THE GRAND TOUR! MONDAY EVENINGS! 7:30ET/00:30GMTOpen

[BenMillard]

No new information from them. Their gaming is weak because they are trying to talk and are too far from the screen to see what they should be doing.

The GPS in the bottom left seems way too zoomed in and 'blobby' to provide at-a-glance guidance for where you should go. The chevron 'driving line' on the environment is only apparent when you are already on the track. The circuit edge props are thorough but often destructible and sometimes rather small. (Especially when viewed from the far side of a 2-sided studio by middle-aged eyes, I should think!)

James May felt the steering was a bit out of proportion. The absence of traction control and absence of throttle control made a couple of the bucket list challenges a bit painful to watch.

It was entertaining, if you aren't really 'into' gaming and haven't seem much of The Grand Tour. I had the video playing on the TV whilst getting through some e-mails and forum stuff.

 

[Benny44]

I just really enjoy listening to them, I wasn't paying attention to the game. In case you haven't noticed, I'm kind of a big fan.

 

[Lilium]

Sorry I couldn't appear, had some life issues to deal with, but I'km on for this week. is the car selection still on muscles, or is it a new theme?

 

[tooma]

Even although it's not GT, thought you might like this:

I watched at least half of this recently. I was playing some FH3 a couple of nights ago, and it is not what I expected. No race tracks yet, just a couple of challenges with other AI runners. Defo arcade, but quite enjoyable and a change of style, belting along country and coastal routes in a Lambo. Great graphics - even driving into the sea. It reminds me of Drive Unlimited 2.

 

[Benny44]

Hey @Lilium no, it is not muscle cars this week. If he's able to, @BenMillard is going to host. There will be some one make races to start I believe, then open it up to any vehicle 450pp and CS tires. I've had some issues come up this week and not sure I'll make it. But the races will go on!
@tooma I've only played about 10 mins of any FH game, but I don't have an X1. Felt almost need for speed - like. Not necessarily a bad thing, it's just definitely not realistic. But it is fun

 

[BEllis7979]

@BenMillard

Hello Mr. Millard,

any decision on what cars I need to buy for tomorrow, what specs we'll be running and where?

 

[Benny44]

@BenMillard

Hello Mr. Millard,

any decision on what cars I need to buy for tomorrow, what specs we'll be running and where?

Ben Millard is having a few issues trying to post. So for the one Make races, the cars will be given to you in race. Everyone will have the same. After that, I think we'll be just running 450pp cars, so just bring your favs!

 

[Lilium]

Spoon Jazz one make :v

 

[Benny44]

Spoon Jazz one make :v

That would be fun! I think one of these nights we'll do oval tracks. I'm definitely not a NASCAR fan, but those tracks provide some close racing! I think winner changing to CM tires would have a huge impact on those tracks. Plus, it lends itself well to all skill levels (since you only need to turn left!). We wouldn't actually use NASCAR vehicles of course...

 

[BEllis7979]

"Turn Left!" (cheering at NASCAR events)

 

[BEllis7979]

Results from 1/16/17:

Participants: bellis7979

Race 1: GT Arena, Red Bull Prototype, 1 lap, CH tires
-- race suspended because no matter how little throttle was applied, car would not move with CH tires

Race 2: Nurburgring, Volkswagon Sambabus, 1 Lap, CS tires
Several spectators had to move pretty quickly out of the way when the Sambabus rolled.
Winner:--
Second place: bellis7979

Race 3: High Speed Ring, Citroen 2CV, 10 laps, RS tires
Race started at 8:30 pm EST... race still in progress as of 9:30 pm EST... spectators laughing.

@BenMillard, @tooma, @Lilium, @GTsail, @Benny44

 

[Benny44]

Hey @BEllis7979! Sounds like you hosted some races. I wish I could have made it. @BenMillard slept through his alarm. I hope he didn't mind me sharing that. Hopefully a few people showed up.

 

[BEllis7979]

Hey @Benny44,

Nope, I waited for about an hour, then called it a day. That post I wrote was just for fun!

 

[Benny44]

Haha I just noticed your participants list. I'm sorry it didn't work out last night. But, we will be back next week!

 

[Benny44]

This week's race is posted! It's always in Post #2, but I'll re-post it here:

This upcoming Monday (January 23rd) we will be doing.....

BYOC!!
In case you're wondering, that is 'Bring your own(real life) car' so....
You get bonus points for bringing your first car!
450pp
CM tires
If your personal car, or one you have owned isn't here(or you don't drive), then maybe you can borrow one from your parents or a close friend/relative. Or, you can simply drive a reasonable match (ex - your Civic isn't there, just drive a different year that most closely matches your weight/hp). Even if your particular make isn't there, see if you can match up with a different manufacturer. Don't worry, you won't be asked to provide proof of ownership. But, if you decide to take out a Ferrari or the like, be prepared for a lot of FRs.

If you're like me, you'll have to do some serious tuning to get your car to 450pp. So, do whatever you want to get your car there. All the stuff you can't do in real life!

Track list is still TBD
@BEllis7979 @Lilium @reefer @BenMillard @tooma

 

[BEllis7979]

'83 Ford LTD $300.00... Lasted a year- Driver's side wheel bearing went. (Not in the game)
The first car I had that might still be in the game is the Honda Element. We'll see what happens.

God I loved that Ford!

 

[Benny44]

Haha @BEllis7979 I had a '84 Honda Wagovan with a semi-automatic () transmission. Loved it! I could fit anything in that thing!

 

[Lilium]

Since the game doesn't have a Seat Altea XL, and I won't take that Ibiza, I hate it.
I'll try to show up on something similliar

 

[Benny44]

@Lilium haha I am going to definitely record these races. I think it will be funny to have all these 'normal' cars on track. Unfortunately the game won't allow me to put in my sweet Kenwood cassette deck with a bass tube in the hatch.

It doesn't have to be your first car though. It can be your current car or any car you've had. Try and make it a car you've enjoyed in real life

 

[Lilium]

First and current is the Altea. a Hand down from my wife's father, after he got a Bmw 218 mid last year.

But If I can take a car owned by the family, I can try to search for something the game has

 

[Benny44]

Sure @Lilium this isn't that strict of a race. What I think it will do is get people to drive cars that aren't normally driven. Get a few ready if you want. I know I will

 

[Lilium]

Sure @Lilium...to drive cars that aren't normally driven.

That's my favourite thing. one reason to get my Citroen Xantia out

 

[BenMillard]

Nissan Almera 1.6 SVE is the only car I have owned! FF hatchback.

Was great in the (now very rare) prolonged snowy Winter we had in early 2010. South-East England, driving to the train station and back in the dark through the week for working in London.

My dad owned a Vauxhall Carlton...could I bring the Lotus Carlton? There's no Ford Escort in entire GT series?

Oh we had a 1990s Fiat Panda for a little while. There's a similar one in the game.

We are seeing a play this evening in the West End. Should be back in time to join this but I might still be eating!

 

[Benny44]

Great @BenMillard! And yes, bring the Carlton if you like. Doing this kind of race could never be an exact science

 

[BEllis7979]

Okay,

My dad gave me his 1983 Buick Regal when the water pump blew (I couldn't afford to fix it so I never actually got it on the road). I picked up the 87 Buick GTX, and painted it the right color. It looks virtually the same.

The first car I bought was a 1983 LTD. I wish there was an '83 Ford LTD. Mine looked similar but was two toned.

My next car was an Oldsmobile Delta '88. It looked just like this, and though it had a V-8, I debated installing a sail on top of it to try and get the damn thing to move at all. I also couldn't fill the tank more than 3/4 because it would leak gas after that.

I was gifted a '92 Celica by my inlaws that had 120,000 on it. Drove that for a year. The Celica I bought for tonight looks like the same model, and I painted it a terrible color approximating what years of no wax in North Carolina does to a car.

I also owned a 2003 Honda Element. I loved that car. At about 119,000 the cam, a valve, or the timing belt went and it was going to cost $900.00 just to open it up and find out what the problem was. "Sally" had to go. I still hold out hopes that when we need to get another car I can find one of the 2012 models from the last year that they were made.

 

[BenMillard]

2003 Honda Element

That is the version in the game!

@Benny44 there maybe 1200+ cars in the game but often people complain there's only 10 worth driving and the rest are duplicates. An event like this really opens our eyes (and cheque books) to the seldom raced cars. Cars we hardly use but are actually more connected to. Genius idea.

 

[Benny44]

Thanks @BenMillard . I was hoping that might be the case. It was actually a really fun night of racing. I almost ran you off the road on Brands Hatch! I didn't see you there until the last second (it was the uphill section entering turn 2). My apologies.

I was usually near the back, but had some good battles. I think @BEllis7979 and I had one good battle. I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of incidents. A few bumps here and there, but there didn't seem to be anybody malicious out there. I think one oval per week might be fun for a little break. I won't make it the first race, maybe in the middle. With boost on low it made for a very tight race!

Too bad @Autope10 left. Very nice guy, hopefully nobody was ramming him. I don't think we had less than 7 in a race all night, which is great. The lower pp is done so little, it may be a nice change of pace and could be the reason we seem to be increasing in numbers.

Anyhow, thanks for a great night @BEllis7979 and @BenMillard - and for helping to keep this thread near the top

 

[BEllis7979]

I bumped you once or twice @Benny44, I meant to apoligize after the race, but I forgot. Sorry. Great fun tonight. I really like that Cape track!

I'm also really sorry I didn't make better car purchasing decisions as a teenager.

@BenMillard, not only the same car, but the same color (and the same tiny engine). Great races to all!

 

[BenMillard]

Room closed just before 4am my time. About 10 minutes ago. 2 races on High Speed Ring Reverse confirm it's my favourite direction to race. 270km/h in the Carlton after a long slipstream!

Great evening. I inherited the hosting after @Benny44 and then @BEllis7979 left.

Twing Ring Motegi Speedway was a blast. This might be the only time I've played it in GT6 - does it feature in career mode? Remember the version in GT2 with one end under covers, like an arcade racing game. And how the stiff racing cars would buck to and fro on the chunky polygon track surface.

Will write up the tracks we played later in the week. Most was open voting. 👍

And yes, the driving was considerate nearly the whole time, even the randoms.

 

[Benny44]

That's great the room went on for so long @BenMillard! @BEllis7979 I didn't notice any bumping from you at all. I may have tapped a few people inadvertently, but really not sure.

I'm working on next week's races right now. I still want to revisit the Tour de France night since almost no one showed up, but I might hold onto it a few weeks longer. This Monday will mark the start of some sprint races to start. Just a few 1 or 2 lap races starting right on scheduled start time. We're wasting way too much time at the start when we could be racing. This way, if someone isn't ready they won't have to wait long for the next race. And if they just want to spend time tuning their car, they can. After 20 to 30 minutes of that we'll start the races for real.

I have a few ideas for this Monday - one is a 'misfits' night. Brands like Dome, Hommell, Marcos (kind of one-off things)all racing against each other. That probably won't be this week though. We'll probably do a country specific race. One thing great about doing, say, an Italy night is it is very simple to police. Just set restriction for country and that's it.