FH5, Series 41, Week 2

I started with the weekly challenge because there was no treasure hunt this week. (I was most disappointed and will be writing strongly worded letters to my MP and the paper.) Honestly, the Morgan 3-Wheeler is a silly novelty car. I know Tim “Shmee150” Burton is supposed to have one on order, but it seems to have fallen off the radar. It has sod-all tyres and sod-all tuning options. I have one and want sod-all others.

But instead of a treasure hunt, we had a photo. I won a horn. Top prize, game.

I didn’t do so well with the PR stunts this week. I used the Evo VI for the speed zone, which needs a longer run-up from the fields to the south so that you build up enough speed to counter the slowdown on the turns. Crappy SWS. I did manage to one-shot the danger sign and got a one-third good SWS.

Eventlab (1). Matterhorn Raceway. I used the FWD Lynk and Co. Cyan Racing car for this one. A mistake because it was a bit too understeery. I ought to have gone with RWD. Good layout and cheesy use of props. Marks off for mist and that ridiculous six-wheeled American barge as a prize. I don’t think I’ve driven the thing once.

Eventlab (2). Sierra Verde Raceway. Now here’s a circuit which ought to be in the game. I picked the BMW M6, which had a somewhat loose rear end. The SWS was three cars – two of them were 2003 BMW M5s. Great randomisation, game.

For the HW PR stunt, the right direction is heading through the final sector of the Goliath to pick up enough speed. Rubbish SWS.

I tried the Renault 5 Turbo for the RA PR stunt, but gave up and changed to the Shelby Daytona. I managed to complete the stunt with the utmost incompetence and got a one-third good SWS.

When I left my house, it was straight into an HA, which I ignored in favour of a Horizon Open race series. Who thinks that having the spawn point for an HA on top of a player house is a good idea? Anyone? No? Nope, I think it’s an idiotic idea along with making the access to your house a drift zone. 

Anyway, I did a Horizon Open. I missed the previous races and ended up in a bunch of night races starting with Valle del Río. I started in last place in my Abarth Spider and managed to get to 6th. The second race was the Festival Circuit. I started on the 3rd row and finished 6th again because the player ahead of me managed to cock things up somehow just ahead of the finish. The last race was Cloverleaf, but this time I was on the front row. 6th again (how very SuperGT of me) because the player behind me was in a much faster car and pipped me at the post. I got an FE Corvette from the post-race wheel spin, but couldn’t dispose of it. Bah!

And onto the Trial. I went with the Jaguar XE-S because I knew it was a decent car. I was on the back row for Cloverleaf and came 1st. We had a couple of players in stock DBXs who may have been accidentally instrumental in my success. The player who had led the race botched a corner, which gave me the lead. Horizon Festival Circuit and damn me, sir, if I wasn’t last on the grid again. In spite of the wet conditions, the XE-S took corners without batting an eyelid and I passed the leader of the race in fairly short order, building up a decent lead to win that race and a third McLaren Senna.

I see there are three seasonals this week, but not a single car really worth having.

I haven’t tried the MB E55 yet. I meant to, but forgot. I’m wondering whether it might be all right for, say, A800 dirt racing. I’m inclined to feel that estate cars ought to be a separate category from saloons.

I see that early footage of Assetto Corsa Evo is out. Could be interesting as it does have free roam. Could be interesting if it’s open world without the infantile elements of the Horizon series.