The National Voices section features commentaries and reports on PGR 4 action throughout the world. The contributors have been chosen from the most active members of the PGR community and will provide a unique voice for current and upcoming events.

Time is ticking down: 14 seconds...13...12....

I hear the high-pitched engine sounds of a Ferrari V8 move from the rear to the left side of my car. On the straight I look to the left and see the shiny red Ferrari F430 pull up next to me.

10...9....

Rain is hitting the Gallardo’s windscreen, though the wipers create some necessary visibility. No time to waste, it’s either him or me. I can see the London’s archways approaching fast. My heart is pumping with adrenaline, while the Ferrari’s AI is cool and calculated as always.

7...6....

I remember seeing a big puddle of water in front of the left archway the lap before and decide to go for the middle of the three archways, forcing the Ferrari to brake before hitting the puddle. He drops back behind me, following my Lamborghini through the archway.

3...2....

I release the throttle for some small bumps in the road, but the high speed, combined with the tension of the last 10 seconds, means my approach is too fast and I miss my apex. The Ferrari moves to my right and overtakes me as the last second slips away. “ELIMINATED!” Better luck next year.

Welcome to the new Career Mode.

Last time I wrote an article, it was prior to the release of Project Gotham Racing 4. We all read the reviews and saw the trailers, but we weren’t able to play it yet. Almost a month has passed since then: we’ve bought our copies, played it, and developed our opinions about it: what is good and what, dare I say it, is a bit flawed.

From the moment I booted up Project Gotham Racing 4, saw the beautiful User Interface, and heard the thumping beats of The Prodigy, I knew I was going to spend a lot of time behind the TV playing this game. Even though the game looks very similar to its Xbox 360 predecessor, it is a huge advancement over Project Gotham Racing 3. The content for this game is phenomenal. The Arcade Mode plays like PGR 3’s Career Mode, and the new Career Mode is like a real championship now.

When you see all the nations’ flags waving in the crowds, including your own, you really feel like you’re defending your country’s honour—something I haven’t felt in a racing game before.

That, coupled with the fact that all races are one-attempt affairs, means there is constant tension.

You know that if you fail to complete the objective you won’t have a chance to redeem yourself until the next year.

Yes, it is annoying at times, but that’s real life. Hamilton also didn’t get a “restart race” option when he lost the F1 championship in Brazil.

And the Ferrari F430? I’ll beat him next season....

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