I guess it's a bit like playing music. Some like the solo scene, some like playing in bands...

Me, I like RACING! Been going to races since I was a little kid (grew up near Silverstone, saw all the greats there in the 60's and 70's), now I follow F1 and Grand-Am/ALMS (now combined into one series, the new Tudor United Sports Car Challenge) prototype and GT sports car racing. I was going to go to Daytona for the 24hr, but a gig came up (dammit!), so now I have to wait for the Sebring 12hr.

I've been at Sebring several times, along with Road Atlanta for the Petit LeMans 3 times, and last year went to the GrandAm/Indy weekend at Barber for the first time (amazing facility). I really wanted to pop my Daytona cherry this year, but maybe next year it will happen.

But, anyhoo... Watching qualy is OK, but the real show is the racing. Particularly mixed class racing, there's action and passing on every corner, every straight, every lap! And this is where the REAL skill comes into it. Some of the best drivers in the world are mixed class devotees (Webber is moving on from F1 this year to driving Porsche's new Le Mans prototype, saw Nick Heidfeld in the Rebellion Racing prototype last year in Atlanta) and consider it the highest challenge the sport provides...

But bottom line is, they RACE. Qualy is just the warm-up!

I don't know if you have had a poor experience racing online before, or just that you've never had the opportunity to try, but don't rule it out. Quite honestly, if GT5/6 had no online component, it would rapidly die the death. Racing bots is for noobs, and TT's get lonely (and boring, sorry, but you can only spend so long trying to shave a thou or two!), but a roomful of talented drivers, all driving by FIA rules (none of that BTCC thuggery, LOL!), and it is like being at the races. Only, YOU are the star driver, not Jordan Taylor, or Allan McNeish...!

Try it before you knock it, Ian.