Top Gear Challenge: Pain in the unmentionables

[ChUnKieBaLLz]

Samba Bus challenge is still annoying me. Really want to unlock the track for practice runs but find myself getting frustrated after 2-3 disqualifications due to dodgy AI and then just going off to do something else

For the Samba bus, you need to know where the AI positions itself and stay behind to draft at all times. There are times when the AI clings to you, that's your cue that you're in their driving line and need to move off a little bit and they'll detach. Again, it's the same strategy with the Elise, your overtaking chances are after 1st corner and at Chicago. You can steal 2-3 spots from late braking Hammerhead. Late braking on Bacharach and you can get 2 spots, and Gambon one spot if you're really close. And if you need some speed, you can bump the AI in front of you to continue the draft during follow through and bentley.

 

[euros only]

stay cool for the first few corners then on the last two go fast youll pass most of them i got gold easily like that

 

[Keshian]

Do you have a wheel or DS3? I can imagine it being a nightmare for DS3, but for wheel, it is definitely possible with lots and lots of practice.

I use a DS3 and i beat the Stig :-D the toughest was the VW sambabus thing. It is possible with a pad :-D

TCS 1 ABS 1 everything else off ;-) a real handful but sooo rewarding

 

[dautolover]

hey guys
just wanted to comment on this challenge.
the first challenge, with the vans, is not necessarily hard (at least for me). The goal here is to find a space in between the vans, and overtake in the corners where you will always have the advantage. You can brake later than the AI in nearly every corner, and you can easily take the second to last corner flat out (just take of your foot of the gad pedal and you'll zoom right by). Again, finding the space is more important-- you run the risk of being disqualified in the second to last corner if you take it flat out. A lot of things help. I found that changing views was helpful (the outside view being the worst, since the van is so tall you can't really tell what's in front of you. Bumper cam or cockpit cam are the best.
The Lotus challenge... I'm still working on it. I'm using the DFGT wheel, which is good and all, in terms of the control you have. But even then the challenge is incredibly difficult, making me question whether the Elise I drove in GT4, which had more grip, was miles away from the real deal (meaning that previous titles don't deserve the sub-title of REAL DRIVING SIMULATOR). My complaints are the same as the others--lack of downforce, even at 100 mph, meaning that you'll spin out regardless. I managed to do one lap, a slow one, but it was quite a work out. I concede, I'm not the best driver. A bit more practice with counter-steer would help a lot. But I don't feel I'm that bad. You are talking to a guy that took on LMP1 and Group C cars with a Dodge Viper GTS-R (last event in the Professional events). Took some manipulation (restarting events, TCS, qualifying for 1st and not letting the other cars finish their lap). But given the circumstances, I think that you can cut me some slack. I'm also a guy who likes using underpowered cars to take down more powerful supercars. It can't be me.
Having said that, I would like to know if any more people have been able to pass the event without aids. I take pride on taking down other cars with assists off (I feel everyone should). It seems "dirty" to pass the course with assists on, but if there is no other way, I will have to make an exemption.

 

[stinger061]

EE*TIUH#WI&%G*&#F$G!~!!!!!!!!

Now that is out of the way I can get on with the story. Been at the Samba bus challenge for about an hour now. Speed isn't proving to be an issue, just the stupid AI and DQ criteria. I've only successfully completed the race once in which I finished 2nd which was all my fault as I bottled it at Hammerhead on the 2nd lap. In my most recent race I ran perfectly and hit the lead in the lead up to the 2nd last corner only to get to confident and stupidly go to quick through it resulting in me running onto the grass with the win in sight.

 

[drastick]

hey guys
just wanted to comment on this challenge.
the first challenge, with the vans, is not necessarily hard (at least for me). The goal here is to find a space in between the vans, and overtake in the corners where you will always have the advantage. You can brake later than the AI in nearly every corner, and you can easily take the second to last corner flat out (just take of your foot of the gad pedal and you'll zoom right by). Again, finding the space is more important-- you run the risk of being disqualified in the second to last corner if you take it flat out. A lot of things help. I found that changing views was helpful (the outside view being the worst, since the van is so tall you can't really tell what's in front of you. Bumper cam or cockpit cam are the best.
The Lotus challenge... I'm still working on it. I'm using the DFGT wheel, which is good and all, in terms of the control you have. But even then the challenge is incredibly difficult, making me question whether the Elise I drove in GT4, which had more grip, was miles away from the real deal (meaning that previous titles don't deserve the sub-title of REAL DRIVING SIMULATOR). My complaints are the same as the others--lack of downforce, even at 100 mph, meaning that you'll spin out regardless. I managed to do one lap, a slow one, but it was quite a work out. I concede, I'm not the best driver. A bit more practice with counter-steer would help a lot. But I don't feel I'm that bad. You are talking to a guy that took on LMP1 and Group C cars with a Dodge Viper GTS-R (last event in the Professional events). Took some manipulation (restarting events, TCS, qualifying for 1st and not letting the other cars finish their lap). But given the circumstances, I think that you can cut me some slack. I'm also a guy who likes using underpowered cars to take down more powerful supercars. It can't be me.
Having said that, I would like to know if any more people have been able to pass the event without aids. I take pride on taking down other cars with assists off (I feel everyone should). It seems "dirty" to pass the course with assists on, but if there is no other way, I will have to make an exemption.

The key with the Lotus is driving aids, and before you say you're too awesome for driving aids, well, some cars are just meant for them. A Lotus in GT5 and in real life is one of those cars.

The third challenge was fun with the Schimmerwagon thing, max it out at 81 KM/H and dont hit the rev limiter (bounces you down to 70 KM/H), and don't hit the cars crossing at the middle!

 

[sdstig]

wait a second...I just read this whole thread now: Is the ONLY way to unlock the TG track on practice and arcade by beating the Bus challenge and getting gold?

 

[stinger061]

It would seem that way yes

 

[mafia_boy]

Bus = Easy. More frustrating than anything from the lack of speed.
Elise = HARD!! I'm getting sick of that first elise stepping out to the right as I'm about to drift around him!! I'm getting sick of being punted into the cones aswell!!

Mind you, I am doing this with a DS3 with ZERO AIDS!!

 

[jgtc_lover]

Well, after about 10 more tries with the bus, I finally turned my silver into gold. One thing I noticed was that at Bacharach, there's a fairly wide margin you can cut through the grass without being disqualified. Another more disturbing thing, if an AI driver knocks a solid orange cone (ones that disqualify you if hit) into the middle of the road and you hit it, you are still disqualified.

 

[ObscureSerenity]

I tried the Samba event after I'd only done teh Sunday Cup... I was lvl 13 and came back to it... got it after 2 attempts... seems some experience was all I needed. The main tip I found useful was finding just how much you can *nudge* those others hippies! I mean, they nudge me enough... quid pro quo I say!

Same went for the next challange with the Lotus. I had been using the E-Type Jag in some races, and you can really get teh back of that thing out and slide around a lot... fun! So After a few (nee, 15) goes, I found I was really having to just try and drift the car around a lot. Finish 2nd twice, then first... YAY!!!

THen tried it again, just because I'm into SM that way, and managed another first! This time though I just threw the car around as much as I could... and even went off the track a few times without getting the common DQ screen?!?! ...made a video of that, so will figure out how to upload it from the PS3 at some point.

Another more disturbing thing, if an AI driver knocks a solid orange cone (ones that disqualify you if hit) into the middle of the road and you hit it, you are still disqualified.

I KNOW!!! That p***ed me right off that did! On one run, I even had the car airborn after a few cones were thrust in front of me from the leading Lotus!

 

[ROYALEFATALE]

the DQ criteria seems to be very hit or miss, in several races i've nailed some cars and no disqualification and others i'm riding next to someone sharing paint and it DQs me -___- anyway i gave up on the elise challenge, WAY too much oversteer to be competitive

 

[dautolover]

The key with the Lotus is driving aids, and before you say you're too awesome for driving aids, well, some cars are just meant for them. A Lotus in GT5 and in real life is one of those cars.

The third challenge was fun with the Schimmerwagon thing, max it out at 81 KM/H and dont hit the rev limiter (bounces you down to 70 KM/H), and don't hit the cars crossing at the middle!

i didnt say i was awesome. lol.
there are others who have done it. ill think about doing it with aids if it turns out that its really that impossible

 

[tami]

I finished all 3 challenges with gold. the first two I found quite hard and annoying but the third one (advanced) was really fun with those VW Kubelwagen

but the worts thing about Top Gear Challenges that if you finish them all gold you get a (spoiler!) Lotus Elise Type 72 '01 not even Premium....
but I'm happy at least the Track is now open 👍

 

[Deadmeat238]

The Lotus challenge... I'm still working on it. I'm using the DFGT wheel, which is good and all, in terms of the control you have. But even then the challenge is incredibly difficult, making me question whether the Elise I drove in GT4, which had more grip, was miles away from the real deal (meaning that previous titles don't deserve the sub-title of REAL DRIVING SIMULATOR).

The trouble with the lotus one is the tyres, comfort hard. The Lotus 111r is my favourite car (so far) and with a few upgrades, soft sport and sport suspension, it's a completely different beast. In the challenge I can spin easily with all the aids on, in my 111r it's almost glued to the road with all the driving aids (besides abs=1) off.

 

[Gaz Vonhammer]

The lotus challenge is amazing.

I set position targets for gold (I have everything off,apart from ABS1,so you may get a few extra places)
Lap 1
8th position into Chicago
5th out of hammerhead
4th and a few car lengths over the line
2nd lap
3rd and all over 2nd out of Chicago
into 2nd at the hammerhead
take 1st just before gambon

A good tip to gain places into Chicago on lap one.

You need the inside line,and to be side by side with 12th as you enter turn one.

You then nail it towards 10th and 9th,and almost straight line between them in third gear

before braking and down shifting into 2nd gear and taking 8th,and even 7th if get good drive out of the corner.

And you can do it with no contact 👍

From that point in there are no other tips,it's about being smooth and using downshifts and engine braking to keep the car from sliding.

 

[PureAwesomeness]

Beat the samba stage this afternoon. Took a few attempts but it is pretty easy when you get the hang of it. Nearly punched a hole in the monitor when I got disqualified for being hit by someone else's flying cone though!

 

[raceur]

How I did gold samab (ymmv)

Draft down the first straight
Down in third for Turn 1, go up the inside
Accel (well, as far as it does) into 4th
The others will jink left at the end of the short straight, you go straight on
Back to third for the right-hander, you can put two wheels over the line
Should be between 6 and 7 seconds behind at the first timing mark. Draft, draft, draft
Outbrake more cars into Hammerhead.
Third gear
draft, draft, draft all the way through the Follow-through
Corner just before Gambon is a great place to pass just make sure you end up on the inside
Third gear for Gambon, and cut it
I was second by the end of the first lap and after that it's easy

hope that helped someone!

It's really not that hard. I think we make it so by pushing too much too soon.

 

[Blitz24]

Kubelwagen is extremely fun. Its so much fun watching your opponents get smashed up by cars running not even in your race. I won that by 4 seconds with minimal strategy other than don't get hit by the Schimmelwagens.

 

[akeyX]

Samba bus is crazy, but gold is possible (for me, after 2h). For the lotus, i have found out that you have to be at least 3rd in 2nd round, then in last corner of 2nd round you can get passed him, I tried it for 2h also and got gold. Good luck !

 

[earthwateruser]

Yeah, the VW bus challenge was kind of strange. Turns out that the buses (busses?) handle a LOT better than they should. Just keep it flat out and drift it around most of the corners.

I actually got a gold w/ the intermediate Lotus challenge w/o traction control and using just the controller. It's just that you have to choose your line carefully. And if you aren't in at least 4th place (preferably second) going into hammerhead on the first lap, then start over.

 

[colic]

Here is a video of my gold run on the GT5 Top Gear test track with the samba bus, lots of people seem to be having trouble with this one but is quite simple if you follow a few simple tips.

1) If you have the driving line on completely ignore it as it is going to make you slower the lines are rubbish especially the 1st corner, use my line to carry more speed out of the corner, also ignore the braking points as you can break very late and get round most corners

2) Always take the inside line, the AI always go wide and slow so always nip inside and you can overtake easily this way

3) Be aggressive, you can get away with a bit of contact on this without being DQ'd

4) avoid the other buses, especially if they are behind you as they will spin you out. If you dont have the room then take a different line of break.

As you will see from this lap it is quite easy to get to first position well before the end of the lap and you can then just cruise around!

[YOUTUBEHD]vEqUM6DAdXA[/YOUTUBEHD]

 

[GleepGlop]

http://www.justin.tv/rav13age/b/274700903?

Here is the Lotus Elise challenge golded with just abs on 1.

If it hasnt been mentioned yet, that video is edited. the last car he passes he gets too close to the grass (recognized this immediately after how many tries it took me just to get silver) he is passing a red car and the video jumps and then the car is blue in his rear view. Also notice how he doesnt bother showing the finish with the gold.

 

[CallyLadJay]

Samba-bus is just painfully, devastatingly slow and Elise with TCS off is nearly impossible to drive

Anyone have tips?

Dude, you just gotta know how to handle them. The lotus is awesome to drive if you know how, i basically drifted around the opponents overtaking 2-4 at a time. keep trying man!

 

[vsaber]

well I finally got my gold on the elise, had to turn on the slip assist thingy and active steering to mild, level 1 TC.
I actually managed to get to 2nd n while overtaking the #1 at gambon, he bumped so I got DQed...twice...

Anyways next round, I tried driving smoother, not as hardcore, by gambon at the 1st lap I managed to get to 4th, each sharp corner/chicane after that taking over 3rd then 2nd, then I went into satefy mode just following the #1 car until after the follow thru which I proceed to overtake him, ended up winning by 1.3second-ish. Thumb is sore like heck, but I feel good now

IMO, the hardest cars to overtake r actually #11 and #10 because we tend to be too aggressive at the first corner, I did nearly 30 tries that ended up crashing on #11. I learnt from some folks here to brake earlier to "air" for the apex and accelerate abit to pass the #10 (or at least side by side) by the first corner.
After that the rest is somewhat more forgiving
I'm gonna try it again with no assist as soon as my thumb gets better, I think its doable

 

[Alex p.]

Okay guys you gotta help me out on this one PLEASE. It's the third one with the Kübelwagen, I got first and all but then all of a sudden I'm 8th?? What? I was in front of everybody and when I cross the line it still says lap nr.1...is that a glitch or is there a trick?

 

[Evolution_GT]

Okay guys you gotta help me out on this one PLEASE. It's the third one with the Kübelwagen, I got first and all but then all of a sudden I'm 8th?? What? I was in front of everybody and when I cross the line it still says lap nr.1...is that a glitch or is there a trick?

You must've not been following the track properly... since it intersects, you can easily eff yourself over by not knowing where you're going.

 

[Alex p.]

You must've not been following the track properly... since it intersects, you can easily eff yourself over by not knowing where you're going.

Nope, I was driving properly. I know the track.

 

[Xtriko]

Thanks for the tip Really easy, lol finished the 1st lap on 2nd place overtake the 1st on the 2nd coner and went easy to the finish lol

 

[CardiffGiant11]

Well I FINALLY got Gold on the Samba bus trial. I was able to get as high as second once or twice in the past and even had my friend try it (in case he was a better driver than I) a few times the other night but no luck. After reading this thread and watching some of the videos, I turned off all driver aids except for ABS (left it where it was by default). It seems like between that and the videos showing me a slightly better driving line it was fairly easy. I was able to get 2nd, then was really close to passing the 1st place guy on the next run but got careless and ran off the track at Chicago. The third time was the charm though and I believe I took first place right after the hammerhead and had no trouble.

Pain in the butt, but I'm not that great of a driver and even I was able to do it. I think the biggest thing is that the driver aids slow you down more than necessary since the van actually doesn't handle all that terribly. As soon as I turned those off I was able to carry much more speed.