Thanks for the Memories, Sjaak!!

[EDK]

I just wanted to take the opportunity to express my thanks to Sjaak, for all of the memorable experiences in WRS, and all those combos that taught me so much while I was learning how to do all of this.

I'm going to list some of my favorites, and the reasons. I hope all of you will take time to think back and do the same. 👍

My first WRS was Week 112, with the JGTC MR-2 at Autumn Ring Reverse. This was also Sjaak's first WRS as steward. I ran as much on one combo as I ever had, which probably still wasn't much more than 2 or 3 hours. I was 0.2 away from finishing dead ass last. But that motivated me to put more in and improve. I went back to this combo a lot, during my early days of WRS, just to see how much my driving had improved. If any of you still play GT4, it's a really fun one. 👍

By Week 115, I was a full blown addict. Sjaak set up the Tommy Makinen Rally Evo at Seattle Reverse. Seattle's my favorite track. This combo was run over the American Independence Day week, and I probably spent 6 or 8 hours on the holiday alone, chasing down those tenths. It was my first podium, and a really great experience. I was full on hooked.

Next was a really fun week, when Sjaak taught me all about oversteer and car control. In an FF, of all things. Check out Week 132, Autumn Ring in the Mini, with soft tires on the front and hards on the back. That was a fantastic week of improving times and making friends. And check out our man Sjaak on the D2 podium.

Week 141 was one of Sjaak's most innovative WRS events. That taught me about focusing on my strengths in trying to get an edge again the competition. What a really fun week. 👍

Most of you have been around for the prologue events, and it's really tough for me to pick out any one week. Sjaak has done so much with this game of 6 tracks and 60 cars. Like I've said, I have some really big shoes to fill.

But wanted to give Sjaak my thanks and appreciation for all his hard work over the last 2 1/2 years.

Sjaak

Kevin

 

[Jordan]

I'd also like to express my thanks to Sjaak for everything that he has done for the WRS - one of the longest-running traditions that we have in this community. It wouldn't be possible without the all of the hard work from volunteers like him and now you, EDK. Good luck and let me know if there is anything that I can ever do to help.

 

[Synwraith]

GT5P Week 11 was my first WRS at London Reverse in the GT-R. Running what I thought to be a good time and putting in what I thought to be a decent amount of hours proved to me how far I really had to go to compete. The competition and most of all the respect and community spirit in the WRS is what Sjaak should be most proud of.

I've done so many different combos in WRS and race events on GTP that I would absolutely never have tried of my own accord and have improved in leaps and bounds from when I first joined the Planet. Advice is always forthcoming and stewardship is always fair, firm but never a dictatorship.

I'll never forget the F430 at Eiger, Nissan Z duo at HSR or the Mine's R34 Handicap event at Suzuka. These are the standout events for me.

Well done Sjaak

All the best
Maz

 

[Paulie]

My first week in WRS was the Zonda LM at Grand Valley Speedway. Before that week I'd never really put much effort into improving my skills, and it showed me the depth skill can take. Unfortunately due to a lack of USB stick at the time, that was my first and last WRS in GT4. GT5 has so many great weeks, I guess any with the Corvettes in have been fun weeks for me, and the Viper/Tuned on max PP at Fuji was definitely one of my favourites. I proved to myself in that week that powerful, and mainly torquey muscle cars was where my forté laid, and that was quite a lift for me. The Aston Martin DB9 at Suzuka was a good week too, the car was difficult to control and had many cornering defects, but I did pretty well, which was another lift.👍

Thanks Sjaak, you've done a great job.

 

[arora]

Way too many good times to mention, here is my first race as a d1. https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=100795 Many fun ones before this one, the beattle cup running head to head with Kel. I'll dig up a few more....


this one was really cool https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=101434

Like I said many good times in those days 👍 Oh, and Sjaak even let me host one a Dirty dirt in the alps at some point.

for the memory lane

 

[Timppaq]

Yes, I take my hat off for you 👍 It's a big task to run thesee, I'm sure

 

[superwally]

I was an infrequent visitor to GTP until I started the GT4 WRS. I was amazed anyone would make the weekly effort to put these combos together, and it added competition, interaction and depth to GT in a way I had not imagined. It was shocking to find, after running several weeks in the WRS, how little I knew some of the cars and tracks in GT4, and how much I had to learn about driving around in and on them. It was great fun to learn.👍

Sjaak, for your dedication and hard work, you gained a small bit of control over the lives of so many people, all over the world. They fought with spouses, missed work and school, lost sleep, had personal triumphs, agonized over defeat, suffered physical pain, made friends, and lost friends. Liars were exposed, talent revealed, age defied-young and old.

All this because you took the time to do an excellent job, and for that, my greatest respect. Enjoy your free time, and thanks for all your hard work.

 

[steven]

Nice words Wally - couldn't have said it better 👍