how do you plan to use that experience at the Pacific Grand Prix?
"I do and I plan on Using the workings plus the setup to better tackle the track"
Q: What is the key to winning the Formula GT World Driving Championship?
"Just push all the way and keep it clean. Minimize as much mistakes as possible so that you'll have a better chance at the championship."
Formula GT Preaseason: Q&A with dumkopf
11/08/07
dumkopft was hanging around the Formula GT garage area last season looking for a team but nothing ever materialized. This season he has his team and a fast, reliable teammate in danny12.
Q: You wanted to race last season in Formula GT but couldn't find a team. Explain how and why the Lotus F1 team was developed.
"Lotus F1, it just came to me. I saw the British Racing Green livery and thought, "Hmm...I wanna go with a British team." I didn't want to do Jag because they didn't have such a good reputation. I wanted a team that had some prestige and heritage behind it. So the first british team to come to me was Lotus, and I ran with it. I did think about Aston Martin, but to my knowledge they don't have much of a racing history."
Q: What are your goals for this season?
"I'd like to be competitive as possible. I'd like to be in the top 8 in every race. Perhaps even be a spoiler to a runaway champion."
Q: Which Grand Prix are you most looking forward to this season and why?
"I'm most looking forward to the German GP. I've never had the balls to take the 'ring on in the FGT"
Q: Will you give extra effort for the United States Grand Prix? You are an American driver.
"I will give extra effort to every race. I plan to compete in all of them."
Q: Outside of yourself, who do you believe is the best driver in Formula GT?
"I'm not sure who is good. I'd have to say RACECAR. He's proving to be very good with GT500 cars. So I would expect amazing things from him in an FGT."
Formula GT Preaseason: Q&A with Eagle
11/08/07
For his rookie season Eagle will be driving for Ferrari, one of the best teams next to Blake, a contender for the World Driving Championship. This can only be good for Eagle, as the Formula GT season is full of perils and traps that only a teammate knowledgeable of such pitfalls can help you avoid.
Q: Is it safe to say you are the #2 driver at Ferrari?
"Yep, Blake and I used to be on fairly equal skill but I haven't played for many months now so I'm expecting him to beat me consistently. I'm also more of a LMP specialist than F1 cars."
Q: How did you come about getting a seat at Ferrari next to Blake?
"We've been friends since 2004, we met on GTP and live near each other, watch F1 together etc. He wanted a teammate for S2, I have spare time, sounded like fun."
Q: Are you treating this season as a learning experience or do you expect to finish on podiums and perhaps win a Grand Prix?
"Both, I'm hoping through consistency I can get some podiums and maybe even win France, at the least I want to help us make a solid run for the constructor's title."
Q: Which Grand Prix are you most looking forward to this season and why?
"France, I love Circuit de la Sarthe, it's far and away my favourite circuit in GT4 and I'm consistently and fast on it."
Q: What are your thoughts on the first round being on an oval?
"Yawn, not an oval fan whatsoever, I know the racing can be close and exciting and it does take some skill but I've never found it anywhere near as entertaining as a real circuit like Spa Francorchamps. I'd much rather have seen us go to Fuji or Suzuka instead, real F1 circuits aimed at real F1 cars, regardless of whether they were used in S1."
Formula GT Preaseason: Q&A with GT4 Defistation
11/08/07
Renault F1 is comprised of 2 American drivers, Loon and GT4 Defistation. Noone is sure what to expect out of the rookie team and rookie drivers, but GT4 Defistation has raised some eyebrows in other forms of motorsport, for both good and bad.
Q: Renault F1 is an all American team. How important is it to do well at the United States Grand Prix?
"It's crucaile to the team because it is our home Country."
Q: You were accused of cheating in another series. Can you assure the teams and fans the claims were all false?
"Yes because I confesed very shortly after the results were posted. Everybody seemed to not argue after the time was posted."
Q: Driving in multiple series can be a challenge. Are you confident you won't let one get on the back burner?
Im sure I'll be able to complete them. Ill spend a certain time on one race and so one and so forth.
Q: How close of teammates are you and Loon?
"Not very much. But yesterday we shared e-mails to each other to keep in close contact."
Q: What will have to happen for you to consider this season a success?
"At least a poduim finish for both me and Loon. Try not to be last in the standings."
Formula GT Preaseason: Q&A with danny12
11/09/07
danny12 is one of only 4 drivers returning from season 1. As with any good driver, he finished his season strong, earning a podium at the last race of the season. This season he expects to be strong not just at the end of the season, but through the beginning and middle as well.
Q: You were the only driver to start and finish every Grand Prix last season. How much of an edge will your experience give you over the rookies in the series?
"I don't think it will give me an edge at all, last season was my only experience in " competitive racing" so i'm almost as new as them."
Q: How closely do you expect to work with dumkopf?
"As close as i can, it will be a new experience for me, last season i was the only driver on the team so i'm looking forward to work with a teammate."
Q: You have 2 podium finishes in your career. Do you expect to go that next step and win this season?
"Definitively i would like to get a win, i know it will be hard, but i'll give a 100% to get it."
Q: Which Grand Prix are you looking forward to the most and why?
"Pacific GP, i haven't run a o/w car on a super speedway."
Q: As the only driver to compete in every single Grand Prix Formula GT has ever sanctioned, do you have any advice to offer the rookies pertaining to how to start and finish the season strong?
"I wolud say practice as much as you can, last season i began with only 1 practice ses. and i was gettin' spanked, as the season went by, i was able to get more practice ses. and my times got better and better everytime."
Formula GT Preaseason: Q&A with superberkut
11/09/07
Canada has produced many top openwheel drivers, the Villeneuves, Paul Tracy, Greg Moore, Patrick Carpentier, the list goes on and on. Is superberkut the next Canadien openwheel champion?
Q: Which Grand Prix are you most looking forward to and why?
"I am looking forward to the Gran Turismo GP, because I very much enjoy the original GT courses, being an avid player of the first and second istallments in the GT series. Other than that, the German GP ought to be a good challenge."
Q: What qualities do you look for in a teammate?
"I look for another teammate with moderate skill, but with lots of experience, much like Riccardo Patrese. A teammate who likes his/her leisure time but knows that there is a time and place for it is good, too. I also look for diligence, optimism, and the love for blazing a new trail, both in history and 'innovation'."
Q: You are the first Canadien driver in Formula GT's history. Do you think you can leave a legacy like the Villeneuves had with Formula 1?
"I am? That's interesting. Though I would like that legacy of the Villeneuves, I will most likely be the Al Pease or John Cannon of F1: Canadian, and underachieving. This is my first race season, and the first time I will drive a Formula One car. However, with hard work, it will come."
Q: The first Grand Prix of the season will be on an oval track. What are your thoughts about this?
"My thoughts would be that this would turn out to be a race that decides accuracy over consistency. On an oval track, you are usually running at high speed, and slowing down once will find you trailing the pack. On a more 'involving' circuit, it is knowing WHEN to slow down, and fighting to eliminate any unnecessary change in average velocity. Oval tracks as a result seem to distort the actual perception of 'skill'. However, it pushes F1 to a real international level, and for that it is a good course, incorporating an American style of racing in what is deemed an international sport, aiding this trait of the series.
"The only problem is that it seems that since Formula One cars are geared for handling corners of varying direction and characteristics, so it will seem strange at first to introduce an oval track into the Formula GT season, what with their downforce-inducing wings and such.. That said, it may be the track where I have a chance of a first podium position."
Q: What would you have to accomplish this season to consider it a success?
"My achievements for this season to make a successful one is to be able to skillfully race a Formula One car by the end of the season, and from there, try to finish consistently and maybe even win one race, and to finish in the top 7 as a constructor, and in the top 15 as a driver. Overall, I want to make a name for myself as the first Canadian rookie in Formula GT, and as a proud driver for Mobius F1, a privateer against the established teams.
Thanks for asking. Have a good season."
Formula GT Preaseason: Q&A with Bee
11/09/07
Rookie team, Rookie Drivers, how much can you expect out of Team Mellow Yello? Bee isn't going to set the bar high for his team, but he does expect them to get better and better as the season progresses.
Q: Do you have any British Grand Prix heroes? Mansell? Hamilton?
"I tend to lean towards the Jenson Button camp, he's style and flair behind the wheel are something I try to emulate."
Q: Which Grand Prix are you most looking forward to this season and why?
"Probably the Pacific Grand Prix. I tend to prefer high speed tracks than the slower ones, so Pacific for sure, perhaps France aswell."
Q: What are your expectations for this season?
"Hopefully I can get a nice midfield slot for my rookie season and then work from there. I'm not putting too much expectation on my shoulders though."
Q: How much experience do you have in a Formula GT car?
"Not too much at all, I mean, I can keep it on the road but I reckon there's alot of room for improvement, which is good because perfection I guess would bore me."
Q: Do you expect to win this season?
"I think everyone hopes they will win a race but hoping and expecting are two completely different things. TMY are a new team and I'm a new driver, so wins will be difficult, for sure."
Formula GT Preaseason: Q&A with jump_ace
11/09/07
A Part Time driver in Formula GT? Part Time Driving isn't as uncommon as you would think. There are plenty of part time drivers at the Nextel Cup level of NASCAR and other top series like ALMS. What's wrong with a driver who wants to race only at the tracks he likes? Absolutely nothing.
Q: You've said that you may not be able to race every Grand Prix due to various circumstances. Which Grand Prix would you like to race at and win the most?
"The main circumstance of not running in each Grand Prix is just a matter of preference, I am not a big fan of Monaco (Cote D' Azur) and I know how time consuming the Ring can be as well as a headache. I am really looking forward to Sears Point, I would say Tokyo but the chicane just before T2 in the F1 car is truly horrendous, you all will find out what I mean, the car will spin out on a dime through there. But Sears Point should be a good match for the car with its tight turns and the cars quick handling and acceleration."
Q: If you run a part time schedule does that change how you look for a teammate? Do you think that will run off potential teammates?
"It definitely changes how I look for a teammate, which if I run part time it may be a better solution to run on my own. I don't want to feel that I let down my other teammate and I'm sure its something to consider, I know I would when choosing a teammate."
Q: What are the odds that you race a Grand Prix, finish well and/or enjoy yourself, and then decide to compete in every round afterwards?
"I would say the odds of racing every round are kind of slim, especially the Ring, but I think I will try to make every attempt to run in the other rounds time permitting. I know I will enjoy myself, I always do in the F1, which is why I'm here. I come in knowing I will enjoy the car and how it and myself adapt to the tracks. From there its all up to me to decide how far I want to take it, how deep I want to bury my previous race time. As far as finishing well, as long as I'm in the mix near the top, I'll be happy."
Q: Have you had the opportunity to test at any of the tracks on the schedule? If so where and what are your thoughts?
"I have taken the F1 car around to just about every track on the schedule and I submitted some hotlaps at gtrp.de. The great thing about this car as well as some of the Le Mans cars is you really get to practice accurate timing.
"They are great tools for learning and getting better on other normal or race cars as your mistakes get amplified by the speed so you have to be that much more precise to really hit turns and accelerate out well. Not to mention the throttle control needed when launching the car and I really found that once I can control the F1 and Minolta's traction in tight turns you don't really ever need to use tcs in the game at all (except the Speed 12 of course) and they teach you how to take a turn in a higher gear and slowly accelerate. In order to do that quickly, you also need to learn how to brake less when entering the turn so the engine doesn't bog and you lose acceleration out of the turn."
Q: You're actively racing in the SuperGT series. In your opinion, will participation in another form of motorsport help or hinder your chances at success in Formula GT?
"Hinder, I will likely be running the series on 'fumes' if you will. I may only have one or two runs at the race. There is tough competition no matter what you race in at GTPlanet, whether it be the WRS, GTMSA or F1. But I wouldn't have it any other way as that means there are varying levels of speed and you can find someone to help push your limits."
Formula GT Preaseason: Q&A with ceiling_fan
11/10/07
Another relatively unknown driver comes to Forumla GT wanting to leave a mark on the series and make a name for himself. ceiling_fan has just as good of a chance as the other rookies to be the darkhorse and challenge Blake and RACECAR for the Driving Championship
Q: What is the key to winning on the oval at the Pacific Grand Prix?
"Pit strategy. This track is forgiving to worn tires, but such a high speed track will eat them up as well. It will be interesting to the the amount of laps people will get."
Q: If you could replace any Grand Prix on the schedule with one of your own, which track would you replace and with what?
"I've never liked Infineon (which is funny because I live closer to that track than any other) because the corners and rumble strips are almost misleading to me. Infineon is basically an off road course for me. (see first post in SFGTP2 thread) I would replace it with Grand Valley. Grand Valley Speedway is one of my favorite tracks and the F1's work quite well on it. I think it should be made into a real course!"
Q: The roster for season 2 is stacked with talent to the point now where it's possible to finish well outside the points. How good do you expect to fair this season?
"I'm quite new to competitive racing. I consider myself a moderately good driver, but I've never been friends with consistency, so hopefully we'll become acquainted in time."
Q: Much talk has been made about the dangers of the German and French Grand Prix. Which track worries you more? Or is there another Grand Prix on the schedule that has caught your eye for the worst?
"The Nürb worries me far more than the others. The elevation changes and high speed turns kill me in fast cars."
Formula GT Preaseason: Q&A with Pepe13
11/10/07
Hungarian drivers have been on a tear through the Clio Cup series. One of them comes to Formula GT to test his skills with the fastest cars on the toughest circuits. Can Pepe13 dominate Formula GT like his country mates are dominating the Clio Cup?
Q: How much of a disadvantage do you expect to be at with a teammate who doesn't plan to compete at every Grand Prix?
"I don't care the team championship unless my teammate is a hungarian."
Q: There are several Hungarian drivers doing very well in the Clio cup series. Do you know them?
"Yes, I know them. Both of them very fast.
"
Q: Do you think you have the talent to be the darkhorse this season and challenge RACECAR and Blake for the Driving Championship?
"I think only on some race, but not on the whole season."
Q: Which Grand Prix do you want to win at the most and why?
"Cote D'Azure, coz I'm really love that track."
Q: What will you do at Super Speedway to gain an advantage over the competition?
"I have no clue...
"
More Driver Q&A as they come available
