So, I have been running my first few cars through Sunday-Normal-Clubman-GT-then Hard-tuned. Working out well, incrementally increasing upgrades as I go.
This is similar to what I used to do.
I like having different drivers, each represented by a different memory card, or sometimes there are more than 1 per card. Obviously, I have a lot of PS1 memory cards.
Anyways, I would usually go like this: Spot Races (all 5 of them)->Sunday Cup -> Clubman -> GT Cup (my favorite) ->drivetrain races (FF, FR, &/or 4WD, depending on which cars they've got).
After that it varied. I would soup up my ride (all GT1 cars can get a race-kit) and do the World Cup usually, and then move to the Nationals (UK vs. US, etc). Finally, there's the endurance races, "Normal" series, and Hard Tuned. It took me several years before I finally finished the Hard Tuned races, actually, ...GT2 began to grab my curiosity firmly before I could finally finish GT1.
I have been trying to stay on par with the competition, kind of a guess on the ai's kitting. For example, on Clubman I kit a rom, intercooler, turbo1, tires, stabilizers, muffler, weight red 1, and bb controller. Then stepping it for GT, then hard-tuned. Does anyone have any insight into the kits ai uses for the series based on drivetrain and engine type (FR, 4 wheel, ff)?
Okay, check this out. Before each and every GT race, the Ai is listed in full specs including
weight and power. If you divide a car's weight by its power, you get the weight/power ratio (or if you prefer, you can go backwards, divide a car's power by its weight...and get the power/weight ratio).
Gt1 is the ONLY GT that gives you full specs like this before a race. Once you know a car's p/w ratio or w/p ratio, you can then set you own car up so that it's got similar specs to the Ai. 👍 And if you're still too "good", you can challenge yourself further by removing more power and/or parts.
The only question then becomes tires, suspension and other parts. I would often run my car near-stock in the spot races (normal tires, stock suspension) and then slowly upgrade as I went up the ladder, making judgement calls along the way as to what I'd need. Some cars don't need much "help" you will find. Obvious races where the Ai has a race-kit, I would (of course) upgrade to a racing kit as well.
I created a crude log book which is just a record of times and placings. I have had success with the MR2. My '94 180 sx type x got 2nd at hard-tuned and I just got nipped in the final stretch by the supra at ssr11 2 with my 95 wagon stiII to take 2nd. I know that the wagon can win it, I had to tune some during the series. It seems that I have gotten into a lull by tuning the FR cars and the 4WD is totally different. The 180 sx type x can win the hard-tuned also, just needs more tuning. I have also been racing my MA70 (see other thread) and think I finally have that tuned as a lock in hard-tuned now. I have won it 3 times now, each time more convincingly. I will post my settings sometime soon so you can give feedback. For now, I am open to any suggestion on the 180 or the wagon. I thought Sportswagon would want to add a post on that, I had never tried a wagon until I saw the name and was curious. My other recent venture has been trying to win normal series with the Red Concept. Any past-winners on that course with that car? There's my post, long and beefy, and looking for some good replies.
I personally didn't do the Hard-tuned races too often, matter of fact, I only won them in a Viper and I consider (for now) my GT1 days "done".
I did try to use a red Dodge Concept as well, but it just hasn't got the power to keep up. I was actually disappointed after hours of trying to gold the licenses, only to get such an underpowered car. And the purple Concept can't enter since it's got aerodynamic parts. ;....
