FCS Season 1: New Era Spec Racing.

[Snaeper]

The Philosophy

The Fuji Challenge Series is a semi-spec pro/am racing series developed with the aim of offering a fun and competitive package for young drivers and experienced veterans alike. To achieve this, we will be working on a car package that will allow all drivers to race on an almost even playing field, over a varying array of tracks and race lengths. Drivers will need to perfect their technique in order to advance in the field as the normal avenues used for easy passing are going to be much more difficult to access with the current car package.

The Cars

The FCS will use the very versatile Toyobaru triplets, as they are ideal to develop driving technique and foster close competition similar to some one-make series' while also breaking up the normal monotony found in those same series.




Proposed Schedule


Round 1 - Tsukuba Sprints - TBD
Race 1 - 15 Laps
Race 2 - 15 Laps
Race 3 - 25 Laps

Round 2 - Rounds of Suzuka - TBD
Race 4 - Suzuka East - 30 Laps
Race 5 - Suzuka Full - 10 Laps

Round 3 - Laguna Seca 100 - TBD
Race 6 - 28 Laps

Round 4 - Nurburgring Gran Prix - TBD
Race 7 - GP/F - 10 Laps
Race 8 - GP/D - 10 Laps

Round 5 - Nordeschleife 2.4 Hours - TBD
Race 9 - 24h - 16 Laps

Round 6 - Cape Ring Trials - TBD
Race 10 - Inside - 30 Laps
Race 11 - South - 20 Laps

Round 7 - TBA Invitational - TBD
Race 12 - TBD
Race 13 - TBD

Round 8 - Tokyo Classic - TBD
Race 14 - Tokyo R246 - 20 Laps

Round 9 - Fuji Champions Weekend - TBD
Race 15 - F - 25 Laps
Race 16 - GT - 20 Laps




Check back for more updates!

 

[Snaeper]

In order to help distinguish the brands, each car is going to be assigned a specific body kit or kits, wheels and spoilers. All cars must be painted appropriate solid or metallic colors. The wheels may be painted black, white, grey/silver/gunmetal (including Matte versions of these colors) freely. Other colors are allowed as well but with certain restrictions. These are as followed:

If the body is painted white/black/grey/silver, then the wheels may be painted any solid or matte color (note again that Matte White, Grey, Silver and Black are free colors anyways).
If the body is painted a solid/metallic color that isn't white/grey/black/silver, you may paint the wheels an identical shade. Not similar, identical.

Gazoo Racing Toyota 86

Appearance-
Bodykit B
Spoiler B

Available Wheels-
BBS LM-R (Pictured)
PDI P525 (Pictured)

TRD North America Scion FR-S

Appearance-
Bodykit A
Spoiler B

Available Wheels-
Motegi Racing Touge (Non-Chrome) (Pictured)
Enkei JS+M (Pictured)

Prodrive Subaru BRZ

Appearance-
Bodykit A
Bodykit B
Spoiler B

Wheels-
Enkei SC03 (Non-Chrome) (Pictured)
Prodrive GC-010G (Pictured)
Rays Volk Racing TE37 (Non-Bronze) (Not Pictured)

 

[Snaeper]

Performance Specs are almost 90% finalized, with the suspension and tire decisions remaining the last important pieces of the puzzle. Aside from that, the current performance equipment allowed is:

Chassis

• Carbon Hood - Painted
• Window Weight Reduction
• Chassis Rigidity
• Stage 1 Weight Reduction

Engine

• ECU Tuning

Intake

• Racing Air Filter
• Throttle Body

Exhaust

• Sports Manifold
• Sports Muffler
• Sports Exhaust

Transmission

• Close Ratio Transmission

Drivetrain

• Single Plate Clutch
• Semi-Racing Flyhwheel
• Carbon Driveshaft
• Adjustable Differential

Suspension

• Height Adjustable

Tires

• Sports Hard

Tuning Adjustments

• Downforce - 20
• Total PP - 425** (This is current as of 2.10)
• Differntial Adjustments - Free
• Ballast - Please Refrain from adding and adjusting ballast.

Suspension Status - Currently, the desired choice is the Height Adjustable Unit. However, this can easily be manipulated with a similarly-tuned Full-Race unit, thus awarding a performance advantage to dishonest individuals. The Full-Race unit is under consideration, but might create gaps between individuals with suspension tuning experience... and those without. Lastly, the fixed-rate suspension is also under consideration to keep the series as spec as possible. Stay tuned (and feel free to offer suggestions!)

UPDATE: Suspension testing has concluded and we'll be using the Height Adjustable Units as they do not provide a drastic performance advantage to experienced tuners yet still allow competitors to adjust the cars to their driving styles. I encourage all participants to make the fair choice in using this unit.

Tire Status - The tire situation is much easier, with the decision being between Sports Hard and Medium tires. Currently Sports Hards are the front runners, but the Mediums might also be selected. Another consideration is a rotating tire (between all three Sports Compounds and possibly Comfort Softs and Race Hards) to really shake things up with each event. Especially events held on the same (or similar) courses.

UPDATE: Tires will be Sports Hard, however different races will feature different wear speeds to challenge driver's decision making.

EDIT: Updated PP, Flywheel, Downforce specs. Removed Engine Limitation spec.

 

[speeddeomon72]

This looks fun but what day of the week is this?

 

[Snaeper]

Thanks, so far the cars are a blast to drive. Plenty of traction despite the hard tires.

I don't currently have any date in mind, I'm still finishing up preparing the primary thread (images, banners, etc.) So I'm looking for more interest before I decide on a time.

That being said, however, GMT -7:00 is about where I'm looking to land, on whatever day works out.

I've been blessed that R1600Turbo has offered a helping hand with his vast experience running FMSC and other series.

 

[speeddeomon72]

Thanks, so far the cars are a blast to drive. Plenty of traction despite the hard tires.

I don't currently have any date in mind, I'm still finishing up preparing the primary thread (images, banners, etc.) So I'm looking for more interest before I decide on a time.

That being said, however, GMT -7:00 is about where I'm looking to land, on whatever day works out.

Well Saturday works as long as I don't make plans with my girlfriend & if I do I will post I can't make it.

 

[Snaeper]

Sounds good, subscribe to the thread for updates! Feel free to add me on PSN as well, my PSN is under my avatar.






<<<<===== Right over here.

 

[speeddeomon72]

Sounds good, subscribe to the thread for updates! Feel free to add me on PSN as well, my PSN is under my avatar.

<<<<===== Right over here.

OK will do.

 

[dhrittme]

This series sounds interesting. I am new to any sort of dedicated organized racing league on GT5.

Time would be the deciding factor. Oddly, weekday evenings from 6:00 - 9:00 -5:00 GMT is the best time for me. Weekends would be spotty.

I will subscribe to this threat for updates. Looking forward to racing.

 

[Snaeper]

Glad to hear of your interest, you guys. Unfortunately -5:00GMT isn't going to be able to happen, although my weeknights are flexible like yours, so those are under consideration.

Also, I just did another and more extensive test session with the cars and I decided to tweak a few of the specs, especially since spec 2.10 threw a monkey wrench into the PP values of the cars.

What's been changed:
The Aero is now recommended at it's max load. This has the two-fold effect of negating any possible manipulation to enhance cornering performance as well as keeping the car in balance with the new PP spec. Oh yeah, it handles better, too.

The engine limiter has also been removed, again to keep the car in harmony with the new PP spec, while removing manipulation potential and reducing complexity in setting up your car.

The flywheel has now been changed to Semi-racing. I realized that, unlike the clutch, the flywheel is a harder piece to regulate. And since the cars make most of their power high in the RPM's (these cars will be doing a LOT of revving) the lighter flywheel will enhance the driving quality of the cars.

Lastly, the new primary PP regulation is 425. As stated above, this will make for a faster, better handling car with less wiggle room for poor competitive decisions (read: cheating) and ease of setting up the car.

I'm also currently working to provide some good suspension and LSD tunes to be made available to competitors who might be off the pace (though you should work at making your own!)

Annnd, the proposed schedule is by no-means concrete I'll remind you.

 

[dhrittme]

Glad to hear of your interest, you guys. Unfortunately -5:00GMT isn't going to be able to happen, although my weeknights are flexible like yours, so those are under consideration.

Also, I just did another and more extensive test session with the cars and I decided to tweak a few of the specs, especially since spec 2.10 threw a monkey wrench into the PP values of the cars.

What's been changed:
The Aero is now recommended at it's max load. This has the two-fold effect of negating any possible manipulation to enhance cornering performance as well as keeping the car in balance with the new PP spec. Oh yeah, it handles better, too.

The engine limiter has also been removed, again to keep the car in harmony with the new PP spec, while removing manipulation potential and reducing complexity in setting up your car.

The flywheel has now been changed to Semi-racing. I realized that, unlike the clutch, the flywheel is a harder piece to regulate. And since the cars make most of their power high in the RPM's (these cars will be doing a LOT of revving) the lighter flywheel will enhance the driving quality of the cars.

Lastly, the new primary PP regulation is 425. As stated above, this will make for a faster, better handling car with less wiggle room for poor competitive decisions (read: cheating) and ease of setting up the car.

I'm also currently working to provide some good suspension and LSD tunes to be made available to competitors who might be off the pace (though you should work at making your own!)

Annnd, the proposed schedule is by no-means concrete I'll remind you.

That's alright. Any idea on what days and times the races will run?

 

[speeddeomon72]

Glad to hear of your interest, you guys. Unfortunately -5:00GMT isn't going to be able to happen, although my weeknights are flexible like yours, so those are under consideration.

Also, I just did another and more extensive test session with the cars and I decided to tweak a few of the specs, especially since spec 2.10 threw a monkey wrench into the PP values of the cars.

What's been changed:
The Aero is now recommended at it's max load. This has the two-fold effect of negating any possible manipulation to enhance cornering performance as well as keeping the car in balance with the new PP spec. Oh yeah, it handles better, too.

The engine limiter has also been removed, again to keep the car in harmony with the new PP spec, while removing manipulation potential and reducing complexity in setting up your car.

The flywheel has now been changed to Semi-racing. I realized that, unlike the clutch, the flywheel is a harder piece to regulate. And since the cars make most of their power high in the RPM's (these cars will be doing a LOT of revving) the lighter flywheel will enhance the driving quality of the cars.

Lastly, the new primary PP regulation is 425. As stated above, this will make for a faster, better handling car with less wiggle room for poor competitive decisions (read: cheating) and ease of setting up the car.

I'm also currently working to provide some good suspension and LSD tunes to be made available to competitors who might be off the pace (though you should work at making your own!)

Annnd, the proposed schedule is by no-means concrete I'll remind you.

Sounds good to me.

 

[Snaeper]

That's alright. Any idea on what days and times the races will run?

I wont be deciding on a day yet, nor even a starting date, but I'd like to get the ball rolling soon.

 

[speeddeomon72]

Well we could have a test this Saturday.

 

[speeddeomon72]

Is this still going?