[RACE] NR2003: 2014 GTPlanet Fantasy Series *That's A Wrap!*

[Niku Driver HC]

Well, aren't we lively now. So much for the "tumbleweeds period".

I'm up for the Q&A! Hit me up with questions!

I got one: Where is my livery for next season?

Ok, on a more seriously note, what is your opinion on the chase's standings so far?

Spoiler: Fox Sports Interview with Whitetail

Fox: Welcome back to Fox Sports, we're here with RACE Cup Series driver Whitetail who will be starting his first full-time season with the league in 2015. Whitetail, it's great to have you here. How are you today?
Whitetail: ...
Fox: It has been released some time back when you joined the Concept Cup that you'll be competing in a Pontiac. How does the underdog mentality of a "2nd class" manufacturer make you feel? Do you think you'll be able to be competitve in 2015?
Whitetail: ...
Fox: Okay. How about your motorsport upbringing? You've done multi-class sportscar racing your whole career. How do you think the transition from high-aero prototypes to bulky stock cars will impact your career and driving style?
Whitetail: ...
Fox: Are you going to say anything?
Whitetail: ...
Fox: I guess we'll be concluding this interview. Thanks for coming in Whitetail and good luck in 2015.
Whitetail: ...
*interview ends*
Fox: That's what happens when you try to interview a deer. They don't talk. Go figure. On to basketball........

Spoiler

Ok, if deers don't talk, then how do you explain Bambi doing just that, huh? Try to answer that one...

And since everyone else is going for interviews, I'll do them myself as well:

Spoiler: On the Back Straight: The official NR2003 Fantasy Series Magazine

Hello, and welcome to On The Back Straight. Our goal is simple; providing the fans with the latest in NR2003 Fantasy Series news, give the updates in every race, and to speak to the drivers who make this possible. I am Karl Randoll, your eyes, mouth and ears of this show, and today we have as a guest Portuguese driver Nico Costa, driver of the #76 Sunrise Eldran Pontiac G8. Nico is a member of the famed "Concept Rookies, and the 2nd ranked in the current Concept Cup standings. First of all, hello Nico, welcome to the show.

Nico: Hello, and good morning, evening or night to all our viewers. Glad to be the first guest here, here's hoping that I won't be the worst. (laughs)

Karl: (Laughs) I'm sure you won't be the worst, Nico. Ok, first question: So far, your season has been littered with bad luck moments; your closest rivals, Michael "Bambi" White and Jose Harsk, have both won at least one race in general standings so far. Whereas you have so far missed that mark. What's your opinion on the matter?

Nico: Well, my luck has always been a shaky part of my personality, guess that remains true even as a racing driver. I know I have the pace, all I need is the right moment to capitalize on it.

Karl: Ok, next question: You were once listed as an Independant entry for next season, but you have since dismissed that status by forming a team with fellow Pontiac driver, Michael "Bambi" White. What made you change your mind?

Nico: What made me change my mind? I know the advantages of running a team, and so does General Motors. Michael actually approached me with the proposal, and when GM got wind of it, they said that running a two-car operation would improve the progress in the G8's development. And besides, I have great respect for Michael both as a driver and as a person, and I know he has the right idea for how to race a NASCAR. Of course, that doesn't rule out the idea of us having a little friendly rivalry on the sides... (laughs)

Karl: It seems you were paying attention to other teams, as the pre-season progressed. Any team in particular that you have your eyes on for next season?

Nico: To be fair, it's hard to pick a favourite, because this series is famous, or infamous if you prefer, for its unpredictabillity. But if I have to choose one or two, they would have to be Team Kate Upton and the MLP Red Bull Scuderia.

Karl: Interesting choices. We do know that you have joined TKU's operation as part of the Monopoly Truck Series, and it was Nas Pinkton, the leader of MLP Red Bull Scuderia, that approved your entry into these series. Care to develop a bit more those choices?

Nico: Heh, I'd say it's because they have good knowledge of the racetrack. TKU has a lineup of good drivers in their ranks, and MLP RBS has the unknown factor of two female rookies on their side. Eva Angeline has shown great pace and race awareness as the reserve driver of Furi Autosports, and Kuni Kino****a is pretty much a mystery when it comes to racing, who knows how good she can be...

Karl: Ok, one more question to end this interview: We have heard rumors that you are planning to drop the Sunrise sponsorship for next season, replacing it with a new sponsor. Can you tell us more about that?

Nico: I won't say much right now, all I will tell you is that the people who own a part of the Sunrise studios have taken interest in NASCAR sponsorship, and they have picked me as their representant. Let's just say that my car could look a bit orange next season...

Karl: Well, guess that will be all the questions for today. Thank you very much for giving up some of your time to speak to us and the fans, I'm sure they will do their best to support you.

Nico: Thank you very much, as for the fans, don't forget to support the #76 for the remainder of this season and the next. We can't wait to see you on the track.

 

[BKGlover]

I've got a subjective question for everyone: What's the best looking car on the 2014 grid right now?

 

[Michelin]

Gerarghini.

 

[BKGlover]

Gerarghini.

My vote goes either Gerarghini or quietgirl.

 

[Tired iron]

My vote goes either Gerarghini or quietgirl.

I like them equally hard to decide

 

[Clayton Hardy]

No questions for the round table?

 

[Niku Driver HC]

No questions for the round table?

Well, if you don't mind:

What is your opinion on the drivers of this series, based on the races you have seen so far?

 

[DurWinning]

No questions for the round table?

How does it feel to be one of the new guys?

 

[Clayton Hardy]

Well, if you don't mind:

What is your opinion on the drivers of this series, based on the races you have seen so far?

My response to that is that it's a very intense bunch. This season there isn't a giant performance curve between all of the drivers. Next season I have an idea on where a performance gap might be, but everyone is pretty close right now.

How does it feel to be one of the new guys?

I feel the pressure of being a defending champion. With Angel coming in and immediately getting success, I feel like I need to hop in from the start and put boots to asses.
@BRRT_Angel @KuniKino****a Your responses?

 

[Eva]

My response to that is that it's a very intense bunch. This season there isn't a giant performance curve between all of the drivers. Next season I have an idea on where a performance gap might be, but everyone is pretty close right now.

I feel the pressure of being a defending champion. With Angel coming in and immediately getting success, I feel like I need to hop in from the start and put boots to asses.
@BRRT_Angel @KuniKino****a Your responses?

For @Niku Driver HC I have a better idea on everyone's on track and off track activities. Despite what Clayton said, there is an indefinite performance gap. Perfect example is the chase. Had there not been a gap, the chase battle would have been enormous and there wouldn't have been breakaways. A lot of teams forgot common sense and pit off sequence at Talladega, which concerns me coming into Armory Digital. I'm hoping I don't get stuck again like I did at Talladega.
@DurWinning Being new is only okay if you need to make excuses. I haven't needed to make excuses so I'm indifferent there. For all of the 2015 debutantes, they have a lot to step up to.

 

[Jahgee]

Just realised I asked all of you for theme songs, but never posted my own (NSFW)

Trying to make it my teams theme, but I don't wanna be a dictator about it

 

[Eva]

Just realised I asked all of you for theme songs, but never posted my own (NSFW)

Trying to make it my teams theme, but I don't wanna be a dictator about it

I'll post my personal theme tomorrow.

 

[Clayton Hardy]

I have a pretty substantial question to ask @BRRT_Angel and @Michelin What was the immediate atmosphere after Furinkazen's devastating accident. Angel, this question more applies to how you learned of you being requested to take his seat and Michelin, if you could, please explain what your feelings were about the changes and exactly how the team is now compared to before.

 

[Eva]

I have a pretty substantial question to ask @BRRT_Angel and @Michelin What was the immediate atmosphere after Furinkazen's devastating accident. Angel, this question more applies to how you learned of you being requested to take his seat and Michelin, if you could, please explain what your feelings were about the changes and exactly how the team is now compared to before.

Kicking us in the feels? This will be tough. That day was...it was something. For me, I was sitting at home watching it all unfold. I remember getting a call about a couple hours after the accident from one of Furi's lawyers/managers. He asked me if I was available to drive at Martinsville, which I was. I was pretty open to that point. I remember going to get my fitted seat from my team's garage. I ran my own team in other series so I had seats fitted for everything. I was told to head to Martinsville as soon as possible for acclimatised car checks. From about 5 in the afternoon I spent the rest of the day preparing my motorhome and going through bouts of anxiety. The first reaction when I went to bed that night was "What will happen to me?" I was reasonably scared going into it. Furi is a very respected guy and to step into his car in a crisis was a very rare and a very...emotional time. It still is. There's still that emotion of how am I gonna go, or when will I get hurt. I think I've suppressed that well, but when your cooled down, just the thought that Indy was a very capable accident that could happen anywhere puts it all in perspective. I shrug it off because it's my job, and I get paid very well to do it. But I think about that day a lot. It was a blessing and a curse.

 

[Clayton Hardy]

Kicking us in the feels? This will be tough. That day was...it was something. For me, I was sitting at home watching it all unfold. I remember getting a call about a couple hours after the accident from one of Furi's lawyers/managers. He asked me if I was available to drive at Martinsville, which I was. I was pretty open to that point. I remember going to get my fitted seat from my team's garage. I ran my own team in other series so I had seats fitted for everything. I was told to head to Martinsville as soon as possible for acclimatised car checks. From about 5 in the afternoon I spent the rest of the day preparing my motorhome and going through bouts of anxiety. The first reaction when I went to bed that night was "What will happen to me?" I was reasonably scared going into it. Furi is a very respected guy and to step into his car in a crisis was a very rare and a very...emotional time. It still is. There's still that emotion of how am I gonna go, or when will I get hurt. I think I've suppressed that well, but when your cooled down, just the thought that Indy was a very capable accident that could happen anywhere puts it all in perspective. I shrug it off because it's my job, and I get paid very well to do it. But I think about that day a lot. It was a blessing and a curse.

The way this season has looked, several of you could write books on the season. I love that. And be honest Angel, how emotional did you get typing that?

 

[Eva]

The way this season has looked, several of you could write books on the season. I love that. And be honest Angel, how emotional did you get typing that?

I'm not gonna lie. I did get emotional mentally. Makes it all much more believable and in depth.

 

[KuniKinoshita]

I'll fire a volley at @BRRT_Angel as well. What's more exciting in all of the types of racing you've been in. NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, Rally, LMGTE, or MotoGP?

 

[Eva]

I'll fire a volley at @BRRT_Angel as well. What's more exciting in all of the types of racing you've been in. NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, Rally, LMGTE, or MotoGP?

I think my adrenaline kicked in the most in IndyCar when IRG did it right on PC. A second best would likely be rallying. There's so much that can change from one spot to the next in a rally stage, and it can be very punishing.

 

[Eva]

I've got a question for everyone that feels obliged to answer. If you could select a track to open the season, what would that track be. It has to be an existing real life venue. For me, I honestly think that a race at Le Mans would be great.

 

[Clayton Hardy]

I've got a question for everyone that feels obliged to answer. If you could select a track to open the season, what would that track be. It has to be an existing real life venue. For me, I honestly think that a race at Le Mans would be great.

I will be the one person to say Nurburgring just because I know it would be impossible.

 

[KuniKinoshita]

I've got a question for everyone that feels obliged to answer. If you could select a track to open the season, what would that track be. It has to be an existing real life venue. For me, I honestly think that a race at Le Mans would be great.

I'm being biased saying this, but Motegi.

 

[BKGlover]

Kicking us in the feels? This will be tough. That day was...it was something. For me, I was sitting at home watching it all unfold. I remember getting a call about a couple hours after the accident from one of Furi's lawyers/managers. He asked me if I was available to drive at Martinsville, which I was. I was pretty open to that point. I remember going to get my fitted seat from my team's garage. I ran my own team in other series so I had seats fitted for everything. I was told to head to Martinsville as soon as possible for acclimatised car checks. From about 5 in the afternoon I spent the rest of the day preparing my motorhome and going through bouts of anxiety. The first reaction when I went to bed that night was "What will happen to me?" I was reasonably scared going into it. Furi is a very respected guy and to step into his car in a crisis was a very rare and a very...emotional time. It still is. There's still that emotion of how am I gonna go, or when will I get hurt. I think I've suppressed that well, but when your cooled down, just the thought that Indy was a very capable accident that could happen anywhere puts it all in perspective. I shrug it off because it's my job, and I get paid very well to do it. But I think about that day a lot. It was a blessing and a curse.

This gets a 9.5 from me.

I've got a question for everyone that feels obliged to answer. If you could select a track to open the season, what would that track be. It has to be an existing real life venue. For me, I honestly think that a race at Le Mans would be great.

These stock cars at Le Mans would be interesting. Nurburgring would be nerve-wracking enough with the ability to look around, Motegi oval I'd think about, and I won't say Texas because...wellll...yeah.

Honestly, I think Daytona is really the best place to kick it off. Even if NASCAR fumbles the event, 9 times out of 10 as a whole it doesn't disappoint.

 

[swiftsmith]

Does anyone have a question for me or one of my drivers?

 

[Eva]

Does anyone have a question for me or one of my drivers?

I personally don't. There's nothing really to ask your team about. Not being disrespectful, there's just no curiosity as your team is transparent as it is from what I've seen.

 

[KuniKinoshita]

I'd like to bring up an idea of "Article of the Week", which I'd be willing to put the effort behind. @Niku Driver HC inspired me with his magazine interview, and I'd like to take the ability to interview either a select driver or a select group each week. @nascarfan1400 would I be allowed to do this?

 

[Eva]

I'd like to bring up an idea of "Article of the Week", which I'd be willing to put the effort behind. @Niku Driver HC inspired me with his magazine interview, and I'd like to take the ability to interview either a select driver or a select group each week. @nascarfan1400 would I be allowed to do this?

How in depth would these be?

 

[KuniKinoshita]

How in depth would these be?

I'd type the base on Microsoft Word, so my realistic aim would be about a page of dialogue. All would be in RP, and the discussions would be in private conversations. I would intend on having a different group each time so that everyone got some limelight if they were up for it.

 

[Eva]

I'd type the base on Microsoft Word, so my realistic aim would be about a page of dialogue. All would be in RP, and the discussions would be in private conversations. I would intend on having a different group each time so that everyone got some limelight if they were up for it.

And what would the topics cover?

 

[KuniKinoshita]

And what would the topics cover?

It would vary. With single drivers, it would vary between on track action, rivalries, and opinions. Team interviews would be more of a round table, with questions being addressed to all of the drivers and all drivers providing some sort of response. Team interviews would provide more of an intuitive idea of how each team operates while driver interviews deal more with the actual racing. I would also aim at having some weeks where, for example, if another Furinkazen accident would occur, it would detail report findings, driver opinion and forseeable impact.

 

[Eva]

It would vary. With single drivers, it would vary between on track action, rivalries, and opinions. Team interviews would be more of a round table, with questions being addressed to all of the drivers and all drivers providing some sort of response. Team interviews would provide more of an intuitive idea of how each team operates while driver interviews deal more with the actual racing. I would also aim at having some weeks where, for example, if another Furinkazen accident would occur, it would detail report findings, driver opinion and forseeable impact.

Would it just be one article a week? Sorry if I'm asking a bunch of questions. I'm just wanting to know how you'd do this.