GT Academy National Finals - Venues, Dates, Drivers & Discussion Thread

[cpp214]

After watching the video, it's clear that the wheels were not set up properly.
I didn't know they were using G27's until watching the video. Those wheels should have been hardmounted. I don't care who you are, or how violently you saw at the wheel. When they're bolted down, they won't budge. Period.

You'd have to purposely try and rip the wheel off the bolts to move it, and then, you'd likely break the wheel in half--with the bottom half still firmly mounted to the table. That's really inexcusable frankly. If they had been using DFGT's, then at least you could make the argument that the wheels can't be bolted down. But with a G25/G27, you can't make that argument.

And the guy trying to adjust the wheel in the middle of the race.../facepalm
Really poor organization. I think people should appreciate what Sony are doing, by providing them the opportunity to compete. But by the same token, the event organizers should at least make sure that the event is run properly. And that means ensuring that at the very least, the equipment works.

 

[mikifaca1]

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[mikifaca1]

Maybe that's what you want to say, but that's not what you're writing here.



you can't keep mixing facts with opinions. You said one judge wanted to stop but another said no, FACT, followed by because probably it was aggressive driving. You keep digging a deeper hole because you're trying to make your opinions sound like what actually happened.

Yes I agree that I dont know why they stopped it but it was something.
And all I say here is what I experienced at that moment, and it may be wrong. but the first part was fact.

And just to say, when I say think, it is just based on what I experienced and how judges were reacting and people around me. I am not telling that I saw every detail but i saw reactions. Thats all.. but those who stood two meters away from me have maybe another picture of this situation.

I still believe that timppaqs driving style with wheel is aggressive compared to others. But thats just my thoughts.

 

[The Outlaw]

Quit trolling and double posting please.

 

[eSZee]

I'm sure the picture you're trying to paint us is fine, just sounds like a mix up due to language barrier.

 

[Strop]

In a race, your steering wheel won't come off the steering column. It should've been restarted.

Does the name Ayrton Senna ring a bell? He might disagree with that statement (that is of course, if his steering wheel hadn't broken off the steering column and killed him during a formula one race).

 

[eSZee]

sabotage......

 

[GTP_rpm]

Does the name Ayrton Senna ring a bell? He might disagree with that statement (that is of course, if his steering wheel hadn't broken off the steering column and killed him during a formula one race).

Sorry to single you out, but it's guys like you who discredit anyone from this forum, for a valid complaint about the GT Academy.

 

[Strop]

Sorry to single you out, but it's guys like you who discredit anyone from this forum, for a valid complaint about the GT Academy.

I didn't discredit the complaint, I agree that it is a valid complaint and I hope that they don't make that mistake again. I would be very upset if it happened to me, to be honest it has happened while I've been doing time trials (my kids undo the bolts while I'm not there).

The point I was making was that this kind of unfortunate circumstance is by no means limited to virtual racing. If you read the background Senna's team had tried to shorten the steering column by cutting it in two places and rewelding the pieces. Going into the corner the weld broke and without steering Senna got airborn over the grass with no ability to brake and hit the wall hard enough to end up with a suspension piece lodged in his skull. After the event the telemetry data was conveniently erased and the official line was that his car had simply lost traction due to a bump in the road and he had skidded off.

I'm not taking sides here, I have followed Timpaq in the WRS and he's the one guy I've seen give Dan a run for his money so like everyone else I fully expected him to be in the final, and feel bad for him that he didn't make it.

 

[Owen.C93]

I think what Strop is trying to say is count yourself lucky you didn't die!! Nah J/K

 

[MJH]

I didn't discredit the complaint, I agree that it is a valid complaint and I hope that they don't make that mistake again. I would be very upset if it happened to me, to be honest it has happened while I've been doing time trials (my kids undo the bolts while I'm not there).

The point I was making was that this kind of unfortunate circumstance is by no means limited to virtual racing. If you read the background Senna's team had tried to shorten the steering column by cutting it in two places and rewelding the pieces. Going into the corner the weld broke and without steering Senna got airborn over the grass with no ability to brake and hit the wall hard enough to end up with a suspension piece lodged in his skull. After the event the telemetry data was conveniently erased and the official line was that his car had simply lost traction due to a bump in the road and he had skidded off.

I'm not taking sides here, I have followed Timpaq in the WRS and he's the one guy I've seen give Dan a run for his money so like everyone else I fully expected him to be in the final, and feel bad for him that he didn't make it.

Quite frankly, your conspiracy theories have no relevence to this competition. The equipment should be upto the job. In this case it wasn't. The race could have and should have been restarted.

Matt

 

[MeAgainstYou]

you can't keep mixing facts with opinions. You said one judge wanted to stop but another said no, FACT, followed by because probably it was aggressive driving. You keep digging a deeper hole because you're trying to make your opinions sound like what actually happened.

well said 👍

Does the name Ayrton Senna ring a bell? He might disagree with that statement (that is of course, if his steering wheel hadn't broken off the steering column and killed him during a formula one race).

ask PD to remove the restart button... seriously.. Timo was leading the race and the loose wheel created that accident.. who's fault!?!? ...please just dont tell me (like some said) that he is too aggressive... if so.. we need to contact immediately logitech saying that the G27's need to be fixed.. omg

 

[The Outlaw]

I didn't discredit the complaint, I agree that it is a valid complaint and I hope that they don't make that mistake again. I would be very upset if it happened to me, to be honest it has happened while I've been doing time trials (my kids undo the bolts while I'm not there).

The point I was making was that this kind of unfortunate circumstance is by no means limited to virtual racing. If you read the background Senna's team had tried to shorten the steering column by cutting it in two places and rewelding the pieces. Going into the corner the weld broke and without steering Senna got airborn over the grass with no ability to brake and hit the wall hard enough to end up with a suspension piece lodged in his skull. After the event the telemetry data was conveniently erased and the official line was that his car had simply lost traction due to a bump in the road and he had skidded off.

I'm not taking sides here, I have followed Timpaq in the WRS and he's the one guy I've seen give Dan a run for his money so like everyone else I fully expected him to be in the final, and feel bad for him that he didn't make it.

The difference is, that was the equipment his TEAM (keyword) provided him to race with...so the blame is complete on the team, not the organizers of the racing series. Everything is not equal from team to team in F1, nor is it meant to be.

In this competition, every driver was MEANT to be on an even playing field with equal equipment in order to find the most talented GT racer. That obviously was not the case for Timo...instead he gets dealt a bad blow due to the organizers who could care less about his misfortunes which were caused by their own doing 👎

 

[rmk700]

The difference is, that was the equipment his TEAM (keyword) provided him to race with...so the blame is complete on the team, not the organizers of the racing series. Everything is not equal from team to team in F1, nor is it meant to be.

In this competition, every driver was MEANT to be on an even playing field with equal equipment in order to find the most talented GT racer. That obviously was not the case for Timo...instead he gets dealt a bad blow due to the organizers who could care less about his misfortunes which were caused by their own doing 👎

I'd still say that even with all the flaws, it's still better than not having a chance of it at all. I'm sure you would of done good TA.

 

[MJH]

I'd still say that even with all the flaws, it's still better than not having a chance of it at all. I'm sure you would of done good TA.

I'd say the opposite. At the moment i'm quite glad that i didn't qualify. Otherwise, if the UK finals had the same level of incompetence, i'm sure i would have been arrested by now for gross use of abuse language and actual PS3 harm.

Matt.

 

[The Outlaw]

I'd still say that even with all the flaws, it's still better than not having a chance of it at all. I'm sure you would of done good TA.

You're right, something is definitely better than nothing despite all of the flaws 👍 All we can do is learn from this and not expect so much in terms of the professionalism and equality in future events.

I'd say the opposite. At the moment i'm quite glad that i didn't qualify. Otherwise, if the UK finals had the same level of incompetence, i'm sure i would have been arrested by now for gross use of abuse language and actual PS3 harm.

Matt.

I would be afraid for myself doing the same as well

 

[Horde_R35]

I'd say the opposite. At the moment i'm quite glad that i didn't qualify. Otherwise, if the UK finals had the same level of incompetence, i'm sure i would have been arrested by now for gross use of abuse language and actual PS3 harm.

Matt.

Thats why if i qualify next GTA i wont go !

JUDGES: "No sorry, we cant restart!"

ME: "What?! Im sorry can you repeat that please?"

JUDGES: "We cant restart the race."

ME: 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

JUDGES:

ME: "OMG!! What have i done?? I better get out of here!!"

 

[osrg]

Because the problem couldn't be fixed, as you've clearly stated, it should've resulted in the race being stopped, repairs carried out to the wheel and then the race restarted with an adjusted grid.

Timpaq's agressive driving in earlier races is irrelevant, in fact, his aggressive driving style is irrelevant, period.

I still find it laughable for a steward to attempt a repair in-race as if it's some unimportant LAN party.


Edit:

mikifaca1, please stop double posting. Use the edit button.

After reading the tripe thats been posted from the so-called "observer" here, i'm glad someone posted a definitive response here sphinx......

Timo, my sincere condolences...... the goings on at your finals in the linked vid was one of the most ridiculous things i've ever seen.

 

[ManicVJ]

It's really sad to see that poor organisation has been happening all over at these events. I really feel for the drivers who have been let down big time with poor stewards and equipment especially.

I could chuck fuel on the fire here and let you all know in the second race of the Australian event my accelerator pedal failed on the DFGT for a around a second on rig #2 causing a spin and me unintentionally taking out zdenko in the process, causing me placing third on the Tokyo track. I apoligised to zdenko although he was a little sceptical at the time. I shouted out to stewards as it happened in frustration but since it started working again it was shrugged off as a mistake on my part with no proof.

But then two races later zdenko was on the same rig and even after reporting the problem and them shrugging it off the pedal failed completely and the race had to be restarted and the wheel fixed, suffice to say zdenko believed me after that!

Also I don't know if anyone noticed at the same event Rig #3's gear lever was pretty much farked and didn't shift up properly, although I was told to just use the paddle (if you could call them that) shifters. It seems the DFGT's on the rigs had had a very hard time.

 

[failing_finn]

Because the problem couldn't be fixed, as you've clearly stated, it should've resulted in the race being stopped, repairs carried out to the wheel and then the race restarted with an adjusted grid.

Timpaq's agressive driving in earlier races is irrelevant, in fact, his aggressive driving style is irrelevant, period.

I still find it laughable for a steward to attempt a repair in-race as if it's some unimportant LAN party.

They just didn't know what to do, race-coordinator was almost in panic. As you can hear from the video, he is trying to stop the race, but the judge interrupts him. Look that first lap video, at 4.55 he says out loud: "sorry guys". Judge and coordinator had a quick conversation, and they decided to continue.

Couldn't hear their conversation from the beginning, but I think their conclusion was that each player should check their equipment before the race starts!

 

[tre]

Couldn't hear their conversation from the beginning, but I think their conclusion was that each player should check their equipment before the race starts!

This is how it has been in every competition i have attended, it is up to each competitor to check if their equipment is as it should be before the race starts. If the steering wheel comes loose during a race it is basically your own fault...

 

[GTP_CICO]

I would be afraid for myself doing the same as well

I am afraid you would go UFC style on them

I hope that the guys who still need to attend the finals will make them self heared when they think things are beeing judged unfair. Would be even better if that is going to be needed at all. Maybe it would a good idea to talk to the judges together with all the drive to make soms clear rules with wich everybody agrees.

 

[Mr P]

Seems to me the problem is the people who are being commissioned by Sony to run these finals events! Some company gets the contract and they then hire a bunch of lackies with no interest or experience of Gran Turismo or anything else that would be taking place for that matter! they simply send some bodies in to arrange the set and run the event ... rules and regulations take time and these guys are just getting a couple of pennies over minimum wage and want to be home in time for dinner The only time rules and regulations etc will come into play will be at Silverstone when the equipment is worth crap loads more than a couple of hundred quid gaming system and a plastic wheel

Sorry that's how I see it and hope the qualifiers with finals yet to happen will learn from the misfortune of others, nothing like being prepared for the worst as it should take the sting away

 

[MarkWebber]

This situation is very unfortunate for Timpaqq, I know he must be feeling like a sunken ship at the moment and my heart goes out to him for his unbelievable misfortune, a savagely cruel blow much worse than MAYs controversial elimination IMO.

If the judges, officiators did not mention that fact that it is each drivers individual responsibility to make sure their wheel is properly tightened before each race.. then the final should have been restarted, thats my opinion. They cant expect competitors to automatically do that as the driver may think it could be deemed as tampering, hence they should not assume the right to fasten the wheel themselves without specific authorization.

This is equipment failure caused by the organisers lack of monitoring of the equipment, which is explicitly their job, no other. Timppaq deserved a restart as he did not cause it to loosen, I did not see him wildly thrash the wheel about like some maniac, he was just a very aggressive counter steer-er, from what Ive read, which is perfectly fine, the more energetic you are with the wheel in the heat of the moment, the more chance you have of correcting a slide as you can make more steering inputs in a shorter amount of time.

In conclusion, a gut wrenching blow for Timppaq

 

[zabeu]

I was present at the Austrian and German finals, and I've seen races destroyed through reckless driving and downright punting with no penalties - not even a warning - handed out. Other races I've seen ruined by a flickering brake pot, and those weren't restarted either. (After having been alerted to this problem, the organisers tried to have it fixed by a couple of people armed with screwdrivers, duct tape and pipe pliers - it took them over an hour to realise it the sensible thing to do was to simply replace the faulty rig entirely.)

Organising that day alone must've cost at least tens of thousands of Euros, not unlikely a six-digit figure even: renting the location, having the finalists flown in, hiring two camera teams in addition to numerous photographers and writers as well as a team of TV presenters, with rooms booked for everyone at the 4* hotel at the Ring (excellent breakfast btw).

Yet, the actual racing seemed almost an afterthought amidst the clamour of a giant marketing event - the steering equipment showing clear signs of use, even abuse, ridiculously short two-lap races with no warming up for some drivers, one race steward (of questionable competence in my opinion) for all the races who was absent during most of the first round.

Fortunately, the German finals saw - again, in my opinion - the two most deserving drivers emerge victorious, despite these odds. 👍

I agree with Ian (RPM) that overwhelmingly negative feedback is unlikely to lead to an improvement. Still, at the event there was nobody from the organisers' team asking the drivers how they felt about the conditions. I get the impression that it doesn't even occur to Nissan/PD/Sony that the contestants' point of view could be of any value. Ultimately, the impression is one of a pure marketing stunt designed to sell more cars (and let's be honest, who'd be surprised to see it turn out to be all about the money after all).

-*-​

Finally, of all the great racers on this forum, Timppaq is certainly the one I'd most have loved to see go to Silverstone, and I'm pretty certain Nissan would consider themselves lucky to get a driver of his qualities.

Still, I would really love to see mikifaca's opinion respected for what it is: the well-formed thoughts of somebody who actually attended the event. As far as I can see, he's sharing them in all honesty and with the best intentions, and that is not something anyone should be blamed for.

Sorry for ranting and

 

[kayman]

What happened to the other 3 drivers, none of them thought to protest as well?

What happened to good sportsmanship?

If the 3 other drivers stopped, then they would have had no other choice but to restart.

 

[DustDriver]

Would you stop in the heat of the moment on a final race that could get you a big step further towards becoming a racing driver?
All 3 racers would have had to stop. If 1 person stopped and the other 2 continued, his race would be over as well.

 

[MarkWebber]

I think even If one person stops, the judges would most likely stop the race, they surely wont allow the race 2 continue with 2 vehicles competing, having said that I would not stop because I would not be looking over my shoulder to see what all the fuss is about, hence most likely everyone would not stop, which is exactly what occurred in the race.

 

[kayman]

Would you stop in the heat of the moment on a final race that could get you a big step further towards becoming a racing driver?
All 3 racers would have had to stop. If 1 person stopped and the other 2 continued, his race would be over as well.

Well I think each of the drivers has a mouth? They could possibly use this item to communicate with each other, yes? Without having to back off.

I also agree with Dan, and they wouldn't want any bad publicity.

Would I stop for a incident in a race... no
Would I stop for if some third party equipment was faulty... yes.

I have before stopped in online races for a race restart because someone has dropped connection just at the start of the race. First there is a discussion over Ventrillo and then everyone stops, usually half a lap to a lap is completed before the race is restarted.

 

[danilc1007]

Spanish final has come to the end.

1st MakaayX
2nd GTro_rootbe

I didn't pass 1st round...