Steve, you have come a long way from being a virtual driver to a real professional driver. It is great to hear your update on your current progress. Things might slip here and there but sooner or later you will be on the podium again. Good luck!
I have some questions that I always want to ask you:
1. How do you think of GT game physics comparing to real life in term of engine power, handling, feel? Does the game really simulate real life version?
2. Driving the same car on the same track (i assume you have) in both game and real life. Do they handle the same? Do you take similar racing line (assuming it no raining) and braking zone?
3. Do you have ABS system in the cars you have raced with? There is a big debate going on in GT community between the abs-0 and abs-1 in game. I would like to hear your thought on what is closer to real life (abs-0 or abs-1)?
4. Regarding the tuning aspect, what is similar and different from game and real life?
5. Did you go through more additional training before becoming a pro? If so, what kind of training is it?
6. Some say racing is 50% mental and 50% physical? What is your take on that?
7. What have you learned in GT game that helps you a lot in real race?
8. What have you learned in real race that you never learn from GT games?
9. Would you like to share any tips from your real experience on how to drive fast?
Haha, I'm so sorry to overwhelm you with so many questions but I hope you would address these questions when time allow. I greatly appreciate your reply.
1. I think the physics are pretty good! Obviously they aren't perfect, however I think you can get 95% of the way of learning how to control a car by using the physics in the game. I am a student of this. I pretty much learned all of my car control technique from playing GT3 for HOURS on end back in the day!
2. This can depend on hundreds of factors. Track temp. Air temp. Tire pressures. Tire compounds. Not to mention all of the adjustability in the actual car. I remember that we Qualified the GTR at Silverstone in the 2:01 range I believe. In GT6 the week prior I ran a 2:00 range lap. (Pre release version) The brake zones and line are very similar. Again they can't be perfect because all of the factors I listed above will have an effect on this.
3. Most modern race cars WILL have ABS excluding prototypes. The Z's, GTR's and even the Altima's have it. I would for sure say running it in the game is best.
4. The tuning in the game can be tricky. Some of it is accurate. however some of the major things like the spring rate changes are backwards! It's hard to say on some of it because it lacks the seat of the pants feel. All you have is oversteer or understeer.
5. The driver development program is very intensive and complete. We had physical training, media training, driver coaching and lots of other stuff going on.
6. I would say it's slightly more mental than physical. 60/40 maybe? Depends on which series and which car you're in! LOL. The prototypes and GTR can be quite a bit physical. The new guys have it easy with their A/C in the GTR now!
7. The main thing is car control and racing line! How to generate lap time is on there too.
8. Real race craft! No AI cars involved lol.
9. Do more of your actual turning earlier in the corner and get on the power early. Beginners over drive slow corners and under drive fast ones!
