i agree on a lot of points with papisnob, but i still give them (Forza, Microsoft) credit for doing what they did. seriously, theyre treading into new territory. For coming up with a show from scratch, i think they did pretty well. they were trying to do so much and cover so many aspects of racing in such little time, they were bound to spread them selves thin.
hopefully it becomes a viable show.-
"4. Instead of or in addition to the 100,000$ they should have been offered sponsorship or the opurtunity to race for a contract with a pro raceteam, like in American Idol or Top Model. " -(papisnob)
I think thats a great idea, that would really change the dynamic of the show, you might get racers that are more motivated on a truly personal level.

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I'd rather push a Ford than drive a chevy.

Don't know if i was more disappoint with the first thought that their attempts to drag this out was sad or more at the fact that it was as short as it was.
As a FORZA fan the show was a great idea but poorly executed. Being that it ws poorly executed I hope that it doesn't deter future showdowns, having said that i hope that future showdowns are not so lack luster.
My gripes in detail:
1. For most fans, FORZA is a tuning community, in the show I didn't get the feeling that this was adequately adressed. You was not given a real sense of baseline on the cars. The setup for drift, drag, road, and oval are different and with the exception of Ken you're left with the feeling the suspension setup for all the cars stayed the same. I think even Ken's car stay the same after he made the adjustment for the drift.
2. I felt the drivers shuold have been more everyday joe than "amateur" drivers. I don't know how many ppl realize but Ken is not exactly a noname in drifting.
3. I thoght the drivers should have been given more training on the different racing styles before being thrown in the deep end of the pool.
4. Instead of or in addition to the 100,000$ they should have been offered sponsorship or the opurtunity to race for a contract with a pro raceteam, like in American Idol or Top Model.
5. I think the range of cars was too narrow: 4 domestics, 2 year ones, 2 imports (same models) 6 teams, no AWDs, no mid-engines, no FWDs, you do the math. I think someone said it before, in this format the cars were the celebs but not much thought was given to them.
I'm pulling for more showdows I'm just hoping that the next one is put together better next time.

Tip my hat to Cope. we were rooting for u all the way! congrats!

sooo.....how do you pick the contestants...Is there a selection process....or even better...a place to sign up..:)...
Anyways..love the show...

a67ssrs,

Ken Gushi's _stock_ brakes were totally gone at that point. The glowing red rotors were clearly visible from Jace's onboard camera, but was edited out of the show - no doubt to artificially create more drama. Here is a first-hand account: http://jalopnik.com/cars/you-are-there/you-are-there-speedtvs-forza-motorsport-showdown-240023.php

It's probably best to not be so quick to judge; very often these reality shows are edited to artificially dramatize events and really do not depict the whole truth. It wasn't exactly a fair fight with a stock 350z against a Corvette.