Hello all,

With the Formula One season underway it's time to start our GT5 Formula GT Championship series.





Car Restrictions
Formula GT (Cost 5,000,000cr in the Online Car Dealership)


Tuning Restrictions:
-None

Event Settings:
-Grid Start with False Start Check
-Grid Order: Fastest First
-Visible Damage: OFF
-Penalty: None
-Race Finish Delay: 180 Seconds
-Mechanical Damage: HEAVY
-Slipstream Strength: Low
-Tire Wear / Fuel Consumption: On
-Grip Reduction on Wet Track / Track Edge: Real
-No ASM
-No Skid Recovery Force
-No Active Steering

PLEASE NOTE
Damage will be set to HEAVY, meaning if you take damage you will need to PIT to repair it.
Visible Damage will also be set to ON

Red Flag procedure
-When the person rejoins the room the current time index & lap # will be taken.
-No passing is to occur and all cars are to proceed to the front straight but behind the start/finish line.
-In current order, cars will pass the start/finish line to see if any cars are 1 lap behind the leader or more.
-Car order and laps down will be noted for the restart.
-The car that dropped will be placed behind the last place car. (Call this mechanical difficulties).
-The time index or lap count taken will be used to calculate the remaining time/laps of the race.
-Laps maybe added to the remain laps to allow for the lead cars to "relap" the lapped cars.
-The race will be restarted, however the first lap(s) will be used to get the cars into proper order and laps down if needed.
-Once any lapped cars have been "relapped" the first place car will lead as a "pace car" for 1 lap. No cars may change positions until after crossing the start/finish when the race condition is again green.


Point structure for the GT5 Formula GT Championship:

1st 10
2nd 8
3rd 6
4th 5
5th 4
6th 3
7th 2
8th 1
9th 1
10th 1
11th 1
12th 1
13th 1
14th 1
15th 1
16th 1

-The series will be contested over 9 races and your worst 2 results will be dropped when calculating final results.

Bluetooth Headsets Strongly Recommended!
I can't stress that enough! Any Bluetooth headset will work, just make sure to pair it with your PS3. Futureshop has a good selection as well.


Schedule and Tracks

Sunday April 1st - 8pm
Asian Grand Prix
Fuji Speedway F - 67 Laps

Thursday April 5th - 8pm
United States Grand Prix
Indy Road Course - 73 Laps

Sunday April 8th - 8pm
Thursday April 12th - 8pm
Italian Grand Prix
Monza (Weahter) - 53 Laps

Sunday April 15th - 8pm
Monaco Grand Prix
Cote d' Azur - 78 Laps

Thursday April 19th - 8pm
Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka (Weather) - 53 Laps

Sunday April 22nd - 8pm
Canadian Grand Prix
Cape Ring - 44 Laps

Thursday April 26th - 8pm
French Grand Prix
Circuit de la Sarthe (Weather) - 24 Laps

Sunday April 29th - 8pm
German Grand Prix
Nurburgring GP/F - 60 Laps

Thursday May 10th - 8pm
Belgian Grand Prix
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (Weather) - 44 Laps


Prizes

1st Place - Gold
Any car in the New or Online Collectors Dealership worth 999,000cr or less

2nd Place - Silver
Any car in the New or Online Collectors Dealership worth 750,000cr or less

3rd Place - Bronze
Any car in the New or Online Collectors Dealership worth 500,000cr or less


Any questions please let me know.

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

Please let us know what color Formula Gran Turismo that you will be driving (and your helmet color).
We will have duplicate color FGTs and no race #s, so the helmet color will be important.

EG: FGT White / Blue Strips (White Helmet)


The different color options for the FGT are:
-Blue Solid
-Orange Solid
-Red Solid
-Silver / Black
-White / Blue Stripes
-White / Green
-White / Purple
-White Solid
-Yellow / Black
-Yellow / Green

Again the FGT can be bought new in the Online Car Dealership for $5,000,000cr or sometimes comes up used for less in the Used Car Dealership. The FGT can not be traded or gifted because it is worth more than $1,000,000cr

Right now the quickest way to generate money is a Seasonal A-Spec Race.
-650PP Nürburgring Nordschleife / 1 Lap Race
1st place is Cr.500,000 (if you login 5 days in a row and then complete this challenge you get 200% bonus, so $1,000,000cr for 6mins 30seconds worth of work). You can repeat this race as much as needed.

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

FGT White / Blue Strips (White Helmet)

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

FGT White/ Blue stripes (helmet - orange, yellow and blue, I think)

_________________
2013 BMW 128I - 2 DS

So I was giving some thought to the possible colors / team names:

-Blue Solid (Red Bull)
-Orange Solid (Spyker)
-Red Solid (Ferrari)
-Silver / Black (McLaren)
-White / Blue Stripes (Williams)
-White / Green (?)
-White / Purple (?)
-White Solid (Sauber)
-Yellow / Black (Lotus)
-Yellow / Green (Caterham)

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

I believe that mine is solid orange, so I guess that makes me Spyker!? And I'll be wearing the Skully - 05 black and gold helmet. I've been dreading this series!!!

*edit* Silver/Black, Helmet is a red Downforce.

You can't paint the car, you can't choose your color and they can't be traded/gifted. You can only wait until next week when a new color arrives in the OCD, or keep refreshing the UCD.

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

Amomcilo
Team: Williams BMW
Helmet: the coolest one

_________________
2003 Buell Firebolt XB9R 1:19.6 around AMP Shubenacadie.
2009 Yamaha R1 1:21.7 around AMP Shubenacadie.

mine is solid red white helmet

did some practicing last nitr on fuji. once i figured out the brake balance i managed a 1.21.8. on softs. i didnt touch the suspension at all so i figure i can make it faster. but i gotta get some more seat time and figure out the suspension. I do like the cockipit view in this car. makes it alot easier to drive i think

_________________
2001 Bullitt......Not Mine, I Just drive it
2012 ARMS Regional Autoslalom 1st Place Overall
2012 1st SM ARMS
2012 ASCC Autoslalom 1st Place Overall
2012 1st SM ASCC
2009 ARMS AutoSlalom Top Novice
2009 1st ESP

There was a Seasonal Event update and an OCD update last night.
Should be a different color FGT in the OCD now.

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

I've been laying down some practice times today. I really feel like I am gettin to know this cAr. I just have to work on braking, turning in, shifting, overtaking and my driving line. Once I get a little more confident in those five areas I really feel like I will be ready to challenge for the championship.


Edit: I am also going to sPend a few laps really looking at my accelerating. It needs a little work.

How many people are using the "in cockpit" view while driving?

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

i love the in cockpit view. really seams to help me hit the apex of the turns much better.

i've been looking for a suspension tune on-line but havent found many. Any Suggestions

_________________
2001 Bullitt......Not Mine, I Just drive it
2012 ARMS Regional Autoslalom 1st Place Overall
2012 1st SM ARMS
2012 ASCC Autoslalom 1st Place Overall
2012 1st SM ASCC
2009 ARMS AutoSlalom Top Novice
2009 1st ESP

Hmmm...looks like fun.

I hope I get everything back together before it ends so I can play too.

Yea where have you been?
Hiding from the NASCAR series, well good news it finishes tonight!
We've missed your colourful Murry Walker style commentary!

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

Hmmm...not really into the Nascar thing so I decided to start some improvements to the race rig...you know the normal things like Scott does to his Talon.

Decided to build a dedicated computer with better performance and no useless software on it...just waiting on the plans for the new race "rig" to arrive then I will get started on the build...damn she's getting big in a hurry!

No time to practise with so much building/tinkering going on....I think I am going to need a new electrical feed to the room...running out of power outlets!!!!

Got this feeling I need to play Dirt 3 in a big way and I can't wait for Diablo 3 to come out....

The first few times i drove in this car i felt really twitchy, but after switching to cockpit view i have a better feel for the car (more than other cars anyway) and better able to control. Plus the sound of the air "whooshing" as you start to get some speed is a great touch But man it takes some getting used to braking in these things...

i changed the brake balance to almost all front. i had it at the normal setting and everytime i braked hard for a corner i was spinning out.

_________________
2001 Bullitt......Not Mine, I Just drive it
2012 ARMS Regional Autoslalom 1st Place Overall
2012 1st SM ARMS
2012 ASCC Autoslalom 1st Place Overall
2012 1st SM ASCC
2009 ARMS AutoSlalom Top Novice
2009 1st ESP

To keep the points battle tight I've changed the points system to the 2003-2009 system with the difference being that 8th & lower all score 1pt.

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

Just did a dozen laps for practice, best was a 1:17.9

EDIT I just realized that I was only using 6 gears.... gotta adjust the transmission... hehe

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

Well, tonight begins the series I've been dreading most!! I haven't driving the FGT in months, so this could be a long series...

Just a few more parts and I can power the system up...maybe in time.

I have yet to buy the car or turn a lap in anger with it...7 gears you say?...blasphemy I say!!

Wow a 7th gear really does help.... 1:16.939

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

Wow, what a close race last night. Alek & Trevor changed leads multiple times in the first dozen laps or so, it looked like a tight battle.

I made contact with Rob during one of the opening laps and I think we both took suspension damage. I passed him but I think I caught him out due to my breaking into the sharp S bends (which I was told was earlier than most) and sustained more suspension and engine damage.

When I came out from the pits I was +50 seconds behind the leaders. After the next dozen laps I had that down to under 30 seconds by the time the leaders pitted. I decided to pit to match the leaders. Following this strategy I managed to catch Alek with about 20 laps left to go. However I was planning for 1 more pitstop and Alek informed me that he was done his pitstops. At this point Alek was only 4 seconds behind me. After some very close laps, Alek and I made contact and I damaged my suspension. Since I had to pit for fuel/tires anyways I pitted and Alek took the lead. At this point 30 seconds behind with 10 laps to go, I thought 2nd was the best I was going to get. But then I passed Alek while he was in the pits, he informed me he miscalculated his fuel. When he came out of the pits he was under 5 seconds behind me, with under 10 laps to go. He was closing slightly with every lap, but as we crossed the start/finish line for the last lap he used the draft to slingshot around me. I dove to the inside of the first corner and he took the outside. I got a slight draft from him and was making a move to pass him on the inside of the next corner, but suddenly he stopped. I turned but we made contact and I took suspension damage. I felt bad because I didn't mean to make contact and I hoped he was going to be able to continue to race, but then Alek apologized, he had run out of fuel, on the final lap.

A very anti-climactic ending to a very exciting race, but a good showing to how close these full distance races are going to be!

Championship Standings

Rank	Name	PSN ID	Points	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
1	Jason S	MerlinRPM	10	10	0	0	0	0
2	Alek M	AMomcilo	8	8	0	0	0	0
3	Trevor G	nd4speed1	6	6	0	0	0	0
4	Jason B	Rascusfinkus	5	5	0	0	0	0
5	Scott H	S_AND_S	4	4	0	0	0	0
6	Robert S	sailor923	3	3	0	0	0	0
7	Alex R	Albongo87n00b	2	2	0	0	0	0
8	Steve P	stevedp	1	1	0	0	0	0

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

I really like this car. I had a great jump off the start and gained 5 seconds on 2nd place but by the 5th lap it was gone and me and alec and a good battle untill i had to pit for tires on lap 18 and he passed me the second time i had to pit for damage and fuel jason passed me. But i mamaged to keep 3rd place the whole race, I didnt meet jason on track at all for all 60 some laps. Good racing though. I got faster as the race went on with a best lap of 1.18.4 somethin.

_________________
2001 Bullitt......Not Mine, I Just drive it
2012 ARMS Regional Autoslalom 1st Place Overall
2012 1st SM ARMS
2012 ASCC Autoslalom 1st Place Overall
2012 1st SM ASCC
2009 ARMS AutoSlalom Top Novice
2009 1st ESP

These races are too long for me. Too easy to damage, and the pack gets strung out way too much. I swear I did most of the 35 or so laps I completed all by myself. I was so bored I decided to do something else. 2 hours is too long for one race when you only pick it up once a week.

Sorry you feel that way Steve, especially since if another person drops the pack will be thinned out even more.
I liked that fact that even though I had an accident in the first few laps I was able to battle my way back to the top. Unlike a sprint race if you get tagged you're done for.

After doing the race (which took 90mins) on Fuji last night I feel like I really know the track, my lap times were coming down towards the end as I learned the track better (and as my fuel load went down).

I drove most of my laps in open air, trying to catch the leaders. I knew it would be a challenge so I put my head (and right foot) down and got on with it.

BTW Trevor I pulled off a 1:17.007 in the closing laps (which was still slower than my quali time of 1:16.9).
I think Alek went into the 1:16s during the race.

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

I actually had a blast with this race, a pretty good start was blown when i took damage after i think turn 2 and then it all went downhill. I was able to do a few laps with suspension damage but then off i went and only the slightest bump blew my engine. Then it was a case of limping, slowly....

I had a good string of clean laps in the middle but then my mic died on lap 44 and i couldn't figure out how many laps behind Rob i was, so i just kept going. As it turned out i was too far behind to make any ground, but i was happy with the few clean laps i managed.

Hopefully, and thats a big hopefully, i can keep it on track and off you guys so i can have a fighting chance of being in the running.

I really do like this car once you get used to it's ins and outs, still a tad touchy on the breaks going in, but once you get a feel for it on the way out its a beast. Love it.

See you all Thursday.

Crank up the diff, it really helps this car with pretty much everything it did wrong stock