Nat./Regional Finals training - Updates from finals around the world!

[Timppaq]

Cheers guys for the info 👍

edit,

and Congratulations all going forward!

 

[The Outlaw]

Winners are in picture order:

Neil Williams - Wild Card
John Foster - BanditKarter-22
Mark Ridout - markyboy92
Martin Hefferon - GTP_Tidgney
Adam Suswillo - GT_ADAM
Shane Ward - GT5_Shane_UK

Surprised that Ben didn't make the cut.

Congrats to all Nice to see so many familar names up there to.

Gooo Adam!!!

 

[markyboy92]

Very happy to get through to boot camp at fourth year of trying, competition very tough as ever so happy with the 3rd overall.
Pod I was 2nd-Adam s was very quick throughout and won almost every race apart from first race day 1 and qualifying to A final, both fortunately fastest by me at a crucible time to keep the pressure off.
Fitness-my weaker event but improvement on last year, consistently finishing middle in each event, don't know the finish score but would gestimate 6-8thplace on that.
Media-not great, bit nerv racking, didn't see other people so couldn't tell how I'd down in that.
Driving the juke-second lap managed to knock in a really good solid time which fortunately turned out to be the fastest time, certainly not what I was expecting a front wheel drive juke!
My own l reg astra is faster than that lol
Tight course in places difficult to master

Bad luck for Shane green missing out by half a point, next year will be his year I'm sure,

Good seeing some new faces and seeing some old faces. A great bunch of lads,

Looking forward to boot camp, great opportunity!
Thanks to Sony/Nissan, getting better each year the competition, really efficient this year

 

[RSR BLAKE]

Brilliant job guys! Well done to all who competed too! My driving let me done, though it felt quick obviously it wasn't lol.

 

[redsoxboy80]

Winners are in picture order:

Neil Williams - Wild Card
John Foster - BanditKarter-22
Mark Ridout - markyboy92
Martin Hefferon - GTP_Tidgney
Adam Suswillo - GT_ADAM
Shane Ward - GT5_Shane_UK

Surprised that Ben didn't make the cut.

Congrats guys! Glad to see guys I've raced online with before make the cut. Good luck in race camp! And btw, it looks like nobody there is over the age of 22

 

[Famine]

Neil (far left) is 28, I seem to recall.

So basically a 🤬 two days for me

Oooh I wouldn't say that.

From what I saw, you were a very strong competitor and you can, without doubt, make it to the finals again (whereas the six winners are on their last chance - either five or six of them will never be a GT Academy champion and Nismo Athlete; no pressure, guys!). But for a bit of luck in the GT5 rounds - and a ropey choice of car for autocrossing - you'd be in the final six.

If you want any specific thoughts from me, I'm happy to provide them by PM - you were in the group I was following so, fitness aside, I watched you in every activity.

 

[Tidgney]

Thankyou guys ! It really was two crazy crazy days!

Day 1 was pretty nice really, and GT Academy is better than ever in my eyes from the information we received and the organisation, was really top job 👍. I enjoyed the first day and was just doing similar to last year with steady consistent points, until the Superpole. I realised I was pretty much safe so thought I'd give it some beans, and managed to be 1.1 seconds faster than most until the final group came on with Adam and Marky haha ! Came second in that one when adam did a stunning 1:29.8 ! But felt really good after this for sure!

Day 2 obviously lead to alot more pressure!! One really good thing was that non of the 18 were allowed to watch any of the groups go, so meant you literally turned up and raced! I lost it on the first lap at the first corner and got a red flag and 2 red flags meant DQ so thought I'd play it safe and qualified in the A group ! Was so happy, and such a relief!!

We then had the races Group A were guarenteed the first 6 spots on points while group B had the second half of points, and me and ghost had an awesome battle on there for 4th I think it was. Although the rear lost alot of grip at the chicane on Laguna Seca causing me to run wide, and come 6th. If i was based on overall time I think I'd have rather just kept the place, but as it was a little fun and knew I could gain a tiny bit more and not really lost that much was worth a go !

The rest I just tried to focus and do as I would usually, I felt confident in my abilities with the driving and media phases and really wanted to push the physical. I managed over 4 minutes with the plank, not sure how far into the 4 minutes I went as it was a bit of a blur! But that actually cost me a bit on pressups! The bleep test was also harder than I've ever done as I was used to running to the line and not over it, so didn't get near my PB on that, think it was 8-8 maybe, but I wanted over 9 if not 10, as I'd hit 9's in practice. But it saw me through and that was my goal!!

Well played to all the other guys, especially Adam quality speed throughout the entire 2 days on GT !

Ghost will be there next year for sure, as he's awesome and really wants it bad and I'd keep an eye out for him! Much kudos to Ghost!

 

[BanditKarter22]

Where to start? What a great experience! The event was very well organised and put together 👍 I thought the time trials where good, they weren't just all plain time trials, a couple of super pole shootouts where we only got 1 flying lap to set a time! Talk about pressure! The 1st day was pretty comfortable for me, even with the nerves. I had a bad start to the second day, the combo of the tuned 370Z on RH tyres at Suzuka was not my strongest and I didn't improve after my first lap. But after that 7-18 had a super pole shootout a Grand Valley in a GT-R which I was very pleased to win by 7 tenths, meaning I was safely through to the top 12. From there I had a heat race where I managed to finish second, meaning that I was placed 8th going into the Driving/Media/Fitness challenges From there our group had the driving part first, I hit a couple of cones on my fast run even though I was going pretty quickly but the instructors weren't giving anything away. We didn't know the points or times given for these challenges. The media test went surprisingly well for me, it was pretty cool standing in front of the press like you see at the F1, I was glad I managed to block out the nerves and come across confidently! 👍 The fitness test was the final part, first of all a sergeant jump, followed by a plank, I got joint 1st in the plank with Neil as they stopped us after 5 minutes but I think Neil could have continued for longer! Barely time to recover and we were straight into press ups, I would've been happy with 30 but I managed 34 which was a pretty good score, with the highest I think being Matthew and Neil (IIRC). After that they chucked us straight into the bleep test, the course was on a slight slope and they made us put our foot fully over the line at each ends! I managed to win that by reaching level 12, I think 2nd was Shane who reached level 10! 👍

Overall it was a great event, it ran very smoothly! All the competitors were amazing, everyone was sporting in defeat and victory, we couldn't have asked for a better bunch of guys! 👍 I think everyone enjoyed themselves! Congratulations again to the others who've progressed to the race camp, you all did a great job and I know it was very tight for the last few spots! I feel for Ghost, he was very unlucky not to get through. Adam's pace on GT5 was pretty amazing, he won most of the time trials! 👍

Well done everyone! I look forward to Race Camp, it's gonna be great fun regardless of the result, just gonna go and enjoy it!

 

[Adam41]

Thanks guys.

I can only mimic what others have said already by saying that the event was really well organised and we were treated like Kings! 👍 I must say having a sunset dinner on the outside of Brooklands is pretty fricking cool.

I was pleased to do really well on the GT5 side of things on day one and the start of day two. And because we were ahead of schedule on day one, 4 division winners as well as the fastest loser was going to take part in an exhibition race with Jann around Spa. The R35 Touring Car is pretty awful at the best of times, nevermind with Racing Hards and traction control on! It was a fun race and managed to come 1st in that winning a few goodies, with Jann coming in 4th!

Driving the Nismo Juke around the autocross track was really fun, especially with Jann in the passenger seat. Mark did really well there, well done buddy.

I was dreading the media test where the guy said they would ask me 4 questions.. I'm not the best with interviews - they must have known this so they asked me 6 for good measure.

I did awful on the plank test and the press ups. Plank test I lasted 2 mins 40 ish, press ups straight after I only did 20. 👎 Will be something to practice for race camp for sure. At least on the bleep test I came 2nd, getting to 10-part 9.

All in all a really fun two days and it was a pleasure to meet everyone, especially the guys here at GTP.

It was a privilege to get the overall win after competing against guys with incredible talent. Looking forward to the race camp!!

👍

 

[redreevos]

Congrats Adam!

 

[Saidur_Ali]

Oooh I wouldn't say that.

From what I saw, you were a very strong competitor and you can, without doubt, make it to the finals again (whereas the six winners are on their last chance - either five or six of them will never be a GT Academy champion and Nismo Athlete; no pressure, guys!). But for a bit of luck in the GT5 rounds - and a ropey choice of car for autocrossing - you'd be in the final six.

If you want any specific thoughts from me, I'm happy to provide them by PM - you were in the group I was following so, fitness aside, I watched you in every activity.

Have you heard that they are they not going to carry out this "may not" part of rule? Will be shame for people who just missed out especially the people who did the Territory Finals for the first time like Ben:

1.5.Entrants advancing to the Territory Finals (as defined below) and beyond may not be eligible to enter any future GT Academy competition.

I wonder if John is youngest UK finalist or even European finalist but I guess it will take a lot of effort to find out. Well done to all who took part, hopefully we have another UK winner this year.

 

[Holty]

Great competition, great people, great experience. Well done to all the qualifiers, I look forward to hearing your progress. Heres hoping I make it to Silverstone next year and I don't stall while Jann is in the car hahaahaa

Holty!

 

[BanditKarter22]

Have you heard that they are they not going to carry out this "may not" part of rule? Will be shame for people who just missed out especially the people who did the Territory Finals for the first time like Ben:

I wonder if John is youngest UK finalist or even European finalist but I guess it will take a lot of effort to find out. Well done to all who took part, hopefully we have another UK winner this year.

I think national finalists will be eligible next year, they mentioned speaking at the end that there was always next year for the ones who missed out! 👍

I think I am the youngest, at least from the UK, Ben was a few months younger than me but we were the youngest 2

 

[KingBestJr]

Anyone interested in racing here in a few. And for now on I would think would probably be best for everyone to just race gt academy cars as thats all they will probably use at nationals. Besides maybe calsonic or TC GTR

 

[iamsupernasty]

Can anyone provide a full list of what the UK guys had to use for cars?

Im gonna take a nap and watch the Rolex race from RA but I will be on later tonight.

 

[Dr_Watson]

Yeah, I'm going to be joining up soon for the post-dinner grind.

 

[ShaneUK]

I think 2nd was Shane who reached level 10! 👍

Dude I wish haha! I dropped out @ level 9.something, I have no idea my position in the bleep test as I was gasping for air, lying on the ground as you ran on.. And on... And on haha! Seriously impressive bleep test run man, you took it to the next level!

I saw someone comment earlier saying level 8 should be an easy achievement, try pushing your body to the point your abs can't hold your body up any longer and your arms can't complete a single further push up, then throw yourself into the bleep test and tell me 8 is easy :-). Trust me, it's not, and any figure you have from training means nothing on the day, especially with their miss the line once and you're out and make sure your foot is totally over the line rules. It's tough, I missed my target by an entire level after 4 and a half ish minutes of the plank and 30 press ups. Don't even get me started on how much the plank affects your press ups, it's pure pain guys!

I can only repeat the praise for the organisation of the event, flawless. Every person I came in contact with was polite and friendly, whether it be a member of the media, GT team, Silverstone staff or competitors themselves.

As for me, taking second place was a huge suprise as we are all left in the dark in regards to our scores for driving and media evaluations. Only at the end do we find out if we made the cut, so as you can imagine, the tension was incredible!

Congratulations to the other 5 guys and good luck with your preparation, don't injure yourself haha!

GhostDriver actually set something of an example for me in the final week leading up to the competition when he told me just how much work he has put in to get fit. Therefore, missing out by half a point was gutting for him and I absolutely felt that pain when I looked in his eyes.

Just know that you have made a positive step, and as painful as this year has turned out, know that you absolutely have the talent to achieve your dream. Turn that pain into motivation my friend, I look forward to racing you again soon Shane :-).

 

[Holty]

What were the standings for the final 12..I never found out?

 

[KingBestJr]

Yeah, I'm going to be joining up soon for the post-dinner grind.

Ill meet you in there 👍

 

[Saidur_Ali]

I think national finalists will be eligible next year, they mentioned speaking at the end that there was always next year for the ones who missed out! 👍

I think I am the youngest, at least from the UK, Ben was a few months younger than me but we were the youngest 2

That is good to hear, keeps UK competitive still in TT rankings and at territory finals. Will make it much harder for me though but will feel better if I do make it.

I knew Ben was slightly younger but you made it so that makes it nearly impossible for Ben to be youngest UK finalist. I am talking about over the last 5 academies though and if you are the youngest to go though which will need checking back from 2008.

Good to have more young people coming in to challenge, if there is more young people winning the actual main prize then chances of at least one person making it to F1 gets higher. Best of luck to you guys on your preparations 👍, not long to go now.

 

[BanditKarter22]

Dude I wish haha! I dropped out @ level 9.something, I have no idea my position in the bleep test as I was gasping for air, lying on the ground as you ran on.. And on... And on haha! Seriously impressive bleep test run man, you took it to the next level!

Thanks man haha! I thought you stayed in until level 10, I guess I must've been so focused on myself that I didn't really pay that much attention to who else was left haha!

Great job everyone! I'm gonna sleep well now!

 

[ShaneUK]

Thanks man haha! I thought you stayed in until level 10, I guess I must've been so focused on myself that I didn't really pay that much attention to who else was left haha!

Great job everyone! I'm gonna sleep well now!

Yh you're right about being focused, I had no idea what was going on, I guess you push your body so hard you don't think about anyone else until you drop out.

Same here, sleep has been something I have missed the last few days!

As for the cars used, I don't know all the names of the cars but my suggestion to the US and other territory finalists would be to have the 370z tuned, GTR V/BE and Calsonic GTR as your bread and butter, absolute rock solid cars. Be good at Suzuka, it's often used as a result of its technical challenges. In fact, if you made it to the A final in the UK you raced entirely real world tracks. A theme? Maybe. Also they may go to the GTR R35 TC? (Confirm name?) so make sure to get practice with that as they liked to use it here a few times.

 

[KingBestJr]

Yh you're right about being focused, I had no idea what was going on, I guess you push your body so hard you don't think about anyone else until you drop out.

Same here, sleep has been something I have missed the last few days!

As for the cars used, I don't know all the names of the cars but my suggestion to the US and other territory finalists would be to have the 370z tuned, GTR V/BE and Calsonic GTR as your bread and butter, absolute rock solid cars. Be good at Suzuka, it's often used as a result of its technical challenges. In fact, if you made it to the A final in the UK you raced entirely real world tracks. A theme? Maybe. Also they may go to the GTR R35 TC? (Confirm name?) so make sure to get practice with that as they liked to use it here a few times.

Was everything on racing hards?

Sitting in lounge now if anyone wants to join me.

Edit Watson has joined me hehe

 

[Storm_SP17]

I saw someone comment earlier saying level 8 should be an easy achievement, try pushing your body to the point your abs can't hold your body up any longer and your arms can't complete a single further push up, then throw yourself into the bleep test and tell me 8 is easy :-). Trust me, it's not, and any figure you have from training means nothing on the day, especially with their miss the line once and you're out and make sure your foot is totally over the line rules. It's tough, I missed my target by an entire level after 4 and a half ish minutes of the plank and 30 press ups. Don't even get me started on how much the plank affects your press ups, it's pure pain guys!

Yeah, that was me. As I said before didn't mean to offend anyone by it, I actually wish I could have done that part for you just for the hell of it.

By the sounds of it, it's not like you guys had a substantial rest between, and the way they placed the anaerobic stuff in first, it puts things in perspective a lot better than I had first thought. I even tried doing to plank test myself just now.... I followed the YT video someone posted earlier for until it hit two minutes, which is when things started to get tough for me.

 

[iamsupernasty]

I dont think Mikes internet likes me too much lol.

Just did four laps of the Nordschleife in the Tuned Z. Gained 1 second on my ghost each lap. Finally getting the hang of this thing.

 

[KingBestJr]

I dont think Mikes internet likes me too much lol.

Just did four laps of the Nordschleife in the Tuned Z. Gained 1 second on my ghost each lap. Finally getting the hang of this thing.

Lol sorry

 

[iamsupernasty]

No worries man. Its not your fault

 

[iamsupernasty]

Can anyone confirm if the pedals are inverted or regular at the nationals?

 

[TRL_Importlife]

Can anyone confirm if the pedals are inverted or regular at the nationals?

Regular, that's what they used this year at RacersX

 

[Mamba]

How did everyone adjust to the TS500 was it easy (assuming you hadn't used it till the final)