John's Gran Turismo Space

High-Speed Racing Advice

2012-05-22T13:01:00.000-07:00

Racing at high speed is what almost any fan of motorsport wants to be able to do. However, there is a proper science to high-speed racing. Anyone can floor the throttle and go full speed. What if you're racing, though? You really need to learn high-speed racing technique to excel in high-speed racing. This blog post mostly concerns racing tactics rather than setup advice or anything. The use of drafting is mostly apparent especially in GT titles since GT3. So here are some talking points...

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Gran Turismo 5 - A Second Opinion

2012-05-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

On June 19, 2011; I reviewed Gran Turismo 5 exclusively here on John's Gran Turismo Space (JGTS). The time between that post and this one has left me with impressions of GT5. I began thinking about GT5 and began to develop second opinions about GT5. This blog post, then, is a look at GT5 based on the latest thoughts I've had about GT5. About the Label: "Second Opinion"While I may make my own initial reaction to things, I am entitled to make Second Opinions if I have to. This series...

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Endurance Racing Advice

2012-04-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

Endurance racing is an intense challenge. It requires you to withstand longer-than-usual racing distances. Not everyone can take on the endurance racing challenges Gran Turismo provides. So therefore, I offer my advice to help out fellow GT gamers with endurances. I hope my advice can be of help to you. --- Endurance Racing Advice --- ^ Are you in it for the long haul? If not, maybe my advice can help you. An endurance race in Gran Turismo lore is an extended contest of...

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City Course Racing Advice

2012-04-15T19:47:00.001-07:00

The many urban courses of Gran Turismo games offer up a challenge much different from the permanent and proper race tracks. I personally enjoy racing city courses. Why? I'm such a city person for one. Second off, city courses allow you the chance to go full speed on streets you otherwise would just drive slow and do lots of stop-and-go traffic on. It is almost as if you have a chance to enjoy full-speed action on public roads that you otherwise wouldn't get the opportunity to do almost any...

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Gran Turismo All-Stars

2012-04-13T15:45:00.001-07:00

Gran Turismo All-Stars is a competition whereas past and present compete for speed in an intense battle. The finest racing machines all converge in racing action. GT All-Stars has been a staple championship since Gran Turismo 2. And since GT3, it has been a championship. I think GT All-Stars can be expanded upon to be even more fun. This blog post is a look at Gran Turismo All-Stars. It is not so much about advice; just a specific look at this championship. --- Gran Turismo...

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Motorsports Makeover - Sportscar Racing

2012-04-12T12:52:00.001-07:00

The long-standing premise of racing in Gran Turismo is in sportscar racing. The franchise has come along nicely in adding different varieties of sportscar racing to enhance the range of cars that race in the series. My "Motorsports Makeover" series continues with another post regarding another kind of racing. You all are welcome to share your own ideas on this topic as well as many others of mine. So let's continue my "Motorsports Makeover" series with this post on sportscar...

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Would YOU Have Waited?

2012-03-19T12:58:00.000-07:00

In the development of Gran Turismo 5, there was word that Kazunori Yamauchi wanted another two years to develop GT5. He wanted FIA GT and DTM to be included in GT5. Would YOU have have waited an extra two years so both series could be in GT5? Or would you feel agonized by having to wait just a little bit longer for GT5? This blog post shares my ideas on this matter. --- FIA GT and DTM in GT5: Would YOU Have Waited? --- Allow me to begin with a picture to help set the tone here...

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What If... Gran Turismo for Kids?

2012-03-16T23:38:00.002-07:00

Remember "Gran Turismo for Boys?" It was to be a concept to get kids into Gran Turismo. I obviously feel offended in it being called "Gran Turismo for Boys" because you assume by its title that only boys love cars. So I call it "Gran Turismo for Kids." Educating children on things in a unique and fun way is a great way to get kids to love and/or appreciate something. And in the case of cars in the realm of Gran Turismo, it would be great to know how to educate kids better on cars and help...

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What If... Polyphony Digital F1 Game?

2012-03-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

Polyphony Digital would have loved the chance to make their own Formula 1 racing game. When those F1 game hopes were dashed and given to Codemasters, it made me wonder- what if it was PD who made the latest F1 game series and not Codemasters (or anybody else)? Would it be any good? Would it be authentic? Would it be praised? What kind of touch would PD put on its title to make it stand out? These items and more will be discussed in this blog post. Just so you know... I am not any kind...

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Super Speedway

2012-03-14T09:59:00.001-07:00

Before being succeeded by GT4's Twin Ring Motegi Super Speedway (which it is based on), Super Speedway was the first true oval featured in Gran Turismo history. I say true superspeedway because it is a proper oval unlike Test Course. Super Speedway brings oval racing to the forefront. In GT3, it was the first-ever Endurance race on an oval with the Super Speedway 150 Miles endurance. There would be another endurance in GT4 for this track (as Twin Ring Motegi Superspeedway). It would be...

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Hong Kong

2012-03-13T19:42:00.001-07:00

Hong Kong is often seen as the New York City of the Far East. This neon-lit urban paradise is a very imposing track in Gran Turismo 4 and Tourist Trophy. The narrow roads and sudden corners will test even the best of drivers. While Hong Kong is usually known for its lovely light shows at night, you are mostly racing this course in the late evening. It comes in at 1.81 miles (2.91 kilometers) with a handful of tight corners and narrow roads. --- Hong Kong ---Hong Kong, Special...

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New York

2012-03-13T16:51:00.000-07:00

Racing on the streets of New York City was a dream that became true for GT fans in Gran Turismo 4 (followed by Tourist Trophy and Gran Turismo PSP). Many GT4 gamers took a bite out of the Big Apple and enjoyed full speed racing through Times Square and Central Park among other locales. Those bites of the Big Apple were enjoyed on both four wheels and two, since you can also race this course in Tourist Trophy. You can also take photos around not only the New York circuit, but certain Photo...

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Apricot Hill Raceway

2012-03-13T14:36:00.002-07:00

One of the most competitive and free-flowing original race courses in Gran Turismo is Apricot Hill Raceway. This track features has some inspiration from Suzuka with some of its corners. It debuted in Gran Turismo 2, and has been in GT3, GT4, and Tourist Trophy. Sadly, it was NOT in GT5. This track is great for touring car racing and GT racing. It is a terrible shame (really) this track didn't make it into Gran Turismo 5. This is the track you race in the Gran Turismo 2 Super License...

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GT5 Time Trial and Drift Trial Seasonal Advice

2012-03-08T10:50:00.000-08:00

The Seasonal challenges of Time Trials and Drift Trials are seen as easy money grabs for most GT gamers. Time Trials require you to post the fastest time on a given track. Drift Trials require you to score the most points drifting your car out. These tasks are easier said than done, though. It helps to have a car properly set up to properly take on each challenge. This blog post will give you a bit of guidance when doing these Seasonals. --- Time Trial and Drift Trial Advice...

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Online A-Spec and B-Spec Challenges

2012-02-18T11:44:00.000-08:00

Gran Turismo 5's Online Challenges feature three events designed to push your racing skills to the limit. Each event has certain Performance Point (PP) requirements. These events can be challenging in both A-Spec and B-Spec. The Online B-Spec Challenges recommend your B-Spec racers be at a certain level. Key word- recommend. Almost all of my present drivers are Level 20 or higher as of this initial post, but none are towards Level 30. This blog post is a simple post regarding certain...

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Is Gran Turismo Better With a Wheel?

2012-02-01T13:07:00.000-08:00

The use of a steering wheel assembly for a racing game gives one a great advantage when racing. Not many people, though, are intrigued or can afford buying a steering wheel to play games like Gran Turismo. I use the Driving Force Pro from Logitech (now discontinued) as my steering wheel. Not too long ago, I played Gran Turismo 5 for the first time using a steering wheel. It was also the first time I played any PlayStation 3 racing game with a steering wheel. For true simulation racing...

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Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

2012-01-05T16:17:00.000-08:00

Long wanted by a number of Gran Turismo fans, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most legendary and most challenging race courses in the world. This downloadable course for GT5 is the first real-world downloadable course in Gran Turismo history. At 4.35 miles (or 7 kilometers), it is the longest active course on the Formula One World Championship schedule. This blog post is all about Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Gran Turismo 5. NOTE: I am basing my experience around Circuit de...

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Red Rock Valley Speedway

2012-01-01T14:45:00.000-08:00

Red Rock Valley Speedway in Gran Turismo 2 can be thought of as a road course that features two ovals. This course is a high-speed course with a nice rhythm to it. It has never been featured in any other GT besides GT2. So what you are looking at is a course that offers the thrill of high-speed racing but with a few extra corners to make things interesting. In reality, the course is essentially like a modified oval all the way around. If you have never played Gran Turismo 2, this is one of...

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JGTS Salute to GTPlanet

2011-12-30T23:36:00.001-08:00

I want to make a JGTS salute to GTPlanet as my final post of 2011 for this blog. GTPlanet has been the only online community devoted to Gran Turismo that I have been a part of. I have been part of this message board since December 5, 2003. I had initially joined just to follow news on Gran Turismo 4. It has since blossomed to me making GTPlanet my favorite message board of any kind. It was my online message board home after having so many problems trying to get along with people on a...

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Version 2.02 Update and Review

2011-12-20T23:45:00.000-08:00

As a holiday gift, Version 2.02 of Gran Turismo 5 lends itself a number of updates and fixes to a host of items in GT5. The download comes in at around 240 megabytes. Is this an update to be proud of or not? This blog post will fill you in on the latest updates to GT5 as well as some of my own thoughts and observations. --- Gran Turismo 5: Version 2.02 Update ---You can read more about the 2.02 update by reading the official 2.02 Update Notice from the US Gran Turismo site So...

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Kart Space

2011-12-15T22:50:00.000-08:00

Kart Space is one of the newest tracks for Gran Turismo 5. It is a neon-lit racing facility meant for kart racing. This would a dream kart track for a family fun center with its appeal and charm. However, it is also a menacing Gran Turismo challenge. It is one of the first tracks offered as downloadable content for Gran Turismo 5 gamers along with Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. This is a small track that can still be driven quite hard. This blog post is a look at Kart Space for Gran...

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GT5 Specials: Sebastien Vettel X Challenge

2011-11-29T21:51:00.001-08:00

The Red Bull X2010 awaits you when you reach Level 30 in Gran Turismo 5. Only in a video game like Gran Turismo 5 can you experience (that's right- you EXPERIENCE; not drive) the X2010's awesome capabilities. It is the final Special Event challenge for the Gran Turismo gamer. To master this challenge, your reflexes and driving skills will have to be elevated. Your reaction time will have to be enhanced more than most F1 racers usually have. This will be the toughest challenge to date for...

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GT5 Specials: Sebastien Loeb Rally Challenge

2011-11-29T13:37:00.001-08:00

Think you know about rallying in Gran Turismo? Well... think again! Sebastien Loeb is one of the finest rally racers racing today. In the Sebastien Loeb Rally Challenge, you are challenged to complete three intense rally challenges on three tough courses. Try to complete a lap around three of GT's off-road courses to pass the Sebastien Loeb Rally Challenge. --- Sebastien Loeb Rally Challenge --- ^ Prepare for the most difficult rally challenge of your Gran Turismo life when you...

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GT5 Specials: Grand Tour

2011-11-28T23:38:00.001-08:00

Gran Turismo is Italian for "Grand Tour." This Grand Tour takes you mostly through central and southern Europe in a series of five events. Placing well in these races lend you money as well as new Photo Mode locations. Can you complete all five Grand Tour events? Can you complete this two-country tour? Welcome to John's Gran Turismo Space as well as another post regarding GT5's Special Events. And in my opinion, the best-executed of the Special Events in GT5. --- Grand Tour...

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GT5 Specials: Gran Turismo Rally

2011-11-28T13:05:00.001-08:00

Rally racing makes its return as Gran Turismo 5 takes you through the intense realm of rally racing. It is a style of racing that combines controlled frenzy while also properly navigating a car around some intense corners on winding roads. Have the best combined time to win in rally racing. This blog post will not help you win in rally racing, but it will give you a little bit of pointers on rally racing in GT5. --- Gran Turismo Rally --- ^ Get ready to get sideways on gravel,...

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