I attended the third spherical of the 2024 Gran Turismo World Collection (GTWS) in Tokyo, with the privilege of becoming a member of the 40 or so gamers and companions for a reception on the well-known Meiji-Kinenkan, a tour of Japan’s plastic mannequin large, Tamiya’s flagship retailer, and a go to to Polyphony Digital, guided by Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi himself. We obtained to see issues like how the engineers scan every automobile intimately to get the sunshine to replicate the right method and the way every actual monitor will get scanned to realize utmost actuality. The hospitality in the direction of the gamers and visitors by the organizing crew signifies the dedication to the collection to run one of the best sim racing competitors of its variety.
The Gran Turismo franchise has produced skilled racecar drivers like Lucas Ordonez, a former Le Mans and Tremendous GT racer, and probably the most well-known of all of them, Jann Mardenborough, whose journey impressed the Hollywood film Gran Turismo. Ordonez was current on-site because the Spanish language commentator, reinforcing the franchise’s dedication to its household. Moreover, Igor Fraga, a Japanese-born Brazilian racing driver and former member of the Crimson Bull Junior Workforce, was additionally in attendance. He presently competes within the 2024 Tremendous GT Collection for Anest Iwata Racing within the GT300 class, and serves as a reserve driver for Nakajima Racing within the Tremendous Formulation Championship. I felt extremely fortunate to be a part of this unforgettable expertise, witnessing firsthand the joys of competitors and the deep connection between the Gran Turismo group and the world of motorsport.
Igor Fraga / Picture: Taro Koki
The GTWS options two parallel championships: the Producers Cup and the Nations Cup, showcasing one of the best of one of the best on the planet of sim racing.
The stage was set at Theater Milano-Za, a model new venue within the coronary heart of Shinjuku, Tokyo. The joy was palpable as 900 die-hard racing followers packed the venue, wanting to witness a showdown among the many elite vehicles for the Producers’ Cup at Mount Panorama circuit in Australia. All eyes have been on Porsche, seeking to lengthen its lead atop the leaderboard, with fierce competitors from heavy hitters like Lexus and Honda. This season has been stuffed with surprises; as an example, within the earlier spherical in Prague, Ferrari surprised everybody with an surprising win, shaking up the championship standings.
The Asia-Oceania area was effectively represented, with 10 of the 12 drivers hailing from Japan. Every producer fields a trio of elite drivers chosen by means of grueling on-line qualifiers, and the depth was evident all through the race. After a fierce battle, it was Kanata Kawakami who emerged victorious, driving the Lexus RC F GT3 to ship Workforce Lexus its second win of the season and solidify its grip on the collection championship. Proper behind him, the group favourite Takuma Miyazono, a former Producer Cup and Nations Cup world champion, placed on a robust efficiency, clinching second place within the Subaru BRZ. This difficult-earned end supplied much-needed factors for Subaru, providing a glimmer of hope because the groups strategy the ultimate occasion of the season in Amsterdam later within the yr.
Kanata Kawakami’s Lexus RC F at a digital Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit
After an intermission, the Nations Cup kicked off with an exciting dash race on the digital Tokyo Expressway, the place drivers raced head-to-head to find out the beginning grid for the ultimate race. The sight was nothing wanting spectacular as these machines rocketed down the general public freeway, reaching speeds of 265mph! The motion was intense, however in the long run, it was Japan’s very personal Takuma Miyazono in a Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4, who claimed the victory to take pole place for the Grand Closing, edging out Italy’s Valerio Gallo within the Honda NSX Sort R.
The stage strikes to the Grand Valley Freeway, a fictional monitor set alongside the Pacific Coast Freeway in Northern California, for the finals the place all drivers are within the hypothetical idea supercar, the Gran Turismo Crimson Bull X2019 for the 27-lap showdown. France’s Kylian Drumont took first place, adopted carefully by Spain’s José Serrano and Japan’s dwelling favourite Takuma Miyazono third. The joy reached a fever pitch and had followers roaring as lead adjustments saved everybody guessing.
The pitstop technique performed a vital position within the race, as drivers needed to change tires and make the most of all mushy, medium, and arduous tires all through the competitors. Deciding when to modify to which tires was a important alternative made on the fly, including to the suspense of the occasion. In the end, Drumont’s savvy technique and unbelievable tempo propelled him straight to the checkered flag, with Serrano showcasing his ability to safe second place. In the meantime, Miyazono thrilled the group with a spirited efficiency main the race at occasions, clinching the ultimate spot on the rostrum and delivering a spectacular present for his dwelling followers. The electrifying environment at Milano-Za captured the essence of racing, leaving the viewers eagerly anticipating the following spherical.
Kanata Kawakami / Picture: Taro Koki
This journey was a once-in-a-lifetime expertise, underscoring how the Gran Turismo World Collection seamlessly bridges the hole between digital and real-world motorsports whereas showcasing its immense potential for the longer term. The GTWS serves as a hybrid of each realms, with gamers and commentators partaking straight in entrance of an enthusiastic viewers—nearer than you’d discover at conventional racing occasions! Whereas it might lack the scent of racing gas and burnt rubber, it additionally spares us from poisonous fumes and the arduous journey typically required to succeed in distant racetracks!
Though it might by no means change stay racing, a couple of plain truths have emerged: sim racing can get a crowd going and is a confirmed gateway from bed room to actual monitor, as demonstrated by Lucas, Jann, Igor and lots of extra. The Gran Turismo eco-system continues to pave the best way for future expertise and can undoubtedly maintain proving its worth as a stepping stone for aspiring drivers whether or not we need to imagine it or not.
