Interviews

It is here that we will conduct interviews by phone, text, PM, Xbox Live, email, or in person.  Our interviews will be about current events in console simulation racing, along with prevailing opinions and attitudes surfacing from you, the people.  We trust that you will enjoy them as much as we do, and maybe learn some things along the way.  Chances are good that important people from T10, ESL, and Microsoft are reading as well, and possibly react to the opinions and make minor changes as they have been known to do in the past.





Our first interview is with a long time racer and friend to the Forza community known as KickRocks29. This interview was conducted via texting Dec 17th 2016.



Hello Kick, When did you start playing Forza?

"9 years ago I think? Forza 1"

 
Are you an actual car guy who is into cars or more of a gamer?

"I've been racing cars for 16 years and I manage a parts store. I'm a car guy."

 
What do you like most about Forza and would like to see more of?

"Well, I haven't raced in a while but the realism of mechanical reaction to inputs and the physics. I would like to see random weather and more engagement by turn 10 with private series racing, also controlled cautions as well as a better rolling start feature."
 
 
What do you like least about Forza and like to see less of?

"The corporatist agendas... the track cutting on T10 sponsored events. The fact that those track cutters are partnered with T10 and it is encouraged. One of the things i really dont like is i paid money for dlc with certain trucks that have been blacklisted from online use. I would like to see less wreckage in public lobbies and a monitoring system put in place to penalize the wreckers on a regular basis."


 
What is your opinion of the recent ESL Forza Racing Championship, did you approve of the format?

"It's a joke. I would like to see a timed or lap supported qualifying session implemented (as is the real world) for these tournaments to avoid giving people all the laps in the world to set a fast time."

 
Do you think this is the best direction to take the franchise, in the direction of organized racing and international competitions?

"Not with the rule set and point grind that they are using."


 
Since handcontroller users dominate Forza over wheel users at the highest level do you think there should be a separate championship for wheel users?

"I could agree with that."

 
What improvements do you hope to see in Forza 7?

"Less focus on the "shiny stuff." Let's get more cars that people will actually use. I would also like to see a point/credit bonus for using cars that are not dominating on the leader boards."

 
As a long time user of  Forza, what might stop you from buying Forza 7?

"The loss of engagement with the "little guy." Also the price and DLC costs. There too many legitimate other options to gaming these days. Racing on Forza isn't what it used to be."

 
Lastly, according to the IFCA World rankings and other sources you are one of the top 200 fastest Forza drivers in the world, (169th currently) who do think is the fastest? 2 time ForzaRC champion Laige? 2 time runner up and current #1 on the IFCA rankings Lightning?  Or someone else?

"There is no correct answer for that question. Racing is a sport of variables. Depending on the conditions, cars, and other things such as grid position, damage, tires and fuel. Anyone can win on any given day. You take those variables away as they have with these hotlap tournaments and your not looking for the best racer. Your looking for the guy who places the fastest lap out of god knows how many they turned. With all that being said, on an even playing field, i will put my money on none other that my brother. SP33D RAC3R 28X, The guy is lightning in a bottle, flashes the skills [of] a pro every time he gets behind the wheel. Is not known by the masses because he makes his pleasure out of putting oddball cars on the grid and will not bow down and drive the leaderboard cars that the masses blast into the top 100 and think they were the fastest ever. Also, a real driver who frowns on track cutting and dirty dumping to get to the front. I will stand by that statement until the day i die. SP33D is the perfect example of the fastest "racer" out there."


Thank you for your time and opinions Kick, and good luck out on the track.


IFCA Staffer

It was our great pleasure to have a moment to speak to Hall of Fame Forza racer and former #1 SP33D RAC3R 28x.  As many of you know SP33D has been around, won just about everything, and is in semi-retirement from Forza.  As a contributor to the Official Forza 3 Guide and race organizer, SP33D is very knowledgeable on all the aspects of Forza.





SP33D, when did you start playing Forza?


“Towards the beginning of Forza 1. It was one of the first games I played online.”
 


Are you an actual car guy who is into cars or more of a gamer?


I’m an actual car guy. I’ve been an asphalt short track racer for a few years longer than I’ve been playing Forza, and I’ve often used Forza’s paint shop to mock up new designs for my real race cars.


What do you like most about Forza and would like to see more of?
 
“Variety of tracks and a variety of cars. Would like to have more expansive leaderboards with accumulated total time. I would like to see more time devoted to cultivating the racing community.”
 

What do you like least about Forza and like to see less of?
 
“No lobby control has created an unfriendly community. Exploiting tuning. Cutting corners, inferior physics compared to past versions. Over emphasis on super cars. Moving away from racing roots.

 
What is your opinion of the recent ESL Forza Racing Championship, did you approve of the format?
 
“No. It was way too complicated to enter.  And cutting the track was rampant and even rewarded in hot lapping to get in.  No regulation, was a total joke.”
 


Do you think this is the best direction to take the franchise, in the direction of organized racing and international competitions?
 
“Not in the current format no.  Has to be more like the real racing bodies like IMSA with real regulation and coverage and rules with full field and seasons of racing to produce true champions. Because I do like the idea of Forza getting into international competition as long as they do it right. But time is running out to get it done the right way because the true racing community is losing interest and going elsewhere.”
 


Since handcontroller users dominate Forza over wheel users at the highest level do you think there should be a separate championship for wheel users?
 
“No. I think the wheel has more potential than the controller does.  Drivers have to put the time into the wheel to make it happen and there doesn’t seem to be anyone willing to put in the effort anymore.”

 
What improvements do you hope to see in Forza 7?
 
“Integrated Clubs with leaderboards, and cumulative function leaderboards.”

 
What might stop you from buying Forza 7?
 
“Limited car counts, limited track counts, unrealistic price, emphasis on elite cars, and too much DLC.”
 


Lastly SP33D, as a Hall of Famer in the Forza world and according to the IFCA World Rankings and other sources one of the top 50 fastest Forza drivers in the world, (currently 40th in the world) who do you think is the fastest? 2 time ForzaRC champion Laige? 2 time runner up and current #1 on the IFCA rankings Lightning?  Or someone else?
 

“To be fair I’ve been away from the racing community for some time so it’s hard to comment on the current crop, but for consistent racing more than hot lapping, I’d say F4H Diablo is right at the top in my opinion. I really don’t consider anyone else as faster [in races].”



We can't thank you enough for your time and considered opinions SP33D. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and look forward to your Jeff Gordon style retirement. 

IFCA Staffer

Thank you, IFCA Staffer. I would like to add a few small things I thought about after we spoke.

In Forza 7, I would really love to see some features brought back or added to help the actual racing community grow, not just the people who are here for the short term. More in depth lobby controls where players can organize leagues properly, save lobby settings and gift cars to friends would give the true racing fans the tools they need to support and sustain a friendly, competitive racing environment in Forza.

For me, Forza as a franchise has always been a "simulation racing game" at it's core and that's what separated it from other "car games". The community reflected this, clubs brought people together, brewed competition and gave people something they cared about to fight for...... That has all been stripped back and lost over the years as Turn 10 has taken Forza further and further from it's racing roots in search of a new market to sell to. It's hard for me to comment on these things as I have not played Forza in months but that's also my point......

...... SP33D........

As all the old timers know the original fastest driver in all of Forza was an Australian known as Cam, in various gamer tag combinations.  He was the undisputed worlds fastest driver in Forza 1,2,and 3.  Having won many international events and league events iCam knows a thing or two about Forza even though he has been inactive for years now.






Thanks for conducting the interview iCam (James), we really appreciate your time and perspective.

"I'll answer as best as I can bud."


When did you start playing Forza?

"Funny enough I can say Christmas night 2005."


Are you an actual car guy who is into cars or more of a gamer?

"I was a gamer first but forza definitely got me into cars"


What do you like most about Forza and would like to see more of?

"I'm old school so I would say back in the day car club leaderboards were pretty much what it was all about. Looking back at Forzacentral.com and some of the arguments and banter created threads with 100's and in some cases 1000's of responses, which I think is what could make forza different from all other games. I remember the setup between Picasso in TIME Racing bla bla, and me in DOFU, that was more intense than any competition I ever competed in (I won by the way). And as I can remember IFCA was pretty much setup to help moderate the competition which at the time came from car clubs. But that's just my opinion    "



What do you like least about Forza and like to see less of?

"Well I can only speak of fm3, at that time the multiplayer was average, no car clubs etc."


What is your opinion of the recent ESL Forza Racing Championship, did you approve of the format?

"I haven't watched a full race yet. But as for format, again I'm old school, collisions off, lets see who is the fastest there is. The fact is its a 'simulator' so without the human aspect of being in the car, it takes away from 'race craft'. Everyone will 'go for it' and race like Senna on the game, so forgo that, and just look for who is actually the fastest. Because what I can say from experience, is that collisions type racing in simulated games especially at a competition, is usually the game with the most random outcome, compared to say StarCraft, CounterStrike."




Do you think this is the best direction to take the franchise, in the direction of organized racing and international competitions?

"If It was my franchise, all competitions would be no collisions. Race craft and things like that should be reserved for iRacing perhaps, where its a regulated thing."


Since handcontroller users dominate Forza over wheel users at the highest level do you think there should be a separate championship for wheel users?

"I'm one that thinks you do what you have to do, if that's to use a wheel, use the wheel and vice versa. Whatever you need to do to be on parity with the fastest guy, not so much how you would 'like to do it.' "


What improvements do you hope to see in Forza 7?

"Probably refer back to my answer in question 3" -- summarized, "Clubs Leaderboards"


What might stop you from buying Forza 7?

"Nothing."


Lastly, as a former #1 in FM1-3 who do think is the fastest today? 2 time ForzaRC champion Laige? 2 time runner up and current #1 on the IFCA rankings Lightning?  Or someone else?

"As for who's the fastest between the two names you gave, I have no idea, my last #1 laptime was back in 2008 hahahaha. Maybe one day I'll find out [who is really the fastest]


Thank you James (iCam v1) it sounds like the rumors might be true and that you intend to have a comeback of sorts.  This would be exciting news and we wish you the very best!

IFCA Staffer

We finally got a chance to interview 2-time IFCA Champion and former #1 on the world rankings list F4H Diablo, the respected winner of many league and club events over the years.



Hello Champ! Tell our reader's what events are drivers excited about at TORA at the moment?

"Any endurance race series brings a lot of excitement, and the newest series to TORA I think is going to be one of its best. For those that raced ISCC in the past, 2017 will mark the arrival of ASCC, which uses the familiar format of ISCC with an American twist. An all-American calendar comprised of seven 2 hour races and 3 endurance events including the 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, and Petit Le Mans. This series is loosely based on the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, so the car list includes the Daytona Prototypes, P2 cars, and GT cars. It's going to be a great series." http://forums.theonlineracingassociation.com/


How have things changed with the merger of TORA and TURN?

"They haven't changed a whole lot, as the staff between the sites wasn't entirely different. I think the one change that people will see is an increased media footprint."


Do you feel the Forza franchise is heading in the right direction?

"We will see with FM7. I think people made their opinions known about certain cars being added when they would've served a greater purpose in the Horizon series, as well as losing out on features that previous Forza iterations had, such as Forza TV, savable lobby settings, etc. I think with GT Sport becoming a reality, FM7 is going to focus on the racing side of things and leave more of the "light-hearted" features for Horizon."


What features are you hoping to see in Forza 7?

"Better integration for those spectating races. The ticker update is a step in the right direction but I'm sure it'll be refined for FM7. Car-wise, I'm looking for current GT cars and current prototypes. We desperately lack LMP2 cars, and we are still using a 997 based Porsche GTLM... This needs to change. I'd like to see a few more tracks added in, such as Donington and Imola, but also stuff for NASCAR... Definitely need a few oval tracks for them. I think Charlotte and Phoenix would be great additions to the game."


We saw that you made a run at the ForzaRC Season 1 and 2-  how do you feel it went, and will you compete again?

"I did okay, I guess! I was hoping to make it into the Grand Final for Season 2 but I ruined my own chance by qualifying dead last in 2/3 races. I'll definitely be back for the next series."


What is your opinion of the recent ESL Forza Racing Championship, did you approve of the format?

"I think that people look at this series, see some of the action, and are disappointed. I can't blame them, but I think what ESL is doing is huge for the Forza franchise. It's making Forza into a proper eSports-worthy platform. I don't like the 1v1 brackets, I wish they'd do knockout races in the same style as the Weekly Showdowns. A multi-week series would be great as well, but there are limitations of course. Once they get used to how the game works and get a better sense of what the community wants (we are a hard bunch to please), this series will only get better."


Since controller users dominate Forza over wheel users at the highest level do you think there should be a separate championship for wheel users?

"Not particularly. Forza isn't designed with a wheel first, and 99% of Xbox games are controller only. There are lots of computer simulators and games that fit the need of wheel users."


What improvements do you hope to see in Forza 7?

"Lobby stability and game chat fixed. I wish they'd do dedicated, private servers for multiplayer if people so chose. Pay a monthly fee for access to your own server, that way you have control over it, and hopefully reduce lag. Also, I know the old-school Forza players want this- Club Leaderboards. Why this was taken from Forza, I do not know. It is what made the racing community tick, and bringing it back may just bring back the big guns. If ESL can get Daveyskills back, I don't think it'd be a stretch to see the likes of Cam, Picasso, SmokinU, AJ the Boy... they'd come back in full force. That's what Forza needs to sustain itself against GT Sport and to be a proper eSport racing franchise."


Lastly, according to the IFCA World rankings and other sources you are one of the top 40 fastest Forza drivers in the world, (37th currently) who do think is the fastest? 2 time ForzaRC champion Laige? 2 time runner up and current #1 on the IFCA rankings Lightning?  Or someone else? 

"The fastest is Laige, and it's extremely hard to argue with that. Whenever the pressure is on, he wins. He's had close calls, but he hasn't lost a major championship in quite some time. Lightning is extremely quick as well, and has finished 2nd in both FRC Championships. He's hungry for a win, but he's going to have to take those titles from Laige to do so."

I do need to give a shoutout to Speed Racer for his comments, they're definitely appreciated, dude! I never have been a hotlapper, always a racer, and I pride myself on that. 


And there you have it, a Champion, a Racer, after our own Forza hearts, F4H Diablo.  Thank you for your time, and we look forward to watching you compete in 2017!




IFCA Staffer

Thank you for taking the time to do this interview NosehairW.


When did you start playing Forza?

"2008, right after Halo 3."


Are you an actual car guy who is into cars or more of a gamer?

"More of a gamer, started out interested in cars."


What do you like most about Forza?

"I really liked the leaderboards and organized racing at the IFCA and VirtualMotorsports."


What do you like least about Forza?

"I don’t like the absence of the store front, and the length of the career races, –waaay too long."


What is your opinion of the recent ESL Forza Racing Championship, did you approve of the format?

"I enjoyed the commentators, quite funny." 


Do you think this is the best direction to take the franchise, in the direction of organized racing and international competitions?

"I guess, but there are so many other types of drivers that I don’t know.  It’s nice to have it though."


Since handcontroller users dominate Forza over wheel users at the highest level do you think there should be a separate championship for wheel users?

"Wheel users might have to find a different game. --lol"


What improvements do you hope to see in Forza 7?

"Anything that would make me play more, like more real tracks, and a penalty system for cutting, and better drafting, oh, and rally racing!"


What might stop you from buying Forza 7?

"More DLC would prevent me, I just don’t want to pay more than $60.00."


Lastly, as a former #1 on the IFCA World rankings list who do think is the fastest? 2 time ForzaRC champion Laige? 2 time runner up and current #1 on the IFCA rankings Lightning?  Or someone else?

"I think it is Laige and then Lightning without a doubt."


We understand that you haven't raced in some time, but will you be competing in any races in 2017?

"I have an invitation to compete in the TORA 24hr Daytona in the Ford Riley."


We will take that as a yes then. We can't thank you enough for your time NosehairW and hope to see you in the winners circle again. 


IFCA Staffer

Welcome to the IFCA interview room inviseco!  Thank you for spending the time with us.

"Sure."

As many here already know you are one of the founders of the SimRacers a spec league that has thrived since the early days of Forza. 

So when exactly did you start playing Forza?

"Since Forza 1, about 10 years ago."


Are you an actual car guy who is into cars or more of a gamer?

"More of a motorcycle racer really. But I like cars too."


What do you like most about Forza?

"Competitive racing with friends mostly."



What do you like least about Forza?

"Game chat doesn’t work at all, along with a lot of little things. Be nice to keep all the past features that were good. Lobby tuning would be good too."


What is your opinion of the recent ESL Forza Racing Championship, did you approve of the format?

"Heard about it but didn’t watch it or pay any attention to it."


Do you think this is the best direction to take the franchise, in the direction of organized racing and international competitions?

"Yes, it is a big improvement, but there are a lot of leagues out there, so I don’t know."


Since handcontroller users dominate Forza over wheel users (unlike Gran Turismo, iRacing, and PCARS) at the highest level, do you think  there should be a separate championship for wheel users?


"No, I think people can use what they want and still do well."


What improvements do you hope to see in Forza 7?

"The return of older features like lobby tuning and more tracks."


What might stop you from buying Forza 7?

"If it is like Forza 5. lol  5 was very bad.  Too much DLC could put a damper on it, but I will likely buy it."



What tracks would you like to see in Forza 7?


"I would just like to see a bunch more original real world tracks."


Lastly inviseco, as a veteran winner of many series and league events, and according to the IFCA World rankings and other sources, one of the top 250 fastest Forza drivers in the world, (currently 237th) who do think is the fastest? 2 time ForzaRC champion Laige? 2 time runner up and current #1 on the IFCA rankings Lightning?  Or someone else?

"I don’t really know today, but back in the day it was hands down either Picaso,  llxcamxII , or BackONE ABS."

Ah yes, the greats of Forza past, we agree.  Can't thank you enough for your time inviseco! We look forward to seeing you climb the 2017 rankings this year.


IFCA Staffer

By popular demand, we got a chance to sit down with the man himself Founder of the IFCA and co-author of the Official Forza 3 Guide by Prima Games and Microsoft, AAR GTDon.


Thank you for your time GTDon. So when did you start playing Forza?

“Ten years ago toward the end of FM1 I think it was.”


Are you an actual car guy who is into cars or more of a gamer?

“Certainly more of a car guy having grown up in the muscle car era.”


What do you like most about Forza?

“Interesting question which says a lot about how good the Forza franchise really is, because, there are obviously many possible answers. I guess it is the almost limitless combinations of competitions you can create.  You can race just about any car against any other car be it a Formula 1 car from the 1960’s to a pocket rocket from the 1980’s, to a '70's muscle car.  There is just no end to the types of mythical match-ups you can have.  I think this tends to capture the broadest interest so that competitive friendships can be formed for a long time.”


What do you like least about Forza?

“Another tough question. Um, I’d say the lack of seriousness it invests in itself.  Forza has all the look of a serious sim-racer, but almost none of the full features of like an iRacing, or even a PCARS.” 



What is your opinion of the recent ESL Forza Racing Championship, did you approve of the format?

“Yes, tried to compete in it but didn’t have the time to put into it and fell just outside of the qualifier round.  I think the format is good, but too short.  Meaning that the races are too short and don’t really represent racing as much as gaming.  If they want to make it right they need to create a true league with an actual season like real racing.”


Do you think this is the best direction to take the franchise, in the direction of organized racing and international competitions?

“Yes, it is an unexplored frontier for Turn 10. Ironic that this is the last thing they have come to address, i.e.,racing.  I believe it is the only sustainable path to increase interest over the long hall."


Since hand control users dominate Forza over wheel users at the highest level do you think there should be a separate championship for wheel users?

“No, probably not, but it does tell you there is an issue with Forza in this area.  With competing sim-racers like Gran Turismo and Project CARS, the wheel is slightly superior.  

My assumption is that this is a Turn 10 thing.  They want it like this for the purpose of attracting the most users possible.  Why this concern doesn’t affect other titles like Gran Turismo and PCARS is a good question. They seem to be fine with allowing the wheel to be the dominant prereferral."



What improvements do you hope to see in Forza 7?

“Too many to name here. Lol.  But seriously, if T10 wants to get serious they are going to have to step up their game (pun intended) and add a suite of full racing options.  Things like tuning in lobby, pace car, better drafting and gas mileage, user controlled pit stops, proper pit exiting, driving penalty and ranking system, and driver swaps for endurance racing just to name a few. More real tracks would be a plus too.”

What might stop you from buying Forza 7?

“I don’t anticipate there would be anything.  T10 is very good about maintaining the same basic options with each new version.  Yes, they tend to fix things that aren’t broken and delete things that didn’t have to be deleted, but the game basically stays about the same with small improvements to the physics and graphics.  Maybe I wouldn’t buy it if they went the way of the Horizon series I suppose.”

What tracks would you like to see in Forza 7?

"Ah! More NASCAR ovals would be nice, and real tracks that you never see in other games.  A personal favorite, BIR (Brainerd International Raceway) tucked away in the north woods of Minnesota.  Known as the fastest track in North America with a 1-mile long front straight, is probably the best-kept secret in racing."

Lastly, as a hall of famer in the Forza world and according to the IFCA World rankings and other sources one of the top 300 fastest Forza drivers in the world from time to time, who do you think is the fastest? 2 time ForzaRC champion Laige? 2 time runner up and current #1 on the IFCA rankings Lightning?  Or someone else?

"In any sport it’s not about what you did, but what you are doing that people look to.  Today’s current crop of “aliens” are at the top of the game, but it’s hard to say if they are any faster than yesterday’s group like llxcamxII, SP33D RAC3R, Picaso,  BackONE ABS, JED, 3wide, Damo, DarkStorm, Fugazi, GeneralElive, and many others. For now, it would seem that Laige may well be the fastest driver in all of Forza 6."



Thank you for your time GTDon, and all you have done to support console simulation racing.  And we hope to see you on the track in the near future.