ISCC Asia Review

The 2011 TORA International Sports Car Cup (ISCC) had some changes from last years successful series, one of which was the name. What was called the TORA Le Mans Series had lost the GT1 category which formed its own championship from the field. It would also be broken into three global legs which would be scored individually, as well as combined for the overall series championship. Asia, Europe and America.



It promised to be an exciting season with big names returning to the series after long absences, as well as new highly rated teams which each had its own proven track record within the online motorsport community. Team VVV (Veni Vidi Vici) joined the TORA community through its members VVV Slim and newly joned VVV Magictap, both highly experienced racers and the team they brought with them proved in short time they are no slouches either. Another new team was EZT who themselves have been team champions within other racing communities. Returning to the community were the highly feared PLOW Motorsport team, who have won counted championships in TORA, and many feeling the team were close to unbeatable. EZT and PLOW focused their efforts within the GT2 category, whilst VVV had teams in both GT2 and P1. Another P1 returnee was Dan2605, who brought back his Gulf Austin Motorsports with a team of Lola Aston Martins, sharing the team with rookies Johnnyboy3600 and ADx Garage. Coca-Cola Racers returned for a second season in the P2 category, but extended their efforts into P1 also. Last years champion SelectiveRogue had to find a seat for this season due to the Scuderia Martini team going bankrupt. He joined the famous M&M team who were fielding Nissan 350Zs in GT2.



The season kicked off with the Asian leg of the series, starting at Motegi. As the practice sessions evolved, the VVV team looked very strong in P1, and GT2 saw the Porsche taking to the track quicker than the other manufacturers. When qualifying unfolded, it was privateer PLOW Berty2d in his 2dTuning team and lfcnicklfc in the Phenomenal Racers, both Peugeot 908s that took hold of the front row, followed by Dan2605 in third, and then the three VVV Audi R15s. GT2 saw a surprise pole position from TORA rookie bulletdodger831 in the Ford GT. A car some people through was uncompetitive. He lead PLOW TheButcher from the front. After lfcnicklfc suffered a mechanical failure it was PLOW Berty2d and Dan2605 that battled for the win of the P1 cars, with the three VVV Audis following, and racing each other for the last podium spot. PLOW TheButcher got passed the Ford GT but couldn't build up much of a gap. 2010 GT1 champion WWR Aero brought back the Aero Dynamics team for a second season competing in GT2 with a trio of Jaguar XKR-RSR GTs, but hadn't had much testing before the season and were far from competitive.

It was PLOW Berty2d who took the victory in the first race followed by Dan2605, and the Audi R15 of VVV Micko. Coca-Cola racers took all the honours in P2, whilst PLOW TheButcher gave the Audi R8 LMS its first victory in its first outing.



Tsukuba held the second race of the series, which in the run-up saw many driver complaining the circuit wasn't right for the series. The circuit was very short and twisty, and many thought it would be too dangerous to host such an event at the circuit, but after the chequered flag was waved, the race was a success. Through mostly professional driving and communication no major accidents occured, and the round saw the VVV team come out on top. PLOW Berty2d was quickest on the weekend which gave him pole for the start, only to see him retire. lfcnicklfc also showed single lap speed by once again taking the second grid spot, but the race didn't go quite so well as he finished 8th. In the end it was VVV Magictap, VVV Micko and race one winner Dan2605 taking the podium positions in P1. VVV also saw their three GT2s cars line up in the first four positions as the race began, but a late entry from the famous PLOW Champion saw him snap up the victory in his Lotus Evora 124, taking the victory by only 5 seconds.



The championship standings were very close at the top of P1 after the second round. Dan2605 and VVV Mickos consistant podium finishes saw them joint top with 88 points, closely followed by VVV Magictap on 87 points. Berty2d first race victory gave him a huge boost before the second round, but retiring in Tsukuba gave him a total of 79 points and down the in 4th. P2 continued to be dominated by the Coca-Cola Racers team, and GT2 was being led by gadge2010 in his privateer Nissan 350z, closely followed by PLOW TheButcher.



The last race in the Asian leg was the world renowned Suzuka GP circuit, a race which saw a change of pace for some drivers. Race victory once again was taken by race one winner PLOW Berty2d, leading the race two winning Audi of VVV Magictap, and then the Lola Aston Martin of johnnyboy3600. Series leaders Dan2605 and VVV Micko finished 6th and 8th respectively. Before the third race Coca-Cola P1 racer Audisport Louis left the team to restart his Champion Racing team back from their successful 2010 campaign, a move which saw them head to head in P2 by the dominant team which he used to drive for. It was a move that proved highly successful for him and his Champion Racing as he took the P2 victory at Suzuka. GT2 saw a big step-up for the M&M team as Champion driver SelectiveRogue took the victory from VVV Worm and series leader gadge2010, a win that saw him take the lead in the GT2 standing overall.



As the Asian leg of the series concluded it was becoming clear who were to look out for, for the remainder of the season. P1 saw the VVV team highly competitive with their driver VVV Magictap heading to Europe the series leader, as well as the Gulf Austin Motorsport team. Privateer PLOW Berty2d is definitely one to look out for as three front row starts and one retirement sees him only trailing the lead by two points. Despite their P2 dominence Coca-Cola Racers were set to be pulling from the category, as the team manager has left the team. This would've left Champion Racing free to take the series lead over within a few meetings but the Coca-Cola Racers team have now been bought out and more info is to be announced soon. M&M Racing are looking stronger as each race goes by, with more car development really showing on the track. gadge2010 is still in the race for the series, and also PLOW Champion and PLOW TheButcher have proven themselves to be very quick but there are some doubts as to if they can make it to every race for this season.

The European leg of the series begins at the Nurburgring Grand Prix circuit on April 3rd. With the exciting start to the series as well as the possible car and team change overs for the next stage of the championship, the TORA ISCC will sure be a close, and exciting fight to the finish!

nicely done

wicked write up dude. Nicely done ;O) Shout out to FLT Newmanvx for tuning the Audi within an inch of its life. We couldn't have done it without him

Liking this a lot. Especially the long shot of what Forza 3 lobbies should be capable of hosting.

Nice one biggs

ADx Garage wrote:Liking this a lot. Especially the long shot of what Forza 3 lobbies should be capable of hosting.

there could have been more cars :/

Biggs that is absolute excellent work there. Great write up and creativity from the first word and picture to the last. I like!

Thanks guys. Maybe something I can do from now on to help promote TORA to third parties. Feel free to use this anywhere guys!

nice write up Biggs, very good man!

Cheers Biggs nice write up

Nice1 biggs

simonbiggs wrote:Thanks guys. Maybe something I can do from now on to help promote TORA to third parties. Feel free to use this anywhere guys!

Biggs have an idea for what we can do I am moving 2mw so when finished moving will contact you

Great work though dude

simonbiggs wrote:Another P1 returnee was Dan2605, who brought back his Gulf Austin Motorsports with a team of Lola Aston Martins, sharing the team with rookies Johnnyboy3600 and ADx Garage.

ITS AUSTINS, NOT AUSTIN!!! lol

Very good write up mate! I really enjoyed it.

Really good write up, Biggs! LOVE that picture of all of us on that straight! If only we could have that many cars in one race!! It would be a bloodbath!

I didn't know simulated blood was in the game. Hehe

When you say moving, do you mean too busy on COD ops to talk? Oooooh! See what I did there?

simonbiggs wrote:I didn't know simulated blood was in the game. Hehe

When you say moving, do you mean too busy on COD ops to talk? Oooooh! See what I did there?

LOL sorry dude, clan match so couldnt exit party

biggs would you mind if i posted that image of all the cars on the Forza forums??

Not at all. Before you do, wait til I link you the bigger image. Just gotta get home first...

Absolutely amazing work Simon. That long shot is brilliant. Just what we need for the Le Mans race I think

great read man

hopefully he does one for europe. save those replays!