Dirk Brand

by **Dirk** 16th November 2014, 12:26

Hi guys

My first love is aviation, but I've also had an interest in motorcycles and cars from an early age.

Heroes include Schwantz & Rossi from the MotoGP stage (with acknowledgement to other greats such as Rainey, Gardiner & Doohan), and guys like Senna, Raikkonen, Schumacher, Alonso, Coulthard & Button from F1.

My interest in racing sims started soon after getting my first home computer back in the 80's: who here remembers Chequered Flag on the ZX Spectrum? Horrible if you look at screenshots now, but many fun-filled hours were spent keyboard-racing those handfuls of pixels around not-exactly-accurate tracks.

Then came the days of Geoff Crammond's F1 series (1-4), followed by various Need For Speeds (Porsche Unleashed was one of my favourites).
And then there was TOCA Race Driver 1 and 2 and of course the various EA and Codemasters F1 sims through the years.

My absolute favourites of all time (so far) however would have to be rFactor & GTR (1 and 2). Great physics, great graphics, even nice music, and of course the fact that it is moddable. There were some awesome add-on tracks, one of my favourites being Kyalami by DutchDevil.

I never really got into online racing much, since too often did it turn out to be a crashfest, with nobody taking it seriously. It's not so much fun heading down the straight at Spa, in the lead, at 300km/h ...only to be met with some backmarker heading in the opposite direction ...y'know: just for a laugh.

I'm sure there must have been serious leagues going in GTR(2) though, but this is really the first time I've entered something like this, so let's see how it goes. I don't think I'll be challenging for the lead any time soon, but I'm still enjoying it immensely! I'm just always nervous that I'd end up spoiling someone else's race through some stupid mistake, so here's an apology in advance in case that happens!

In real life I haven't had the pleasure of racing, but I have done numerous track days / advanced riding courses on the various motorcycles I've owned through the years. All have been on Killarney here in Cape Town, but I still dream of doing one at Kyalami some time.

Anyway, that's me. See you on the track!

by **Kevin** 16th November 2014, 12:55

Welcome Dirk, great to have you with us.
The racing here is serious enough to test yourself, but not to the point that it's a win at all costs. We are a great bunch of guys who like the challenge and drive as clean as possible.
Should you need any help, just shout and someone will help you out, no problem.
Look forward to racing with you.

by **Not Racing** 16th November 2014, 15:13

Welcome Dirk

by **Christie** 16th November 2014, 16:07

A big hearty welcome to you Dirk. You will definately enjoy the racing and also the company in our league. Try and join us on Mumble asap and shout if you need anything.

by **Dirk** 17th November 2014, 10:25

Thanks for the warm welcome, guys.
I'm just getting my GSCE installation set up to my liking, then I'll join in the fun.

by **Denis Mitchell** 19th November 2014, 12:39

Now i see your post lol, welcome Dirk glad to have you here!
Mini racing is on the cards i think haha!

by **SteynTheBull** 19th November 2014, 15:11

Welcome Dirk. I am sure you will have fun

by **Christo Nieuwoudt** 19th November 2014, 15:15

Hey welcome Dirk. My PC racing path as well as MotoGP and F1 interest is very similar to yours. You definitely will enjoy racing here as we have awesome members. Do install mumble and we can hear your voice too.
So glad you from Cape Town, I am now going to organise a NORTH vs SOUTH event for us soon. Just have to see who is north and who is south from our overseas members, like Peter, KK, Haribo and co.

by Guest 20th November 2014, 11:20

Hello Dirk...

Not to sound like the rest above, but yes... we all have similar beginnings as you have had and that's what makes this league as real as you can get...

LOL.... I do believe I could've been in that same race as you at SPA where the back marker was going the wrong way round. Seen that too many times, that's why it also took me a long time to join on-liners again... but I can gratefully say that you won't be disappointed.

Anyway, very welcome to you and we hope we can show you a great time on track. Get Mumbling... it's the only way to truly experience the nut jobs in this league lol!

Cheers
Migs

by **Not Racing** 20th November 2014, 11:47

Migs wrote:Hello Dirk...

Not to sound like the rest above, but yes... we all have similar beginnings as you have had and that's what makes this league as real as you can get...

LOL.... I do believe I could've been in that same race as you at SPA where the back marker was going the wrong way round. Seen that too many times, that's why it also took me a long time to join on-liners again... but I can gratefully say that you won't be disappointed.

Anyway, very welcome to you and we hope we can show you a great time on track. Get Mumbling... it's the only way to truly experience the nut jobs in this league

Cheers
Migs

the big nut has spoken LOL

by Guest 20th November 2014, 12:31

Gert Snyman wrote:the big nut has spoken LOL

Apologies Champ...
But it's not really like to you to get jealous... and seeing as you mentioned it, I need to admit that, I was actually referring to you as the biggest nut job around.
Sorry for stealing your limelight... I promise I won't do it again. Sad

by **Not Racing** 20th November 2014, 13:13

Migs wrote:
Gert Snyman wrote:the big nut has spoken LOL

Apologies Champ...
But it's not really like to you to get jealous... and seeing as you mentioned it, I need to admit that, I was actually referring to you as the biggest nut job around.
Sorry for stealing your limelight... I promise I won't do it again.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Razz