Volume 63 -- Sept. 21, 2007

A Turn 10 Introduction...

By: Che Chou, Community Manager

Hello everyone and welcome to the Tokyo Game Show 2007 edition of the Turn 10 Weekly Pitpass Report. There's a ton of stuff to cover this week (including the release of our first DLC car pack!) but before we go there, I want to give everyone an update on the Forza Motorsport 2 happenings here in Tokyo. My goal in coming out to TGS this year was two-fold -- obviously check out games on the show floor to stay abreast of the latest and greatest out there (and to be honest, the show itself was kind of disappointing in terms of shock and awe), but also to meet hardcore Forza 2 fans at Microsoft's community party after the show.

perfect grip get the perfect cover shot with his depiction of a classic 4WD rivialry.

I gotta say, it was pretty awesome to come face-to-face with some of the best Japanese painters and hotlappers, and to exchange thoughts on the game, as well as hear suggestions on where they would like us to take the franchise. Prior to coming out to Tokyo, these core group of guys (representing many Japanese players) gifted me a collection of their best custom-liveried cars (which I will post and share with you all when I return to Seattle next week). When we met at the hotel after TGS, they were super eager to whip out their thumb drives and memory sticks to show me even more of their proudest creations.

Turn 10's community manager Che Chou chillaxin' with FM2's fast and furious Tokyo crew.

 
These guys were also the first people in the world outside of Turn 10 to run hotlaps (with the new car pack, no less) on our first DLC track in all its various ribbon configurations. Needless to say, they were pretty stoked! Overall, as community manager for Turn 10, it was an eye-opening experience to meet with some of your game's biggest fans in person -- especially the original crew that created such great liveries for the Auction House before the game came out in the U.S.

The crew get's a sneak peek at the first Forza Motorsport 2 DLC track. 

So back at Turn 10 HQ, I've been working with Landin over email and IM on a variety of issues. He's going to go into more detail on the current status of the Nissan Sentra tourney below, but first I want to talk about where we are currently with the scoreboard clean-up effort. Last Monday, we finished up the last of our targeted scoreboard wipes -- the criteria being the top 750 ranked Hotlap times set with manual transmission on or before 8/25 (the date we released our patch that fixes the AWD glitch). As far as we were concerned, that was good enough to re-align the scoreboards for realistic, and more importantly, beatable times without the use of the AWD glitch.

 
Still, the overwhelming feedback we received in the forums was that there were some very suspect automatic transmission times on the Hotlap boards dominating the top of the charts now. We looked into the problem and, given the replay evidence, came up inconclusive as to whether these times were set using the AWD glitch. In an effort to address community concern around the possibility that AT times were glitched, we are going to consider doing an additional (albeit small and targeted) wipe of AT times in Hotlaps. More details on that when we've confirmed our decision.

Tofunuggets brings us this interesting shot of a reversed lap around Road Atlanta

 
Hopefully, soon the scoreboard wiping will be a thing of the past we can move forward and focus on playing Forza 2 again. Speaking of playing Forza 2, many of you have already noticed that we've just released our first DLC car pack on Xbox Live Marketplace. As a gesture of good will and appreciation for all the patience our community has had to muster up this summer, we wanted to be sure that one of the cars in the pack was free to grab and also to make sure we could set up reasonable pricing on DLC. We were able to accomplish the former, and hopefully, you think we've managed to also achieve the latter.

 
So here to talk more about the new cars you could be playing with this weekend is Ryan Williams from Turn 10's game design team.

 
A Closer Look at FM2's Carpack #1

 
By: Ryan Williams

2006 Audi #8 Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R10 TDI

Being the successor to arguably the most dominant car in sports car history (the 5-time 24 Hours of Le Mans champion Audi R8) is not necessarily a good thing.  Expectations are almost impossible to live up to and anything less than dominance will be considered a failure.   That being said, the 2006 Audi Sport Team Joest R10 TDI has certainly lived up to expectations.  During its debut season of 2006, the R10 cleaned house by winning the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Petit Le Mans and four additional ALMS events.  In addition the R10 was the first diesel powered car to win any of these events, no small task considering the challenges of racing a diesel engine.  Low revs, transmission-twisting torque and a broad powerband all contribute to make the R10 a fresh and exciting driving experience on the tracks of Forza Motorsport 2. 

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Hemi

Quite possibly the most excessive of all muscle cars engines, the Dodge ‘Street Hemi’ terrorized dragstrips and stoplights across the United States, and created an American legend.  Introduced in the mid 60’s, the 426 cubic-inch engine featured twin Carter AFB carburetors and was rated at an extremely modest 425 horsepower.  In reality the engine produced closer to 500 horsepower and when dropped in the lightweight Challenger chassis you had the most potent muscle car available in 1970.  Cars straight off the showroom floor were capable of high 12 second quarter-mile runs with 110 mph trap speeds.  To put things in perspective, if you walked into a Ferrari dealership 20 years later and spent $200,000 on a 512TR, you would be door-to-door down the quarter-mile with a Hemi Challenger.

2006 Dodge Challenger Concept

The 2006 Dodge Challenger Concept is a modern interpretation of everything that makes the classic Hemi Challenger so legendary.  Twin hood scoops, black racing stripes, massive 20-inch wheels, bright orange paint and a wide, aggressive stance all add up to one serious automotive statement.  Other exterior features include twin-rectangular exhaust tips, classically styled projector headlights and iconic ‘R/T’ badges.  Inside you will find the classic bucket-seat and center console layout, complete with a ‘Pistol Grip’ shifter and a tri-spoke ‘Tuff’ steering wheel.   Throw in a 6.1 liter 425 horsepower Hemi V8, 6-speed manual transmission and a modern independent suspension and you have a real performer which is more than faithful to its classic counterpart. 

2006 Honda Civic Si Coupe

As a clean-sheet design, the 2006 Honda Civic Si Coupe is clearly the shape of things to come.  Out are the old hatchback based Si designs and in are the sleek, sophisticated shapes of the new Si Coupe.  An aggressive rear spoiler, 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels coupled with Honda’s One-Motion design create a dramatic, sporty visual impression, even while standing still.  Step inside and the feeling you get from the exterior continues to flow.  Specially embroidered bucket seats with massive side bolstering hold the driver firmly in place.  One look at the 9,000 rpm tachometer and you know this car means business.  Under the hood is one of the finest production engines in the world, the Honda K20Z3.  Displacing 2.0 liters, it features a racecar like compression ratio of 11.0:1, Honda’s i-VTEC valvetrain and cranks out 197 horsepower.  The drivetrain is completed with a close-ratio 6-speed transmission and a helical limited-slip differential.

2007 Honda Civic Type-R

The Type-R badge exemplifies Honda’s pride in their long and successful motorsports history.  From the original grand prix cars of the 60’s to the World Championship winning Honda F1 engines of the 80’s and 90’s, Honda has consistently engineered success at the top levels of international motorsports.  Fortunately for drivers worldwide, Honda channels their knowledge into a few select models, all wearing the Type-R badge.  Beginning with the new Civic platform, Honda turns the docile economy car into a giant killer all while maintaining everyday usability.  First off the Type-R receives a wider track, lower ride height and a beefed up chassis with upper/lower cross members, both front and rear.  Combined with track-tuned suspension settings, quick ratio steering and sticky tires the Civic Type-R provides mountains of grip.  The engine is the amazing K20A which cranks out over 100bhp per liter and is more than happy turning 8,000rpm all day long. 

1967 Lamborghini Miura P400

Few cars are so revolutionary in their design and performance that they define a new genre.  When introduced in 1966 the Lamborghini Miura left people worldwide in awe of its design and performance; the first Supercar was born.  Named for the fearsome Miura Ranch bulls, the Miura certainly lives up to its namesake.  Beneath the beautiful Bertone coachwork lies a 4.0 liter V12 which cranks out 350 horsepower and literally screams to a 7,500rpm redline.  Only one competitor, the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 could compete with the Miura’s performance, 0-60mph in 6 seconds flat and a top speed over 170mph.  The groundbreaking combination of exotic styling and racecar performance evokes a passion which is second to none in the automotive world.  Appreciation for the Miura has only grown since its inception, so much so that no classic Italian car collection is complete without one.

2006 Lamborghini Miura Concept

To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Miura, new Lamborghini chief designer Walter de’Silva debuted the Miura Concept at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show.  The stunning design incorporates production feasibility, advanced aerodynamics and incredible structural strength all while remaining faithful to the original design.  Unfortunately Lamborghini has yet to announce production plans for the Miura Concept, however it is entirely possible as the platform was loosely based on the current Gallardo model.  For the streets and circuits of Forza Motorsport 2, the Miura Concept is equipped with the mighty Murcielago LP640 engine.  Coupled to the Miura’s 7-speed paddle-shift transmission, the 6.5 liter V12 produces 640 horsepower at an ear-piercing 8000rpm.  You can be certain that few cars will produce a more pleasing combination of design, sound and all-out performance.

2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Few Porsches have had the privilege of carrying the RS or Rennsport badge, but the few that have are certainly automotive icons.  The 2007 911 GT3 RS is the newest rendition and is based on the wildly popular 997 chassis.  Apart from being an ultimate statement of Porsche’s engineering ability, this car also serves as a homologation piece for racing series worldwide.  A revised muscular body features a wider front and rear track to increase high speed stability and mechanical grip.  The chassis’ aerodynamics are carefully sculpted to create large amounts of downforce, resulting in an amazing cornering ability.  Overall weight is 20kg lighter than the standard GT3, thanks to lighter body panels and the extensive use of carbon fiber.  As with most race-bred Porsches, the engine can be traced to the legendary 962 design.  With 415 horsepower, an 8,400rpm redline and a performance tuned exhaust the GT3 RS provides a driving experience (street or circuit) that is truly extraordinary.

2007 Saturn Sky Red Line

After the successful introduction of the Saturn Sky, GM executives decided to raise the performance bar with Saturn Sky Red Line, and raise the bar they did.  Although similar in appearance to the standard Sky, the devil is certainly in the details.  Under the hood is the world-class 2.0 liter turbocharged LNF Ecotec engine, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.  Featuring direct-injection, an all aluminum construction and dual variable valve-timing the LNF churns out 260hp, a modest 83hp increase over the standard model!  In addition the suspension is fitted with larger stabilizer bars, stiffer springs and performance tuned shocks.  Power is put to the ground through a limited-slip differential and Red Line specific 18-inch tires.  All these features add up to a car with outstanding handling, balance and performance.  Perhaps most impressive is that the Sky and Sky Red Line are already dominating autocross and gymkhana classes worldwide. Miata owners you have been warned.

2007 Seat Leon Cupra

Derived from the incredibly successful WTCC Leon racecar, the 2007 Seat Leon Cupra takes performance to a whole new level.  240 horsepower from 2.0 liter TSI turbocharged 4-cylinder engine combined with a close ratio 6-speed manual transmission make this model the fastest road going Seat ever.  Perhaps most impressive is the engine’s torque delivery.  Thanks to TSI technology, maximum torque is achieved at an astonishing 1,750rpm with virtually no turbo-lag.  In addition the torque curve remains flat throughout most of the rev range.  The power is backed up with aggressive design lines, 18-inch alloy wheels, sport tuned exhaust and a rear diffuser derived from the WTCC model.  The aggressive styling continues with the interior, featuring a sport steering wheel, heavily bolstered bucket seats and aluminum pedals.  Seat set out to embody their racing heritage and passion into the new Leon Cupra, and they certainly hit the mark. 

2007 Seat Leon Supercup

With recent championships in both WTCC and BTCC Seat quickly established itself as a major player in the highly competitive touring car championships.  These victories are a direct result of the experience gained and lessons learned in Seat’s own Seat Cupra Championship (SCC).  Over 20% of the entrants in SCC have made the jump to the highest levels of touring car racing, the WTCC and BTCC.  For 2007 Seat introduced a new race car which promises to be faster and cheaper to maintain than the previous generation.  Featuring a 300 horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed paddle shift gearbox, massive AP Racing brakes and a Seat Sport differential, the new Leon SCC offers exceptional performance.  Drivers and engineers will be able to tune suspension, brake distribution and downforce settings to extract maximum performance.  With a £100,000 purse and highly talented drivers the SCC is sure to provide plenty of excitement and fierce competition.

The Forza Motorsport 2 Community Update

By: Landin Williams, Community Moderator

Hello and welcome to another edition of the Forza Motorsport 2 community update, the time where the spotlight gets shifted back towards the users who populate our very active online community. With Che out of town there has been a lot for me to cover this week, so I want to apologize to anyone who has not been able to get in touch with me. I have been responding as best I can to PM’s as well as e-mails, so please be patient if you have yet to hear back.

Ok the first thing I want to cover is the Nissan Sentra Tournament. Last week after the tournament brackets went live, we began receiving multiple e-mails from users claiming to have been dropped from the tournament. We now understand that due to technical issues a number of players that registered for the tournament were not seeded into Racing Round 1. Please accept our sincere apologies, as many users were accidentally bumped into the tournament. In the interest of fairness, we are reseeding players into Racing Round 1 and Racing Round 1 will be rescheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. PT on September 22, 2007. Currently all users who signed up and qualified have been reseeded into the brackets that have already been updated. A message was sent via Xbox Live to the users who are currently scheduled to race in the re-run of Round 1 this Saturday.  Once again we apologize for the confusion.

We understand that by doing this we have now removed a large number of players from the tournament who were accidentally bumped into the first round, and want to apologize for this error. If you are one of these players then be advised that we will be contacting you in the near future with a little something for your troubles.

zMOSESz stops by to show off this incredibly detailed replica of the Mopar Viper

Hotlap Challenge Week 2 – Tsukuba Shootout

We have had another intense week of hot-lapping action, as the Tsukuba Shootout attracted 3794 players all competing for a spot in the top 100. I was checking the top 10 periodically today and noticed that people were getting bumped out of the top 10 even at 5:00 PM, proof that racers were setting times up until the last minute. We had a small mistake with the settings this week as evidently users were forced to drive stock B class cars instead of fully upgraded ones, however this did not stop drivers from submitting amazingly quick times around Tsukuba.

Our top qualifier this week is D2C Picaso, making his appearance in the number one spot for two weeks in a row! Congratulations going out to D2C for claiming back to back victories as well as setting two Top 10 times this week. Who is going to step up to make sure D2C Picaso doesn’t solidify a Chicago Bulls style “three peat” in week number 3? Well here it is, another FM.net challenge to anyone who thinks they are fast enough to take the number 1 spot. We at Turn 10 are willing to offer up 10 Million Credits to any racer able to hold down the number one spot in this week's competition, and take the title away from D2C Picaso! With that said here is a breakdown of the top 10 qualifiers in The Tsukuba Shootout. I am confident that any one of these racers could complete the challenge and get the 10 million dollar bonus!

Hotlap Challenge Week 2 – Tsukuba Shootout Top 10

1-D2C Picaso        58.005
2-PoTzyPLOP      58.021
3-TRC Skywalker      58.103
4-D2C DaRk RaCeR  58.180
5-TDR Flex   58.252
6-o Liberty o   58.271
7-Speed Phantom  58.277
8-Luke Sowersby  58.279
9-IPR BackONE AbS  58.282
10-SPDN KyBoOtEr  58.326

Congratulations to all those in the Top 10! Once again we are seeing many repeat performances by some of the top drivers in the world. We have randomly selected 20 racers who finished in the top 100, that will be gifted a car of choice courtesy of Turn 10!  Here are the winners this week.

Syythe has us thunder stuck again with his amazing homage to AC/DC.

Hotlap Challenge Week 2 – Random 20 Winners

TMM Jczero
gap20
dotq
IPR Hagarr
D2C Walahoshie
ShadowBoxing
DocBorderline
ginty7
SnejkPL
IPR AndySDQ AI
Will 23 RR
TSF Havoc
jcianfr
NO DeCLouie
botlite
LoCo ArMeN
Cosmicboy06
Intmadatrs
TRC Zarfax
DualAfterburn

Congratulations to everyone who has been selected in our random draw. If you have won this week then please e-mail forzafb@microsoft.com in order to submit your request for a free gift car of choice. Winners are eligible to receive one (1) gift car of choice with the only exceptions being the Peugeot 208 and the new Premium DLC cars. Requests will be sent out Monday afternoon so get your e-mails in early!

Mee Cuuntee really suprised us this week, with his creative use of  framing and lighting.

Hotlap Challenge Week 3 – European Tuning Challenge

This week we have created a tuning challenge that will allow players to upgrade cars to the top of S class (we got the settings right this week). The only restriction is that the cars cannot exceed S class, and they must be from Europe. We are interested to see what kind of tuning abilities you all have, so this week you will need to get creative with your upgrades and tuning! We will be announcing the winners next Friday along with anyone who was able to complete the challenge posted above.  We hope to see a new name in the number one spot for this week's challenge!

Photo Mode Winners of the Week
http://forums.forzamotorsport.net/forums/thread/979900.aspx

perfect grip (Cover Shot)
TekF
Mee Cuuntee
Inuae
Chef Face
Tofunuggets
ASG xReaperx
Turns
Bimmerman3421
supra94drift

Original Livery Winners of the Week
http://forums.forzamotorsport.net/forums/thread/979898.aspx

Syythe (Turn 10 Featured Livery)
xX PACMAN 2 Xx
ssikpiyelnats
redesign
Starfuryalpha
QK Timmyflush
speedracer04
Mike Patton CH
C4 Inmate
L3o Sl4yer

Replica Livery Winners of the Week
http://forums.forzamotorsport.net/forums/thread/979921.aspx

zMOSESz (Turn 10 Featured Livery)
MuGeN C R U
CooLRonin
Kartman_013
Duff Man D
Okinawa 007
Blue Scapegoat
FatboyShane
Miamigopoquito
g3TurboD

Congratulations to all the winners of our weekly competitions this week!  Make sure to send you gift request in to “forzafb@microsoft.com” and include your gamertag.  Once again the only cars not available to be gifted are the recent DLC cars as well as the Peugeot 908.

supra94drift takes a shot of this clean Skyline R34 heading down the back straight at Tsukuba.

Well that’s it for this week’s community update. Enjoy the weekend, and make sure to pick up the DLC goodies!

Peace

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