Exclusive Interview with TPTCC Founder Jan Kohl

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Chris: How do you see the future of TPTCC, with the new simulators available for a starting point? Where would you like TPTCC to go?

Jan: Well, we'll have to see what's going on. NASCAR Heat is already over a year old, so I can see that it may start to lose it's luster before too long...however, I'm not going to change things after only one season, after having all the drivers swap over, so I think we'll be running this at least into the 2002 fall-winter timeframe. At that point, depending on what has come out, as well as what other things has changed in the sim editing world, we may look at NASCAR 2002 for the late 2002-2003 TPTCC season. We've already solved the track and car performance problems, it's really going to depend on if we can get something to modify the car shapes.

Chris: What makes TPTCC stand out from all the other leagues? Is it the people, the organization, the history, or something else?

Jan: TPTCC has alot to offer that other leagues don't, but it's really not for everyone. It's for the drivers that want the challenge of road-courses, in races that fit nicely into a 1 to 1.5 hour timeframe (with the occasional endurance event thrown in)...so it simulates much of the "touring" style racing that is so popular around the world (Trans Am, Aussie V8, DTM, BTCC, Speedvision GT & Touring, ect). Plus, it gives a little freedom in that cars that you daily drive are more realistically simulated (rather than Ford/GM/Dodge clones that are basically skins thrown over a tube-frame).

I think TPTCC also offers a bit more quality drivers than most leagues. Drivers who tend to want to road-race have usually progressed a bit past the stage of going out there and bashing fenders with everyone. They want to race, have good competition, and feel that they've accomplished something. TPTCC traditionally has had very little problems with "yobbo" drivers, mostly because that type of driver would rather bash around ovals all day than take the time to learn a road-course.

Last, as I mention before, TPTCC has always stood for making sure the drivers are happy with the racing...as I ALWAYS say (everyone join in now).."simulator racing is NOT a spectator sport, therefore if your drivers are not happy, you HAVE NO league".