Episode 20 - Katiegan
Welcome back everyone! Its been more then a year since our last guest turned up, but we're back in business. Our guest to kick things off is a huge Ken Block fan and as far as I can work out, GTP's only Ford Mondeo enthusiast. Please welcome Katiegan!
What has brought you here to GTP? How long have you been a member?
It was
suzq044 who brought me here. She introduced photomode competitions much like the ones here on another forum we frequent, which sparked my interest in the site. I lurked for a long time, usually just using the site for tunes, but in June 2011 I finally signed up. It wasn't until a month later in July that I made my first post, however.
How was GT5 for you?
We all know GT5 has it's weaknesses and it doesn't seem all it was cracked up to be in the build up for it, but to be honest with you, I've been playing it a lot for almost 3 years now, so I can't really complain. Whereas offline doesn't interest me so much anymore, if you get in a decent shuffle room or just in a room with your friends, online is a great way to pass the time.
What has been your favourite vehicle to drive at the moment?
I've recently fallen in love with the Evo X. It seems I can never get bored thrashing that around the Nurburgring, and it'll just go wherever you point it. The one I drive the most is completely stock, and it's still one of the most fun cars that I have to drive.
What about tracks? Are there any particular favorites you have?
Not at the moment. Monaco was my favourite for a while, but now I like pretty much all of them the same. Although, like I said, I do enjoy a good run at the Nurburgring.
Have you played around with photomode at all? If so, how do you like it?
I most certainly have! I don't use it as much as I used to, but I still love it. I'm forever learning new ways to make my photos look better. I don't update it nearly as much as I should, but if you're interested in seeing what photos I produce, you can take a look at my gallery
here. In fact, I updated it a couple of days ago with some shots of the Evo I love to drive.
What is your favourite GT game and why?
I would have to say GT5, because it's the only GT game I've played properly. I had GT4 on the PS2 but never actually played it properly - only Arcade Mode!
Are there any other video games do you enjoy playing?
I love the DiRT series, especially DiRT 2, and I'm quite a keen GTA fan too. In fact, I love almost anything made by Rockstar... GTA, Midnight Club, Red Dead Redemption, L.A. Noire. WRC 3 is fun to play too, and sometimes I play Skate 3.
Switching over to real life, what do you drive? Is it in the game and if so, how does in compare?
I'm not yet old enough to drive, but our current car is a Ford Mondeo, named Bruiser. He's even got his own thread, which you can take a look at
here. Unfortunately, he's not in the game, and GT2 was the last GT game to feature a Mondeo. Although, the Mazda 6/Atenza is the closest car in the game to him. The Mazda 6 is practically a Mondeo in fancy dress, just like the Jaguar X-Type.
Whats your favorite car and what is it about it that you like so much?
My favourite car has always been the Mondeo. I'm not into fancy supercars or concept cars, or insanely expensive cars that I'll most likely never own and never get to use to their full potential. The Mondeo is a reasonable car that just
goes. We've had Bruiser for just under 9 years now, and only now is his health starting to decline. He's driven on 3 cylinders, waded through mass flooding, survived a tyre blowout at 100+mph, continued to drive like nothing was wrong after his gearbox blew up... the Mondeo just
drives. It doesn't start flashing warning lights at you every 10 seconds like a Peugeot, it doesn't break down after 6 months like an Alfa, it just gets on with life without complaining. And, on top of that, it has an ST version. What's not to love?
What's your other hobbies?
When I'm not hibernating in my room sat on my PS3 or computer, I'm usually working on Bruiser or taking photos. I've recently started getting into BMX too, although I'm still not anywhere near being the next Jamie Bestwick. I also collect Monster cans, although I might have to stop that because I'm running out of space for them! I also enjoy looking at potential first cars on Autotrader because I'm sad like that.
Anything else you'd like to say?
Don't expect me to be fast. Dirt is my strong point, not tarmac.