Gran Turismo World Series (Manufacturers Cup 2025 Exhibition Season 2: 12 Mar - 22 Mar)

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I'm hoping I don't end up regretting this. My frustrations about the Wednesday time slots still stand, but I've decided I'm going to give this exhibition season a go. I'll actually be able to have a go at all 3 slots today if needed, as I've taken the day off work. I had a day of annual leave I didn't use last year that my work allowed me to carry across, but I'll lose it if I don't use it soon, so why not.

I've gone Chevrolet for this season after picking it at random. I get the impression it's going to be good at Tokyo Expressway and could blast past people down the Dottinger Hohe at the Nurburgring. Fuji and Autopolis on the other hand... not so much. It's just so big and heavy.

I can do the lap times, but I fear I'm going to get swarmed by Ferraris and Porsches as they seem to be everywhere in practice lobbies. I feel like I have to brake so much earlier than everyone else to get it to turn in for places like Coca-Cola. Had a few people go up my inside at 100R as well due to how unwilling it is to rotate.

Sector 3 is tough too, with the car going from "don't want to turn, don't want to turn" to "WEEEEEEE 360" if you're not extremely careful with the throttle. I've not driven the Corvette since GT Sport and wow, it spins up the rears in a flash.
I am still in a bit of shock at how bad these cars drive while on RH tires. They don't want to stop, they don't want to turn, and they don't want to accelerate. I can't imagine real GT3 cars drive that bad on hard slicks but what do I know...

The Vette will likely be great at Tokyo: long straights, RS tires with very little wear, and no worry about fuel. Nord I suspect rain; if that happens then God speed my friend. :cheers:
 
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That's a one and done on slot 1. I guess I didn't need to take the day off after all, but it probably still was worth it though, being able to go in on slot 1 with a clear head rather than coming in frenzied after work.

That said, the Corvette does not suit Fuji one bit as I feared. This race was a massive struggle. I can't see myself finishing in the top half unless I'm in a much lower DR lobby, and even then...

I started P14 with a 1:40.915. My first lap didn't quite hit the marks and carry speed properly, and then when I had a better run on the second one I got too aggressive through sector 3 a couple of times and had to catch the car so it wasn't an improvement. I'd have been mid-pack at best though, and in all honesty I'd probably have been bullied all the way back out of it if I'd started there.

I dropped back to P15 (last place as someone disconnected before qualifying started) at the start of lap 2. There was a Supra hanging around my rear right, and I ended up leaving far too much space at the apex at turn 1. Definitely my biggest disadvantage in VR is people hanging around that close - I feel compelled to give a wide berth because I just can't track it most of the time with the tools available.

I'd hoped I'd be able to get away faster taking the wider line, but nope. Watching a Supra of all things manage a tight apex whilst you're slowly doing HGV-radius turning circles is a sight to behold. I swear, the Corvette doesn't understand what turning means.

A Genesis had spun out at 100R after being pit manoeuvered by a Lexus, so back up to P14. I ended up in a 3-way fight for P12 coming out of sector 3 and bumpdrafted the Lexus past the Supra down the main straight to take P13.

The start of lap 3 was... interesting. A Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and a different Genesis up ahead were 3-wide heading into turn 1. The Ferrari outbroke himself by about 10-15m I reckon and took himself off the left to avoid a collision. The Genesis didn't brake until after the 100 board and ended up disappearing off to Narnia. A+ lobby, folks. :eek: Up to P11.

I followed the Lexus around for a few laps, although I wish I could have communicated to him that I was willing to work together to try push back up. He was constantly going defensive. :rolleyes: He picked up a track limits penalty then put his foot down too hard and spun it coming out of turn 6, so P10.

I ended up fighting with the Supra for a while after that, and once again I felt amazed at how bad the Corvette's handling is in comparison. He was pushing all the buttons to slow me down, sticking his nose where I'd feel compelled to then leave space when I didn't need to because I can't track him. What amused me though, was even when he got around under me, the Corvette's acceleration would make him fall behind again. I never thought I'd be doing that to a Supra of all things.

The Ferrari that went off on lap 3 caught up and joined the fight a while later since we were really slowing each other down. I picked up a track limits penalty at Coca-Cola on lap 9 and fell back behind, but then caught back up from their fighting.

I ended up getting a decent run out of the final bend to get alongside the Supra, and (to my great amusement) outran it to the finish line to steal P11 back by 22 thousandths even though the Ferrari was giving him the tow the whole way. I'm definitely looking forward to Tokyo now if the Corvette can do that, I won't lie.

That was worth 158 points which I'd normally not be happy with, but I'm not seeing myself get better on this one. Not with my tank of a car. :lol:

 
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Saw Rory's first attempt today on YT and it was chaos.

My second slot race was very sedate compared to that, P6 in quali and got an early bit of luck with a gap opening behind, and stayed locked into the front group through the early laps.

In the recent Daytona race the same Brazillian (on a foreign account) hit me twice giving me damage both times. This time they only hit me once so an impressive 50% improvement.

I wasn't sure if it was my fault though, felt like a bit of a sideswipe even though I was ahead, or thought I was ahead... Was considering calling it payback but eventually slowed to hand them P5 on the final lap.

Watched the replay and didn't think it was my fault! Doh... P6 it is, looking forward to the proper races!
 
Today seemed a good day to race! I signed with Honda as I knew I had pace with the NSX around the Japanese tracks.

GTWS - Manu cup round 1 - EMEA Region - 3pm slot - Lower C lobby - HONDA NSX Gr.3 - Fuji 12laps - RH tyres.


Tackled Fuji like a charm and managed to finish 3rd overall in a very tight competitive race. But you knwo when there is always that one race, a racer in a brown 2014 GTR that needs to learn to use the radar, was constently divebombing my ass, bumping each turn like theres no tomorrow and hitting me up on the outside & inside or each hairpin corner. He unfortunaly got his 4sec time penalty on lap 5 or 6 and then spun out, so it was karma I guess.

Batman was int eh race, but also left the chat in the starting lineup, maybe bad connection in his Genesis.
The leaders almost had a photo finish if it were not for a 0.5sec delay for the NSX driver chasing thaa Porsche. Overall cool race.

Started 8th place, finished overall 3rd place.

Onto Round 2, Tokyo will be oh soooo fun come Saturday!

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Slot 2: Qualified 12th, 0.2 off 3rd. Almost made it to turn 1 before being disconnected.
Slot 3: Qualified 5th in a 185 point lobby vs. 174 before. Disconnected on the grid.

Silly little game. No cars. **** off.
 
Utterly fing pointless.

I got home from work and parents evening, last slot and put in to a race where half the field can sort of drive the other half are just diving and running wide everywhere, rammed by a person because I passed them cleanly so they just don't bother braking. Saved it, only to hit so hard it's not a missed braking point by some dude who had his hazards on all race.

Utterly pointless racing, quality of driving and race standards is at an all time low.
 
ZEE
I didn't exprience any rain in my race, dry as a doddle, so good luck and all tha best in your race!!
Thank you.

I only got ninth 😞

A bit disappointing tbh, started 9th got up to 5th but then fell back in a duel, the kept getting hit but a dirty 911 & Ferrari driver, I couldn't keep it together really, and as the race went on the RH tires seemed to be getting worse and worse each lap.

Most of the cars in my race were the 911 and Lambo.
 
I've used the Ferrari in every Manu I've entered. Today I'm switching it up to the AM Vantage. Did some practice last night, car is surprisingly stable on the RH tires. It is a bit challenging to squeeze it through the chicane, but makes up the lost time on the straight. Good luck to all today!
Update! Just did my first race in AM Vantage. There were a lot of bmw, Ferrari, one other Vantage. Vantage we're both in top 4 most of race. Ferrari obviously killed us in tight corners, but all around the vantage did really well! Looking forward to next session.

Thank you.

I only got ninth 😞

A bit disappointing tbh, started 9th got up to 5th but then fell back in a duel, the kept getting hit but a dirty 911 & Ferrari driver, I couldn't keep it together really, and as the race went on the RH tires seemed to be getting worse and worse each lap.

Most of the cars in my race were the 911 and Lambo.
Lol, my race also had a dirty Ferrari and a 911. Lots of bmw in my lobby, me and one other guy in Am vantage. I was p8 qualify, raced up to 3rd, then the 458 pitted me lap 9...ugh.
 
I was looking forward to this race. The Porsche seemed to perform well in practice. It's only competition seemed to be the Lambo and the Ferrari.

As the tyres start to wear, those cars become unstable but the Porsche improves. I was setting my fastest laps later on in races.

Went into slot 2 as door 16 and 330 points for the winner. There were absolute animals in my split. I manged to qualify with a time of (1:39.794) which was good enough for P9.

Turn 1, lap one, was taken with caution. I managed to keep my nose clean on the first lap but gave up my position to a Hyundai driver who was slipstreaming me on the straight and eventually passed me before T1. I got him back eventually.

The rest of the race was simply monopolising on people's penalties and mistakes. A Lexus driver infront had issues on lap 10 and I managed to pressure him enough to pass him on the straight and found my self in P6 with 2 laps to go.

I held on to P6, which seems to be my new favourite position, (super GT would be proud) and 261 points. A great start to the season, as we head to my favourite Tokyo layout.

 
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If you ask me, that race was 5 laps too long...

First slot in the Americas (6PM EST). I was in door #10, driving for Mitsubishi, with 189 points up for grabs. All A/S lobby.

Qualifying wasn't great. No good reason. I just couldn't put a decent lap together. Posted a 1:42.179, which landed me in last place, Q15.

gtws-mc-rd1-start.jpg


The start was uneventful for me. I left lots of space and stayed out of trouble. Not everybody did, though. I picked up a spot right off the bat from somebody who went off at T1.

There was more after that. Over the next few laps, a bunch of drivers spun out in various places, letting me move up the board. By lap 7, I was up to P7.

If only the race had ended there. By then, the faster drivers were catching up and I knew I couldn't hold them off. I didn't want to burn any time fighting. I avoided making any defensive moves, but I still lost a fair bit of time letting them get by. By lap 11, I was back down to P12.

That's when the other drivers started fighting again. As a result, one driver went off course at the end of lap 11, and another two went off on lap 12, leaving me to finish in P9 for 126 points.

I'll take it. I expected to finish much worse, frankly. I'm horrible at this track, even in a great car. And the Mitsubishi is from that. Decent, but not great. Anyways, it's a good start to the season.

Next on to Tokyo. I'm hoping we get night racing there. I really enjoy driving that track in the dark.
 
EMEA Region, 16:00, mid-high C level.

I have chosen for this Manu Cup the Ford GT '18.
No big science behind this choice, just because I have used in the previous one and I know "her".
For sure it is not the best choice, but I have so much to learn (circuit and fight) that the car choice is the last thing...

However I qualified P3 (with no my best time) and at the first turn someone touched my right end (not avoiding the contact at all) and I did a pleasant 360 degrees in the middle of the track... and back in the race at the 12th position...
The following laps I found a sort of pace and I was able to overtake some cars.
I reached the 4th position at the last lap but the tires started to have a strange behavior even if the white indicator was at least at 95%.
So at the last corner of last lap I had a Ferrari behind me that was faster on the straight and overtook me before the finish line.

Without the accident would have been a different race, but I didn't have the willingness to try again, and I took this 5th place.

Next race at Tokyo will be a carnage for sure... and wondering if the walls will be part of the race... 🤔
 
Had a great race today.. finally got some practice in which helped me qualify P1. The race started out a little sluggish for me but I finally got in my groove, P2 was giving me heat but somebody took him out bad SMH. After that it was just me bringing the Ferrari home. P1 for 268 Forza Ferrari!!

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Here's my Roller coaster report:

GT2 | B/S Lobby | 88 Pts | 911 RSR

Race 1

Had a good qualifying, just .2 of a sec slower than my best practise lap. That put me in P3 on the grid.
But as the race started i forgot how to race. Completly! I not only ruined my race, but also someone else. Followed by more slides and spinning.
In the end i was so frustrtated by myself that i just drove it home. P15

Race 2
The horror continued, had a track limit penalty in the 1st timed lap, that ruined both laptimes. And to make it "perfect", i spun in the final corner ot that 1st timed lap. Second lap was better and to my surprise i started from P6.

This time i tried to stay away from all the paint swapping. Which worked quite well for some time.
After lap 1 i found myself in P2! With a gap to the leading Ferrari.
It took some time but i could close the gap and in turn 1 of lap 6 i got him on the brakes. He took a different line thru the turn, but not tight enough and run into me and pushed me onto the slippery green stuff.
1_Fuji International Speedway__1.jpg


I lost anotther position and had another Ferrari right at my back. In the following endless right hander i went a bit wide and he was next to me on my right side.
In the following left hander the Ferrari didn't left me any space. So i got very far over the curbs. And as he turned in, a small touch was enough to spin my 911.
2_Fuji International Speedway__2.jpg


I lost 10s by that and was back in P9.
Back in the race i got P8 by passing an Aston in turn 1 on the brakes. And in lap 9 i was at the end of a 4 car group, fighting for P4.
It was a constant change of positions. This is a shot from lap 11
3_Fuji International Speedway__3.jpg


In lap 12 i was in P6 and here the Mitsubishi pushed the BMW wide and i gained a position.
4_Fuji International Speedway_.jpg


I was faster than the Mitsubishi in the corners, but on the final straight the 911 didn't had the speed to pass him.
P5 in the end. After a catastrophic race 1 i take that!
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(Trying not to) Sink with Suzuki part 1

Well, that wasn't all that bad.
Yeah, Suzuki is slow, but I personally always seem to be doing good at Fuji, so....

I wasn't last in qualifying! Laptime was 42.6 which was good enough for 11th (in practice I managed 41.9), somehow few others were slower (or had incidents).

Started easy, always being mindful no to spin which is very easy in this open top car. After two corners I was 15th and then it started.
In a space of 4-5 laps cars were spinning left and right, some getting heavy penalties and around lap 6 I found myself on 7th place with few seconds gap behind.

Unfortunately some of those cars behind were Porsches on which I had nothing, loosing about 1 second per lap. Got caught and eventually passed, but that's ok - I was way over my paygrade in this place down the order.
Doing high 42s, low 43s was really ok, I did not spin nor made any bigger mistake and finally nursed 9th position to the line.
Way better than expected.

GTWS25-Ex2-Manu1-result.jpg


To my surprise I'm not the only one to choose Suzuki, there are 6 of us as of this round, but thanks to some strange "glitch" I got matched to much higher ranking lobby than my DR suggests (90-something for the win, and should be 60-something), so for 9th place I got 60 points and that allows me to lead in the Suzuki bunch for now.

Oh, and I did get a bump in DR despite being 9th, the guy in 8th got a DR hit instead - I'll take it.
 
but thanks to some strange "glitch" I got matched to much higher ranking lobby than my DR suggests (90-something for the win, and should be 60-something), so for 9th place I got 60 points and that allows me to lead in the Suzuki bunch for now.
I've seen a few comments like this recently, for GTWS and for dailies - people getting put in higher lobbies than they'd expect with their DR. It could be a bug, or it could be that the userbase isn't as big as in previous years and so lobbies are more spread out DR-wise.

Third possibility is that there aren't many clean SR S drivers around, so you all get bunched together.
 
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I wasn't last in qualifying! Laptime was 42.6 which was good enough for 11th (in practice I managed 41.9), somehow few others were slower (or had incidents).
The variability in B is nuts. I did a 1:41.6 and was dead last.

I didn't finish last, because of several incidents (one of which was a total last corner cluster****) and two quitters. Only got divebombed in Dunlop twice, and one of those was clearly an accident because the guy gave the place up pretty quickly.
 
The variability in B is nuts. I did a 1:41.6 and was dead last.

I didn't finish last, because of several incidents (one of which was a total last corner cluster****) and two quitters. Only got divebombed in Dunlop twice, and one of those was clearly an accident because the guy gave the place up pretty quickly.
It must have been big gap in DR across the lobby, here is the final qualifying screen:

GTWS25-Ex2-Manu1-quali.jpg


The top 4 are in completely different league compared to the rest of us.
I checked one of the top drivers, they had DR B bar almost full, whereas mine is only few pixels full.
 
My son did his first GT1 race after reaching DR A in the final 6pm UK slot.

He chose the Mazda RX Vision (not what his dad would advise, but he didn't ask for my advice!)

I was his race engineer as usual, telling him the gaps and things to watch for.

And he won, the little scamp! Qualified 2nd with a mid 1.40 and then shot off behind the leader, they made a mistake on the final lap and the win was his!

He probably got as many points as me... I'm afraid to check!
 
My son did his first GT1 race after reaching DR A in the final 6pm UK slot.

He chose the Mazda RX Vision (not what his dad would advise, but he didn't ask for my advice!)

I was his race engineer as usual, telling him the gaps and things to watch for.

And he won, the little scamp! Qualified 2nd with a mid 1.40 and then shot off behind the leader, they made a mistake on the final lap and the win was his!

He probably got as many points as me... I'm afraid to check!

This make me feel even more older…
 
It must have been big gap in DR across the lobby, here is the final qualifying screen:

View attachment 1435695

The top 4 are in completely different league compared to the rest of us.
I checked one of the top drivers, they had DR B bar almost full, whereas mine is only few pixels full.
What time did you race yesterday? The fact you have "US" in your username I am going to assume you're from outside of the States. Depending on the time (locally to us) odds are not a lot of people were racing as it was on a Wed and most people are working during the daytime slots.

That could be the reason for the wider DR gap between the players.
 
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