sk15kev garage battle

[sk15kev]

Bit of a personal thing here and by doing a post about will encourage me to go through with it.  Inspired by Spiny's efforts to go through some of his old cars, I thought I would do the same.  Trouble is Ihave a lot of cars with tunes on them that I only ever ran a couple of times and quickly moved on to the next shiny thing I saw.

This is an effort to sort out what is good and what is not.  The best of the best will go as favourites in my garage with the aim of using them online, the almosts I will keep in the lock up and the losers will go for scrap.  This may take me some time.

I have put head to head drive train cars with similar grip levels.  For each "battle" I have chosen two specific tracks which the cars should do well on.

1st Battle - A Class, BMW E46 v Maserati GT @ Mugello & Silverstone GP / decider Sebring Club
E46 -           Sil GP:152.592 ; Mugello:152.490 ; Sebring Club 105.229
Maserati GT -  Sil GP:153.047 ; Mugello:152.447 ; Sebring Club 106.066

Battle 2 - A Class, SRT6 v Supra RZ v Tuscan S on Silverstone Int & Road Atlanta
SRT 6 -       Sil Int: 122.749 ; Road Atlanta: 124.102
Supra RZ - Sil Int: 122477 ; Road Atlanta: 123.142
Tuscan S - Sil Int: 122.090 ; Road Atlanta: 122.357

Battle 3 - B Class, Honda Prelude v VW Corrado @ Silverstone Int & Road Atlanta Short then Sebring Club decider
Prelude -  Sil Int: 126.410 ; Road Atlanta S: 58.232 ; Seb C:  109.529
Corrado -  Sil Int: 126.236 ; Road Atlanta S: 58.558 ; Seb C:  109.536

Battle 4 - B Class, Scion TC v Cobalt SS @ Suzuka W & Silverstone Int
Scion TC -    Suz W: 121.691 ; Sil Int: 125.981
Cobalt SS -  Suz W: 122.352 ; Sil Int: 126.481

5th Battle - S Class, INGS RX-7 v Ferrari 575M v Supra RZ v TVR Tuscan S v Corvette GS v TVR Tuscan R v Corvette Guldstrad v Corvette C5@ Maple Valley & Silverstone Int
INGS RX-7                 - Sil Int 116.191 ; Maple 123.953
Ferrari 575M             - Sil Int 118.151 ; Maple 126.702
Supra RZ                  - Sil Int 117.223 ; Maple 125.390
TVR Tuscan S            - Sil Int 116.581 ; Maple 124.068
Corvette GS              - Sil Int 118.111 ; Maple 125.711
TVR Tuscan R            - Sil Int 116.759 ; Maple 124.976
Corvette Guldstrad   -  Sil Int 117.002 ; Maple 124.853
Corvette C5 Z06       -  Sil Int 117.002 ; Maple 124.853

6th Battle - S Class, Ferrari 360M v Lotus Esprit v Lambo Countach v Viper GTS ACR @ Sebring & Suzuka GP
Ferrari 360M -          Sebring 202.682; Suzukua 159.052
Lotus Esprit -           Sebring 159.779; Suzukua 157.39
Lambo Countach -   Sebring 159.841; Suzukua 157.202
Viper GTS ACR -        Sebring 159.644; Suzukua 156.677

7th Battle - C Class Grip Muscle, Shelby GT500KR v Cuda v Camaro z28 v Camaro SS v Boss 429 v Charger @ Laguna & Mugello S
Shelby GT500KR -          Laguna 135.808 ;  Mugello S 103.774
Cuda -                           Laguna 136.62  ;  Mugello S 103.981
Camaro Z28 -                Laguna 135.369 ;  Mugello S 103.146
Camaro SS -                  Laguna 135.705 ;  Mugello S 103.226
Boss 429 -                     Laguna 135.998 ;  Mugello S 103.774
Charger -                       Laguna 135.103 ;  Mugello S 102.895

8th Battle - B Class Grip Muscle, Stingray v ZR-1 v Camaro z28 v Camaro SS @ Suzuka W & Maple
Corvette Stingray -       Maple 135.653 ; Suzuka W DQ
Corvette ZR-1 -             Maple 134.592 ; Suzuka W 122.576
Camaro Z28 -                Maple 134.832 ; Suzuka W 122.886
Camaro SS -                 Maple 134.914 ; Suzuka W 122.677

9th Battle - A Class, Honda 92 NSX v Ferrari F355 v Lotus Esprit v Acura NSX 92 @ Road Atlanta S & Maple Valley  R
Honda 92 NSX -      RAS 54.874; Maple R 129.833
Ferrari F355 -          RAS 54.95; Maple R 128.54
Lotus Esprit -           RAS 55.874; Maple R 130.242
Acura NSX 97 -       RAS 55.062; Maple R 129.150
Ferrari F355 Challenge declared winner.

10th Battle - A Class, Proto Spirra v Solstice v Toyota Border MR2 v R5 turbo  @ Diamond Back & Mugello S
R5 Turbo                 - Diamond Back 105.114 ; Mugello S 56.005
Proto Spirra                  - Diamond Back 106.280 ; Mugello S 56.513
Solstice                         - Diamond Back 106.734 ; Mugello S 57.238
Border MR2                 - Diamond Back 106.349 ; Mugello S 57.205

11th Battle - A Class, 350Z v BMW E92 (sport) v Porsche GT3 996 v BMW E92 (race) v Porsche GT3 997 v Mercedes C32 v Mazda RX-7 v Saleen S281 v Toyota Supra GT v Ferrari 599 v Pontiac GTO v Shelby GT500KR@ Road Atlanta & Road Atlanta Short & Sebring
Nissan 350Z             - RA 123.962 ; RAS 56.846 ; Sebring 208.367
BMW E92 s             - RA 123.624 ; RAS 56.680 ; Sebring x
GT3 996                   - RA 124.048 ; RAS 56.158 ; Sebring 207.647
BMW E92 g             - RA 124.454 ; RAS 56.841 ; Sebring x
GT3 997                   - RA 122.707 ; RAS 56.369 ; Sebring 208.354
Mercedes C32          - RA 123.577 ; RAS 55.826 ; Sebring 208.377
Mazda RX-7            - RA 122.379 ; RAS 56.250 ; Sebring 207.466
Saleen S281             - RA 123.491 ; RAS 56.876 ; Sebring x
Supra GT                 - RA 123.412 ; RAS 55.926 ; Sebring 208.700
Ferrari 599               - RA 123.757 ; RAS 56.826 ; Sebring x
Pontiac GTO            - RA 123.343 ; RAS 57.352 ; Sebring 208.084
Shelby GT500          - RA 123.288 ; RAS 56.701 ; Sebring 207.760

12th Battle - A Class, Boss 427 v Silvia S13 v Buick Regal v Challenger v Nissan 350Z v Trans Am v Mazda Roadster @ Road Atlanta & Silverstone National
Boss 427             - RA 121.973 ; Silverstone Nat 55.531
Silvia S13            - RA 123.010 ; Silverstone Nat 55.724
Buick Regal        - RA 123.760 ; Silverstone Nat 55.531
Challenger           - RA 122.134 ; Silverstone Nat 56.025
Nissan 350Z        - RA 123.100 ; Silverstone Nat 56.877
Trans Am             - RA 123.321 ; Silverstone Nat 56.357
Mazda Roadster   - RA 122.538 ; Silverstone Nat 56.248

13th Battle - A Class, BMW E46 v Jaguar Xk @ Silverstone International & Suzuka GP
BMW E46             - Sil Int 122.57 ; Suzuka 205.81
Jaguar Xk            - Sil Int 123.116 ; Suzuka 205.909

[fndrbndr]

If Heidi is any indication, you should do pretty well with the Bimmer.  Aero should hurt top speed a little, but add more grip, and Silverstone is far more grip-friendly than it appears at first, especially the GP ribbon.

[sk15kev]

1st results in:-

E46 -               Sil GP:152.592 ; Mugello:152.490 ; Seb C:105.229
Maserati GT -  Sil GP:153.047 ; Mugello:152.447 ; Seb C:106.066

Despite only a narrow margin of difference at Mugello I am going to call it a draw and have a decider at Sebring Club.  I was suprised about the result at Mugello, I had ran the GT 1st and when running the E46 it felt a lot faster, but didn't turnout so.  I thought it was the perfect lap.  Must be down to the drag factor??

BMW E46 (Ralf)



Maserati GT (Francesca)

Beauty and the Beast, that GT sure is pretty.

No competition around Sebring, the Beemer just had too much accel and better brakes.  Although the GT never stepped out of line once!  Maserati in the lockup and the E46 is now a favourite ready for online representation.

And yes, I am giving them names now 

Will probably keep both cars. The E46 is just great to drive, but the GT is very sure footed and consistent.
After the decider, the next challenge will be:-

A Class again, SRT6 v Supra RZ v Tuscan S on Silverstone Int & Road Atlanta

I really hope the SRT 6 gets a spanking as it is uglier than the front cover of the new EA FIFA 09.  Although you just know it will surprise!

[sk15kev]

Battle 2 - A Class, SRT6 v Supra RZ v Tuscan S on Silverstone Int & Road Atlanta

SRT 6 -       Sil Int: 122.749 ; Road Atlanta: 124.102
Supra RZ -  Sil Int: 122.477 ; Road Atlanta: 123.142
Tuscan S -  Sil Int: 122.090 ; Road Atlanta: 122.357

SRT6 (Vince)  Too much grip, probably unfairly matched

Supra RZ  (Slick) A bit wild, not sure that I had tuned it right, may have to revisit and give a second chance.

TVR Tuscan S (Samantha)- These stripes will be a recurring theme.  I put these on the car to denote it has been tuned but not tested.  Was by far the best of the three and so much fun to drive

[fndrbndr]

I love both your paint schemes.  The GT is really beautiful.  It looks like a racecar, but you managed to maintain its elegance with simple lines.  Very nice!

With the bimmer, is that just a reflection on the rear quarterpanel, or is that a design?  The light seems to be doing funky things in that pic.  If it's a design, do you have a cleaner shot of it?

[sk15kev]

I love both your paint schemes.  The GT is really beautiful.  It looks like a racecar, but you managed to maintain its elegance with simple lines.  Very nice!

With the bimmer, is that just a reflection on the rear quarterpanel, or is that a design?  The light seems to be doing funky things in that pic.  If it's a design, do you have a cleaner shot of it?

Thanks, I think that's the first time anyone has said that about my paints, lol.  On the bimmer it is one of the standard "natural" vinyls from within Forza with a bit of a skew.  Meant to look like a twister!

[fndrbndr]

Ah, ok.  Pretty cool.  I can't seem to make good use of the nature vinyls.  I mean, I did a Venom-type paintjob on a Focus at one point (black with the spider in white, an early effort, lol), but I generally find them pretty useless.  Then again, my designs are usually only a few layers.

[Spiny Anteater]

Glad to see that I've managed to inspire someone!

That Maserati looks really nice - as fndr said it's a nice clean paint job. In most cases I actually prefer the look of a simple paint scheme like that to the more complicated ones - this is definitely a case in point. Hopefulyl you come across a range of cars you like - it's nice to see new cars appearing online so I hope the BMW does well for you.

[fndrbndr]

I only have a couple of "busy" paintjobs that I really like.  I like my miata, 2000GT, and RX7 paintjobs.  My Mustang paintjob isn't bad, but I really need to do something with the numbers on it (white, blue ribbons underneath, then a faux IMSA number patch, probably switching it to a gumball).

[sk15kev]

Battle 3 - B Class, Honda Prelude v VW Corrado @ Silverstone Int & Road Atlanta Short then Sebring Club decider

Prelude -   Sil Int: 126.410 ; Road Atlanta S: 58.232 ; Seb C:  109.529
Corrado -  Sil Int: 126.236 ; Road Atlanta S: 58.558 ; Seb C:  109.536

Very close challenge.  I decided to call it a win for the Prelude despite it being close as I felt out of the two cars it still had a bit more to get out of it on Sebring Club.

Prelude (Jackie) - Very consistent and smooth.


Corrado (Hans)- This was a slightly adjusted tune that BBQPete did on one of his threads and I expected it to win.  Where it still loses is on the fast turns, i.e. turn 1 of SilInt and Road Atlanta.  Where the Prelude is quite sturdy, the Corrado is the oppposite which makes it extremely agile.

[sk15kev]

Scion TC took this easily, gears might be a bit off in the Cobal so may give it another life against the Corrado.  The Scion was quite special though, didn't need to push it hard at all.

Battle 4 - B Class, Scion TC v Cobalt SS @ Suzuka W & Silverstone Int
Scion TC -    Suz W: 121.691 ; Sil Int: 125.981
Cobalt SS -  Suz W: 122.352 ; Sil Int: 126.481

Scion (Dwayne)- Those stripes again


Cobalt (Marion)- new paint, but didn't go faster

[Spiny Anteater]

I'm not surprised that the Prelude won - it's definitely a car for the fast tracks. I have a sneaking suspiscion though that if you had thrown in a Snake or other twisty track you might have got a different result - I'd keep a hold of that Corrado for now.

As for Round 4 - my money is on the Cobalt. It's an excellent all-round car which is almost, but not quite, up with the MINI hordes. The Scion also seems to have a good reputation, but I haven't got it to work for me yet.

[fndrbndr]

They're both pretty strong in sockmonkey trim.

[sk15kev]

S Class this time and a monster shoot out it is too. 


5th Battle - S Class, INGS RX-7 v Ferrari 575M v Supra RZ v TVR Tuscan S v Corvette GS v TVR Tuscan R v Corvette Guldstrad v Corvette C5@ Maple Valley & Silverstone Int
INGS RX-7                 - Sil Int 116.191 ; Maple 123.953
Ferrari 575M             - Sil Int 118.151 ; Maple 126.702
Supra RZ                  - Sil Int 117.223 ; Maple 125.390
TVR Tuscan S            - Sil Int 116.581 ; Maple 124.068
Corvette GS              - Sil Int 118.111 ; Maple 125.711
TVR Tuscan R            - Sil Int 116.759 ; Maple 124.976
Corvette Guldstrad   -  Sil Int 117.002 ; Maple 124.853
Corvette C5 Z06       -  Sil Int 117.002 ; Maple 124.853

Well the INGS really does kick butt, a five minute tune and off it goes way ahead of everything other than the Tuscan S whihc was fairly close.  The Corvette C5 was just a bad tune/build and may give it another go.  Anyone got any advice for a build of that thing?

[BarbecuePete]

Corrado - This was a slightly adjusted tune that BBQPete did on one of his threads and I expected it to win.  Where it still loses is on the fast turns, i.e. turn 1 of SilInt and Road Atlanta.  Where the Prelude is quite sturdy, the Corrado is the oppposite which makes it extremely agile.

I have found with the Corrado that it can be a tricky car to drive quickly when i've tried using it online, smoothness is the key.... One thing you can't do with it (with my tune) is push it into a corner too quickly, also it really doesn't like it if you lift off mid corner... (took me a while to relise what I was doing  ) its much better to get it slowed down for the corner, turn in on a mid throttle and then get back on the power...

Think hell /toe but with your left and right index fingers...