It’s finally here, the weekend I’ve been looking forward to since the 24th of November last year, the 2015 Formula 1 season is upon us and I can only expect great things considering last season was nothing short of fantastic. How will Sebastian Vettel fair with Ferrari? Something tells me that Ferrari might be expecting the second coming of Michael Schumacher with the 4-time champion by their side. In response to this possibility, I’ll say now as I said then: if Fernando Alonso couldn’t pull it off then I don’t see Vettel being able to either.
This has been a pretty exciting week for reasons I’ll disclose in full as this week’s Community Spotlight moves forward. Without further ado, let’s get this show on the road!
GTPlanet Picture of the Week
This week’s featured image, coming to us courtesy of Tomcat79, is all about getting ready for this weekend’s F1 festivities, and as such features the Ferrari 312T2 going around the Karussell in Forza Motorsport 5.
If you like what you’re seeing and have a suggestion for next week’s featured image, start a conversation with me (drop me a private message for those of you still referring to it as such), entitle it “GTPlanet Picture of the Week” and fill it to your heart’s content with suggestions and they’ll be featured in upcoming Community Spotlight articles. NOTE: You cannot elect your own work.
GTPlanet Gallery of the Week
This takes the concept of the “Picture of the Week” and takes it one step further by celebrating an entire user gallery.
This week’s featured gallery is Clyde’s Photo Corner and is brought to us by, who else, ClydeYellow. Opened on the 6th of October in 2014, Clyde’s Photo Corner approaches photography in Forza Horizon 2 by taking advantage of the environment at play, making for some incredibly “atmospheric” photos that are just a joy to look at.
You can find Clyde’s gallery in all of its glory right here, with the latest update being on the 19th of February.
– McLaren P1, November 20th, 2014 from the “Focused Fire” set.
GTPlanet Thread of the Week – GT Fantasy Tracks Connected? (Spinning Arrows Club)
An interesting discovery was brought to my attention over the week in the Spinning Arrows Club thread, and I have to say… it’s quite the uncovering. What if you discovered that every fantasy track location in Gran Turismo were all connected? The research that led to this apparent discovery was done by our own GTracerEHTeam and makes for an entertaining read.
Make your way to the post right now and check it out. While you’re there feel free to check out the club itself for all of your GT6 racing needs. Be sure to keep an eye on this as it develops because who knows what other secrets are lying about!
Assetto Corsa Dream Pack DLC – Out Now!
If you’re even the slightest bit interested in Assetto Corsa then there’s little doubt that you’ve at least heard of the coveted “Dream Pack” DLC that includes ten cars highly requested by the AC community, and those cars are as follows:
- Alfa Romeo GTA
- Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI
- Alfa Romeo 4C
- BMW M235i Racing
- Corvette C7.R GTE
- McLaren F1 GTR
- McLaren P1
- Mercedes-Benz Sauber C9
- Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II DTM
- NISSAN GT-R NISMO GT3 2014
That isn’t all as it also includes a laser-scanned virtual recreation of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, available in three different layouts – one of which including the Touristenfahrten layout that simulates the regular public driving events. A milestone for the title as it is, as far as my memory permits, the first to do so.
Be sure to stop by the thread in our Assetto Corsa sub-forum and jump with excitement right alongside the rest of us.
Lamborghini Coming to Driveclub
The news just keeps on coming, and this time it’s those that enjoy Driveclub that have a reason to rejoice as one of the most requested manufacturers to be included in the game since launch is finally making their debut in this month’s upcoming update.
As you could have guessed, it doesn’t end there – oh no, because you have the rest of this month’s title update to contend with:
For the full details of everything coming in this month’s update you’ll definitely want to stop by the Driveclub March Update thread and, once again, jump with excitement right alongside the rest of us.
GTPlanet Tune of the Week
This week’s featured tune comes to us courtesy of Greycap of Mad FinnTuners Co. and features the 1968 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia GTI tuned to compete in the world of 450PP events.
It looks suspiciously like the early Porsches, doesn’t it? Well, the fact that it’s nothing less than the ancestor of them explains a lot and now it’s time to show that the similarities don’t end in the looks. After some midnight garage work it drives like one too. Or actually faster than an early 911, I suspect.
Forget the asthmatic engine of the stock model, the power has been quadrupled (is that a word? I’ll use it anyway) and the entire car has been virtually rebuilt as a serious sports version of the original. The handling characteristics approach those of the Porsches, lift the throttle and the tail will slide out in a gentle and controllable way – only to get back to the line with a press on the accelerator, provided that the said press isn’t hard enough to overpower the rear tyres and begin a glorious powerslide.
That having been said, the most difficult thing to do with this car is resisting the urge to initiate those powerslides because as so often is the case with RR cars, the steering wheel decides the moment of turning, the pedals do the rest.
You’ll definitely want to give this underdog an opportunity to wow you by stopping by the thread right here!
The Last Lap
In about 15 minutes (as I’m finishing this up, not when it goes live) the 2015 F1 adventure begins with what I presume to be a replay of Free Practice session 1 and I can barely wait to see what the year holds. This has definitely been one of the more exciting Spotlights what with all of the announcements and what have you, if this proves to be an attraction I’ll consider working a little bit more of everything into the rotation.
If you’re wondering why there’s no Member of the Week, I’m glossing over how I want that handled. With the purpose of the Community Spotlight primarily being to highlight community efforts I’m reassessing how the Member of the Week showcases that. Don’t misunderstand, MotW isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, what I’m talking about is simply how everything is formatted. It could return next week but I wouldn’t sit on the edge of your seat expecting it though because I’m really trying to make it even better than it is. Stay tuned.
I’m just about tuckered out from all of the excitement and I must prepare for the practice sessions, and as said last week I have drinks and snacks at the go. I’m ready. Bring it on.
Until next week, keep racing!
Photomode images by Rayquaza and ScotteDawg.
See more articles on GTPlanet Community Spotlight.
Got a chance to do some more driving on Kunos version of the Nurb tonight on @Wiz’s server in the Alfa Romeo GTA, the Nissan GTR and the Mercedes 190 Evo. The track is just brilliant. The elevation changes are spectacular, many of the curbs very risky if you’re the least bit off balance and the wheel is vibrating and moving for pretty much the entire lap, the FFB is so detailed. I can’t imagine what it must feel like with a more powerful T300 or T500, I’ll have to find out soon!
Thanks for using my photomode image!
Great job EhTeam on all that research and putting that together and getting some recognition!
Yes I agree!! Interesting research and it actually Makes you wonder If PD did this on purpose!
When he started off with “it’s finally here…” I thought he was talking about course maker:D
Folks, a little bit of clarification is needed on who author’s the Community Spotlight.
I’m extremely grateful to Jordan for essentially giving me what’s essentially my own corner of GTPlanet every week, but that’s where his involvement ends. The Community Spotlight (and by extension, the Rewind of old) is and always has been written by yours truly.
Penso, mister dog, and Kurei. 3 of the best showing up to comment today! Good to see ya, boys.
Assetto Corsa is pretty good. I will have to try out these Nordschleiffe tracks with the Oculus Rift! 8 )
I finally got a chance to do 4 laps at the new Nordschliefe last night even though it was late and I should have been in bed. Heard a lot of good things about the new 1966 Alfa Romeo GTA and the 65′ Alfa Romeo Sprint Giulia was one of my favourite drives in GT5 so I was really looking forward to it. All I can say is wow, what a car and what a track!!! I liked how the car drove in GT but it’s on a whole other level in AC, as is the track. Visually stunning, but the combination of the visuals, sound and the FFB are simply amazing. Watching that inside front tire lift on some corners in the replay is sublime. One can appreciate just how accurate the track is in GT as well, as it’s not far off at all from AC in terms of feel, braking points etc.
Can’t wait to try some more of the cars over the weekend. @Wiz is running a track day server tonight and I hope I can make it!
I’ve never been a huge fan of racing on the Nordschleife (sp?) but enjoyed to odd drive around it. Kunos has done an outstanding job on it in this pack. The elevation changes and road feel and texture are unmatched. Stunning.
I’ve only had the chance to drive the GTA, but could easily become one of my favourites.
Thanks @Terronium-12 and @Jordan for a little love for Assetto Corsa :cheers:
Awesome to see Assetto Corsa’s Dream Pack got its fair-share of the spotlight.
It’s version of the Nordschleife alone is worthy, best representation of the real track’s greenery I’ve seen yet !
If you own a pc now’s the time to pick up AC, dream pack and 1.1 are great additions.
How could you forget the Mazda Miata pack? For shame!
And Terronium…sorry…
Thank you Jordan for including the Assetto Corsa Dream Pack DLC release in the News Section.