I started with the original Gran Turismo when I was 13 or 14. I remember seeing a small preview of it in GamePro. I was actually a little taken aback by it, as it described a "realistic" racing game that was sure to be "really challenging" or something. What exactly were all the racing games I play then, I thought? Unrealistic? Easy? The graphics looked good. I swear it made me nervous.
My best friend ended up getting it the day it came out. I must have pressured him to do so. Just getting started, it seemed really alien compared to the Need for Speed and Test Drive type crap we were used to. We bought a used red Celica. Oh boy. We went to try it out in a time trial at Grand Valley East. The track didn't look too curvy, should be easy.
He took it out for a go. Slow, wow. Will we ever get to the end of this straightaway? Finally, coming down to turn 1... screeched right off into the gravel. What happened? Restart, give me the control. Ok, here comes turn 1... slam on the e-brake, just like NFS taught me! Surely I was going to rail around that bend! I cruised all the way to the wall, BAM.
Gran Turismo is the only racing game either of us ever really played since.