Well, it was an interesting day at work today; kind of interesting reflecting on what occurred only 2-3 days ago, and pondering how my life could change and what the future may hold. I have so much to say and comment on, and have so many fond memories and made some friends that I know I will be quite close with for a long time. So, I am just going to rant, wrap a few things up and then put it to bed. Please be prepared, as I am going to keep it 100% real.
First all of all, I would like to echo what all the competitors have said; what an amazing experience! The feeling of anticipation, not being sure what to expect, the highs and lows of it all. Thank you to the top 32 + X for an experience I won't soon forget.
Thoughts on the competition, how it went down and my performance:
I was mentally prepared from the get-go. I love and thrive in high-pressure moments; it's fun for me to be challenged in such a way. I think the autocross, 3-runs-to-get-it-done format is good for learning how to be mentally prepared and focus when you need to.
I was yet again dissapointed with my Qualifying Eifel TT performance, but I think it ended up benefiting me in the end. I ran a 56.6 on 1ST TIMED LAP and sat on it, nearly looping it in the 2 following laps after setting sectors almost 2 seconds ahead of it - individual sectors, not just cumulative.
I was hoping to stick it up near the top but didn't, I went for it and went off. Fantastic job by RackAttack to back up his P1 in the Motegi TT in a reactive situation. This also brought back memories of my "dissapointing" 30.172 in the Motegi TT, and making the mistake of changing to Active Steering with 3 days left and never improving despite killing the 1st and 2nd sectors repeatedly. Oh well, P16, I'll take it, now let's get down to business.
I saw the Round 1 combo and knew I would be fighting for victory. I know Tuskuba well. Little practice on the s15 but the car was easy to drive. Took pole with a 1'06.9 spinning after the finish. Pulled in 12 points and the double victory from pole, overcoming a strong attack by RackAttack in the early part of race 2. I then was able to pull a lead in the remaining laps at did a 1'06.021 in clean air (no aid of draft.) That was a good lap. I think someone did a 5.9xxx in the draft.
I lol'd when for round 2 they bumped me up to Seed 1. Trial mountain reverse, a circuit I am very familiar with also. I also practiced alot with with Z on SH's. I almost spun again at exit of the final corner after dipping a wheel. Good quali lap. Had 2 strong races and did a 1'39.1xx in the race, i think that was like a tenth off of the best time set by Jeff Lund (RedSoxBoy) at a 1'39.0. Dropped to Seed 2
, tied on points. I was very happy with my driving and at this point, was gunning for the overall points win going in to round 3.
Boy, did that change when I saw the car and track combo. LOL. Cape ring North, never drove a single lap there thinking they would never run it. Guess I was wrong! It was so bad that I spun on my outlap and quali lap, and then at the start of the race, I didn't know where I was going (got confused by Cape Ring East or Inside or whatever) and blew the T2 hairpin and hit the wall dead on at like 65 mph! It really was hilarious, this of course racing SohnVonStig, TxDriven and Lharrisson, Stig alone just got done practing the track for "many hours." LOL. It really was so terrible that I laughed and didn't even care, I knew my only chance to get any points was to try and not spin it and hope someone ahead would crash. Sure enough Harrisson crashed in the "Bowl of Death" and cruised by to take a 3rd place for race 2 after finishing 4th something like 10 seconds behind stig at the end of race 1. This was easily my worst ever finish and performance in a race, period, in probably the entire time I have been playing online in GT5, almost 2 years - no exaggeration. I do admit, I would very much like to get the three of you in a room on one of my tracks to commit some revenge
hahaha! Well done to all three of you guys, you ripped off my neck and shat down my throat on that one.
After coming through with a point I went through to round 4 knowing that I was mathematically in to the top 16 already, but was very motivated to win and redeem myself for the Cape Ring Fail. R35 at Spa? Nice. Don't know the track nearly as intimately as Tsukuba or TMR, but I'll take it. I beasted pole by a significant margin and nailed 5 super tidy, "almost" mistake free laps to take a "many second win." I was happy, I had redeemed myself and kind of had a "well let's have some fun" mindset for race 2, chanting and requesting for Autumn Ring to be selected during the change on grip settings and weather settings. The race starts, and the car felt quite a bit different to me, perhaps it was just my lack of focus but I slowed down by almost a second per lap and made a lot of mistakes. Diem and Darweezey (I think) towed me HARD out of Eau Rouge in the middle of the race and double past me in to the chicane, HAHA I was honestly laughing out loud when they did that, it was great to watch them battle and I backed off in the braking zone to let them by cleanly. I then tried to hang on but continued to make mistakes as me and RedSoxboy in the rig to the left of me proceeded to have a full blown jovial conversation during the race! Hahaha. Oh man, I do admit, it was nice to be in that position. Diem and Darweezey proceeed to walk me by many seconds for a solid and well earned win, I took 3rd after a final lap charge from RedSox netting him going wide in the final highspeed left sweeper before the start finish chicane. My thoughts immediately went to Silverstone, and I proceed to congratulate my fellow group of racers for some great driving, gave my brother a hug and headed straight to the bar for an ice cold Coors-Light. And that was my finals.
Random thoughts:
I saw some competitors show up on the first day and their intial demeanor in the pool room showed perhaps the slightest bit of arrogance;
after the first couple of rounds those few guys had a different look on their faces. I think it was a reality check for some guys that did well in the TT rankings but then were faced with a quick quali, sprint race format. There were different skill sets that were tested and some guys thrived while others seemed to miss. This is racing and they will be better prepared next year I am sure.
Thoughts on particular drivers:
TRCHunk: You're a beast, and when you learn the GT5 tracks as well as the natives, you will make it through to Silverstone in convincing fashion next year, I'm sure of it.
Redline: You're a cool dude man, super fast and sick skills in drifting. You will be a guy that will be fun to watch in Silverstone. Seriously, perhaps you pursue a career in real life drifting in this? I think you have the perfect personality and demeanor for it.
A7XMaverick: Exactly like how I picture him. Quiet, soft spoken, super focused. Viciously and unforgivingly fast, in the most quiet, ninja-assasin like style. All business, Kyle came to throw down, and so did I. A man of few words, only until the competition was over did Kyle actually come out of shell: "Hey guys, this orange Izze is pretty tasty, it's like an orange sparkling water," ... "Oh, that's cute Nick" says Kyle. HAHAHAHA!! First joke in 3 days. I loved it. Kyle, I have no doubts your sim skills will translate to vicious speed in the real cars. You are a guy that could win it.
Gator: You're cool as hell man. I won't get involved in the racing crap you faced, but I'll just say that you deserved better, and shame on anyone if they ruined your race. You're still a sick driver, and it was truly a pleasure meeting you.
TRCScooty: You're a crazy, hilarious man. Congrats, you'll be quick in Silverstone I believe.
SohnVonStig/RacerX/Apple Cider: Well done, splendid drive. Not much else to say. Will be interesting to observe your pace in Silverstone. I wish you the best of luck.
Jett/Veloci: You guys seemed like brothers from another mother. Look forward to running with you.
Wardez: Super happy for you man. We're gonna have a blast.
RackAttack: Looking forward to running with you over there. I am sure you will be vicious competitor and show great speed in all the events. You have all of the advantages: Super low weight (130lbs?) Tons of track experience and autocross experience, and obviously brilliant driving skills. You will be tough at Silverstar, I have no doubt about it. I look forward to showing the world yet again what Autocrossers bring to the table, as Bryan H did, and look forward to some great battles.
RedSoxBoy: Super cool dude, down to earth, no ego, no BS. Sick fast in the sim, sick fast in real world too in the gokarts. You're going to be a serious contender over there, I have no doubt.
Reevos: I laughed when the lady asked about your age. Know what I think? I think you're gonna show the whole world that age doesn't mean ****. Look forward to rocking out with you at Silverstone.
Matt/TopGear: Super impressive driving for a 19 yr old young man. You could be totally killer over there, we'll see. Great personality, down to earth. I will enjoy battling with you; you deserve the opportunity to compete in Silverstone and I know you will shine.
DragonGt83:
I see the fire in your eyes; I know you are going to come back with a vengence next year. Learn the SH's and the tracks. I may go so far as to say you are already a lock for next year, based on what I percieved from you in talking. Good luck my man.
IndyDriver: Similar feeling as Dragon.
MikeBest:
You know how I feel about it. I think the random track 33-1 eliminator round was BS. Just my opinion. Come back next year and show them what you are really made of.
To all the rest I did not mention: it was pleasure racing with you. I wish you the best of luck in the future.
Now it is on to final preparation for Silverstone. Any of the top 16 can win, I truly believe that. You will see some guys with little to no experience be sick fast and some guys with more experience perhaps struggle. It all depends on the circumstances. And you always need a little bit of luck. My attitude is to forever be a student of the sport, and to always look for ways to improve. Humble in victory and gracious in defeat, despite how bad it stings sometimes. I will do my best. And if that's good enough to win, so be it. If not, then I know that I got beat by someone better than me (at least I hope this is the case and the judges make the right decision.) Every one of the top 16 deserves it. I will go there with the confidence that I have prepared as best I can. With that I will have no regrets, and will cherish the experience, win or lose, for a lifetime.
See you guys in England. I'll be ready.
Nick
Some quick responses:
Welcome, Kevin!
Great to have you here.
Jordan, you are an awesome dude. Thankful to have met you. Thanks for creating a global community like GTP for fellow racers to come together. You are a living legend, IMO.
Hi Guys,
Just wanted to echo the same sentiments expressed by many already in this thread; it was a genuine pleasure meeting you all, I feel like I formed some genuine relationships in San Diego and I'm very thankful for that, win or lose. Can't wait to see you guys on TV!! Best of luck to my twin bro Forced and the other competitors (but more luck to him than anyone else heheehe
)
Cheers
Joey
I don't care about jinxing you so I'll just say it, you're a lock for the Finals next year and the competition better be ready. That's all I have to say.
Definitely was a pleasure meeting ya, and your bro too!! I'd say he's definitely my favorite going to silverstone and taking it all the way. Was nice meeting gator(what a genuine guy) and everybodyelse for that matter, was great putting faces to psn IDs and getting to know everybody the last few weeks.
I appreciate the support more than you realize my man.
. But I'd keep as focused as possible and played it smooth, never once had an accident so that really did it for me in the end.
.
