Okay, here's how I like to do it. Some of the steps to duping (backing up your save file before sending a car or ticket so you don't lose it) are the same steps you would use to back up your save file before using a ticket in order to get a certain car you want.
For duping:
1.) Start GT5 up and go in to GT Mode. Make sure you have everything current (i.e. download any gifts you want before backing up you save file). Then quit the game and go back to the PS3 menu.
2.) Plug the thumbdrive in to one of the USB ports on the PS3.
3.) Select the "Save Data Utility (PS3)" option from the "Game" menu.
4.) Now you should see all the save files from all your PS3 games. Highlight the GT5 file and press the triangle button. Select "COPY" from the menu (with the X button) and when it asks where you want to copy it to select "USB DEVICE (Storage Device)". Now your save file should be backed up on to the thumbdrive. If you're not sure go back to the menu that had all the save files from all your games. Near the top of the list will be the "USB Device (Storage Device). Select it with the X button and highlight the GT5 save file. The time stamp on it should be within a minute or two of the PS3's current time. If you don't see a GT5 file within the "USB Device (Storage Device)" then it didn't work and you need to start this step all over again.
5.) This step in not a requirement but is highy recommended as a way to back up your save file in case your thumbdrive fails. If you don't want to do this then skip to Step 6.
Here's what I like to do as an extra precaution. Once you are sure you have your save file backed up to your thumbdrive transfer the thumdrive over to your computer and plug it in to a USB port on your computer. Then from your computer bring up a folder showing the files on the thumbdrive and copy the folder title "PS3" from the thumbdrive to your computer. After you do that close the file window and remove the thumbdrive from the computer and plug it back in to the PS3. Now you have a failsafe in case the thumbdrive fails on you or you delete the wrong file by mistake (don't laugh, I've seen several people on GT Planet begging for cars due to deleting the wrong file).
6.) Once you have your save file backed up on to the thumbdrive go back to the game menu on the PS3 and start GT5 again. Go in to GT Mode and gift (i.e. send) what ever items you want to. In this case you will be sending the 1970 ticket to me. After it is sent exit the game and return to the PS3 menu.
7.) From the PS3 menu under the Game tab select the "Save Data Utility PS3" option again but this time go right to the "USB Device (Storage Device)" and select it. Highlight the GT5 save file and press the triangle button. Select "COPY" and then select yes (twice). When copying from the USB thumbdrive the PS3 will not ask for a destination for the copy. If it asks you for a destination after selecting "COPY" then you are trying to copy the wrong file.
8.) After selecting "Copy", then answering Yes twice, you should now have your backed up save file that was on the thumbdrive transferred back to the PS3. Start the game one more time and go in to GT Mode. Once there go in to your garage and look for the item you just sent. It should still be there. If the item you just sent is still there then that's it, you're done. Go back to playing the game as normal.
