GT's original tracks. And why they would not be realistic.

[JackC8]

The elevated section of the Cape Ring would be ridiculously expensive to build. Totally unfeasible. Plain old tracks on the ground have a hard time making enough money to stay in business.

 

[GTOne2Three]

I think grand valley is possible. I mean we don't need the bridge. Just the layout.

 

[deftonesmx17]

Complex String

I wish PD would bring back that track, simply loved it.

 

[alexleighton]

Nothing is impossible... The thing is though, these tracks wouldn't be fantasy tracks if they were real, and we wouldn't be having this discussion.

I would love to see Cape Ring built somewhere for real, just tell people that if they go in the drink it's their own problem, sort of a stupid motorist law for the track. Find some billionaires who are dying of a lack of excitement in their lives to fund it, and turn it into a massive resort with the main tower nestled within the spiral ramp. It could be done, with a lot of money and a lack of concern for making it become a business.

 

[NFSCARBON1]

Barcelona, Valencia

Rome circuit IRL would be great for a one-off

Ah but Valencia is holding the European GP. This GP used to be called the Luxembourg GP but because Luxembourg didn't have a track it was held in other countries.

I mentioned the old San Marino GP because i think that it was only put in place so F1 could race at Imola without sacrificing Monza. I'd personally like to see a London GP (although not using the Circuit in GT5!).

 

[thedeester1]

I read that Monte Carlo wouldn't exist if it was put forward in the modern era. Pretty much only in the F1 calender and other race series due to its history and the fact they've managed to deal with the tracks obvious safety issues rather effectively as times gone by.

Only real track that would make it from the GT originals in GT5 would probably be Autumn Ring. The tunnel/loop combo would be difficult to construct I imagine, but I suppose it would be possible. Alot easier than carving tracks through mountains and linking them with bridges ala Grand Valley.

Wouldn't want no more from fantasy tracks though, you won't be able to drive through these mountains and over bridges with a lake beneath anywhere else but GT.

Yea I suppose Manaco is the exeption but who would want to lose it?

Id like to see Grand Valley in real life as Ive said in a track love / Hate thread. As someone said you could loose the tunnels and bridges and the layout is still fantastic. It reminds me of Suzuka the way it flows from fast to slow sections.

Like you said I think trial Mountain would be out. It would cost a hell of a lot to do all that blasting through rock. I know they do it for real roads but for a racetrack the costs probably dont weigh up.

Deep forest might be possible. Though the shape is different it reminds me a bit of Cadwell Park in the UK. Not a GP track but I think they had BTCC there not sure if they still do though. Its mostly lower league cars and Motor Bikes when Ive been there.

I suppose a lot of the tracks could be done just on layout alone. Dont forget that much of the tracks from older games had rock walls and Hills in the midle to cut down on Draw distance issues which would effect frame rate. Imagine having to generate a whole "Infield" so that when a player looks to the side it has to be rendered. I still think this is one of the reasons that walls, stands, hills and tree's appear in RW tracks where they are not strictly accurate to RL.

Dont forget though that In RL the terrain mostly shapes the track and not the other way around. To use earth movers to create elevation differences is gonna be a lot more costly than using whats already put there by nature. Ok some land scaping is done. That said Its a bit like building a golf course. You work with the Lie of the Land making slight alterations!

As you state the bridges, tunnels and water are put there because its a game. It visualy stimulating. In early GT (1 or 2) I used to park in the tunnel of Grand Valley and marvel that they bothered to render the lake you can see through the tunnel "windows".

Still an Interesting thread though. Ive enjoyed reading and posting in it! 👍

 

[GTP_TO Blue]

Ah but Valencia is holding the European GP. This GP used to be called the Luxembourg GP but because Luxembourg didn't have a track it was held in other countries.

I mentioned the old San Marino GP because i think that it was only put in place so F1 could race at Imola without sacrificing Monza. I'd personally like to see a London GP (although not using the Circuit in GT5!).

Well, San Marino is a separate country to Italy; so it's a mute point.

Would like to see Midfield & Apricot Hill make a come back, and even Red Rock Valley.

 

[R3LF13]

very interesting thread. I would love to see somebody try to recreate GT tracks, either in real life, or more likely, in game but when changes to make them more fesable.

If we are talking about recreating GT tracks in real life i think we have to specify whether we mean all of it, or just the lay out, because almost all of the fantasy tracks are not workable due to walls, cliffs, lack of run-off or structures that are to difficult to build or expensive like the multitude of bridges and tunnels.

Apricot Hill is probably the closest--it looks pretty good, would just need more run-off in places. I thought MidField was a canidate, but in looking at it again, it is cut into the hill in such a way that recreating the layout with different elevation changes would make it a totally different track. Plus, run-off is nonexistant in places.

that's the thing. So many of PD's fantasy tracks follow the elevation changes of the surrounding area or are cut into the hill to such an extent that you just couldn't recreate it in another landscape. You could recreate the track map in another place, but the resulting track would be nothing like the original. maybe, thats all we really need to figure out then, which layout we want to see built.

 

[RikkiGT-R]

I am seriously considering recreating one of GT's tracks in Scalextric. In a few months (spring/summer) I'm having my attic/loft converted into a room for either a model railway (Railroad for our American cousins), or a fully modelled Racing track.

Imagine Grand Valley Speedway built in Scalextric Digital; have the lads round, a few beers, Custom built Mazda 787B, Minolta Toyota 88C-V, Nissan R92C-P and [insert another great car from the GT roster here]....

It's more than possible in model form.

Or maybe, for irony, I'll build a Samba Bus, Kubelwagen, Benz Patent Motor Wagen etc and watch them chug around the track backwards. Because forwards is too much to ask.

 

[qczhao]

For all those who say a bridge is unfeasible, the Valencia GP track has a bridge in it, so it's not like it's never been done before.

I think of all the track layouts I would like to see being built, Grand Valley Speedway would be my pick - the corners don't require on the elevation changes to be challenging, and the off-camber stuff (i.e. 1st turn) wouldn't be too hard to make irl.

 

[Shinzah]

Grand Valley:

Autopolis:

Methinks there was some inspiration there.

 

[NFSCARBON1]

Well, San Marino is a separate country to Italy; so it's a mute point.

Would like to see Midfield & Apricot Hill make a come back, and even Red Rock Valley.

Very true. I agree that those tracks would be nice. As for Rome, perhaps it could be called the 'Vatican Grand Prix'!

 

[White & Nerdy]

Let's see...

Grand Valley: Brilliant layout. Only modification needed would be more runoff in some corners, and the removal of that ridiculous bridge/tunnel combo (even if it is majestic). The uphill corners after the first hairpin (both versions) are dicey in a faster car but I don't think that would be a problem.

Apricot Hill: Only problem I can think of is that the hairpin comes very close to the pits, so paddock space might be an issue.

Midfield: Getting the topography right here would require a lot of work and dynamite. Other than that it's probably fine.

Trial Mountain: This NEEDS more runoff just about everywhere. The giant berm on the last corner could go too.

Autumn Ring: Might need some more runoff in some areas.

Cape Ring: I actually think the loop and jump add something, but more runoff would be needed. The northeastern section (between the loop and the south course intersection) also seems a bit narrow to me.

Deep Forest: Needs more runoff (are you starting to detect a trend here?)

Red Rock Valley: Would be horribly expensive to build. It'd be awesome to drive though.

Super Speedway: No problems here, assuming you're talking about the GT3-style pit-in and not GT2's cramped entrance.

Tahiti Road: Would need a more runoff. Also, the elevation changes make entering and exiting the front straight a dangerous undertaking in faster cars.

High Speed Ring: More runoff on the unbanked corners.

Motor Sports Land: Seems to have been intended as a kart course, so add a pit area and you're good to go.

Complex String: The major sticking point here would be the first corner - it's almost 180 degrees, you're approaching at Warp 9, and due to the layout of the course there's nowhere to put more runoff incase you mess it up. Wouls make an excellent test course though.

Motorland: It's a bit big for karts, but too small for anything but Kei cars. Who would bother?

Beginner Course: Just a bit cramped, and it isn't even a proper oval. (Has runoff on the outside, the pits are on the outside, and there's next to no banking.)

Test Course (both forms): We already have a few giant ovals for top speed testing, why would we need one more?

SSR5: Since this is a fantasy course I have no shame in putting it here. Add more runoff and it'd be a brilliant course.

SSR7: No place for runoff on the inside and you'd need a lot of room to bulid it. Plus, as soon as you did, the FIA would ruin it with chicanes.

SSR11 (both): See SSR5.

Nameless GT2 track that was used for some exams: Everything about this place seems pretty good to me. Also, raise your hand if you think running the 30M radius section into the 80M radius section would be cool. It seems to have two versions as seen in that braking while turning test in the Legacy.

Grindelwald: Is this run on real roads? If so, racing in Switzerland has been banned since the 1955 LeMans disaster and the government has been strangely resistant to changing that. If not, it needs, you guessed it, more runoff!

Eiger Nordwand: Seems to be run on real roads, so see above. Pit space is also very limited, and having your pit area on the edge of a steep drop doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

El Capitan: Racing in a national park? I can almost hear the environmentalists shouting now.

Costa di Amalfi: Seems like a fantasy course to me so I don't feel bad for mentioning it. Wild elevation changes, too narrow, and absolutely no runoff anywhere.

 

[pez2k]

Let's see...
Super Speedway: No problems here, assuming you're talking about the GT3-style pit-in and not GT2's cramped entrance.

It's actually a real circuit, a layout of Motegi. Indycar and NASCAR have even run there. It took PD until GT4 to actually get the track license however.

 

[ZEROX]

Cape Ring would be never realistic at all. From what i'd see, almost no runoff and there's some part of the circuit only to be guard with a simple fence. Out and you'll fall down the cliff/mountain.

But i kinda like that circuit. Trial Moutain also, no barrier for those rock to guard. Awesome dangerous.

 

[GTOne2Three]

It's actually a real circuit, a layout of Motegi. Indycar and NASCAR have even run there. It took PD until GT4 to actually get the track license however.

The GT3 variation was my favorite.

 

[FanBoy08]

I think some of these may be possible like the High Speed Ring, Grand Valley, and Midfield. But the rest of them would be too expensive to build or just not possible at all without some modifications.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Original post redacted after further reading in the thread.

Hate to say it, but there isn't a single track that I'd really want to make in real life. Cape Ring is closest, but IMO all the GT5 tracks are inferior to the "real" tracks.

 

[akyp]

After refreshing my memory on Apricot Hill on youtube, I think they removed it because it's somewhat similar to Suzuka -- the uphill esses, the hairpin, and the chicane.

I don't think anyone would mind having it back though.

 

[alexlees]

Eiger is a real location but the track is pure fantasey, there is no physical reason the track couldn't be built except that it is right in the middle of a ski slope, and the Swiss government hates anything to do with cars and motorsport

 

[Koolad]

I read that Monte Carlo wouldn't exist if it was put forward in the modern era. Pretty much only in the F1 calender and other race series due to its history and the fact they've managed to deal with the tracks obvious safety issues rather effectively as times gone by.

Only real track that would make it from the GT originals in GT5 would probably be Autumn Ring. The tunnel/loop combo would be difficult to construct I imagine, but I suppose it would be possible. Alot easier than carving tracks through mountains and linking them with bridges ala Grand Valley.

Wouldn't want no more from fantasy tracks though, you won't be able to drive through these mountains and over bridges with a lake beneath anywhere else but GT.

Bridge: Parcmotor Castellolí

 

[paulpg87]

they have too much jumps

 

[SuperCobraJet]

Most of the tracks from "Yesteryear" have been destroyed by Chicanes and other idiotic things to slow the racing down and make it more "Safe". With that in mind, I douby any of the tracks in GT would ever be made into a real circuit. If the same layout (w/out the "JUMPS" could be made in a more open area with proper run-off and safety access then I might believe some of them could be. Too many Safety-Crats these days though... BRING BACK MONZA before it was NEUTERED.. (Curve Grande to Lesmo's had NO chicanes, then, Lesmo's to the Parabolica (Last corner) there were also NO CHICANES..only big sweeping turns. It WAS a beautiful, flowing circuit. It's ruined now as far as I'm concerned. Even the version they claim that has "no chicanes", still has chicanes. <-- Not sure where that rant came from..sorry guys. I just HATE what they're doing to tracks these days.

I agree with you 100%. 👍

 

[tankuroded]

Grand Valley:

Autopolis:

Methinks there was some inspiration there.

Even more if the Autopolis layout is mirrored. 💡

 

[HuskyGT]

Cape Ring. Two things: The loop and that stupid jump after it. I mean, the loop is fine, but that jump destroys the realistic experience(and cars).

Trail Mountain: Its Gran Turismo general culture, but the tunnel sections, specially between the first two, would be absolutly dangerous. Solid rock doesn´t do well with cars doing over 100. Plus, the monkey in the tree could jump down the track and provoke a desaster.

Deep Forest: Beautiful track, but it would create the same dangerous situations as the aboved mentioned. Too many unsecured areas, including one that could send you flying down a cliff, and drown into a river.

Grand Valley: As others mentioned, that track would be possible, but it would be insanely expensive to build.

High Speed Ring: Perhaps the only possible track. It could do well with a few sand traps specially after the main straight going in its reverse configuration.

 

[Destinkeys]

Grand Valley:

Autopolis:

Methinks there was some inspiration there.

Misses the great elevation changes that make Autopolis such a great track, though...

Autopolis was one of my faves from Shift. I'd pay good money for a DLC that added in Spa, AutopolisGP, Silverstone, Donnington and Road America. I like those longish tracks (but not as long as Nordschliese).

 

[Falango]

Cape Ring is probably one of the most unrealistic tracks in terms of what could be actually built. All the cliffs and that jump would make for a very unsafe course.

Midfield Raceway is one that comes to mind that could be pulled off. High Speed Ring is another. Deep Forest and Trial Mountain have too many areas with exposed rocks, as already mentioned.

 

[Destinkeys]

There'd certainly be a lot more appreciation for more modern courses if the consequences of wrecking on somewhere like Cape Ring, or Eiger or other courses like these were reflected in the game. Go over the edge on those, lose your GT Life!

Lose ALL your stats, lose all your money, lose all your cars, and have to restart as another driver! Maybe THEN, having a decent runoff area wouldn't be considered such a wimpy feature!

Real driving physics is nice. Real crashing consequences would be nice, too! Can't WAIT for the full damage mode to turn up! Especially if you had to pay for it each time. Bet you those complaining the most about the tracks with good runoff would be driving them almost exclusively!

 

[niky]

Or we'd simply drive slower.

I've opined this elsewhere... but I play video games to relax (which is why I don't do Enduros). I've had to pay for roasted brakes, burnt clutches, jumped timing belts, overheats, busted bushings, bent rims and shredded tires in real life... and I don't even do that many track days.

I don't really fancy paying for damage (or death benefits for my Bobs) in virtual life, as well.

I've always viewed GT's fantasy tracks as a review of the possible, rather than out-and-out fantasy tracks (the only one I'd consider such is the Cape Ring)... they're an expression in digital form of what your favorite driving road might be like if you wound it into a loop and knotted it together.

 

[thedeester1]

I am seriously considering recreating one of GT's tracks in Scalextric. In a few months (spring/summer) I'm having my attic/loft converted into a room for either a model railway (Railroad for our American cousins), or a fully modelled Racing track.

Imagine Grand Valley Speedway built in Scalextric Digital; have the lads round, a few beers, Custom built Mazda 787B, Minolta Toyota 88C-V, Nissan R92C-P and [insert another great car from the GT roster here]....

It's more than possible in model form.

Or maybe, for irony, I'll build a Samba Bus, Kubelwagen, Benz Patent Motor Wagen etc and watch them chug around the track backwards. Because forwards is too much to ask.

Good luck with the Scalextric track! I hope you have room. Back when I was at school a freind of mine used to set the Scalextric up in the yard and leave it out...Yes Im old...It didnt rain all summer and no one Nicked it (mainly cause we all had to chip our sets in to make it big enough)!. We were doing scale in maths so we decided to build a scale of Silverstone. We Ran out of yard Pretty Fast. I suppose if you have a big house then you might do it. We Lived in terrace houses at the time but the yards wernt so small!