AV Forums PGR3 Tournament results

Stuart Wright

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As Shakespeare wrote in Twelfth Night: Some men are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them’. For Matt Bucknole (MattBu) and John Whittington (TUNA FISH), the Bristol Sound & Vision Show proved to be a moment when greatness was thrust upon them. The AV Forums Project Gotham Racing 3 Challenge was jointly won by the pair, with MattBu setting the fastest time with the Joytech steering wheel and TUNA FISH clocking up the fastest time with the pad after the prototype wheel became damaged beyond repair. In the interests of fairness, both men were summoned to Bournemouth for a head-to-head race off, with the winner taking home the Hyundai ImageQuest Vuuon Q321 32” HD-Ready LCD TV, a Yamaha YSP-1000 digital sound projector and a SVS PB10-ISD 10” ISD Series active subwoofer from AV Sales all connected together with Chord cables. Both Racers agreed the trip to Bournemouth would be harsh to come away empty handed as both were winners and by mutual consent it was agreed the runner up would take the Xbox 360 and 5 top games provided by Play.com.
The hosts for this challenge was Bournemouth-based Dawsons, home cinema experts with 80 years of experience who supply home cinema AV equipment to enthusiasts anywhere in the country. Thanks to their generosity, the 5-race decider would be undertaken on a 10ft Stewart Screen with Vidikron Projector 100 with surround sound from the Artcoustic speakers and all the trimmings. See www.dhcav.co.uk for more details of just what they can provide!

To the race-off then. In all, five different races would be attempted. Each man would have one crack at setting a lap time, then his opponent would try to better it. Neither driver would know the other’s score until the end of the challenge, adding to the almost palpable air of tension in Dawson’s plush viewing facilities.

As the first man to arrive, MattBu was to go first, so TUNA FISH was escorted to a separate room while the first challenge was started. The race was Shinjuku Skyscraper in Tokyo, using the Saleen, and MattBu seemed immediately at home. Confessing to having practised incessantly all week, he made few errors, clipping a barrier on the exit of the first corner but otherwise delivering a controlled drive that was clearly aimed at ensuring a solid time was posted. He was clearly driving within himself as he posted a time of 2.06:36, but the important thing was that the time was a solid one.

In response, TUNA FISH seemed much more eager to push the car and himself in a bid to post a blazing lap time. Unfortunately, the tactic did not pay dividends to begin with, and some big hits (mainly caused by trying to take corners right on the apex and get on the throttle as early as possible) saw him limp in with a time of 2:10:57, allowing MattBu to take the first round.

Next up was Las Vegas’ Boulevard Straits in the McLaren F1, and once again, MattBu was operating well within himself. Another solid if unspectacular drive clearly demonstrated an intimate knowledge of the track, and an almost clear run saw a time of 2:08:30 set for TUNA FISH to challenge.

Things didn’t start well. TUNA FISH’s tactic to push hard from the get-go backfired in a big way as he pranged the barrier in the first chicane, running wide on the exit. Despite this, and a couple more big hits early on, he drove well through the remainder of the course, but could not claw back the time and finsihed with a time of 2:10:28. 2-0 to MattBu.

The difference in styles was evident by now, and so it continued in race 3, New York’s Park to Tillary in the Ferrari Enzo. Although Matt didn’t know it, he was one win away from victory and another smooth, controlled drive saw a time of 2:05:94. TUNA FISH couldn’t match it. Although he made few errors, a couple of clipped barriers saw a time of 2:08:80 and the prize was heading back home with MattBu.

Unfortunately for TUNA FISH, MattBu was in uncompromising mood for the last two races. A time of 1:50:23 in the Pagari Zonda around London’s Trafalgar Tour was followed by a run of 8:03:22 in the Cerbera 12 speed around the Nurburgring’s Behemoth. In answer, TUNA FISH could only muster times of 1:53:27 and 8:32:15 respectively as his tactic of pushing hard continued to see too many mistakes to reap any reward.

That said, on another day and with a bit more luck, TUNA FISH could well have been in with a chance of walking off with the top prize, but both men entered into the friendly spirit of the competition and an Xbox 360 and five games is not a bad runner’s up prize by any stretch of the imagination. AV Forums would like to congratulate both players for their achievement in reaching the final, as well as to the 300 or so visitors to the show who took part. We’d also like to thank Dawsons for their first-rate hospitality. Thanks also to <a href="http://www.hyundaiq.com/" target="_blank">Hyundai</a>, <a href="http://www.yamaha-uk.com/" target="_blank">Yamaha</a>, <a href="http://www.av-sales.co.uk/" target="_blank">AV Sales</a>, <a href="http://www.play.com/" target="_blank">Play.com</a> and <a href="http://www.chord.co.uk/" target="_blank">Chord</a> for donating these fantastic prizes.
 

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The full results are as follows:
Top 40 with the steering wheel:

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td>M Bucknole</td><td>51.48</td></tr><tr><td>Alex Simon</td><td>55.80</td></tr><tr><td>Joseph Hoyle</td><td>56.12</td></tr><tr><td>S Walker </td><td>57.07</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sephen Bacchus</td><td>57.29</td></tr><tr><td>Michael Harland</td><td>58.87</td></tr><tr><td>Danny Somers</td><td>59.05</td></tr><tr><td>Eddie Davies</td><td>59.74</td></tr><tr><td>Adrian Hares</td><td>1.00.80</td></tr><tr><td>Mike Wood</td><td>1.01.20</td></tr><tr><td>Stephen Randall</td><td>1.01.45</td></tr><tr><td>Phil Eates</td><td>1.02.19</td></tr><tr><td>Alex Rothwell</td><td>1.02.24</td></tr><tr><td>Tom Garret</td><td>1.02.28</td></tr><tr><td>Dave Macey</td><td>1.02.74</td></tr><tr><td>M Bowler</td><td>1.02.80</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Paul Wilson</td><td>1.02.83</td></tr><tr><td>J Stonehouse</td><td>1.04.08</td></tr><tr><td>Neil Williams</td><td>1.04.08</td></tr><tr><td>Peter Hockett</td><td>1.04.31</td></tr><tr><td>Andrew Rood</td><td>1.04.60</td></tr><tr><td>Bruce Harvey</td><td>1.04.62</td></tr><tr><td>Jonathan Smiles</td><td>1.05.12</td></tr><tr><td>Graeme Salter</td><td>1.06.83</td></tr><tr><td>Frankie Picciano</td><td>1.07.01</td></tr><tr><td>Mark Weatherhead</td><td>1.07.17</td></tr><tr><td>Darren Grange</td><td>1.07.21</td></tr><tr><td>M Goddard</td><td>1.07.37</td></tr><tr><td>David Chapple</td><td>1.08.23</td></tr><tr><td>Paul Grange</td><td>1.08.25</td></tr><tr><td>Robert Green</td><td>1.08.63</td></tr><tr><td>Dan Sullivan</td><td>1.08.88</td></tr><tr><td>Ryan Jones</td><td>1.09.21</td></tr><tr><td>Shaun Attwood</td><td>1.09.48</td></tr><tr><td>Justin randall</td><td>1.10.23</td></tr><tr><td>Neil Sanson</td><td>1.10.32</td></tr><tr><td>Mr A Edwards</td><td>1.11.40</td></tr><tr><td>M Charter</td><td>1.11.83</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Aled Garrett</td><td>1.12.00</td></tr><tr><td>Nick Randon</td><td>1.12.16</td></tr><tr><td>Paul Rydon</td><td>1.14.12</td></tr></table>

Top 40 with the joypad:

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td>John Whittington</td><td>42.35</td></tr><tr><td>Mark Johnston</td><td>42.93</td></tr><tr><td>Daniel Clarke</td><td>43.29</td></tr><tr><td>Adrian Webb</td><td>43.39</td></tr><tr><td>Luke Armstrong</td><td>43.86</td></tr><tr><td>Lee Williams</td><td>43.86</td></tr><tr><td>C Wicklow</td><td>43.88</td></tr><tr><td>Steve Kirkland</td><td>44.19</td></tr><tr><td>Simon Leech</td><td>44.85</td></tr><tr><td>Paul Aston</td><td>45.25</td></tr><tr><td>Adrian Cox</td><td>45.36</td></tr><tr><td>M Dearlove</td><td>45.39</td></tr><tr><td>Damian Dains</td><td>45.39</td></tr><tr><td>Andrew Gile</td><td>45.55</td></tr><tr><td>Elliot Hand</td><td>45.59</td></tr><tr><td>Barry Paton</td><td>45.61</td></tr><tr><td>Warren Wood</td><td>45.61</td></tr><tr><td>Oliver Evans</td><td>45.70</td></tr><tr><td>Chris Baigent</td><td>45.77</td></tr><tr><td>Dennis Poole</td><td>45.97</td></tr><tr><td>Chris Jackway</td><td>46.27</td></tr><tr><td>Thomas Longshaw</td><td>46.31</td></tr><tr><td>Gurminder Phull</td><td>46.31</td></tr><tr><td width="121">Phil Todd</td><td>46.35</td></tr><tr><td>Jack Holland</td><td>46.44</td></tr><tr><td>David Madilah</td><td>46.44</td></tr><tr><td>Chas Purewall</td><td>46.63</td></tr><tr><td>Jorden Rashid</td><td>46.69</td></tr><tr><td>Harry Jones</td><td>46.72</td></tr><tr><td>Dominic Rough</td><td>46.80</td></tr><tr><td>Ross Cullin</td><td>46.80</td></tr><tr><td>Garett Thomas</td><td>46.81</td></tr><tr><td>Daniel Worgan</td><td>46.90</td></tr><tr><td>Martin Peareth</td><td>46.96</td></tr><tr><td>Wayne Mortimer</td><td>46.98</td></tr><tr><td>Darren Coles</td><td>46.99</td></tr><tr><td>John Pickard</td><td>46.99</td></tr><tr><td>Krisham Thaker</td><td>47.03</td></tr><tr><td>Paul Cartwright</td><td>47.05</td></tr><tr><td>Justin Evans</td><td>47.08</td></tr><tr><td>Tom Dearlove</td><td>47.16</td></tr></table>

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who played.
 
I just wanted to express my greatest thanks to Stuart and his colleagues for the fsntastic hospitality and excellently organised competition. It was an all together amazing experience and I am very very grateful. The prizes are simpy amazing. thank you again. Tuna Fish, you were a worthy competitor, I hoe to race you online soon.

Matt. .:clap:
 
I'll like to say thanks too for the time you guys put in organising the rematch, its pretty amazing how such a well executed event was only done in a week, the day out and playing on the home cinema was a prize in its self :clap: .

Well done again Matt for winning the main prize it bet the 360 looks and sounds great on it :smashin: , you should post some photos of your new setup.
 
Well done. Hope you enjoy your kit! I would have bottled it, that's for sure! :D
 
:smashin: well done to both - get some pic's posted of your new winnings!!
 
Nice one guys - looking forward to seeing some pics Matt! :)
 
I thrashed my way round the course with the Joypad and got nowhere near those times lol! Not surprising tho' given the huge "damage" I did around the course :D

Great fun and congrats to the winners.
 
Many Congrats to both competitors.. .Tuna what games did you settle for from play out of intrest?
 
Congrats to both...sounded like good stressful fun.

I just scraped the top 40! (39th) I used TUNA FISH's driving style :D although obviously not as well.
 
I got DOA4, Ridge Racer 6, Call of Duty 2, Project Gotham Racing 3 and FIFA 06 with the xbox 360 and a wireless controller and memory card, so not a bad runner up prize :D . I just finished playing COD2 on veteran, it wasn't a game i ever considered getting for the 360 as i thought it would just another generic WW2 shooter but i was wrong, i found the single player campaign really entertaining it had me hooked right up to the end.
 
Yes, pretty good runners-up prize. (very envious)

COD2.....really is a great game :)You need a HD display to get the most out of it tho ;)
 
we should make an official pc toca rd3 tournament thing for avforums.

ive suggested it in the pc gaming forum, it if gets enough interest i think it would go well
 
JUS said:
You need a HD display to get the most out of it tho ;)

Don't worry i played it on a 42" HD plasma :D, a Hitachi PD5100 . Its not mine though so the main prize would of been useful, its my Dad's. At the moment my 360 is setup on it which means i don't play it after 7 most nights because he wants to use it to watch tv. If i'd won the home cinema it would of gone in my attic games room with the rest of my consoles as the tv up there is a 28" CRT which is warped giving an overly pin cushioned display after a power surge during a storm :thumbsdow .
 
I hope i can both play Matt Bucknole and John Whittington sometime on 360 live.
 
Dawsons look like they have a fantastic demo room there. A different world to most hifi shops I have seen. I'll bet it was awesome on a system like that!
 
Well done guys. Bet that day was tense!

9sec gap between the pad and the wheel. Says it all really :D
 
whoa - I can't believe I was SECOND with the wheel.
I've never even played PGR (even on Xbox). I used my Gran Turismo tactics of crashing into the outside wall and trying to bounce in the right direction :D
That wheel was absolutely terrible though - it's a shame not everyone got to appreciate how bad it was.
 
Hi Guys,

Just wanted to update you that I will get some pics posted soon, I've been patiently waiting for wallmount brackets so as soon as it's set up I'll take the pics.

matt . .
 
Oh, Just read the comment about racing online sometime. I'd be happy to oblige, ( although don't be surprised if you beat me easily what with the pressure of the competition winner and all that) my gamertag is PR0tegeUK (the 0 is a zero not an o) add me to your friends list and we'll meet soon.

Matt
 
Hi Guys,

I'm sorry this has taken so long, Primarily it was a furniture thing as having wires hanging down would do the prizes no justice in a photo. It's finally all installed and is simply fantastic. Once again I'd like to thank Stuart and his colleagues for running the competiton. Perhaps next year another competiton with a projector for a prize? :rolleyes: But seriously.. Thank you!

Matt (PR0tegeUK on xbox live)
 

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Looks good. Enjoying it i bet!
 
yes, every time a switch it on it's like :cool: and then the 360 kicks in with Gotham 3 and its like :thumbsup: I play for a while and its like :D Then my wife collars me and its like :thumbsdow so I say :lease: but its no good She's like :boring: and I feel like :suicide: But then I come home from work and relax watchin a film and well.... its like:thumbsup: .

matt
 

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