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- Finland
So, with the Suzuki Escudo Pikes Peak officially teased, it makes me wonder: does it actually belong on any of the few dirt tracks we have so far? Er...not really. Think back to GT2: just about every single dirt course was only slightly unmatching with the humongous spoilered beast. The worst ones were the likes of Green Forest and Tahiti Maze, mostly because of the sheer amounts of successive, large crests in the former, and the endless hairpins on the latter, both courses lacking straights as well. Fisherman's Ranch is a combination of these two tracks in my opinion. While Sardegna Windmills has fast sections, it doesn't have even nearly as many long turns and straights as Smokey Mountain North did. But if I had to pick one dirt course that Escudo was decent to drive on, it was Smokey Mountain North.
The lack of rally courses along with Escudo making an appearance makes me think new dirt tracks are on the way. And they have to be. We only have three dirt tracks, and a plethora of rally cars, old and new. I'm crossing my fingers and clenching my eyes closed that Pikes Peak would happen one day. Not only would this provide Escudo its homeland, but also a dirt stage, rather than course.
They also need to add more varying dirt courses, the three we have each kinda resemble each other. Lots of hairpins, tight corners, with a hint of fast sections. Who knows, maybe they will add some classics back. I personally enjoyed Grand Canyon from GT4, but unfortunately it resembles Fisherman's Ranch way too much, so they need to bring something less twisty and undulating. How about...the dirt courses on El Capitan? These courses are fast and flowing, and have basic, beginner-friendly layouts. The ones in GT7 are all quite technical, so it wouldn't hurt to have more humble dirt roads. Swiss Alps was also a fine combination of technical and fast sections, and two memorable crests.
Lastly, I wanna emphasize that I'm not defending rally in Gran Turismo by any means. It was always a tongue-in-cheek part of the franchise, a side feature, if you will. Never really fully fleshed out, but circuit racing was obviously always the main focus. After all, rally didn't debut until GT2, but in that game rally was quite passionately realized, with all the different courses and rally cars. But in GT7 it's painfully apparent that it's only a sample. More will have to be on the way.
The lack of rally courses along with Escudo making an appearance makes me think new dirt tracks are on the way. And they have to be. We only have three dirt tracks, and a plethora of rally cars, old and new. I'm crossing my fingers and clenching my eyes closed that Pikes Peak would happen one day. Not only would this provide Escudo its homeland, but also a dirt stage, rather than course.
They also need to add more varying dirt courses, the three we have each kinda resemble each other. Lots of hairpins, tight corners, with a hint of fast sections. Who knows, maybe they will add some classics back. I personally enjoyed Grand Canyon from GT4, but unfortunately it resembles Fisherman's Ranch way too much, so they need to bring something less twisty and undulating. How about...the dirt courses on El Capitan? These courses are fast and flowing, and have basic, beginner-friendly layouts. The ones in GT7 are all quite technical, so it wouldn't hurt to have more humble dirt roads. Swiss Alps was also a fine combination of technical and fast sections, and two memorable crests.
Lastly, I wanna emphasize that I'm not defending rally in Gran Turismo by any means. It was always a tongue-in-cheek part of the franchise, a side feature, if you will. Never really fully fleshed out, but circuit racing was obviously always the main focus. After all, rally didn't debut until GT2, but in that game rally was quite passionately realized, with all the different courses and rally cars. But in GT7 it's painfully apparent that it's only a sample. More will have to be on the way.
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