MadneSS - "I feel very confident about being redrafted"

Posted by: -Radical-

With it only being a matter of days till the Second season draft for Region 3; Europe and the United Kingdom we caught up we some of the players from the first team of Stockholm Magnetik to see how confident they are going into the draft. Tomas "MadneSS" Thorsell has been reconigzed over the years in the European gaming community for his range of talents ranging from Battlefield 1942 to Project Gotham Racing 3, but how will he adapt to the change into Forza Motorsports 2 to save his place in Stockholm Magnetik?

Looking back at Tomas' performance since September he certainly made an impact on many people, claiming 1st place in September at the European Finals against Berlin Allianz. Though in the World Finals, he was unlucky on a risky move which cost him taking the chequered flag against Sydney Underground. Only a few days ago Tomas celebrated his 20th Birthday, will Emil give him a great present to kick off his 20th year? Below you can see a last minute interview with Tomas about the draft, in our pre-draft special. Enjoy!

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How do you feel you performed last Season in PGR3?

I think I performed alright getting the 1st place in the EU finals and then 2nd in the game vs Sydney but from the EU Finals to the World finals I didn't learn the game as easy as I would've thought, it was hard to find people to play with and develop my PGR skill as most of the CGS players already knew the game perfectly due to it being 2 years old, they really didn't have to practise that much.

Do you feel that you made a good impression on the General Manager; Emil Christensen and the general public?

I think I could of made a better impression and I'm not exactly satisfied with mine and kinetics performance, 2 lost games and 1 won should never be anything to be proud about for a competitor, although this season I'm ready to show the world how it's done

With PGR3 being dropped this Season to bring in Forza MotorSports, how did you first feel about this move? Were you happy or would you of rather seen another title such as PGR4?

I still think PGR4 would've been the better choice, with PGR4 with the fastest car in the game: T1, alot would've been up to individual skill and some teamplay, forza is alot about teamplay, tactics and randomness which leaves very little room for individuals to shine with their speed which is a pity I think, although I'm not too bothered about it, I just go along with whatever games/rules they choose and I'm happy with forza at the moment and feel very confident about my game.

How have you been training on Forza to get your skill level as high as possible?

Yes definitely, I've been doing loads of 2v2's and time attack and I'm feel very confident going in to the combine, unfortunately the combine tournament is played 4 player FFA game which is pretty much a complete lottery, a 2v2 tournament would've been better in my opinion.

What 3 main differences is their as a racer between PGR3 and Forza in your opinion?

You have to brake much earlier in forza which leaves room for crazy take outs from far back, the environments of the tracks in forza is more racing track looking, PGR is mostly city racing and in forza you can tune the car but in PGR you can't, although this has no effect on forza in CGS as it has been disabled.

Last Season at the world finals many people noticed you made some quite risky tactics, which at one point didn't go to your advantage meaning that you did not finish in 1st position against Sydney. Will you be playing it safe this year?

I think you always have to take some risks in some situations, what happened vs Sydney was in my opinion pure unlucky, I was lined up perfectly for the chicane jump but my car got a bad bounce and sent me to the grass, in forza there will probably be some risky but necessary long distance take outs

How confident are you about being redrafted back into Stockholm Magnetik this Season?

With all the practise I've put in prior to the combine I feel very confident about being redrafted.

What do you think about the competition of Forza in the CGS? Who would you say is your hardest opponent and why?

Well the only teams that have been picked so far are the Asians/Australian and the North American, and from what I've seen the biggest threat is probably optx cause they got some teamplay.

If you could go back to September last year and relive the first Season is there anything that you would of changed?

I wouldn't change my performance in the EU Final since we brought a win to Stockholm in the PGR3 game as heavy underdogs, although if I could have another chance at playing chimera again in the quarter final I'd like to alter my performance there, but chimera was too strong over all games to be beaten in Season 1, although I'm sure things have changed and this year we'll be back as a true contender for the world champion title.

In your opinion what promotes your name to the General Manager; Emil Christensen making him want to redraft you?

I am, as always, very motivated going into tournaments, I'm experienced in tournament environments and I don't choke under pressure, I'm very competitive and winning is what matters more than anything else and this time I know the game alot better than last year.

Who would you say is going to be your hardest competition at the qualifier?

Hard to say who'll be the hardest competition in a free for all tournament, to mention a few: finpro, yggdrasil, picaso (UK).

Any final words?

I'd like to thank Emil and the CGS for giving me the opportunity to play in the CGS whatever happens this weekend, I'd also like to thank Radical, who will be getting me a GIANT burger with Ice-Cream this weekend! Cya all in a few days and hopefully in LA this summer!