Little Fizzy bit is starting to tingle in anticipation.
Going to do a couple of track overlays. Some of these may not be in GT5, but I still love them.
Passing points.
Turn 1,5 and 9.
Has to be one of my all time favorites in Gran Turismo. It really is a classic flowing style circuit with some heavy braking and quick changes of directions.
As you head down the main straight you hit the first passing opportunity in turn 1. At first glance its a regular single apex corner, but the exit tightens drastically forcing the driver to think about getting on the throttle slightly later. If you want to pass here, your best bet is probably on the outside and performing a criss cross. The line is everything on this corner and on the inside you risk over shooting or getting a poor exit which will punish you massively up until Turn 5.
Turn 2 is short fast right hander that follows on to the quick flip flop of turns 3 and 4. Ride the curbs of 3 and 4 to try and straight line as it leads in to the second overtaking opportunity at turn 5. As stated previously, a good exit from Turn 1 is imperative to pull a pass of going into 5. Its 100% throttle throughout this entire sequence of corners so giving away speed early is not really a smart option.
Turns 5 and 6 are alot more forgiving then turn 1. Concrete covers the ground to the left of the road as you cross the bridge and enter the tunnel which gives a smooth exit possible even when overtaking into 5. Be warned though that stick to the concrete throughout the tunnel can lead to a poor entry to the double apex turn 7.
7. A sweeping left hander that requires a smooth style as the car has a tendency to understeer mid corner. While the corner is very straight forward, its also very easy to make a mistake on. Its then a quick sharp shute down into the left right chicane of 8 followed by the last braking zone of turn 9.
You best bet to pass in 9 is to take the inside line. There is very little room on the outside until entering the tunnel so running up the inside is a must. To even get a shot down here a good exit from turn 7 is needed. Again its 100% throttle from the exit of 7 until the braking zone of 9. I'd recommend not showing your hand until after the chicane sequence as its only a short steer before slamming on the brakes into the almost hairpin turn 9.
The rest of the lap is straight forward. 10 and 11 are a flat out single file combination of corners. Be warned though, its very easy for the driver behind to get a good tow coming out of 11 as the straight is long and fast.
This track is all about being smooth and precise but the ability to have some fantastic battles is certainly there.
Fuji Raceway.. Japan
Passing points. 1, 6, 10 and 15.
The famous Fuji Racway. Redesigned in the early 00's by Tilke, this track delivers super fast speeds and some unforgiving corners. The front straight was at one point the longest in F1.
1 has to be the best passing point on the circuit. A massively long straight with an almost hair pin turn on exit with plenty of room to throw it up the inside and get a good exit. Its very straight forward. Throw it up the inside and pass under braking. There is the ability to criss cross, but chances are you'll be level coming out of 2 and that makes you vulnerable for turn 3.
3. is a sharp left hander. Requires the upmost of bravely and skill as its very hard to see the Apex until you're right on it and if you mess it up, the outward camber will send you flying off to the right.
4-5. Another double apex corner, and a corner speed thats subject to your car. In some cars its possible to remain at 100% throttle but its most certainly a corner where you can never have enough downforce. Two options for this corner. Take a wide line through 4 and then cut in through 5, or take a tight line through 4 and drift out wide for 5. The later is probably the best route for overtaking as it allows you to pull up for the inside of the hairpin 6.
6-7. The entry to six is almost as wide as Brooklyn bridge. You won't have any problems getting a pass off into this corner. The corner exit opens up nicely into a fast sequence of straights and corners. Again, the trailing car also has a good chance of grabbing a slip stream coming into turn 10 and 9 and 8 can be run side by side.
If you want to pass at 10, its simple. Take the inside line and hold it through the entire corner. It sets you up nicely for the chicane at 11 and 12 and gives you the inside run for 13. Mostly single file but the track widens into 13 allowing you to run 2 wide up to 15. Into 15, again take the inside line. Nowhere to go on the tight exit so run them wide and keep the position.
Turn 16 is a another corner with two possibilities. Stay wide and turn in almost on exit or stay tight and drift out wide. Again the width of the track is massive. Be weary if you're on the final lap coming out of 16. If somebody is right up behind you on exit, you've lost the race as its quite a distance to the start/finish line. Other then that, its not a bad position to be in if you're leading out of the turn on any lap as the straight is long enough to allow you to get into the tow of the car that just received a tow from you.
Tomorrow is Apricot Hill and Laguna Seca.
