2014 GT Academy Announced – Starts April 21st

Written by DGambino1 | posted in GTPlanet News Feed | 0 Comments

Gamers, start your engines – we’re just a week away from the next edition of GT Academy.

Unbelieveably now in its sixth year, GT Academy has taken gamers from their sofa and put them in some of the highest level races in the world, from Super GT to Formula 3, from FIA GT to GP3 and with repeated successes at some of the toughest endurance races on Earth – Spa 24 Hours, Nürburgring 24 Hours and, of course, Le Mans.

Starting April 21st is your opportunity to join them. More countries than ever before are included in the expanding program (sorry, Canada) and this year will see four new champions crowned and pushed through the gruelling Nissan Driver Development Program. GT Academy USA and GT Academy Germany remain as standalone competitions, while GT Academy Europe now consists of Belgium, France, Czech Republic, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

A new “GT Academy International” competition includes Australia, India, Mexico and Thailand along with a Middle East (UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Kuwait) region.

All you need to qualify is a PlayStation 3, PSN account and Gran Turismo 6. Online qualifying begins on 21st April. As usual, see our GT Academy forums for more information and discussion.

Source: 2014 GT Academy Announced – Starts April 21st

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GT Academy Begins Blancpain Endurance Title Defence

Written by DGambino1 | posted in GTPlanet News Feed | 0 Comments

With both the Pro-Am driver and team championship titles captured in 2013, the Nissan GT Academy Team RJN will mount their defence of the Blancpain Endurance Series at Monza this weekend.

As last year, the team has entered two Nissan GT-Rs piloted by Nismo Athletes, though reigning drivers’ champion Lucas Ordoñez isn’t available due to Super GT and Nissan ZEOD commitments.

Car #35 will be driven by Miguel Faisca (Europe 2013 winner), Stanislav Aksenov (Russia 2013 winner) and the Super GT driver Katsumasa Chiyo on a season-long Nismo driver exchange program – though Stanislav’s visa is yet to be finalised an his place will be taken at Monza by Mark Shulzhitskiy (Russia 2012 winner). Chiyo will be familiar to GT Academy watchers after his colossal accident in the early stages of the Bathurst 12hr race in February.

The second car this season will wear #80, to celebrate Nissan’s 80th year. This will be crewed by Florian Strauss (Germany 2013 winner), Nick McMillen (USA 2013 winner) and Academy lynchpin Alex Buncombe.

Coverage of qualifying and the race is available on the official Blancpain Endurance Series website, while the race will also be broadcast on Motors TV and Eurosport – see here for scheduling for your region – and Youtube, courtesy of Nismo.

The race itself gets underway at 12.45 GMT/UTC on Sunday 13th April. In the meantime you can sate your appetite for Blancpain action with this season preview:

This won’t be the first race of the season for the Nismo Athletes though. Lucas Ordoñez has already had a race in Super GT with Kazuki Hoshino. Over a 77 lap, 2 hour race at Okayama, Lucas and Kazuki pulled the GT300 Nismo GT-R to 4th place in class, having started in 7th.

Over in North America, Steve Doherty (USA 2012 winner) and Bryan Heitkotter (USA 2011 winner) have been paired together driving the #34 Skullcandy Nissan Altima in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. Results in the Street Tuner class have yet to swing their way though.

Meanwhile at the Nurburgring, the Schulze Motorsport GT-R GT3 was in action last weekend for qualifying and the qualifying race for June’s 24 hour race. Driven by the Schulzes, Kazunori Yamauchi and Jordan Tresson, a pretty impressive 8’29.6 fastest lap saw them qualify 7th for the qualifying race – but a turbo failure saw them retire from the 6 hour race early on while running in the top ten. This puts them in a challenging 41st place for the main event in 2 months.

In one final piece of GT Academy news, the RJN team will be running a GT-R in British GT again this season after missing last year’s event due to being deemed “too fast“. Alex Buncombe will resume driving duties, but he will be accompanied by legendary British Olympian cyclist Sir Chris Hoy. Chris joins the ranks of the Nismo Athletes with a year under his belt in the Radical SR1 series and his eye on competing in Le Mans by 2017.

Images courtesy of RedSquareImages.

Source: GT Academy Begins Blancpain Endurance Title Defence

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GTPlanet Weekly Rewind: Gran Turismo Gives You Wings!

Written by DGambino1 | posted in GTPlanet News Feed | 0 Comments

There’s a lot to cover this week, so instead of me yapping (which I’ll do plenty of later on) we’re jumping right into things this week. Here we go!

GTPlanet Picture of the Week

This week’s featured image is all about the world beyond what happens on the track. As mentioned a few times in the past, the environment plays just a pivotal role and it’s time it’s once again recognized as such.

Courtesy of Kurei, this refreshing image was shot at SSRX and captures the brilliance of nighttime scenery with the added feeling of the soothing waters.

Have a suggestion for next week’s featured image? Drop me a private message, entitle it “GTPlanet Picture of the Week”, and fill it out with your two choices and they’ll be featured in upcoming Rewinds. NOTE: You cannot elect your own work.

Gran Turismo 6 Update 1.06

Another update has reared its likeness in Gran Turismo 6 and we are once again here to catalog the changes made to the ever-evolving world of GT6, this time with the newest 1.06 update that is now available and weighs in at a very conservative 295MB.

It introduces the data logger and GPS visualizer tools and a few other things. The overview of the changes are as follows:

Data Logger now available

• [Data Logger] has been added to the [TOOLS] section in “My Home”. The Data Logger analyzes the driving data stored on a Replay file and displays it in a graph, allowing users to view and compare variations in vehicle speed, acceleration points, braking points, engine rpm values and gear positions.

GPS Visualizer function introduced

• [GPS Visualizer] has been added to the [TOOLS] section in “My Home”. By driving a car equipped with the “Sports Drive Logger” (sold by Toyota) on a real-life circuit, the recorded GPS data can be transferred to “Gran Turismo 6” via a compatible USB storage media, and then subsequently converted into Replay file in the game. It’s be possible to compare and analyze these GPS data using the [Data Logger] feature. This feature is currently available with Fuji Speedway, Tsukuba Circuit and Suzuka Circuit, with more tracks to be added later on.

Custom Rear Wing option implemented

• [Custom Rear Wing] has been added to the [External Parts] menu, accessible from the [Custom Parts] options within the [Tuning & Maintenance] section in “My Home”. You can choose a combination of wing mounts, wing style and side winglets. Users can also adjust the height and width of the wing to their liking. (*Please note this feature isn’t compatible with certain cars.)

3DTV compatibility now added

• A [3DTV] option has been added to the [Display] category within the [Options] screen in the [MENU] (accessible by pressing the START button). A 3D compatible TV is required for this feature.

Adjustments to the Open Lobby

• From the Member List, it is now possible to see the Performance Points, maximum output and weight of the cars that have joined the room.
• An “Overall Best” time is now displayed on screen while in Practice, Qualifying, Time Trial and Drift Trial.
• The minimum value for [Max Power Limit] and [Minimum Weight] has been changed from 10 to 1.
• The options available in the [Race Type] menu within [Room Settings] of the “Event Settings” screen have been changed.

Other improvements and adjustments

• The Traction Control System (TCS) which is activated when driving off-track is now used only in sand/gravel pits.
• The strength of the “Real” option for the [Slipstream Strength] parameter within [Race Settings] when creating a room in [Open Lobby], has been weakened.

As always, keep an eye on our GT6 forum as our community explores and discovers more undocumented tweaks.

GTPlanet Quiz of the Week

The seventh week is upon us, and the question is and forever will be, how much do you know?

1. What was the first car to receive the Premium treatment as DLC for Gran Turismo 5 despite already having a Standard model present in the game?

2. This fictional racing track first debuted in Gran Turismo, re-appeared in GT3, and hasn’t been seen since.

Clues will be provided if necessary. The official thread is up and running but hasn’t been outfitted with the full breakdown of things just yet, so until that happens be sure to drop me a private message, entitle it “GTPlanet Quiz of the Week”, and share your answers.

#CaptureGT6 Photo Competition

A new Seasonal Event has been released for Gran Turismo 6, which features the Toyota FT-1 Concept at Fuji Speedway in celebration of the car’s appearance at the New York Auto show this month.

Created in partnership with Polyphony Digital and Toyota, the new event has a special reward for the top time: the driver’s replay will be uploaded to the official PlayStation YouTube account, broadcast the channel’s 2.3 million subscribers.

Between April 7th and the 30th, Toyota and SCEA will also be monitoring the #CaptureGT6 hashtag on various social media networks for images posted of the FT-1 Concept, created using GT6‘s Photo Travel mode. They’ll be selecting their favorite shots to feature on their own social media accounts, sharing your image to a wide audience of hundreds of thousands of people.

We also have a dedicated forum topic for you to share your Toyota FT-1 Concept images, so be sure to post them here as well. Good luck!

GTPlanet Member of the Week

The prized status and stardom that only the Member of the Week can bring has once again arrived and thus, it is once again time to acknowledge a member of the GTPlanet community; a member who has stood out among the hundreds of thousands of members already here, both old and new alike for all that they’re worth and all they have contributed to the community.

Yet another Junior member is among the ranks, and this particular member has quickly made his rounds, so let’s welcome Villain to the ever-expanding MotW madhouse!

The interview has yet to go live so be sure to keep an eye peeled for the announcement!

Anyone you’d like to see recognized as the Member of the Week? Drop me a private message, entitle it “GTPlanet Member of the Week”, and fill it out with your choices and they’ll be featured in upcoming Rewinds. NOTE: You cannot nominate yourself.

Forza Motorsport 5 – Long Beach Add-on Available Now!

It’s been a long time since I’ve featured Forza here so you know it has to be something big, and I’d say this fits the bill nicely. Long Beach is now available for the first time in the Forza Motorsport series, all for an amazing price of $0 – that’s right, it’s free!

The Long Beach circuit is coming to Forza Motorsport 5 for free! Available on April 10 as part of the latest content update for Forza 5, this amazing track has been brought to life in the game using state-of-the-art techniques like laser-scanning, recreating the track’s stunning beauty and amazing challenge with sub-centimeter accuracy.

Check out the trailer for Long Beach and hear from IndyCar star driver Josef Newgarden, who will be driving in the 40th running of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, then experience this amazing Southern California racing icon for yourself in Forza Motorsport 5!

Oh but it doesn’t end there, no, what good is a new track without some new toys to take around said track? Introducing the Long Beach Booster Pack:

1977 Ford Coyote Gilmore77

1974 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale

1956 Jaguar D-Type

1998 Mercedes-Benz AMG Mercedes CLK GTR

1971 Ferrari #2 Ferrari Automobili 312 P

The Booster Pack is available to Season Pass holders at no additional cost, and $4.99 for those without.

GTPlanet Vehicle of the Week

This week’s featured vehicle, recommended to us by Nelsonatormjin16, is the 2012 Tajima E-Runner Pikes Peak Special.

The Monster Sport E-Runner is an all carbon fiber hill tackling machine supported by an all-aluminum space frame. Two liquid cooled motors mounted in the rear are powered by a 650v MLiX lithium-ion battery. Tajima says that he is confident that the technology used on the E-Runner will one day make it way into the civilian sector.

Switching to an all-electric racer was a risk that clearly didn’t pay off for Tajima this year, but there are many rational reasons an EV can be successful at Pikes Peak. For EVs, engineers have the ability to place batteries in any location to help with weight distribution and handling.

Further, the electric motor’s high levels of immediately available torque are great for pushing up a steep grade, which at the top of over 14,000 feet has relatively low oxygen content–an advantage over gas engines. Finally, EVs are great for Pikes Peak because of the relatively short amount of time it takes to get up the hill. (Range anxiety does not apply here.)

However, there are still risks. And although Tajima has won 6 years in a row, his E-Runner failed to grab him a seventh victory.

(Borrowed from Translogic)

Have a suggestion for next week’s featured vehicle? Drop me a private message, entitle it “GTPlanet Vehicle of the Week” and fill it out with your two choices and they’ll be featured in upcoming Rewinds. NOTE: You cannot elect your own work.

GTPlanet Tune of the Week

This week’s featured tune, recommended to us by GTP_CargoRatt and courtesy of yannagas, is a Seasonal Special for the Subaru Impreza Super Lap challenge found in GT6.

Victory is the name of the game as usual and if it’s a deserving victory that you’re after and you want to do so while using the proven prowess of a rally-bred sports car, then you’ll want to stop by and see the tune for yourself!

Exactly like the Picture and Vehicle of the Week features, if you have any suggestions for the upcoming Rewinds be sure to drop me a private message, entitle it “GTPlanet Tune of the Week” and let me know. NOTE: You cannot elect your own work.

Inside Koenigsegg 2 – One:1 Active Rear Wing

GTPlanet Photomode Competitions

- Coming Soon!

Closing Thoughts

What a crazy week this has been. I’ll spare you the gross of the details as I don’t want to bring down the cheer that the Rewind undoubtedly brings, but there is one thing that needs to be addressed in spite of what I’ve just said: Pastor Maldonado needs to go. Now.

I have never seen a more careless threat of a driver that I so often wanted someone to blast in the face. If you missed the Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend – which was the best race the venue has ever held in its entire 10-year tenure – Pastor did, well, he did this:

No words. Which is exactly why I’m going to switch over to talking about The Winter Solider now, and if I could sum it up in a few words they would be words I’m not supposed to use here. Go see it. It’s really just as great as you’re being told or hearing. Next up is Guardians of the Galaxy, and then Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Back to The Winter Soldier, I don’t want to spoil much but the ramifications the events in the movie will have on every forthcoming movie (with the only possible exception being Guardians of the Galaxy) are profound. If you caught this week’s episode of Agents of SHIELD then you’ll already know how profound things have become; a world turned upside-down by any other definition.

Hail Hydra. Until next week, keep racing!

GT6 Photomode images by StrayShadow, KaterMusch, Creative87, Dodzzz, and andre_pt.

Source: GTPlanet Weekly Rewind: Gran Turismo Gives You Wings!

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Tajima E-Runner, Mazda RX-7 (FD), and Non-racing Peugeots Featured in Latest GT6 Seasonal Events

Written by DGambino1 | posted in GTPlanet News Feed | 0 Comments

The latest Seasonal Events are now available in Gran Turismo 6, featuring three new time trial events exclusive to the Tajima E-Runner Pikes Peak Special, Mazda RX-7 (FD) non-racing cars, and non-racing car Peugeots.

Events are contested with no more than 410PP with Comfort/Soft compounds or less for the non-racing car Peugeot Super Lap challenge, 500PP with Sports/Hard compounds or less for the non-racing car RX-7 (FD) Super Lap challenge, and no formal limitations for the final challenge featuring the all-electric Tajima E-Runner as the car is loaned allowing anyone to participate. Racers are to aim for the gold award in this week’s challenges.

This week’s challenges are as follows:

• Peugeot Non-Racing Car Super Lap: London
  Period of Availability: 04/09/2014 23:00 – 05/07/2014 23:00
  Gold: Cr.50,000 Silver: Cr.25,000 Bronze: Cr.19,000
  Gift: GT Chrome 001-W
• Mazda RX-7 (FD) Non-Racing Car Super Lap: Special Stage Route 5
  Period of Availability: 04/09/2014 23:00 – 05/07/2014 23:00
  Gold: Cr.70,000 Silver: Cr.33,000 Bronze: Cr.23,000
  Gift: Matte Dark Gray
• Tajima E-Runner Pikes Peak Special Super Lap: Eiger Nordwand Short Track
  Period of Availability: 04/09/2014 23:00 – 05/07/2014 23:00
  Gold: Cr.43,000 Silver: Cr.22,000 Bronze: Cr.15,000
  Gift: GT Pasteltone 004-W

Note, in order to enter the Seasonal Events you must first acquire your National B license.

Be sure to stop by the new GT6 Seasonal Events forum for in-depth analysis and discussion, and tips and tricks.

GT6 Photomode image by e rikkie.

Source: Tajima E-Runner, Mazda RX-7 (FD), and Non-racing Peugeots Featured in Latest GT6 Seasonal Events

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“Real Circuit Tour” Seasonal Event Now Available in GT5

Written by DGambino1 | posted in GTPlanet News Feed | 0 Comments

The latest Seasonal Events are now available in Gran Turismo 5, featuring a series of five expert level racing events featuring real race tracks from around the world. Any car is eligible provided it have no more than 730PP and no better than Racing/Hard compounds or less.

This week’s challenges are as follows:

• 730PP Real Circuit Tour: Indy Super Speedway / 5 Laps
  Period of Availability: 2014/04/09 23:00 -
  1st: Cr.420,155 2nd: Cr.231,085 3rd: Cr.168,062
• 730PP Real Circuit Tour: Monza Circuit / 5 Laps
  Period of Availability: 2014/04/09 23:00 -
  1st: Cr.428,965 2nd: Cr.235,931 3rd: Cr.171,586
• 730PP Real Circuit Tour: Daytona Road Course / 5 Laps
  Period of Availability: 2014/04/09 23:00 -
  1st: Cr.428,645 2nd: Cr.235,735 3rd: Cr.171,458
• 730PP Real Circuit Tour: Nurburgring GP/F / 5 Laps
  Period of Availability: 2014/04/09 23:00 -
  1st: Cr.425,740 2nd: Cr.234,157 3rd: Cr.170,290
• 730PP Real Circuit Tour: Suzuka Circuit / 5 Laps
  Period of Availability: 2014/04/09 23:00 -
  1st: Cr.429,035 2nd: Cr.235,969 3rd: Cr.171,614

Note the “Performance Difference Bonus” applies, so more credits will be awarded for using a slower car below the maximum allowed PP value.

The game’s Online Car Dealership has also been updated with new inventory. As always, stop by our GT5 Seasonal Events forum for more analysis and discussion!

GT5 Photomode image by MoMo PeeZero.

Source: “Real Circuit Tour” Seasonal Event Now Available in GT5

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