Gran Turismo 5

[blindsidefive0]

So the time has come. I'm leaving for Silverstone tomorrow night for the final round of the GT Academy.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me and helped me to deal with the lack of a "RESET" button. This spring I got to run with a lot of different clubs to get seat time (PCA, BMW Club Race School, FCSCC, SCCA Solo, Audi-NEQ, NASA) and COM is definitely my absolute favorite. The quality of instruction and competitive yet friendly atmosphere really sets it apart.

I won't be able to post the results of the competition so you'll have to watch this fall on SpeedTV to see what happens.

There's a bunch of videos and stuff that I've posted on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nick-Font ... 1842198224

Cheers.

[chaos4NH]

Best of luck Nick. Make us proud!

[WillM]

Best of luck Nick! Go get 'em!

You might want to edit out one of your comments in the previous post. I'm sure "they" have lawyers, and if some info gets out, regardless if it came from you or not, "they" will certainly be doing some internet searching, if they haven't already. I'm sure you intended it as a joke, but I have yet to find a lawyer that has a sense of humor (except the ones that run with COM of course!)

Best of luck, and don't forget us little guys when you are on the podium!

Cheers,

WIll

[blindsidefive0]

Good point, Will. Post edited.

[Chrispy]

Best of luck to you Nick!

I was wishing I had a PS3 so I could try out the "virtual" 370Z to see how it compared to the real thing.

[blindsidefive0]

I was wishing I had a PS3 so I could try out the "virtual" 370Z to see how it compared to the real thing.

I'll trade...my PS3 for your 370z, I'll even throw in a Logitech steering wheel.

[Chrispy]

I was wishing I had a PS3 so I could try out the "virtual" 370Z to see how it compared to the real thing.

I'll trade...my PS3 for your 370z, I'll even throw in a Logitech steering wheel.

Seems a fair trade Although I already have the wheel and pedals which I use with iRacing and some other PC sims.

[blindsidefive0]

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/06/ ... -champion/

GT Academy is over. I ended up in the top 6, but didn't win. The winner was Bryan Heitkotter, a 5 time national SCCA Solo class champion. I can't reveal too many details, but I will say that the final 4 had a couple guys with serious real world experience and a couple guys who were almost pure sim racers. A lot of events required you to put up a good time on your first lap, so the guys who have never locked it up/spun/hit anything on an outlap (i.e. sim racers, autox, karters) did best.

However, I did very well driving the Formula Renaults, getting within just a few tenths of The Stig (no joke - I learned that several of the instructors have filled in and worn the white suit; one of which set a lap time as a benchmark for each event) on the Silverstone National Circuit.

I had an awesome time, and was happy with how things turned out (I know my wife is happy that I'm not moving to the UK for 7 months to train). I'm looking forward to getting back into COM events (once I get out of the negative in time off from work). Thanks for all the support - see you at the track.

[WillM]

Congratulations Nick!

This is a great story to read, and I imagine it was quite an experience for you. What an awesome thing to be a part of!

You should feel proud to have made it as far as you did, it is quite an accomplishment!

Thanks for sharing this with us!

Cheers,

WIll

[CP]

What ^he^ said. Come play with us in the SCCA sometime if you want some wheel to wheel experience that doesn't involve getting a pile of shit dumped into your car ;^)

[Chrispy]

Sounds like it was a great experience. Congrats, you should be very proud of your accomplishment.

[nateh]

Nick -

Sounds like a great adventure, and we'll be sure to strew some roses on your path when you return. Can't promise any adoring virgins, however.

Cy -

What about the part where your car gets turned into a pile?

- Nate

[savage217]

Great job Nick. Like others have said, the experience and knowledge you learned was worth the effort. You will have a story to tell for the rest of your life. You should be proud of how well you did!

[TroyV]

Did you get to keep the multi-layer suit, helmet and gear?

If so....GREAT!! Now you have something other than pajamas to wear to TT events!


Sorry....couldn't resist.

[blindsidefive0]

As always, thanks for the support.

Cy - I now hold a MSA National B racing license in the UK. It's probably equivalent to an SCCA novice license. I'm hoping to get out of some of the licensing requirements, but don't have a car to run this year anyway.

The best news - My wife has now un-vetoed the 4th of July event so I can do the TT day on 7/3! I didn't get a new helmet, but I did get a new suit, shoes, and gloves. The shoes are awesome, but the gloves are a little thick for my tastes, and I may still drive in my pajamas (why mess with success?).