Tsukuba: The lumpy porridge of the GT5 tracks

[JR86]

Just now I have got off a room in GT5. This room is like many others as the track being used was Tsukuba. While I scrolled down the list earlier to join a good room, all rooms were using Tsukuba for drifting. Well I got out my S13 (featured in my Can't hold me back video on youtube) and got to terms with the car on a track I haven't driven on in a while. After a couple laps I pulled over and wondered "WHY THE :censored:IS THIS TRACK SO POPULAR".

I have now come to realize that it's so popular because it's the easiest track to drift in GT5. It is a newbie heaven. Novice drifters mixing with novice drifters and trying to link up the track (in futile attempts). Nobody wants to tandem with you. Rather people lone it out and hope people think they're good (Been there, done that). Nowadays I always run custom tracks. When newbie drifters see "Toscana" or Tokyo Kart" they head for Tsukuba because they know they can do okay there. Thankfully that means I'm usually left with proper drifters who love the track.

Wether I dislike it because of all the n00bs drifting on it and overusing it or the fact it's no challenge, it feels dull. It's not that drifting on track isn't fun. Drifting is fun. But when you know the track like the back of your hand and because you run it all the time, the track becomes dull.

Of course I'm just explaining what you guys probably already know but I want to know what you think of drifting on Tsukuba and what you think about it being over used by n00bs

And finally to anyone who repeatedly drifts on Tsukuba: Don't. Your driving proper drifters away from your rooms.

 

[Schwartz]

Not all people go online looking for "proper" drifters, as you call them. Many people play GT5 to have fun. And if they lap Tsukuba all day long, it's obviously fun for them. It's called casual gaming, where being a "n00b" doesn't matter. There is nothing stopping proper drifters from contacting other proper drifters to create proper lobbys for only proper drifters where you can drift properly.

 

[GODfreyGT5]

As you said, people were avoiding tandeming.

I would have thought that all gtp drifters would know by now that online lobbies should generally be avoided, however in the one online lobby I set up recently (Haven't made one fore months) a guy joined who was eager to tandem, and was sensible enough not to make any contact, and is now added on my friends list!

As for the track, because it's easy, you're supposed to attack it pretty hard when soloing. Run you back wheels along every track edge into the hairpins, transition fast through the Dunlop bridge and hold impressive angle through the last sweeper.

+ Are you on a wheel or controller? A wheel will add months of enjoyment to any drifting.

 

[JR86]

It's not that I hate Tsukuba. It's ok but it's too overused by the community. I can very easily run the track hard but I guess I'd rather do that on a touge track. Now I think about it, maybe it's just the lag spazzing drivers and the bumpers and the haters who always drift the track I'm more annoyed about. I'm not by any means saying thats what all people are like on Tsukuba but when I join a Tsukuba room there's a chance that it won't be super epic. The last room for example (like a couple others I have tried) has a considerable amount of lag and there is one guy who tries to bump you off track because he got overtaken mid drift by a Silvia

And I use a DS3.

 

[Lazy Liquid]

My thoughts about Tsukuba:

1 - In fact it is a legit track for drift. Also, in fact anyone can drift in there no matter what car layout, what kind of tires put on it or if you will do the correct line or not. So its one of the most democratic drift tracks, same as Suzuka East, specialy because there are few or none traps and you can do it fine without force the car till the edge.

2 - The problem is that its already overused since day #1. And as you mentioned, the n00b´s goal is only do a full lap without any scratches, so they don´t like tandems or even massive smoke blinding them. Plus, like Schwartz said, their main goal is just have fun, and find proper tandem partners is not part of this fun.

3 - For experienced drifters who are used to find tandem partners and already did it in Tsukuba, knows how fun it can provide... but stills a normal track like any other. Trial Mountain Reverse, GVS, SS5, AR, AMR, Madrid... also can provide the same or even more fun. What really bothers me is those kind of people who can´t survive in another tracks witch aren´t Suzuka and Tsukuba. And what bothers me even more is the ones who play this online game like if it was a single player game, or, being afraid of tandeming. The n00bs just need to chill down, they will not be kicked if they lose control and ruin a... drift train. So mistakes are part of the learning curve.

3 - On the other side we have the most experienced who are starting to overuse Madrid and (yuck!) Fuji. I know that we dont have a so wide range of good tracks for drifting, and the DLC have those problems that we already know... but you guys should consider and still digging for new spots, standard or custom. I dont see many people running around the Nurburgring chicane´s hairpin, for exemple.

4 - Im all for custom tracks, all day. But people needs to learn that not all custom tracks are good for drifting, even if there are some few driftable corners. It must be fluid, sometimes even easy to learn, without hidden elevation banked traps... and at least 90% able to provide good angles without need to smash the powerslides all the time. A good custom track is not generated randomly, sometimes its necessary hours to refine it´s lines, using all tools provided in the generator.

We should find a way to bring up popularity to the best custom tracks, in a sistematic way.

 

[GODfreyGT5]

It seems really hard to get people drift seshing on the Nurb. There are a few spots round the far side that genuinely make fun drift lines, maybe we should get a lobby up tonight just for some Nurb Dorifto?

 

[JR86]

My thoughts about Tsukuba:

1 - In fact it is a legit track for drift. Also, in fact anyone can drift in there no matter what car layout, what kind of tires put on it or if you will do the correct line or not. So its one of the most democratic drift tracks, same as Suzuka East, specialy because there are few or none traps and you can do it fine without force the car till the edge.

2 - The problem is that its already overused since day #1. And as you mentioned, the n00b´s goal is only do a full lap without any scratches, so they don´t like tandems or even massive smoke blinding them. Plus, like Schwartz said, their main goal is just have fun, and find proper tandem partners is not part of this fun.

3 - For experienced drifters who are used to find tandem partners and already did it in Tsukuba, knows how fun it can provide... but stills a normal track like any other. Trial Mountain Reverse, GVS, SS5, AR, AMR, Madrid... also can provide the same or even more fun. What really bothers me is those kind of people who can´t survive in another tracks witch aren´t Suzuka and Tsukuba. And what bothers me even more is the ones who play this online game like if it was a single player game, or, being afraid of tandeming. The n00bs just need to chill down, they will not be kicked if they lose control and ruin a... drift train. So mistakes are part of the learning curve.

3 - On the other side we have the most experienced who are starting to overuse Madrid and (yuck!) Fuji. I know that we dont have a so wide range of good tracks for drifting, and the DLC have those problems that we already know... but you guys should consider and still digging for new spots, standard or custom. I dont see many people running around the Nurburgring chicane´s hairpin, for exemple.

4 - Im all for custom tracks, all day. But people needs to learn that not all custom tracks are good for drifting, even if there are some few driftable corners. It must be fluid, sometimes even easy to learn, without hidden elevation banked traps... and at least 90% able to provide good angles without need to smash the powerslides all the time. A good custom track is not generated randomly, sometimes its necessary hours to refine it´s lines, using all tools provided in the generator.

We should find a way to bring up popularity to the best custom tracks, in a sistematic way.

Ironically the last couple days I've been practicing a lot entering the hairpin with a long handbrake. And as you said, there should be more attention to drift on good custom tracks. You should try some of mine and see what you think

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

Ironically the last couple days I've been practicing a lot entering the hairpin with a long handbrake. And as you said, there should be more attention to drift on good custom tracks. You should try some of mine and see what you think

Drifting a hairpin at Nürburgring? Is it the Nordschleife? Karussel? I challenge anyone who's bored of drifting, to drift the concrete of the Karussel. I can't do it.

Otherwise, what about the Hohe-Acht Touge section just after the Karussel?

As for Tsukuba... the Forza community does the same thing. Tsukuba.. never was fun to drift on. It provides great touring car action though.

 

[hot-wok]

I've recently started drifting again and I'm always up for some original challenging tracks. But on the other hand weve all been there, the days when the only track you could drift was (probably) tsukuba. Add me, I use DFGT and (I think) I'm a fairly good drifter.

 

[Bluntified]

I use to love Tsukuba when I was on a controller, I could do that track all day long and not get bored....then I got a wheel. I now grew to hate it, it's too small and as others have said, it's full of n00bs that are just for fun. I use to like the "just for fun" days, but as you grow as a drifter, I wanted to learn as well, not just sliding around aimlessly.

I find that Tsukuba is where beginners have their first runs, the serious ones leave and find something bigger, and the "just for fun" guys stay and try to dominate the beginners.

I knew this one guy that started drifting the same time as I did, last year Feb, we always ran Tsukuba, all day all night. By the summer time, I reached my peak and moved on (wasn't anyone keeping me there), he however, stayed. He stayed so he wouldn't look like a n00b to the pros or intermediates alike. This guy still stays in those rooms and "dominates" the beginners. Stupid, I know, he's off my list. Moral of the story, people don't want to move to something they're not familiar with, they risk the chance of being called a n00b!

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

I've recently started drifting again and I'm always up for some original challenging tracks. But on the other hand weve all been there, the days when the only track you could drift was (probably) tsukuba. Add me, I use DFGT and I think I'm a fairly good drifter.

Haha, I might start up a side project tuning garage. I just worked with an AE86, and got incredibly smooth drifts going. Autumn Ring, SSR5, and Le Mans make interesting tracks. So, rather than go to Tsukuba, when I have free GT5 time, I'll end up at Le Mans 2005, or SSR5. They're better than Tsukuba for working out a tune that transitions well.

 

[GODfreyGT5]

I always love going to Suzuka, autumn ring and Tsukuba though. However 'nooby' they are, drifting's drifting, and it's fricken fun to throw a car around, especially when tandeming.

Besides, I just feel they flow much nicer than the more advanced tracks, allow to build a rhythm and purely enjoy it, as opposed to just being able to make a corner with the most speed possible.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

I always love going to Suzuka, autumn ring and Tsukuba though. However 'nooby' they are, drifting's drifting, and it's fricken fun to throw a car around, especially when tandeming.

Besides, I just feel they flow much nicer than the more advanced tracks, allow to build a rhythm and purely enjoy it, as opposed to just being able to make a corner with the most speed possible.

Porsche Curves at Le Mans are pretty similar. Same with the section between Tiergarten and Flugplatz on the 'Ring.

Shame we don't have the real Ebisu/Mt.Haruna, though.

 

[Lazy Liquid]

It seems really hard to get people drift seshing on the Nurb. There are a few spots round the far side that genuinely make fun drift lines, maybe we should get a lobby up tonight just for some Nurb Dorifto?

I´d love to... but i can´t play right now because i felt and broke the last bone before my butt, so i can´t stay sit in the next days. Oh, by the way... it hurts a lot.

Ironically the last couple days I've been practicing a lot entering the hairpin with a long handbrake. And as you said, there should be more attention to drift on good custom tracks. You should try some of mine and see what you think

Nothing against e-brake powerslides, i do it a lot. The problem is when a track demands this technique most of time. By the way i would love to trade with you our best customs, and ill add you as soon as possible (i dont remember right now if ur in my friendlist already). The problem is that im physical limitations to play this week. But lets do it soon.

Drifting a hairpin at Nürburgring? Is it the Nordschleife? Karussel? I challenge anyone who's bored of drifting, to drift the concrete of the Karussel. I can't do it.

Otherwise, what about the Hohe-Acht Touge section just after the Karussel?

As for Tsukuba... the Forza community does the same thing. Tsukuba.. never was fun to drift on. It provides great touring car action though.

The chicane i mentioned is a very small section, starting in the straight before the "16" (reverse), entering in the grey "15", drifting around the "14" and comming back. The downhill negative elevation forces you to fight against the inertia and increase the angle. Sounds too much simple when explained, but in a room with at least 8 drifters and at least 1 judger is a blast. Great spot for competitions.

This map is not the right one for the pratice, because in GT5 the section will be half closed. But you can have the idea after looking at.

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

Tsukuba is one of real life drift competition track that I like, I used to watch D1 GP videos at Tsukuba, the flowing corners, the not so wide track was great for tsuiso battles. If this has been called a noob track, I feel sorry for the track itself, it may be overused in GT5, but in real life, it's "over" used for drifting, racing, BM - Hot Version reviews + races and tuners showed their lap times here with great pride. No matter how good I am at drifting, this track will always be among the best and my favorite.

When D1 GP final held in this track, expect great actions, I don't think they get bored with it every year

 

[Bluntified]

Tsukuba is one of real life drift competition track that I like, I used to watch D1 GP videos at Tsukuba, the flowing corners, the not so wide track was great for tsuiso battles. If this has been called a noob track, I feel sorry for the track itself, it may be overused in GT5, but in real life, it's "over" used for drifting, racing, BM - Hot Version reviews + races and tuners showed their lap times here with great pride. No matter how good I am at drifting, this track will always be among the best and my favorite.

I think it's only called the n00b track because that's where most, if not all, GT5 drifters learned to drift (I did ). It's easy, short, and has variation.

I've been doing Grand Valley Speedway now a days, it's big, flowing and has variety. Trial Mountain and Deep forest are always my favs too, they have a nice feel to them.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

I think it's only called the n00b track because that's where most, if not all, GT5 drifters learned to drift (I did ). It's easy, short, and has variation.

I've been doing Grand Valley Speedway now a days, it's big, flowing and has variety. Trial Mountain and Deep forest are always my favs too, they have a nice feel to them.

I started drifting, in this game, at Monaco. Yes, I'm weird. However, I got my start at drifting in Forza at Suzuka East and Sunset Peninsula (a Forza-only track, somewhat similar to GT5 Tsukuba, where all the drifters did drifting)

But, after awhile, I went to "Maple Valley" where there's like 40 feet of elevation change in one corner.

 

[Bluntified]

I started drifting, in this game, at Monaco. Yes, I'm weird. However, I got my start at drifting in Forza at Suzuka East and Sunset Peninsula (a Forza-only track, somewhat similar to GT5 Tsukuba, where all the drifters did drifting)

But, after awhile, I went to "Maple Valley" where there's like 40 feet of elevation change in one corner.

Damn, Monaco? That's like going from 0-100 lol. It must have taught you some good car control though. I've been drifting a while now, intermediate level I suppose, and I've never tackled Monaco or Eiger Norwand, yet!

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

Damn, Monaco? That's like going from 0-100 lol. It must have taught you some good car control though. I've been drifting a while now, intermediate level I suppose, and I've never tackled Monaco or Eiger Norwand, yet!

Well, I was in an online lobby with some REALLY fast/talented drifters. I was getting similar angles, but had no speed. Oh well. I do well in grip racing, drifting could be a bit different, but uses similar ideas.

 

[eddyac]

If PD added Ebisu or Meihan it would same overused as Tsukuba.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

If PD added Ebisu or Meihan it would same overused as Tsukuba.

I still love seeing the cars airborne while sideways. Tsukuba doesn't offer that. I do agree though.

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

Ebisu ... I missed that track so much, makes me wanted to wish that the old D1 GP PS2 games get HD treatment for PS3

 

[ps3dan101]

I think it's a brilliant track , I've drifted it since day 1 and it will teach you everything you need for drifting

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

I think it's a brilliant track , I've drifted it since day 1 and it will teach you everything you need for drifting

Except airborne drifting. It's obviously a HUGE part of drifting.

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

Crashing into Zaku, the perverted cameraman in Ebisu gives over nine thousaand point bonus, extra credits while airborne

 

[eddyac]

Would be awesome to have ebisu tho

 

[JustDrift893]

No tsukuba is not a noob track, don't ever call it that. Just because that's where the noobs go to noob it out, doesn't make it a noob track . This track is where advanced drifters go to perfect there entries. If you can't full lock every corner then you shouldn't be calling it a noob track. Also if its boring try to reverse entry every corner. This is actually one of the best tracks, I still go there all the time to get warmed up.

 

[TakumiFuji01]

No tsukuba is not a noob track, don't ever call it that. Just because that's where the noobs go to noob it out, doesn't make it a noob track . This track is where advanced drifters go to perfect there entries. If you can't full lock every corner then you shouldn't be calling it a noob track. Also if its boring try to reverse entry every corner. This is actually one of the best tracks, I still go there all the time to get warmed up.

Oh, you don't notice it's been the same drift track since the start of the game....

 

[JustDrift893]

Oh, you don't notice it's been the same drift track since the start of the game....

Oh, I geuss keiichi tsuchiya is noob then too since he drove that track over and over again. He now has the fastest lap time there.

 

[TakumiFuji01]

Oh, I guess Keiichi Tsuchiya is a noob then too, since he drove that track over and over again. He now has the fastest lap time there.

Haha, his(Keiichi) fastest lap has been there SINCE 2004.....I think you need to keep up with the Latest Hot Version, not the oldest(but great) Hot Version...
I love you how to add Keiichi into this like it's an insult...

I actually don't mind Tsukuba but in my opinion, Tsukuba is not that popular no more, but I guess you didn't understand that. If you're going to get "mad" at everybody because there saying Tsukuba is getting "boring" and etc while you're going to be a defence for Tsukuba.

Guess what?


I'm guessing you just joined GT5 RECENTLY so no wonder Tsukuba is the BEST track for you..