With only Beginner and Amateur League races remaining, days and percentage points have been flying by. I've racked up another ~15% and nearly 60 Sim Mode days, with 7 more race groups to complete. By the end of next week, I think I'll be able to get 100% without problem. All races are open-entry, and I'll be making my final tour in the F687/S.
Here's a summary of what's happened since the last post...
Day 168: Got into the Spoon Civic Type-R(J) for the Amateur/Type-R Meeting. I spent around 3 hours testing here and there, and found I could win with the following upgrades: Oil Change (-250) [214-225 hp]; Racing Chip (-1250) [225-234 hp]. Initially, I had upgraded the Clutch and Flywheel, but with practice found them unnecessary (already comes equipped with a Twin-Plate Clutch and Semi-Racing Flywheel). The first race of the series (Tokyo R246) had me trailing by 2 seconds for pretty much the whole race. On the final lap, I employed some tactics from the RoadHazzard book of time-saving, and beat out the NSX by 1.564". All other races weren't as much of a problem, and I didn't have to resort to such measures again. I did, however, find myself using the L2 button quite often for this car. The Civic started with 0.0 mi and 234 hp, and ended with 76.2 mi and 234 hp. I was awarded 70000 Cr and a "Midnight Pearl" Spoon S2000(J) (gave me the MUGEN 3 times before finally giving me the Spoon). I'll be coming back to this one for the MUGEN after 100%...
Day 169: Stayed in the Spoon Civic Type-R(J) for the Beginner/Type-R Meeting. This one was won handily, and I was awarded 35000 Cr and a "Satin Silver" Acura RSX Type-S. The Civic started with 76.2 mi and 234 hp, and ended with 106.0 mi and 234 hp.
Day 170: Jumped into the last of my fresh cars that I'll be putting miles on to reach 100%... the ALTEZZA LM Race Car for the Amateur/ALTEZZA Race. I was awarded 80000 Cr and a "Wine Red Mica" Tom's X540 CHASER(J). The ALTEZZA started wtih 0.0 mi and 597 hp, and ended with 66.0 mi and 597 hp.
Day 171: Still in the ALTEZZA for the Beginner/ALTEZZA Race. Nothing notable here other than the "New" CELICA SS-II(J) is worth less than the "Old" CELICA SS-II(ST202,J). Both being purchasable, I opted for the "Old" version, and will be coming back for the "New" one after 100%. I was awarded 15000 Cr and the "Super White II" CELICA SS-II(ST202,J). The ALTEZZA started with 66.0 mi and 597 hp, and ended with 91.9 mi and 597 hp.
At this point, this left me with only 2 more cars to use, vehicles I had already driven... the IMPREZA Rally Car prototype, and the F687/S. I just needed to clean up the Rally Section (only did Swiss Alps II), and the remaining Amateur & Beginner races.
Days 172-174: Into the IMPREZA Rally Car prototype for the Amateur/Boxer Spirit. Having nearly 185 miles, I decided to get the oil change beforehand. The cupcake field couldn't hold anyway, and after 15 minutes, I was awarded 30000 Cr and a "Cashmere Yellow" LEGACY B4 BLITZEN(J). The IMPREZA started with 184.3 mi and 523 hp, and ended with 204.7 mi and 549 hp.
Days 175-177: Took the IMPREZA RCp to the Amateur/4WD Challenge. While I swept this series, these 5 Lap races were made tougher by having the tire wear indicators in play. The Medium tires tended to burn hot towards the ends of the races, especially at tracks like Apricot Hill and Grand Valley. I was awarded 15000 Cr and a "Champagne Gold" LANCER Evolution VII GSR(J). The IMPREZA RCp started with 204.7 mi and 549 hp, and ended with 239.1 mi and 549 hp.
Days 178-180: Onto the Beginner/4WD Challenge with the IMPREZA, where the S4 and New Beetle RSi duked it out for 2nd. I was awarded 6000 Cr and a "Gold Metallic" ALTO WORKS SUZUKI SPORTS LIMITED(J). The IMPREZA started with 239.1 mi and 549 hp, and ended with 253.6 mi and 549 hp.
Onto the rally section with the IMPREZA RCp... I reloaded the default settings, and started pluggin. I need to mention that I recorded finishing times for all opponents for every Rally League race except the Wet Tracks. Doing so added miles to my stats, as I would beat some of them by more than 10 seconds. (one race had the guy spin out and fall behind by 45 seconds!). Not too significant, but it may have added anywhere from 3-7 miles total (as a liberal estimate).
Days 181-183: Went against the 206 Rally Car at Rally/Rally Challenge. I always start with the hardest race first, to make finishing it seem easier. I also like the adding pressure of having fewer opportunities to improve best lap times. Anyway, I was awarded 35000 Cr and the CELICA Rally Car. The IMPREZA started with 253.6 mi and 549 hp, and ended with 276.6 mi and 549 hp.
Days 184-186: Tahiti Maze vs. the LANCER Evolution VII Rally Car. I almost had to redo the whole race group as I nearly lost the 2-lapper. I spun out on the 2nd lap, and had to turn it on to eek out a 2 second win. Luckily enough, they didn't assess a bad-driving penalty and I was awarded 35000 Cr and the Escort Rally Car. The IMPREZA started with 276.6 mi and 549 hp, and ended with 297.9 mi and 549 hp.
Days 187-189: Went against the little brother, the IMPREZA Rally Car. After the 7-lapper, I wanted to change the Gear Ratios up a notch or two, as the first long straight had me tipping the rev limit. I neglected to do so, as I'd be only doing it for a short time. I was awarded 35000 Cr and the Focus Rally Car. The IMPREZA started with 297.9 mi and 549 hp, and ended with 331.7 mi and 537 hp.
Days 190-192: More Rally action at Rally/Rally of Alps. Went against my twin brother, who actually gave me fits of trouble. Not sure if the other IRCp had the stage 3 or not, but it drove like it (and/or I didn't drive like I had one

). By the end, I had another 35000 Cr and the 206 Rally Car. The IMPREZA started with 331.7 mi and 537 hp, and ended with 361.6 mi and 520 hp.
Days 193-195: Goin the other way at Rally/Rally Challenge II. The Escort Rally Car kept things interesting for most of the 5-lapper, but wasn't much trouble otherwise. After the first race I ran (the 5-lapper), the IMPREZA had 372.9 mi and 514 hp (the oil light went on during the last lap). I gave the IRCp an Oil Change before starting the 3-lapper, and put it back to 540 hp (that was the reading in the garage). But immediately after the race, it had already lost 1 hp! I've never seen it drop off that fast before, but maybe driving the rally races has something to do with it, or maybe it might have been my mileage at that point. I might be revisiting this later. Regardless, I was awarded 35000 Cr and the COROLLA Rally Car. The IMPREZA started with 361.6 mi and 520 hp, and ended with 384.7 mi and 538 hp.
Days 196-198: Up against the LANCER Evolution VI Rally Car at Tahiti Maze II. For the 5-lapper, the LANCER must've spun out and/or got stuck during lap 4. Coming into the last set of zig-zags (the downhill set), we were relatively tight. By the next checkpoint, I'm up by 45+ seconds. I don't know what happened, but I've seen it before where the same LANCER E6 RC got stuck on this track, and stayed there for the whole duration. Besides that, the LANCER kept pressure on me throughout the other 2 races, as I never got the hang of going this way on this track. Afterwards, I was awarded 35000 Cr and the IMPREZA Rally Car, while the IMPREZA RCp started with 384.7 mi and 538 hp, and ended with 406.3 mi and 538 hp. Interesting to see the hp level off after losing 2 right after an oil change.. maybe the 400 mile mark has something to do with it.. weird.
Days 199-201: Having already done Swiss Alps II to get the LANCER Evo7 RCP, I was ready to run the last of the races for my IMPREZA... Rally/Smokey Mountain Rally II. Against the COROLLA Rally Car, Things were never too much of a problem. The 7-lapper had me winning by less than 3 seconds, even after (finally) switching the Gear Ratio's Auto Setting from 26 to 28. I added another 35000 Cr to the account, and the LANCER Evolution VI Rally Car for the effort. The IMPREZA started with 406.3 mi and 538 hp, and is now retired at 439.5 mi and 538 hp. It has served admirably...
And now, the final hurrah for the F687/S, the Flagship of my garage (the one with miles, anyway

). Not expecting any competition from the Amateur nor Beginner opponents, the remainder of the game will be spent trying to improve best lap times with this car (default settings). I want to take this time to mention that while best lap times were not a priority for my "perfect" game, it is the fundamental purpose for me when I jump in a car and start to drive.
It is exactly what keeps me interested when running 100 lap enduros MULTIPLE times without saving. It keeps my senses honed and my knee bouncing. It keeps me leaning forward and from side to side, even while holding a multi-lap lead. My ghost is always on...
And after that brain fart, on with the summary...
Days 202-204: Got in the F687/S for the Amateur/Race of Turbo Sports. I couldn't really tell who was the toughest here, but the IMPREZA SEDAN WRX STi placed 2nd in 2 of the 3 races. Without any trouble, I was surprised to be awarded as much as 45000 Cr for this race group, along with the "Scotia White" Mine's Lancer Evolution VI(J) (120000 Cr Garage Value). The F687/S started with 4246.0 mi and 914 hp, and ended with 4281.8 mi and 914 hp.
Days 205-207: Onto the Amateur/MR Challenge, where the ZZII(J) was the one to beat. I was awarded 15000 Cr and a purple-tinted blue NSX Type S Zero(J). The F687/S started with 4281.8 mi and 914 hp, and ended with 4324.0 mi and 891 hp.
Days 208-210: Cleaning up the Beginner/Clubman Cup... The MR-S S EDITION(J) finished 2nd in all 3 races, usually followed by the Miatas (the Miata 1.8 RS(J) and Miata(J)). I was awarded a whopping 3000 Cr and a "Sparkle Green Metallic" Mazda MX-5 Miata(J). The F687/S started with 4324.0 mi and 891 hp, and ended with 4338.1 mi and 881 hp.
Days 211-213: For the Beginner/MR Challenge, the Speedster was the one to beat, followed by the MR2 G-Limited(J) and MR-S S EDITION(J). I was not given any other opponent. I was awarded 6000 Cr and a "Blue Mica" MR-S S EDITION(J). The F687/S started with 4338.1 mi and 881 hp, and ended with 4352.5 mi and 871 hp.
Days 214-216: I decided to use the F687/S for the Rally Wet Tracks. On my previous gamesave, I used the IMPREZA RCp, and found that the Stage 3 Turbo Kit was a necessity to beat out the LANCER Evolution VII Rally Car Prototype, as well as the other IMPREZA RCp. I didn't have that problem this time around

. The oil light went on almost off the bat during lap 1 of the 5-lapper, but I decided to wait to buy an Oil Change just before starting the 2-lapper. The F687/S started with 4352.5 mi and 871 hp, and ended with 4375.9 mi and 914 hp. I was awarded 35000 Cr and the Xsara Rally Car.
Days 217-219: Again at the Wet track, I went against the IMPREZA Rally Car prototype for the "Super Special" II. After about 15 minutes, I finished the last of the Rally League races, and was awarded 35000 Cr, another IMPREZA Rally Car protoype, and the ESCUDO Pike's Peak Version (for "Simulation Mode Rally complete"). The F687/S started with 4375.9 mi and 914 hp, and ended with 4404.2 mi and 914 hp.
Days 220 & 221: Well, I originally wanted to go out with a BIG BANG. The quadruple F1 prize for completing 100% by racing the Professional/Formula GT series as the last race. But the potential of having to re-race the final (78 @ Cote d'Azur) to specifically get the F090/S (something I had to do 6 times on day 50) was something I wanted to get out of the way. So I decided that I'd race the shortest race as my final race... the Beginner/Sunday Cup: 3 Laps @ Super Speedway. Using the F687/S would take me less than 2 minutes per attempt, as I need to ensure I don't get a repeat F688/S (I already have the #3 and #5, I need the #4). My thumbs appreciate my consideration. So anyway, I did the Sunday Cup races at Mid-Field and Trial Mountain, but ont Super Speedway. I was awarded 2000 Cr, and the Beginner/Sunday Cup/Super Speedway remains as the only race left in that league.
So it's Day 222, and I'm right on schedule. The following races/series remain to complete 100% (in no particular order): Beginner/Sunday Cup: 3 Laps @ Super Speedway; Amateur/Japanese Championship; Amateur/GT World Championship; Amateur/German Touring Car Championship; Amateur/Gran Turismo All-Stars; Amateur/All Japan GT Championship; and Amateur/Dream Car Championship. Stay tuned, and listen for the drum roll!!!
Have a great drive, everyone!
... da numbahz...
Day 222
Cr 9415460
Complete: 89.6%
Prize Total: 9879000
Wins: 289 | Races: 289 | Win Ratio: 100%
Licenses Acquired: S,R (48,0,0)
Cars Owned: 92 (2 cars purchased, 0 cars sold)
Total Mileage: 6826.4 miles (7711.5 total Garage Miles)
Total Car Value: 44833510
Bonus Cars Acquired: 90
Trophies Acquired: 412
(-481540 spent)
Cars with Mileage:
F687/S - 4409.1 mi, hp
Viper GTSR Concept - 1301.7 mi, 488 hp
IMPREZA Rally Car prototype - 439.5 mi, 538 hp
VITZ RS 1.5(J) - 300.9 mi, 294 hp
Elise 190 - 230.6 mi, 252 hp
Tuscan Speed 6 - 162.7 mi, 367 hp
SKYLINE GT-R Vspec II(R32,J) - 156.4 mi, 428 hp
Clio Sport Race Car - 136.6 mi, 293 hp
Spoon Civic Type-R(J) - 106.0 mi, 234 hp
Mazda MX-5 Miata LS - 95.4 mi, 160 hp
ALTEZZA LM Race Car - 91.9 mi, 597 hp
TT 1.8T quattro - 62.4 mi, 289 hp
LANCER Evolution VII Rally Car Prototype - 54.5 mi, 301 hp
Zonda C12S - 50.5 mi, 603 hp
CLK55 - 47.4 mi, 373 hp
New Beetle Cup car - 35.9 mi, 212 hp
MIRA TR-XX AVANZATO R(J) - 30.0 mi, 106 hp