WELCOME TO TOCA 2022! It's taken a hell of a lot of effort, but finally we're here. After a total of 405 races (403 of which were Pts-scoring affairs) the FRL ToCA league that began back in 2011 runs for a solo 2022 season on its debut on Gran Turismo 7. Myself and Jon have worked a lot on making this one of the best seasons ever and we've got some things that will be familiar to the ToCA regular, as well as new rules, championships and format tweaks.
Over 8 weeks we visit venues old and new, starting at Spa but using the 24H layout including a 3rd race into the evening. Maggiore's Central bullring layout that debuted on GTS returns for week 2, and then we return to the GP layout on the Red Bull Ring. Catalunya makes its FRL debut on the National layout before we head overseas to yet another new venue.
Watkins Glen's short NASCAR layout hosts the highest speed racing of the season in what will surely be a slipstreaming epic, before the series heads to Autopolis, racing on the short layout for a triple header of night races. The championship then wraps up with a double-header of events from Brands Hatch, with the Indy layout setting the stage before the GP loop plays host to the final 3 races from a 24 race season.
On the Championship and sporting side - the absence of reverse grids for the first time ever in FRL ToCA - with instead each race being decided by a single-lap shootout. A valuable point up for grabs for the fastest, joined by up to 15 other drivers including the very best pre-qualifiers, as well as competitors nursing up to 75kg of success ballast as podiums may get points, but they will also literally weigh you down for the next race.
For the ever-present Overall and Independents drivers championships the best 6 from your first 7 weeks count, with two Teams Championships - 1 the traditional championship for multi car "Constructors" outfits and another one with all runners eligible - let's see what Independents can upset the big squads!
All of this requires cars, and to quote Jon "this is the best set of specs i've ever made you". Eight manufacturers, of Front/Rear and 4 wheel drive cars, featuring established recent ToCA makes such as Renault, Hyundai, VW, Audi and Toyota, alongside the returning Ford and Honda brands plus the debut of AMG-Mercedes. These are cars are quick - visually and performance-wise. A return to the late GT5 era formula of approx 300hp and 1100kg delivers some incredible performance cars with wide aggressive bodykits, with snarling anti lag and flame-throwing exhausts.
All we need now is to complete the grid....
9 entries remain for people to pre-qualify for Round 1... testing this Sunday.
