Im only posting the times i personally think matter. For example, im not posting 1-1 - 1-3 because the margin between 10000th place and 1st place is so small its rediculous.

• 1-4: 115th Place. 0:28.325
• 1-5: 196th Place. 0:37.529
• 2-2: 140th Place. 0:26.196
• 2-3: 54th Place. 0:24.505
• 2-4: 120th Place. 0:31.603
• 2-5: 941st Place. 0:39.086
• 3-1: 127th Place. 0:16.366
• 3-2: 97th Place. 0:30.580
• 3-3: 128th Place. 0:33.325
• 3-4: 234th Place. 0:17.568
• 3-5: 588th Place. 0:44.206
• 4-1: 190th Place. 0:21.254

I’m just starting to improve my times on round 4, ill post those times once i get something in the top 200s or so.

Running GT Academy 2012 has been pretty difficult. I ran last year, and did fairly well. Placing 13th in the northeast region for round 3(had to place 8th or higher in region to move on to round 4), using a stupid DS3 controller. But i’ve learned a few things over the course of the past few weeks.

1. Having a nice sim racing setup helps.

I had a sloppy old armchair at my desk before that fell to bits due to its age and abuse, so i recently replaced it with a comfort seat out of an old BMW E30. Having it in a proper position allowed me to spend more time at the desk more comfortably. I’ve also made the step up to a wheel, a used DFGT only put me out of 80 bucks with shipping off Amazon. If you want to make the next step in playing GT5, do it.

2. Don’t let the leaderboards discourage you.

Last year it was a bloodbath on the leaderboards, and i don’t expect this year to be any different. But last time around it had live progression(displays of what position your last lap landed you in on the leaderboard), and also a timer(at the last hour of GT Academy, a timer came up with 60 minutes on it). This year, there are less distractions, and the game has shorter trials. So if you don’t nail your fastest run, don’t sweat it, it’ll only take you 30 seconds to try again. And seeing your laps not pick up or gain positions can be a serious threat to your psyche. Don’t think of who’s ahead of you, you’ll only become your own worst enemy.

3. Take a damn break.

Even being out of a job, having nothing else to do but drive like my life depends on it, im sure to pull myself away every hour or so. For me anyway, i notice i feel more confident when i come back.

4. Ignore the ghosts unless you cant find a line.

When i come back from my breaks, i reset my ghost and do it from scratch, even if im a full second slower, i feel less intimidated by a ghost thats slower than me. Plus you may discover a new line, or point where the car gains grip that you didn’t notice before because you were following your ghost.

5. Drive like hell.

Seriously, throw logic to the wind, every moment you spend correcting or thinking counts. On most of the challenges(except round 1), finding time is about driving like an absolute madman, not the consistent line, slow in fast out, or any of that. Ive noticed that my line on alot of these time trials differs quite a bit from lines i’d take while racing regularly.

6. A good soundtrack doesn’t hurt.

I recently upgraded my PS3’s hard drive from a 40gb to an 80gb, i know it doesn’t sound like much, but now i could fit 2-4 times as much music as i had on it before. Besides, having a good soundtrack helps you get into the right frame of mind. I usually make 2 playlists, one for chill menu tracks, then one for faster stuff i can race to.

Anyway, I don’t know how many of you are competing in GT Academy this year, but feel free to add me to compare times.

PSN: RedlineGTS

I’m really sorry for not updating in so long, i recently started working at a Subaru dealership and have been working full time. I also dont currently have a car, so time i could spend at home drifting in GT5 and updating the blog are spent on public transportation. Granted, i have gotten to drive a bunch of fantastic cars i otherwise would’ve never had the opportunity to. Mini Cooper S, Subaru Impreza WRX/STi, Nissan 350z, Cadillac CTS-V, etc, some good stuff. However, i have an update from IRL that i hope makes it up to you guys.