Making It Easier to Create Racing Series Through Classification

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Hi, I've begun creating a spreadsheet to classify every vehicle by it's characteristics (2 door, 4 door, convertible, Race Car/Racing Modified, etc.) and it's size/type (mid-size, entry luxury, executive, kei car, etc.).

Why? Because I'm a little compulsive and like having things in a nice neat order. Also, I believe this will make it easier to create varied challenges and series here on GTP. I've only been a member a week, and only participated in one official race, but I like this community and believe this will help improve it (or at least add some variety) for the online racing enthusiasts.

The caveat: the examples above are only a small sampling of the classifications. There's the American classifications, British classifications, Euro Classifications, and Japanese classifications. And, to be honest, I think there needs to be a unified/GTP set of classifications to better focus on the sporting aspect. For instance, Hot Hatch isn't an officially recognized classification, but is one that should be included.

Here's what I need from the community at large: A general consensus on the GTP/Unified classifications and some help populating the spreadsheet with little x's for the classes for each car.

TL/DR: Made a big spreadsheet; need help filling it in; want community decision regarding car classifications; want a spreadsheet to help make it easier to build racing series.

Here's the spreadsheet.

For those that want to help, PM me and I'll add you as an editor on the spreadsheet.
 
I think you've gone too far.

A few classes would be helpful, but so many would get confusing.

I'd use something like this:

Compacts
Muscle cars
Sports cars
Utility vehicles
Super cars
Race cars (by series)

Also by era

Pre-1960
61-70
71-80
81-90
91-00
00-10

For racing, I might also group them by

Modified
Unmodified
 
The leveling deal is a nice touch for Gran Turismo. For a future GT, better classification (or classification in general) would be the next best step for putting cars together. Look at Enthusia and the Forza Motorsport series in putting cars into classes. As a bad example of classification, how can you have the Super GT series but have Japanese cars as the only restriction? You can basically bring a Nissan R92CP and spank all the other Super GT cars like a bad stepchild. Conversely, you can bring a Daihatsu Midget D-Type to the Pick-Up Truck Challenge (though it is a pickup truck). The classification for most cars in most races in GT5 is criminally liberal.
 
Very good idea but I think you should have a focus. I think you stated that focus in your second sentence: "I believe this will make it easier to create varied challenges and series". That's the GREAT idea! Which cars without adding ANY parts (stock) are comparable to each other where it counts "on the track". Basically you should be looking at HP and acceleration primarily. That's a huge task because you'd have to take each car onto the track and record its performance. Otherwise you'd get some "body" styles and "names" (like LM) that are comparable but not all. For example a stock Honda NSX-R Prototye LM Race Car would get spanked on the track by a Ford GT LM Spec II. Both are LM's both are not the same.
 
@iamjajo: I agree, it is overboard; that's why I want to get a general consensus on car classifications. It will make things easier than having to create a list of vehicles for each race series that want to be created. Not that it's that difficult, but why not make it easier and include the community in doing so. I agree that fewer classes is better, but it should be a bit more segmented than your initial groupings. More below.

@JohnBM01: I absolutely agree, this should have been included from the start, and the fact that you can't even be selective in online races with limiters that are already included is annoying (i.e. selecting a year or range of years). That's why I've created this spreadsheet and would like to build on it to give more options. No more worrying about whether or not you forgot a car from a series listing, etc.

@FishHunters: I love the idea of someone testing and documenting or even reviewing the cars in the game; what a great concept. But it's easy enough already to limit vehicles by HP (and by approximate extension, acceleration). The concept I had was to put the cars in their varied classes to group vehicle types together more easily.

Let's say you wanted to get a spot race going (or even a series) with stock compact hatchbacks. You don't want GTI's and Type R's in the race, just the non-sports models. With this list you'd be able to say "GTP Class Compact 3 and 5 doors, no more than 375PP, Comfort Med Tires," rather than creating a list of vehicles that meet this criteria.

Here's my vote for GTP Classes:

Micro
Compact
Hot Hatch
Sports Car
Muscle Car
Mid Size Sedan/Coupe
Full Size Sedan/Coupe
Luxo Mid
Luxo Full
Truck
Van
* - Reserving this spot for ones I missed.

I hope this makes my intentions a little more clear. Sorry for the confusion.
 
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@Dragon_Dude: I found the link. That's a huge help with how we can pare down the list.

I will, over the next few days, create sheets for each grouping of classes and move the cars into the correct classes, once we get a consensus. i.e. Race cars on one sheet with divisions for GT1, GT2, etc. Compact cars on another with a divisions for micro/compact/hot hatch, etc.
 
Actually not easy enough to class by limiting HP. Just did a race between a 908 HDI and a Ford GM LM Spec II. 908HDI was stock at 700HP, the Ford tuned up to 700 HP. Guess who won easily? The 908. The limiter is not the "fix" for everything. HP, Acceleration, top-end speed, and handling are the keys to "equal-classification"; where it counts and that's on the track.
 
@FishHunters, you're absolutely right. I was mistaken, the HP is not the best indicator, performance points is much better, though still not perfect. Coming back around to my original point, those two race cars are in different classes. The 908 is an actual race car designed and purpose built for the 24 Hours of LeMans, not a modified street car like the Ford GT.
 
Actually going to do the on track testing for "race cars" only; not street. For my racing league I need to know which cars are competitive with each other. An easy way to do it is make it one-spec races; but who likes to see 16 of the same cars on the track? Not. What I'll do is max tune them then limit their power to a specific HP. Run them on a track like Daytona or Indy and clock their times at each HP with several runs to get an average. Speadsheet the results using columns of HP from 500, 550, 600, etc...

Can anyone show me how to post up a spreadsheet for everyone to access?
 
Started testing. First two cars chosen were the 787B & Minolta 88C. Both tuned to 850HP, 1000kg, Aero set to default. Real grip reduction, racing softs, tranny to 255mph. Basically everything equal or default for that car. Ran Daytona. Enough laps to get two consecutive near-perfect laps. Results: 88C: 40.242 - 787B: 39.460. Difference of .782. Close enough for my purposes to call them in the same class. Straight line speed. Do I need to run a track with turns? I don't think so because when racing a lot of that depends on a drivers skill. Handling will play a role in competitiveness.
 

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