40Following on from the Mini-Championship we had last weekend, we are expanding into a fully-fledged TSA Gran Turismo 5 Championship!
The championship will run for five weeks, kicking off on Sunday 20th of February at 6:30PM GMT. There is space for 16 players including Roynaldo and myself as race marshals. If, however, we see significantly more interest than this, we will be able to expand the competition to feature a second lobby. This would be on a different day of the week. (Comments that you would like to race but can’t do Sundays will be taken into account here)
For the Race Weekends, as I like to call them, I think I’ve found an interesting and challenging mix that should give as many people as possible a decent chance at some points, and give the top drivers a big challenge.
A bigger explanation can be found on Page 2, whilst the cars and tracks exist on Page 3. You don’t need to read it, but in case you want to, the full rule book is on Page 4. Everything is explained fully in this forum thread.
I can’t emphasise enough how this competition isn’t all that complicated. All the leg work is done by the marshals, you just need to show up and race fast and fair.
There are two races each week, and you have 15 minutes to qualify for the first race. However, the second race uses Reverse Results Grid order. The two races are of different lengths, the Distance Race lasts 20-25 minutes, with a compulsory pit stop, and the Sprint Race for 10-15 minutes. They switch order from week to week, and have different points awarded for placing in the top 8.
There are also a few different sets of closely matched cars that will be used on different weeks. A few are available to all in online games regardless of whether you own them or not, so you don’t need loads of money to come and race. For all the cars, there are either limited or no upgrades that you can apply, and restrictions will be fairly tough to ensure people aren’t gaining an unfair advantage. So we should have as level a playing field as possible.
As I said above, don’t worry about understanding every little rule. For the first few weeks I’ll be explaining how things run, to ease everyone into the competition.
The most important thing is that people have fun!
I won’t be announcing the prizes today, but I can guarantee that it will be a fairly snazzy set of things for the winner and a few others. Everyone that races, no matter how well they actually do, will be in with a shot of winning something nice. I will reveal all along with the player list next week.
To enter, all you have to do is email Stefan@tsa2.org with “GT5 Championship” as the subject, and include your TSA ID and PSN ID in the body of the email. The closing time for entries is 10PM on Wednesday 16th of February. The player list will then be revealed the following day, Thursday.
If you want to enter, but can’t commit to Sundays, shout at me in the comments below, so I can gauge interest in a second lobby. Also, there is a second test meet this Sunday at 6PM, so feel free to come along for a practice run, where I’ll be free for questioning.
Head over to Pages 2-4 for enough details on the competition to make your brain hurt. There are several points which I’ve left off the front page for purposes of simplicity, but feel free to ask if there’s anything that’s not clear.
ATTENTION: Due to popular demand, we are opening entries for a Monday 6:30PM GMT lobby. When entering, please specify which is your preferred day to race on in the body of the email. This also means there will be a 6th week of racing, details of which will be arranged at a later date.
We’ve always got something going on, such as PS+ Challenges, so keep checking in on the Community, Competitions and Meets sections of the site, as well as following @thesixthaxis and @TSACom on twitter for even more TSA.
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11/02/2011 at 13:11
Member since: Jan 2010
Just going out, skimmed through, I’m interested in joining, I’ll read it in depth when I get back. ;-)
11/02/2011 at 13:15
Member since: May 2009
Yeah, skimming is fine. You don’t /need/ to read it in depth. As I say, turn up in the right car and you can just race.
Cars are on Page 3.
11/02/2011 at 13:11
Member since: Jan 2011
I can’t play Sundays. Its on during the time I go to the gym and watch countryfile while on the treadmill.
11/02/2011 at 13:19
Member since: Forever
This is a great competition and so well planned.
Don’t be daunted by the amount of info here, it’s just because all the planning is here on display from the start. We’re also going to come up with some really cool prizes for people too (and not just the winners) so worth getting involved.
11/02/2011 at 13:22
Member since: Aug 2010
I’m up for this apart from the start time aint good for me. FYI teffers I’m good for 6.30pm onwards Mon – Fri. So if you get more interest then count me in for any of those times.
11/02/2011 at 13:27
Member since: May 2009
Apologies for having kept it on Sunday. It felt like it was a time that would work for the majority, but here’s hoping we get the numbers to let us have a second room!
11/02/2011 at 13:57
Member since: Feb 2011
Just sent e-mail so hopefully will be able to join… I think its a great format, bring on the racing..
11/02/2011 at 13:57
Member since: May 2009
The championship sounds great and all the rules and settings are fine except there could be a problem with the points. With only the top 12 scoring points in the second race the people who finish 13th-16th may think there’s no reason to take part in the second race and drop out.
11/02/2011 at 14:45
Member since: May 2009
I’ll admit that’s a risk, but the rule is there encourage people to keep racing, and not sit back to aim for a pole position in the second race. I didn’t want winning the first race to become an excessive penalty for the second race.
If I find enough people dislike this rule, I would look at ditching it.
11/02/2011 at 15:01
Member since: Sep 2010
I think it should stay as it is. Very valid point on racers racing for last to get a pole.
If I understand well enough, racers who do not finish within the top 12 in the first race will forfeit their points for the second race of the weekend and the next eligible racer will take the points instead? How about instead of awarding the points to the next eligible racer, the points are just forfeited.
To make it a bit more clear:
1st Race
1st RACER1
2nd RACER2
3rd RACER3
.
.
.
14th RACER4
15th RACER5
2nd Race
1st RACER4
2nd RACER2
3rd RACER5
.
.
.
With the current rules, RACER4 and RACER5 will have their points forfeited in the second race and RACER2 will get the 10 points awarded to 1st place(assuming it’s a sprint race) instead.
What I’m suggesting is that instead of RACER2 getting that 10 points for first, he instead retains his original points for his 2nd place finish(8 points). RACER4 and RACER5 still forfeit their points. This may prove to be an ‘incentive’ for RACER4 and RACER5 to continue racing as well as possible to knock off as many points from the other racers as possible.
Good idea? Or have I missed the point completely?
11/02/2011 at 15:05
Member since: May 2009
Maybe half points for the 13th-16th in the following race if people arn’t happy with the rule, just a thought.
11/02/2011 at 14:12
Member since: Aug 2009
I would really love to get into this, but don’t think I can commit to the Sunday time slot. I’ll have to convince the wifey it’s a good idea that I participate! But I would like to join.
11/02/2011 at 14:15
Member since: Jan 2009
Sounds very well organised and tempting. However, I was slightly disappointed to see the use of only racing tyres. Any thoughts on mixing it up with a challenging but managable combination of RWD and Sports tyres? Nothing crazy just something that requires a bit of thottle control. I am a SIXAXIS user. Please don’t take offence to my suggestion.
11/02/2011 at 14:36
Member since: May 2009
I’ve tried to make it fairly accessible to people, so that they can try and concentrate more on the racing than keeping the rear end of the Gallardo in check. The cars and tracks are set for the 5 weeks, but if there’s two lobbies, I’d look into this suggestion for a 6th week finale.
Not to worry, there’s definitely offence taken, and I hope you decide to enter. The more the merrier, after all.
11/02/2011 at 14:38
Member since: Sep 2010
Definitely offended deeply ;)
11/02/2011 at 14:21
Member since: Jul 2010
Sunday is the only day I can make it regularly, but I could only make it earlier. I normally have to be back at school by 7:30, but sometimes it’s 6:15, so this comp will have to be a no go for me :(
11/02/2011 at 14:22
Member since: Dec 2008
Awesome job guys, immense planning has gone into this by the looks of things and I am very happy to see a restricted choice of cars allowed for each event rather than a list of eight or so.
Anyhoo, I can be available for either of the tournaments on the Sunday jobby or the second overflow Weekday tournament. So pencil me in for either one depending on the numbers of people that apply. I’ll E-mail my entry request now :)
11/02/2011 at 17:15
Member since: May 2010
Seconded (Y)