Forza Nation - November 2012

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FORZA NATION MAGAZINE FORZANATIONMAGAZINE.COM

ISSUE 3 // NOVEMBER 2012

AVAILABLE THE FIRST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH

FEATURING:

INSIDE

SEPTEMBER PENNZOIL CAR PACK ALL 11 CARS REVIEWED INSIDE TRACK GUIDES, CAR REVIEWS, HINTS & TIPS AND A WHOLE LOT MORE!

IRKS OF A FORZA PLAYER

THIS ISSUE: FORZA HORIZON PLAYED THE HISTORY OF DRIFTING RACING INTO THE DANGER ZONE QUESTION TIME WITH: | ALPHAKENNY1 |


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COMING SOON


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CONTENTS REVIEWS SEPTEMBER PENNZOIL CAR PACK REVIEWS: 1955 MERCEDES-BENZ300 SLR 1983 GMC TRUCK VANDURA G-1500 1967 VOLKSWAGEN KARMANN GHIA 1960 ASTON MARTIN DB4 GT ZAGATO 1968 ALFA ROMEO 33 STRADALE 1958 AUSTIN-HEALY SPRITE MK1 2013 VIPER SRT MOTORSPORTS GTS-R #91 & #93 1965 MG MGB GT 1953 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2012 CITROテ起 DS4 THE MAKING OF LEGENDS: SHELBY DAYTONA SPECIAL BRITCAR BLOWOUT FN POWERLAP BOARD ARTICLES THE HISTORY OF DRIFTING THE HORIZON INTO THE HORIZON IRKS OF A FORZA PLAYER TRACK SPECIAL RACING INTO THE DANGERZONE QUESTION TIME 9/11 MEMORIAL PAINTER: I ALPHAKENNY1 I

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MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR With DevlinGFS

Quanity Over Quality Wow.What a month. It may seem like we are being slowly drip fed information on Forza Horizon, but looking back over the past month we have seen a ton of new videos and information released. From details on the Season Pass to the daily car reveals. Not to mention the news that the demo will release on the 9th of October. I gotta say, I’m very excited. September also played host to the Britcar 24 hour event. Both in the real world and the virtual TORA event. I honestly don’t know which was better. I managed to catch some of the TORA TV live streams and a review of the actual event. Forza Nation was represented by our very own Standaman and Team Nurburacer at the virtual event, and F4H Bandicoot at the real event. Bandicoot also got to play some Horizon at Silverstone. The lucky devil so we get to hear his thoughts this issue also on the game most of you will be sucked into in just a months time. As for issue three of Forza Nation we have taken a quality over quantity approach this issue. The last issue was jam packed full of Forza goodness, but not only was it a massive strain to finish, the quality of the layouts sadly suffered. We were also planning a Halloween themed issue this month, but whilst we have some Halloween inspired

content issue three is slightly less spooky then it would have otherwise been. September also played host to the debut of Forza Nation TV, which whilst only running as stripped back affair has exceed our expectations in terms of views and subscribers. For those that have checked it out, thank you. For those that haven’t yet, take a look: youtube.com/forzanation we are also looking for contributors / partners to help us on our quest to bring top quality entertainment the Forza Nation way, so check out our channel for full details. Stay tuned for the release of our website in the coming months also. Finally we have been planning our trip to the Horizon Festival for a couple of months now. Issue four will be a very special event, packed to the brim with Horizon related awesomeness. I have my ticket and am anxiously awaiting meeting up with the rest of the FN team in Colorado. Fear not though if you are deciding to stick solely with Forza Motorsports, as issue five and onwards will see a balanced split between Horizon and Motorsports here at Forza Nation HQ. So until next time, we hope you enjoy this issue and we will see you at the festival..


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OO B E M I .T K C E H ECK C H . C D E . R H IG DE H R O O E T R LCE P ATION SET IP A NTIC ON! IT G N I R B

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FF W O D E K

K C E H C RK.

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SEPTEMBER PENNZOIL CAR PACK So here we are, the final piece of DLC for Forza 4. It’s been a fun ride, adding plenty much variety along the way. From classics to fan favorites and a few suprises thrown in for good measure. Forza Nation took a spin in each of the Pennzoil Pack cars so here are our thoughts on what will be, the final DLC. Here is the list of cars of September Pennzoil Car Pack:

1955 MERCEDES-BENZ300 SLR 1983 GMC TRUCK VANDURA G-1500 1967 VOLKSWAGEN KARMANN GHIA 1960 ASTON MARTIN DB4 GT ZAGATO 1968 ALFA ROMEO 33 STRADALE 1958 AUSTIN-HEALY SPRITE MK1 2013 VIPER SRT MOTORSPORTS GTS-R #91 & #93 1965 MG MGB GT 1953 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2012 CITROËN DS4


1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SLR

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The 300 SLR tells an interesting tale. Despite being one of the most successful race cars ever made, being driven by one of the most successful drivers, Sir Stirling Moss, it also holds the tragic title of being one of the main causes of the 1955 Le Mans Disaster. With 310 HP and weighing a mere 1,984 LBS, the 300 SLR can reach 60 in 4.5 seconds and continue just past 180 MPH. However, the brakes are unfortunately infamously weak; the particular version that raced in the 1955 Le Mans had a huge air brake behind the driver’s head, but even that could not stop the car shy of tragedy.

Stats PI: B465 Cost: 9,000,000 CR Sp: 7.3 , Ha: 4.5 , Ac: 7.8 , La: 7.0 , Br: 4.3


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1983 GMC TRUCK VANDURA G-1500 NOVEMBER 2012

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In 1971, a crack design unit was sent to Chevrolet by General Motors ambassadors for a truck they didn’t design. These men promptly escaped from the maximum security stockade to GMC Trucks. Today, still wanted by car manufacturers, they survive as designers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no other van can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire...The Vandura.

Stats PI: F100 Cost: 5,000 CR Sp: 3.0 , Ha: 3.0 , Ac: 3.0 , La: 3.0 , Br: 3.1


1967 VOLKSWAGEN KARMANN GHIA

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The Karmann Ghia is the Beetle’s sister, as it shares the same chassis. Back in the days when cars were fairly new and weren’t given names, the Beetle was the first VW, thus named the Type 1. The Type 2 was the infamous VW Camper, and the Type 3 was the 1500. The Karmann was designated with Type 14, despite it being the 3rd produced. Being 45 years old, the Karmann is understandably lumpy to drive. A mere 1.5 litre 53 HP flat four engine powers the lump of pewter to 60 miles per hour in... Well, the less said, the better. Let’s just say that it will top out at a fairly safe speed to pass a distant traffic cop.

Stats PI: B465 Cost: 9,000,000 CR Sp: 7.3 , Ha: 4.5 , Ac: 7.8 , La: 7.0 , Br: 4.3


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1960 ASTON MARTIN DB4 GT ZAGATO NOVEMBER 2012

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The original Aston Zagato, as designed by Ercole Spada, who’s son designed the Spada Vettura Sport Codatronca TS, was based off none other than the DB4 GT. Only 20 were built, with a few knock-off “Sanction II”s and “III”s made in 1991. The Zagato features a 3.7 litre straight-6 that produces 314 HP. This’ll get it to 60 in 6 and just past 160 MPH. Like other Zagatos, the figures end here, as the DB4 Zagato steers through bends like a shipping vessel. Although most cars in the 60s did anyway, the Zagato still doesn’t do itself much justice as a performance car.

Stats PI: B465 Cost: 9,000,000 CR Sp: 7.3 , Ha: 4.5 , Ac: 7.8 , La: 7.0 , Br: 4.3


1968 ALFA ROMEO 33 STRADALE

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The 33 is perhaps the most beautiful car ever produced by our friends over in Milan. Mid-engine, rear-drive, and reasonably nice to drive, this machine is a must-have for any serious Alfa fan. Its 2.0L V8 around the Old LeMans punched it from 0 to 60 in 4.3 sec, and blitz the straight and hit a 173 mph top speed. While it may resemble a Ferrari 330 P4, it’s not quite as fast or nimble, and the aero could use some work: there are isolated reports of this car actually coming off the ground at high speed in-game. Of particular note are the car’s staggering acceleration and launch stats, which are comparable to many R3 race cars. This is rather impressive, as the 33 is actually a low A-class.

Stats PI: A509 Cost: 3,000,000 CR Sp: 6.5 , Ha: 4.9 , Ac: 8.3 , La: 8.1 , Br: 4.8


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1958 AUSTIN-HEALY SPRITE MK1 NOVEMBER 2012

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A raspy buzz and grinning, bug-eyed fascia herald the arrival of the 1958 Austin-Healy Sprite. The ubiquitous British roadster, it is the perfect representative of this type of car- that is to say, everything good and great about motoring in England in the 1960s. Running like its MKII successor on an oval, the car with 0.9L 14 and its 45hp and 53 ft-lb of torque launched it self out of the gates with a 0 to 60 time of 12.6, and barely made it pass the 100 mph mark and hit 101 mph. Cheap and cheerful, but being fast doesn’t matters. You can have as much fun driving this thing at 70 mph as you can drive a supercar at a hundred more. So, while it may be slow and rather silly-looking, the stats are all within 0.7 of each other, meaning it’s a well-balanced, easy-to-drive car.

Stats PI: F100 Cost: 18,000 CR Sp: 3.0 , Ha: 3.7 , Ac: 3.2 , La: 3.7 , Br: 3.6


2013 VIPER SRT MOTORSPORTS GTS-R #91 & #93

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Chrysler’s new SRT division went and made a race car out of the 2013 Viper, and it goes like it owes someone money, someone who is chasing it. To make it ALMS legal, SRT went to the rule makers of ALMS and asks if they could bring it back, but the downside of the ruling was it had to be extremely limited, downsizing it 8.4L V10 to 8.0L and plummeted its power to 450 hp, almost a third of the road car’s power. It is remarkably easy to drive considering its R3 pedigree, and it sounds superb considering it’s a V-10. Most V-10s sound tired and “droney”, despite the massive power and torque numbers they generate- this one, on the other hand, seems to have been poked with a sharp stick. While not quite as fast as other R3s in the straights, it’s a hand grenade off the line and goes around a corner like nothing else in its class.

Stats PI: R3509 Cost: 2,200,000 CR Sp: 6.7 , Ha: 7.9 , Ac: 8.8 , La: 7.9 , Br: 7.8


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1965 MG MGB GT

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Launching as a replacement for the MGA, the MGB was an upgrade from the MGA. This model, the MGB GT, was designed by Pininfarina, and was made a hatchback. The MGB GT has an upgraded 1.7L I4 and a 4 speed transmission, and is rear wheel drive. It does zero to 60 in 12.8 sec. and has a top speed of 114 mph, not the slowest thing I’ll be driving in this issue. Now considering that speed is incomparable to the MGA, the MGB GT doesn’t have anything negative going for it. There is no major oversteer or understeer issues. Much like cars of the same nature (low HP and RWD), it does lose power on hills. Much to my distaste of old cars; this one isn’t half-bad to look at.

Stats PI: F123 Cost: 18,000 CR Sp: 3.0 , Ha: 3.8 , Ac: 4.0 , La: 4.4 , Br: 3.8


1953 CHEVROLET CORVETTE

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The one that started it all, the 1st generation Corvette finally makes it to Forza 4. This car prompted Ford to make a similar car, the Thunderbird. Weighed by the 160 HP 3.9 L Blue Flame I6, it also came with 2 speed automatic and was rear wheel drive. The 1954 concept brought about the Corvair, which I’ll talk later about in this issue. So about drive it, it’s slow, but it the way about it going slow. Since it was, unbeknown to me at the time, 2 speed auto. The gear box was made for top end speed, so it felt like a Volt or Tesla with their one drive CVT transmission. It also follows corning line to the mark. Another great old slow car that look heroic doing what it does. Forza stats: F 168 210,000 Crs Sp: 3.0, Hd: 3.7, Ac: 4.6, Lc: 3.5, Br: 3.7

Stats PI: F168 Cost: 210,000 CR Sp: 3.0 , Ha: 3.7 , Ac: 4.6 , La: 3.5 , Br: 3.7


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2012 CITROËN DS4

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Lunching as a replacement for the MGA, the MGB was an upgrade from the MGA. This model, the MGB GT, was designed by Pininfarina, and was made a hatchback. The MGB GT has an upgraded 1.7L I4 and a 4 speed transmission, and is rear wheel drive. It does zero to 60 in 12.8 sec. and has a top speed of 114 mph, not the slowest thing I’ll be driving in this issue. Now considering that speed is incomparable to the MGA, the MGB GT doesn’t have anything negative going for it. There is no major oversteer or understeer issues. Much like cars of the same nature (low HP and RWD), it does lose power on hills. Much to my distaste of old cars; this one isn’t half-bad to look at.

Stats PI: F123 Cost: 18,000 CR Sp: 3.0 , Ha: 3.8 , Ac: 4.0 , La: 4.4 , Br: 3.8


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THE MAKING OF LEGENDS

In 1961, Carroll Shelby contacted AC Cars to ask them to build him a car that would fit a V8 Ford engine. It was this that eventually created the Mk I AC Cobra, sold as the Shelby Cobra in the US. In 1963, the Mk II was built, made from a variety of other manufacturer’s parts, such as Jaguar brakes, MG and VW steering components, and of course the whopping 4.7 litre Ford V8.

Article By: Standaman94 Images By: RT79pt

The Cobra went into motorsports in the US, and dominated the competition. So Shelby saw it was time to beat the Europeans at their own game; the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The prime target was Enzo Ferrari and his 250 GTO, which was having great success in the FIA International Championship for GT Manufacturers. The Cobra had more power and weighed less than the 250

JAGUAR BRAKES, MG AND VW STEERING COMPONENTS, AND OF COURSE THE WHOPPING 4.7 LITRE FORD V8. GTO, however there was one problem; in 1964, the speed limit for open-cockpit cars at Le Mans was about 160 MPH – The coupe 250 GTO could reach 185 MPH.

It was, of course, a simple problem with a simple solution. Shelby got Pete Brock to redesign the Cobra’s aerodynamics and ultimately add a roof to it. Brock decided design the window and components around driver Ken Miles, so the car was built without compromise. When the body

was finished, Shelby and Brock wind tested the car, to which the results were almost perfect; the only addition was the small lip at the back – a detail fairly new on cars at the time – where the airflow simulated an elongated tail, reducing drag. Three weeks after testing at Riverside in Los Angeles, the Daytona was entered into the 1964 2000km of Daytona, where it was in the lead by five laps. Unfortunately, a pit fire two-thirds into the race took the win out of Shelby’s grasp. This is where the Daytona got its name, as it showed the world there was a new worthy contender on the GT field. After a win at Sebring, it was time to take on Le Mans. The two Daytonas were joined on track by the Mk I Ford GT40, which was also made for the same purpose as the Daytona. Unfortunately, the GT40s didn’t finish, but the #5 Daytona took the class win with two 250 GTOs hot on its heels. Unsurprisingly, this defeat caused Ferrari to pull out of entering GT as a works team and instead set their intentions on prototype cars. Only one Daytona was built in the US; the original prototype, Chassis CSX2287. The five other Daytonas were built in Italy by Carrozzeria Gran Sport, as they could produce the bodywork much faster, however they believed that the low roof height was an error and so raised it. These six cars went on to dominate in the GT class in 1965, win after win. Sadly, that’s where the story ends. After ’65, the Daytona was made redundant as Ferrari pressed on with prototypes and the GT40 took the Daytona’s place in automotive history. But there is an odd twist to this tale... Ten years later, the original Daytona, CSX2287, disappeared.


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Thirty years later in 2001, CSX2287 was found again, in a storage unit in California. It was owned by Donna O’Hara, deceased for five months after she burned herself alive with gasoline on a horse trail at night. She managed to get hold of it in 1971 when she offered her father, owner of it at the time, storage for the car. In 1982, Donna divorced her husband, childless. Then word got around that she owned the Daytona, and suddenly car collectors, even Carroll himself, were offering her obscene amounts of money for the car. She repeatedly said no, and became angry and upset about the car. Carroll described her as “kooky”, as she was a very private person and never wanted to talk about the Daytona to anyone, even her current boyfriend. She became depressed after she lost her job, her boyfriend and her house. She was found dead, and wasn’t identified until she came up short on house payment. Donna’s friend Kurt Goss was entitled to the contents of the storage unit. It was found dented and on flats. Donna’s mother, Dorothy, found out about the car, too, and sold it to a collector for $3,000,000, who then sold it on to Frederick Simeone for $4,000,000. After some legal quarrels regarding the original owners, the Daytona is now safely in Simeone’s museum. Meanwhile, the other five Daytonas, CSX2286, CSX2299, CSX2300, CSX2601, and CSX2602 are all owned by car collectors and museums, and are estimated to be worth at least $2,000,000 each.

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All Images By: F4H Carrera


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[INTRO]

[29TH AUGUST, 2012]

It can safely be said that the 24 Hours of LeMans or Nurburgring is the ultimate test of Man and Machine (perhaps second to going to space...) LeMans has been running since the dawn of motorsport, and the Nurburgring 24 Hours since drivers thought LeMans was easy. But there’s a kick you get out of an endurance race like these. A bust of adrenaline, excitement, and anticipation like no other... Like you could take on the world. That’s why 24 hour races have been popping up all over the globe; such as Dubai, Catalunya, Spa, Daytona, and Bathurst.

A slight accident in testing meant that the team had to order a new wing from AMR. When the new wing arrived Stan took the decision to order a replacement part for every body-panel of both cars, plus spare clutches, exhausts, camshafts, piston heads and a whole air intake system for both cars.

However, there’s one such event like no other; the Britcar 24 Hours of Silverstone. Similar to the Nurburgring 24hrs in respect to the VLN, the Britcar 24hrs is run by Britcar, who hold the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship. It’s not a particularly old race, either, as it has only been running since 2005. But as they say, Silverstone is the home of British motorsport, and the Britcar 24hrs certainly holds to this title. It doesn’t take much to get The Online Racing Association interested in virtual activity. Since Rogue Motorsport ran a Forza-backed car in 2011, TORA and Rogue have become best pals. If you read last month’s issue of FN, you’ll be well aware that TORA held a 24 hour race at Silverstone in September, and then joined Rogue Motorsports the week after for the official Britcar 24hrs. This might well be the biggest event on the TORA calendar, so we decided to hop along for the ride with a team at TORA; Nurbracer.

[21ST AUGUST, 2012] Founded in March 2010, Nurbracer are a group of Nurburgring enthusiasts who host specialist events. However, things died down by the end of 2011, so they decided to seek activity elsewhere. Since 2012, they have been a regular team at TORA and have done a fairly good job in most of the events they’ve entered in, including a 4th in class at the TORA 24hrs of LeMans. FN managed to get an inside look into Nurbracer with FN’s own Standaman, a driver in the team. After talks with Aston Martin Racing, Nurbracer managed to get two brand new Aston Vantages in Production GT class for the race, both ready kitted up for use on the track. The first thing the Nurbracer mechanics did to the pair was fit the Vantage GT4 fuel tank and fuel intake system for faster refuelling in the pits, and also the new 220 Series hood latches from AeroCatch for quick engine access without sacrificing aerodynamics. Then the team took the test cars to their home ground at the Nurburging for a quick rundown, while the team’s new livery was being designed and the vinyls printed, cut and stuck.

[7TH SEPTEMBER 2012] Two new drivers were hired, and the two teams were finalised. The #93 car had yellow highlights, and was driven by Mandown, Blackbird, and Stan. The #94 car had blue highlights, and was driven by JustOZ, Kilroy, Adam and Friedrich. When initial testing was complete, the two cars were shipped to Silverstone. Shakedown testing begun immediately for the drivers to familiarise themselves with the Bridge Circuit, while press photos were taken of the car’s brand new liveries, which were new to Nurbracer, and also wore the FN logo on the roof and bumpers. The other team’s cars started to arrive, too, with the new addition of the Forza Horizon car in TORA GT class, and the Rogue Motorsport guest car in Clubman.

[14TH SEPTEMBER, 2012] Accidents were few and far between in the weekend leading up to Qualifying. The team had settled for a good tune in both cars. Aston Martin Racing was in the garage next door, which led to some sneaky glances at each other’s setups. It was immediately apparent that the more official AMR had a much better garage in general than Nurbracer, but that didn’t faze them, as they already had experience with the Vantage-based Zagato earlier in the year. Qualifying took place throughout the week in various sessions, allowing all drivers from the teams to post their times. By the end of the week, it was Blackbird who posted the best time for #93 and Adam who posted the best time for #94. All attention was drawn to the start of the race the next day.


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[16TH SEPTEMBER, 2012] The cars were prepped for the race on Saturday morning. A few fresh parts were installed on both cars, and new tires fitted. By 1pm, an hour before the green flag, the cars were ready and were sitting in the pit lane. The atmosphere was electric... Drivers were shaking nervous, mechanics had their fingers crossed. When the Pace Car rolled out of the pit lane, the field followed suit for the parade lap. A watchful eye was kept on the Nurbracer cars by the mechanic and the other drivers as Stan and Friedrich were to take the cars in the first two hours. Both AMR cars were ahead of the Nurbracer cars, but that would only be a target for Nurbracer to hit. The Pace Car and following field reached the final corner at Luffield, the Pace Car ducked into the pits, and as Pole was past Woodcote the green flag fell. Whatever happened in the next 24 hours was anyone’s guess. But it wasn’t long until people had a vague idea, as the field reached Copse in a bundle of horsepower and carbon fibre, causing a few accidents at the first turn. By the time the #93 car reached Chapel, the Clubman cars had fallen behind and the TGT field was soaring ahead. Both AMR cars were still in front, but with a few cunning moves the Nurbracer cars weren’t going to let them get away easy. About an hour in, the #007 AMR suffered some mechanical issues and had to pit for repairs. When both Nurbracer cars had passed, it was another few hours until the first driver change. Stan jumped out and Blackbird took his place while Friedrich was replaced by JustOZ. From here on it was fairly smooth sailing for both cars, who had now taken 4th and 7th. The sun had set and the race was plunged into darkness, where the

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disasters began to strike. By the 8th hour, a fire broke out in #94 during a driver change, which tore away at fuel system, engine and tires. It took a solid two hours for the mechanics to fix the car to race condition while Adam was treated for minor burn wounds. A few hours later, the gearbox broke in #93. After extensive repairs, the replacement had broken almost immediately when taken back onto the track. The sun began to rise, revealing the aftermath of the events that had taken place in the night. Remnants of #93’s gearbox where found in a gravel pit by Brooklands. Suddenly, a sharp reminder of this caught Blackbird by surprise as the replacement gearbox blew completely into Club, shards of which burst the rear tires, causing the #93 car to veer into a tire wall. The car was towed back to the pits, where it was apparent that the damage was beyond repair. #93’s race was over at 416 laps. At the 24th hour, the checkered flag was flown for F4H Black Sheep Racing in their Ford GT. The winner of Production GT was Hailfire Racing Turner Motorsports in the #9 BMW M3, and in Clubman was CQR Ignominy in a Honda Civic Coupe. Nurbracer #94 finished 8th in class, ahead of AMR #004 in 9th, and Nurbracer #93 finished 10th in class after they retired. Although the team was somewhat disappointed with the end result, they still managed to place higher than one of the AMR cars, which in itself is an achievement. Nurbracer are looking ahead to TORA’s next endurance event at the Nordschliefe, Nurbracer’s home track, where they are hoping for a much better outcome. You can expect FN to follow them then, too, as they aim for none other than a first place where it belongs. You can follow Nurbracer’s progress on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/ nurbracer.nurburgring


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BUGATTI VEYRON SS 1:11.0

GUMPERT APOLLO

1:11.7

ZONDA CINQUE

1:13.0

NOBLE M600

1:13.1

MURICELAGO SV

1:14.2

AVENTADOR 1:14.6 MC12 1:14.6 LP570-4S

1:14.8

CARRERA GT

1:14.8

CC8S

1:14.9

ENZO 1:14.9 430S

1:14.9

MP4-12C

1:15.2

FERRARI 458 1:15.4 NISSAN GTR

1:17.1

LEXUS LFA 360 CS

1:18.1

C63 AMG BLK 911 SC

1:18.8

1:19.2

TVR SAGARIS XKR-S

1:17.4

1:20.0

1:20.3 ALL LAP TIMES WERE DONE BY THE SAME DRIVER, FROM A STANDING START ON THE TOP GEAR TEST TRACK.


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HISTORY OF DRIFTING Article By: SJD Kemuri

KEIICHI TSUCHIYA DRIFT KING


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It’s fairly difficult to pin point exactly when ‘drifting’ came to be, and the theory of its genesis is generally quite an open debate. Whereas NASCAR’s origin is easy to decipher, moonshiners running alcohol through the time of the Prohibition in the States, drifting’s beginning is a little bit of a mystery. However, there is one theory in particular that is generally the most accepted tale, and one that I think makes the most sense. Firstly, it’s important to stress that powersliding, using the cars power to slide through a corner, has been around for 50+ years. In the 1950’s and 60’s, the best available tires for racers and rally drivers were hard and crossply. This meant that the cars had very little grip through corners, but still had the monumental amount of power to combat as well. Thus bequeathed the technique of powersliding, as the fastest way of getting through corners was to kick the tail out. The Japanese played a large role in establishing a proper technique for this; instead of crudely using lift-off over steer, drivers steered the car through corners with the throttle. More specifically, a man named Kunimitsu Takahashi, who was a prominent figure in the Japanese and international motor sport. He would slide his Formula 1 car from apex to exit apex, maximizing his exit speeds. This technique brought him great success gaining more than 50+ victories in a row, but all the eyes were on him whenever he slid past. Particularly a pair of orbs that belonged to a certain young Keiichi Tsuchiya. Takahashi’s exciting driving style inspired various drivers across Japan to try his technique in the quiet and desolate mountains, thus forming the hardest word to pronounce ever, touge. I’ve heard ‘Tooj’, ‘Towgey’ and many other various pronunciations, which don’t make any sense to me. It’s a touchy subject. Anyway, the sport consisted of powering down a mountain pass as fast as possible at night, when the roads are quiet and the likelihood of death is lowered slightly. Participants were usually young and penniless, which meant that the cars were low powered and small. A popular car with the touge scene is the Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno, or the ‘Hachi-Roku’ to some. With impeccable balance,

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RWD and an avid little motor, it was, and still is, the car to have, although Tsuchiya was competing before it came to be. Knowing about this illegal motorsport, Tsuchiya tried his hand at drifting during touge events. Sure enough, like Takahashi, he gained a bit of a reputation for power sliding, despite tire technology being much improved by the time. It was the most stylish way to race. Then, in 1977 he entered the ‘Fuji Freshers’ and competed every year until in 1984, he won all 6 races in the contest in his trusty AE86, whilst still drifting through the corners. Rumour has it that he led the race, won the race and still slid through every corner on every lap. Because of this, he was soon dubbed ‘Drift King’ or ‘Dorikin’. From here on, drifting took hold and became the thing to do. What’s really interesting about Tsuchiya is that he wasn’t from a rich family, he lived in a poverty ridden society and yet still became the king of drifting, a motorsport which is not cheap. Whilst professionally he stayed in the racing scene, he still practiced and honed his drifting abilities in the mountains. By the mid-1980’s, he was somewhat an icon among the ‘hashiriya’ (street-racers), Tsuchiya being one of them and making it into established racing series’. One video in particular inspired many, named ‘Pluspy’, which showed Tsuchiya completing a touge run in his famed AE86 in 1987. From here on, it was just a matter of further popularizing and spreading drifting across the country. So far there had been no official drifting contests, only underground. Then, in the mid-90’s, official amateur drifting events started to pop up all over the country. This is were Tsuchiya and Daijiro Inada, founder of Option motoring magazine, joined forces to create the first professional drifting contest, D1GP in 2000. From this first drifting contest, many more were created, from D1GP NZ, BDC in the UK and Formula D in the States. It’s incredible to think through one mans racing style, a whole motorsport could be popularized and made official through the persistence of another. When asked who were the defining figures in F1, many many names come up. But for drifting, only one name comes to mind. Keiichi Tsuchiya, Drift King.


38 FORZA NATION NOVEMBER 2012

THE HORIZON Article By: B Wald Big Mek

Greetings, readers, ‘tis I, B Wald Big Mek. Something very, very special is happening, something that quite a few car lovers who are gamers and gamers who are car lovers have been waiting for for a long, long time. I’ve actually been waiting since the mid 1990s. I am speaking, of course, about Forza Horizon, Turn 10’s new openworld driving game utilizing the Forza physics engine we all know and love, set in a fake (i.e. not accurate to real life) Colorado. If you haven’t heard about this yet, where have you BEEN, man! Hurry up and pre-order it.

I’ve been playing racing games and driving simulators since I was about 12 or 13, with the first “Need for Speed” title (actually titled “The Need for Speed”) by EA. As far as I know, that game was the first attempt by a game developer to make a serious driving simulator: Cars mathematically programmed to resemble as close as possible their real-world counterparts, in terms of appearance, sound, and roadgoing behaviour. It was the most amazing game I’d ever played, prompting me to buy my first PC racing wheel.

Properly hooked on digital motorsports, I continued to play games such as NFS, Gran Turismo, Burnout and others until I bought an Xbox 360 in 2006, which came with Forza 2. I’ve never looked back. I had noticed something, a pattern, in my electronic hobby: Games that have free-roaming, cruising fun and stunts always had rubbish physics models, and games that had white-knuckle, this-is-how-to-drive physics had a limited collection of racetracks for you to lap over and over. And over. Once more, now...

While I loved, and still love, the tracks in the simulation games (I know just about every corner on every track in FM4), I’ve always wanted a game that combines the massive maps with the hardcore physics, on an affordable platform.

of Car Culture. A noble goal indeed. Presumably hard at work on Forza Motorsport 5 (rumoured to be a “launch title” for the next-generation Xbox), Turn 10 went looking for a partner to take the first step off the race track. This led to the now-famous meeting between Dan Greenawalt and Ralph Fulton, of the newlyformed Playground Games, in 2011. Ralph was representing a team that included some quite experienced racing-game folk, who had given us games such as Dirt and Grid. Their idea was basically thus:

but it must have gone a lot like that. Maybe they used my real name or something. Anyways, this game looks like it.

I suppose it was due either to the limits of technology, or to developers’ doubts about a free-roam game with simulation physics selling well that it hasn’t happened. However, if the truth leans more to the latter, something has changed in the last couple of years. Turn 10 wanted to expand the Forza franchise into other aspects of car culture. From what I’ve gleaned from watching interviews with Dan Greenawalt,Turn 10 big-shot, the man envisions the Forza series as one that will one day encompass all aspects

“There’s some guy named B-Wald who we’ve never met, but there’s this game he’s always wanted, and we should make it now.” I’m probably paraphrasing a little,

Various details about Horizon (shorthand: FH) are being/have been revealed by the developers and/ or being extracted by fans, from the screenshots and gameplay videos out there, and reviews are coming out based on the press demo. To summarize what is known: The game is set in in a fictional, utopian (for car fans) Colorado where it’s always summer, it never rains, and there are no Cops, at least not the kind that write tickets to motorists. The action and racing revolve around the “Horizon Festival”, a massive, outdoor music venue, with the Goodwood


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Festival of Speed tacked on for extra of interesting folks out there. fizz. The latter is where we, the player comes in. Cars like the Audi Sport Quattro, Mitsubishi Lancer and Subaru WRX We basically play some bloke who will finally be able to strut their stuff shows up to the festival in a VW the way they were meant too: Horizon Corrado, itching to kick some tail will allow us to take to the rutted, dirton the road. Our ultimate goal: and-gravel back roads and farm trails Become the “baddest”, most popular of the Centennial State. This is also wheelman around. Along the way, the natural habitat for the trucks that we’ll meet a pretty blond girl, who will have always seemed out-of-place in be our “agent” in the Horizon Festival the “Motorsports” titles. race leagues, and a dude who has lots of wrenches, to work on our cars Also new to the Forza games is the with. There’s a full-on single player idea of scoring points for your driving story mode, so we’ll likely meet plenty style. FM4 did have a system that

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rewarded you for excellent technical driving, but those rewards were rather minimal. In FH, we can score “popularity points” for things like burnouts, drifting, narrow-miss (non-) collisions, and knocking over fence and sign posts. These Popularity Points are tied to your progress through the game, as festival-goers start to hear about your madcap driving and wicked “skillz”. Another noteworthy feature is the new day/night cyclethe sun will set, the moon will rise, and the headlights will flick on. Fireworks and spotlights eminate from the Festival grounds after dark, and the

“ THERE’S SOME GUY NAMED B-WALD WHO WE’VE NEVER MET, BUT THERE’S THIS GAME HE’S ALWAYS WANTED, AND WE SHOULD MAKE IT NOW. ” nature of the racing changes from car can be tuned or adjusted is not sanctioned festival events to madball known, street racing (perhaps for pink slips?). The forums are swirling with people Other than that, it’s classic Forza: debating the various aspects and Amass a bunch of cars, win races, overall style of the game, and not upgrade your cars, and drive your everyone’s happy- many fret that it’s heart out. Unfortunately, and to the too much like an NFS or Test Drive chagrin of many, hand-tuning is gone: Unlimited title. I fear they have missed You cannot adjust things like tire the point: It is supposed to resemble pressure, spring and damper rates, or those games. I joked about it earlier, gear ratios. Which, if any, aspects of a but perhaps this really is aimed at

me, or rather folks like me: We want the free-roam maps and a little taste of the zaniness found in the “arcade” games, but with the feeling of driving a real car, like you get in a “simulator”. I put quotation marks around these descriptors, because Dan and Ralph would rather we didn’t use them: they have dubbed Horizon an “actionracer”, which could turn out to be an entirely new sub-genre of driving game; the best of both worlds.


40 FORZA NATION NOVEMBER 2012

“WHAT MORE IS THERE I ASK? THE QUESTION IS SOMETIMES DIFFERENT, BUT THE REPLY ALWAYS THE SAME... FREEDOM” I started a thread on the official Turn 10 forums, asking Forzanauts abroad to express their overall feelings about this new game, and what it means to them. Here are a few of my favourite posts. “MOOCO2” said: ”I could go on and on about Horizon, and how bloody brilliant I honestly believe it’ll be, but, to put it shortly:

the one where I don’t have to make compromises, the one where I don’t have to guess about what could have been. This little spinoff, full of soul and promise, should be everything I could ever hope for. And I cannot wait. I am dying for October 23rd to get here. I’ll be that guy standing at GameStop at 10:00 AM, grinning like an idiot as I gleefully hand over $75 for a little disc in a big steel box. And when I fire up the old 360 and start up the Corrado to go for a drive...all I can hope is that, finally, it’ll all come through.”

”It’s basically like Playground Games sat down, looked me up, and said ‘Yessir, let’s make that bloke a racing game.’ “Boozy The Clown” said: “Horizon means being able to enjoy ”I completely get the vision with this the cars for how they drive.There will be game (I’m probably one of the few plenty of opportunities to race them that absolutely loves the music festival but in between and over time the and less focus on hardcore elements driving will be the stand out feature. in favor of fun, even though I’m by no Taking a car out for a tour of Colorado, means an arcade racing fanboy...I learning the map and identifying your love all racing games equally!) and favourite routes and roads. The roads what they’re trying to do. I really think that suit your favourite cars, the roads they’re gonna completely succeed with your favourite scenery, the roads on their goal of pushing the genre that take you to the epic views. Along forward. After all, they’re the first to the way the sensation of driving fast really try a hybrid game of this sort, but not out of control. Being able to a shot in the arm which both the sim make a 20 mile journey without hitting racing and arcade racing genres any traffic, or barriers, or going off road desperately needed: Some car unintentionally. The joy of sitting at the culture and honest handling feel for traffic’s pace and dropping a gear to the arcade crowd to get acquainted overtake with a blast of acceleration. with, and some honest fun to get the Playing a mix of your favourite music uptight sim fans to relax. as you drive endlessly without a destination. Where the journey is the ”So what does Horizon mean to me? adventure and the arrival place and I see it as an ending. An answer to all time largely irrelevant. those years of hoping that maybe, just once, the fall’s big racing game will be “The message I’m trying to get across

is that it won’t matter what car you are in or whether it’s tuned to you exact requirements. It won’t matter that the map isn’t endless. It won’t matter what past games have done or future games will do. What will be important is the moment and enjoying the game for what it is.” “UltraFR34K” said: “Nailing the apex going sideways, the sound of rumbling V8’s through the tunnels at midnight,chasing your lights to a never ending illusion of safety, the goosebumps that come with such a beautiful view that matches your every feeling, expressing your feelings through design, upgrades and car choice, exploring the map with friends and both feeling the sheer excitement of discovery and the fact that all of these things sit on a foundation of authenticity and passion. “To me this game tells me “You thought for so long, so here it is” It has already provided me with what i initially wanted and more. I hoped for an open world game with forza physics, i got it and more, all i can do now is sit on my computer, responding to articles hoping it will make the days fly past.” “Manc4life7” said” “….FH is the chance to DRIVE all of our dream cars. Notice, I didn’t say “race”. Sure, there will be plenty of that, but I can’t tell you how excited I am at the prospect of taking out a Huayra for a evening cruise....coming up on


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a long straight stretch.....pulling out to pass some old grandpa in a Nissan Leaf, and just pinning the throttle to the floor, listening to that glorious twinturbo AMG V12 roar as I shoot up to 140+....getting chills as I pull back into the right lane, ease off the throttle, and let the engine work it’s way back down the rev range.....I can’t wait. [:D]” Here’s a real masterpiece from our own DevlinGFS, lead editor and art guy: “I sit housed in a cage of metal and carbon fiber, a precision build machine on the edge of technology, at the forefront of design and bleeding edge of engineering. Aesthetically it’s a work of art, mechanically it’s a work of genius. With utter anticipation, focusing on the sound of an engine idling, awake but not yet fully brought to life. I close my eyes, trying to reach a higher state of focus, but the feeling in the pit of my stomach is too distracting. I slowly push my foot to the floor, sending electric currents pulsating through my fingertips and hands. Every hair on my body raises instantaneously, as though some form of extra sense has been activated. However, my mind is elsewhere and I don’t remember these little details in the moment, only when looking back. My ears are filled with the most unnatural of musical notes, the sound of the engine awakening, breathing, screaming. Not a scream of despair, but an angry

violent war cry. My heart stops, time slows and before I know it I’m traveling at 100 MPH. “nstinct has kicked in, I’m tearing through gears faster than my mind can compute, my body acting seemingly of it’s own accord. Fingers, hands arms and legs all working in unison like an elite military unit with such focus and precision it’s as though I’m possessed. The car has infected me, become part of me, willing me to push harder, think faster and be more than just myself. I feel every motion, as though tapped into the cars nervous system, wheels losing traction, engine peaking, suspension on the very limits of it’s capabilities. All extensions of myself. For what seems like mere moments, I push, harder than ever before, seemingly verging on the superhuman. Man and machine, as one, on the very limits. In the blink of an eye I check my laptime, switch down into second, 40% throttle, clip the apex, slight wheel spin, back right tire losing traction, up to 3rd, 70% throttle, all without thinking. Time has slowed to a crawl, an hour has passed, I’ve completed 25 laps, improved my lap times to the maximum of current car setup and skill, now running consistent 1.25’s. “Tomorrow I think, I’ll change the braking bias, stiffen up the suspension and slightly reduce the 4th gear ratio. Then begin the ritual all over again. “Although, in doing so, I know that deep down, something will be missing. I know this track like the back of my

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hand. Every scar, every blemish and hair. I love it, it feels like home. Simply driving onto it’s pristine tarmac surface fills me with utter joy, a confidence and lack of self awareness you only ever get on your own turf. The thrill of the chase always raging inside me. Be it a friend, foe or myself, I will always feel that inescapable pull. The little voice that says ‘you can go faster, harder, better than before’. So if not me, what is this feeling of emptiness? This feeling of being restricted, claustrophobic, caged like an animal? Even though I have taken the key out of the ignition, climbed out of the seat and closed the door, the machine still speaks to me. Still in my mind never fully leaving me. “Tomorrow I say, tomorrow we will be one again. But together, we can be so much more. What ‘more’ is there I ask? The question is sometimes different, but the reply always the same. Freedom.” Couldn’t have said it better myself.


INTO THE HORIZON First Impressions By: F4H Bandicoot At the recent Britcar 24 hour race at Silverstone, I had the pleasure of playing the Forza Horizon demo courtesy of the guys from TORA and Microsoft. After spending a good hour taking photographs and looking in garages, I decided to check out the TORA garage and try out the Horizon demo. Upon arriving at the garage I quickly got myself to one of the multiple demo stations and started to play the demo. I quickly worked out that it was the same demo that had been available at E3 some time ago; however, I did not let this take away from my experience. The first thing I want to talk about is the graphics, they are superb, cars look stunning, as does the environments and roads I raced on. I can only assume this is down to the nature of image based lighting, even so, the guys at playground games appear to have done a great job on the graphical side of the game. The same can be said of sounds, the Viper sounded great.There was a little in game music , not enough to realistically talk about, however, with the recent release of the games soundtrack, I’d just like to say what a good variety and nice mix of music is included in the game,. I’m sure many will get hours of enjoyment solely from the soundtrack. The most important part of any Forza game though, is the physics, and after a few short playthroughs of the demo, I had a decent enough idea of what Horizon is all about. The garage had four Forza 4 rigs set up, and after a few goes on them, followed up by playthroughs of the demo, I came to the conclusion that there is something different between to two games, it may only be a marginal difference, but Horizon, although feeling remarkably similar to Forza 4, does feel slightly toned down, and more forgiving, allowing you to hold drifts more easily. This could be due to the age of the demo however, so these words should not be taken as an absolute. Personally, I feel Horizon will be a success no matter what. It has the Forza feel, it looks top quality graphically and, most importantly, it’s the open road! Forza physics, Forza graphics, open road. What more could a car fan want.


RELEASES: // 23RD OCTOBER US // 26TH OCTOBER UK & EUROPE

“ FORZA PHYSICS, FORZA GRAPHICS, OPEN ROAD... WHAT MORE COULD A CAR FAN WANT? ”


44 FORZA NATION NOVEMBER 2012

Coming Soon


NOVEMBER 2012

IRKS OF A FORZA PLAYER By: Bazt3rd Now what is coming up does not reflect the FN team disposition in any way. Just mine, and mine alone. So let my rants commence! 1: AIs, what is up with them? AI, or artificial intelligence, the bedrock of so many players’ irks, and I, too, have been plagued with their catastrophe of horrible skill. Ranging them from easy to professional, when you play with them once you should get a clue on what they will do. Deliberate blocking, cut-offs, running into you at the starting line and anywhere in between, the list can go on and on. I played with them on all levels, ranging from running off the roads and deliberate cut-off and running into you at the starting line (easy) to brake checking cutoffs to pitting you when braking (oh, I seen them do that) (professional). Now there is no real way of getting around them, and most of the times you need to go through them, but once your on top they don’t bother you, they are not even around you when your first place, but when you do eff up, they’ll be there to screw you over again! 2: Slow cars? No. Old cars? Yes. Now I have the need for speed just like anyone else does that play Forza, and there are old cars. Indeed they are very nice to look at and even nicer to drive in real life (well, some of them anyways), but I’m a modern man and I like to keep up with the times. Modern cars from my era (1990’s) and up are my favorites, so nothing appeals to me when it 1980’s or bellow. The lowest I’ll drive is anything from 1950s, but I rarely ride those cars. What I drive will be mostly on what manufacture it is or, more importantly, if the cars are deemed a sports car in my eyes. Austin-Healey, MG, or some old VWs is kind of a joke, but I have been wrong. I just don’t see them as sports cars. 3: To be or not to be, that is the problem. This isn’t a wish list, it’s just what should be and not be in my eyes. First, in Forza 3, it gave us the option to swap engine and drivetrains between car manufacture related to each other (GM company engine swaps, i.e. Corvette ZR1 engine swap into Pontiacs, and Toyota RWD into Scions), and now in Forza 4, Turn 10 revoke that part of the game? Now why was that? Only a Turn 10 team member could answer that. Also what about the 5.0L Cammer and the 540 Mopar engine swaps, what happen to them (after reading this part to myself I kind of understand why)? I feel Turn 10 gone rouge as an American video game company, moving on to English cars. Fine with me, I’m just a bit pissed off, that’s all. One more thing: the TSX and the Fusion Sport, really? That all I have to say about them.

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46 FORZA NATION NOVEMBER 2012

3 - Indianapolis

2 - Le Mans 1 - Nordschleife


NOVEMBER 2012

RACING INTO THE DANGER ZONE Words: Standaman94 Images: RT79pt

3 - Indianapolis

The original Speedway, people have been driving left around here for over 100 years. It is considered the biggest stadium in the world, seating ¼ million spectators – more than any other race track, sports stadium or Olympic stadium. Indianapolis is home to none other than the Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400, 500 and 400 mile races of cars hitting speeds over 200 mph. IndyCar and NASCAR are famous throughout the world for their incredible crashes, and none more so than at Indy. The circuit has taken the lives of 42 drivers, 13 mechanics, 7 spectators, and 2 firemen, among others, coming to a total of 73 deaths – A considerable about for a track with four corners.

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Most people will get an incredible kick out of driving at 200mph. Whether you’re 5 or 55, 19 or 90, speed gives you an experience you can’t replicate anywhere else; it’s the immediate danger that faces you, the fact that five bolts can make the difference between going in a straight line and wrapping around the pole approaching rapidly towards you. There are some people, however, that think this kick isn’t enough. They go out of their way to reach incredible speeds in all the wrong places, and it’s these people who give these places the credit they don’t deserve. We’ve knocked up three of these locations you can safely visit in the comfort of Forza Motorsport.

2 - Le Mans

Although not as old as Indy, Le Mans is the oldest endurance in history, and in the manufacturer’s eyes is one of the most important. The track is a fast, flowing circuit; 8.5 miles of public roads. An apparent 85% of the circuit consists of full throttle, with some cars reaching 250 mph, making it the fastest track in the world. Not only this, but the Mulsanne Straight, which takes up the majority of the circuit, was the longest straight in a circuit in the world until the introduction of the chicanes in 1990. 21 drivers have died at Le Mans, fortunately the most recent death was only in 1997. It’s most agreed that the greatest tragedy in motorsport took place here – the 1955 Le Mans Disaster. This was the golden era of Le Mans, a time when the Aston DBR1, Jaguar D-Type and Porsche 550 took to the track, and the pits were wide open on the side of the track. Hawthorn in the Jaguar D-Type was being followed by Macklin in the Austin-Healey, Levegh in the Mercedes 300 SLR, and Fangio in another Mercedes. Hawthorn decided to jump into the pits, catching Macklin by surprise. Macklin swerved to the left, colliding with Levegh who became airborn and crashed into the barrier, debris from his crushing and decapitating the crowd. The car caught on fire in white-hot flames due to the magnesium in the body. Meanwhile, Macklin hit the pit wall and rebounded into the crowd, killing just one spectator. Fangio managed to narrowly escape the incident. 84 people died, including Levegh, and 120 people were injured.

1 - Nordschleife

Thirteen miles, 154 turns, and 300 metres altitude difference. Rain, fog, snow, mountains. The Nurburgring is the ultimate test. The longest circuit in the world, and by far the deadliest. Conceived in the 1920’s by mad men racing in the Eifel Mountains, the Nurburgring was designed to be the safe haven for these races. The circuit is so big it holds a whole town in the centre; Nurburg. The Nurburgring is home to none other than the Nurburgring 24 Hours, perhaps one of the most challenging races of today. It is also a one-way public toll road, meaning that anyone can pay money to take their car around it. But that comes at a price... These people are not experienced race drivers. It is estimated that as much as 12 people die at the Nurburgring every year, and that overall it has claimed the lives of 200 people. There has also been a recorded 76 deaths in official race events, the most recent in 2010 when Leo Löwenstein’s Vantage flipped and caught fire. The most iconic corner is the Caracciola Karussell, named after Rudolf Caracciola who hooked his left tires into the drainage ditch to hug the curve. Other drivers copied him, and eventually the tarmac wore away and the concrete was uncovered. It has now been remade into a real concrete embankment.


48 FORZA NATION NOVEMBER 2012

QUESTION TIME? INTERVIEW WITH I AlphaKenny1

A while back Forza Nation ran a contest to win a special designed 9/11 memorial GT500, but the designer of the car, I AlphaKenny1 I, also ran a that paint job on a Saleen S331 Supercab and a Dodge Ram SRT-10. Here’s a short and simple interview talking about his design and a bit about his Forza experience.

contest we ran. How did you come up with that design? I AlphaKenny1 I: Well I wanted to keep with the theme of the trucks. The GT500 would have been torture to fit all those names on it. So I decided to make the livery all about Forza Nation. The winner may not post on the forum so he/she would have no clue or even want those gamertags on the car. It came out simple, but nice.

for me? What truck(s) did you use for the design, and did that reflect what kind of design it was going to be or how much space can be used?

I AlphaKenny1 I: America made trucks, and that was what I wanted more than anything. For one, “They’re American. Cuz were in America!” Sorry had a Ricky FN: So, why did you decide to make this Bobby moment. Ha-ha. But seriously these design? trucks provide the best canvases. The bed covers. Yeah i know the GMC van has a I AlphaKenny1 I: I have always been FN: Now on the original design you put lot of space but the Ram and Super Cab patriotic. And had my girlfriend (current volunteering community members on were the best vehicles for the job. I knew wife) not been pregnant I would have your trucks saying “THESE FORZA FORUM I wanted the twin towers standing tall enlisted into the Army, but I couldn’t leave MEMBERS WILL NEVER FORGET”. How many infront of the sunset on that bed cover. I her and our newborn behind. 9/11 will gamertags where you able to put? searched 9/11 memorials and found the always be in my heart. I was at school 9/11/01 with the 11 being the towers. It said when it happened. It was terrifying. I AlphaKenny1 I: Man, I wish I had kept “Remember” with an American flag below Anyway I came up with this idea because count. Honestly, I was overwhelmed. I it, and it all fit into a pentagon shape. The I see the Forza Forum as a community didn’t think anyone would like the idea. second hardest piece was the FDNY MIA within a bigger community. Everyone who A rough estimate is at least or almost 100 logo, which depicts a fireman with an axe plays Forza isn’t registered to the forum. Gamertags on the car, and I got to shout in the same black silhouette as the POW So I wanted to make a special truck so out TheFishE77 who helped and made MIA logo. However, I opted not to add the outsiders playing Forza could see what an about 15 of the gamertags for me. letters around the logo to save time and it awesome group of people Forza has on wouldn’t have been very readable. Along the forum. FN: I really didn’t get to see the truck (or the sides are of course the gamertags. trucks as I have been reading on thread The roofs were fitted with American Flags, FN: It’s cool how you where able to make about your design) that you put your and the Forza logo with the website on the us that design on that GT500 for that design on. Can you clear up something trucks as well.


NOVEMBER 2012

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“ I WANTED TO MAKE A SPECIAL TRUCK SO OUTSIDERS PLAYING FORZA COULD SEE WHAT AN AWESOME GROUP OF PEOPLE FORZA HAS ON THE FORUM ”

FN: So with seeing this work that you have done, I presume you do a fair amount of livery work in your spare time on Forza?

racing game. We quickly found this wasn’t like Need for Speed where you can just hammer the gas and drive around the track.The track we were on turned out to be I AlphaKenny1 I: Well I try. Forza 4 is still new New York, and the game Forza Motorsport. to me. I picked it up about a month ago, When the Xbox 360 came out I of course so everything is still new and exciting even didn’t buy it right off the bat, but after though I’ve done most of it before. I’m still playing CoD 4, I wanted it. So my wife and I building my credits and car collection, bought one. It came with Forza Motorsport but yes, my favorite part of painting is 2, so naturally I was excited about that. laying down the base designs, color That’s where I first started painting. I pre combinations, and different designs that ordered Forza 3 and went to the midnight appeal to me. I’m not much of a logo release. There were about only 12 people maker, but I have made a few and it there and played it up until Battlefield 3 challenged me and if I’m going to make came out. Then I started aching for Forza liveries I got to learn, but yeah, I prefer to 4. So I traded like 7 games for Forza 4 and make original designs instead of replica another game. So, I have had them all at race liveries, but eventually when I get to some point in time. where I want to be, and enough people are still playing Forza 4 I’ll be able to lay FN: Everyone is excited for Forza Horizon. down some seriously good paints. What do you think about it? FN: So, how quaint are you with Forza Motorsports series? Have you been with it at the beginning, did you start somewhere in the middle, or was Forza 4 your first one? I AlphaKenny1 I: My Forza journey began at Best Buy. My buddies and I saw the original Xbox and the game playing was a

I AlphaKenny1 I: I’m glad Turn 10 is taking a new direction. It’s one of those things when you first see it you’re like “That looks stupid!” or “That’s not Forza!”, but then you start to see all the videos and hearing the hype, you change your perspective. It starts to appeal to you. It’s like they merged Forza with Midnight Club in the sense that

you can roam free. So yes, I’m excited and do plan on owning it whether it’s on launch day or not. Thanks you to I AlphaKenny1 I for that brief interview, and to check his work out on his forum thread: http:// forums.forzamotorspor t.net/forums/ thread/5686988.aspx


50 FORZA NATION NOVEMBER 2012

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NOVEMBER 2012

FORZA NATION 51

THANKS

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52 PRIMOPAGES

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Fruit? Isn’t it nice...

JUNE 11

Probably the best lemons on the face of the earth!


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