Update on JDAN Racing

Hey guys,

it feels like it’s been a long, long time since we’ve met on a race track. It is calm and for me too calm, but there are reasons. The first split of our community happened after the xbox one was released. Naturally not everyone was able to buy one, especially as it became clear, that you have to buy a new wheel to race in Forza 5. So some bought it and they loved the new game.

Others changed to the Sony playstation and Gran Tourismo. It seems that there also great racing is happening. Not as sophisticated as in FM4, because of tuning and livery options, but with great tracks and cheaper, because it is possible to use old wheels. And I think there were guys who changed to pc racing.

So many variations and possibilities and as consequence few of us are lost with the old xbox 360. During the summer it was always quiet, but this year it was very, very quiet. It was and is something which is making me sad, because I have great memories of racing in “Too old for Forza” and FM4. Even if I only made two wins in three years and stepped onto the podium only for 6 times.

It was a great trip for me as a sim racing driver, because I got much support and I learned a lot from you all. Not enough for now, but my little steps to reduce this “always 5 seconds gap” made me happy. The time in which we had racing teams, press releases and so on also was absolutely fantastic fun. Even if that hype was short lived.

Because I stepped into sim racing in 2012 with a xbox from my son and a cheap non force-feedback wheel, I would have had to invest either in a PS3/4 and a f.e. g27 wheel, a new pc with a wheel or a xbox one with a new wheel. The cheapest solution would have cost something about 500 Euro. Too much for me, for now and for months.

The great solution – xbox one, FM5 and wheel – is something I collect money for, but due to some problems as freelancer, that process was stopped for now. For the rest of 2014 there is no light at the horizon, but maybe 2015 will be better.

I was able to buy Grid Autosport and hopped, that some will follow, but it never happened. So I raced there, learned new tracks, cars and I made experiences. The game is so to speak “miles away” from FM4, but it is fun for me and so I work on my racing skills in career mode and on few occasions during online races with kids.

Last week I downloaded Formular 1 2014 for my xbox and started my first ever F1 season in a Caterham. Different game, different racing and also far away from FM4, but I see it as chance to learn racing. Again new tracks, new cars and new techniques. In this game I am far, far behind all other kids, but slowly and surely I am making progress here too.

So for next months I will play Autosport and F1. May be there will be a FM4 series, which suits me and then I will join. The Lotus series, the car, is killing and frustrating me, so I left it.

I have some favourites races, series and tracks, which I regulary race on:

FM4 – The Ring – any car

FM 4- Le Mans – GT cars

Autosport – Spa Francochamps – Any car

Autosport – Mount Panorama – V8 Supercars and GT cars

Autosport – BTCC cars and BTCC tracks

Formula 1 – Hockenheim and as a real challenge Monaco and other street circuits

So that is my situation. I will safe money and hopefully I will be able to buy a xbox one, if FM6 will be released.

All the best and luck and health for all of you. Thank you very much for all we experienced together and …..

Keep racing clean, fair and space giving!

See you!

JDANKERT