In the James Bond movie franchise, there is a curious appendage that sees Sean Connery remake Thunderball and reprise the 007 character – Never Say Never Again. But, because it was not produced by Eon Productions, it doesn’t ‘count’ as main-series cannon.
Why I’m mentioning the Ian Fleming spin-off during a Gran Turismo 7 Daily Races update article is that, aside from Connery’s questionable hair and an appearance from Rowan Atkinson, the star of the film is a Renault 5 Turbo, and that’s the curious choice for this week’s Race A.
You see, it all linked together in the end…
For those out of the loop or new to Gran Turismo 7, Sport Mode offers ranked online racing where you will be placed within races based on your previous performances.
As ever, your results in Race A will not affect Driver Rating (DR) and Sportsmanship Rating (SR), so feel free to race as hard as you like. The results for Races B and C do count, however.
RACE A
The aforementioned mid-engine French pocket rocket is placed upon the gravel-strewn Colorado Springs for Race A this week.
The Group B rally homologation special is feisty – a short wheelbase mixed with the engine behind the front seats means it’s easy to spin.
The track too, has its challenges, aside from the surface itself. Between turns four and five, there’s a little farm track in front of a gate. Logic dictates that the quickest route would be the straight-line it, however, there’s a little divot that launches the diminutive Renault into the air. Avoid.
Also, the final corner is deceptively fast, but push it too hard and you could end up in the pitlane by accident…
Specified car: Renault R5 Turbo ’80 (Used Cars, 146,700 Credits, or free rental)
Race B
Less about classic 1980s cars and James Bond, and more about serious racing. Race B does affect your ranking, and it will be in any Gr.3 car of your choosing.
The venue is the Circuit de Barcelona, but rejoice, without the nasty pernickety final chicane.
Amazing what a difference the omittance of that can do to this track, creating a fast and flowing final sector – as it should be.
Several cars are quick here, with no obvious choice. The Genesis, Nissan GT-R (2013), 911 or Lamborghini should all do well. If in doubt, however, Porsche.
Recommended car: Porsche 911 RSR (991) ’17 (Brand Central, 450,000 Credits or free rental)
Race C
Right, the big one, Race C, and we are in for a treat this week.
The super-quick Gr.2 cars, SUPER GT plus some Le Mans legends, all mixed together around one of our favourite fictional Gran Turismo venues, Autodrome Lago Maggiore. Backwards.
Oh, reverse. How quaint.
We actually find this counterclockwise layout to reduce some of the overtaking opportunities as you enter key corners at a slower speed or a less-than-optimal angle. For instance, the now-penultimate hairpin and the giant banked left turn.
This is where strategy will be key, as you are forced to use both the medium and soft compound tyres at some point during the race. Do you start slow or quick – the choice is yours.
Recommended car: Nissan GT-R NISMO GT500 ’16 (Brand Central, 800,000 Credits or free rental)
Lap Time Challenge
This fortnight’s Lap Time Challenge features 2017’s Honda NSX paired with the Daytona Road Course in the darkness.
The Le Mans Chicane will be your nemesis here, and the key to a quick lap time. Towards the end of the lap, managing a smooth weight transfer for the mid-engine hybrid supercar is far from straightforward. Discretion is the better part of valour, here, to keep your momentum on to the banking.
A new Lap Time Challenge will become available on the 3rd March at 7 am GMT.
Specific car: Honda NSX ’17 (Brand Central, 230,000 Credits or free car rental)
Race A
Race Information
Car: Renault R5 Turbo ’80
Track: Colorado Springs – Lake
Laps: Five
No. Of Cars: 12
Start Type: Grid Start
Duration: 15 Minutes
Fuel Consumption: 1x
Tyre Wear: 1x
Regulations
Specified Car: Renault R5 Turbo ’80
Useable Tyre and Types: Dirt
Wide Body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Prohibited
Car restrictions
BoP/Tuning Forbidden: Low-speed (L)
Car Used: Garage Car, Event-Specified Car
Car Settings: Specified
Race Settings
DR Updates: Off
SR Updates: Off
Mechanical Damage: Light
Minimum No. of Pit Stops: None
Track Limit: Normal
Penalty Settings
Shortcut Penalty: Light
Penalty for collisions with other cars: On
Pit Lane Line Cutting Penalty: On
Race B
Race Information
Car: Gr.3
Track: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya GP Layout No Chicane
Laps: Four
No. Of Cars: 16
Start Type: Rolling Start
Duration: 15 Minutes
Fuel Consumption: 1x
Tyre Wear: 1x
Regulations
Useable Tyres & Types: Racing Medium, Intermediate and Wet
Categories: Gr.3
Wide Body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Prohibited
Car restrictions
BoP/Tuning Forbidden: Mid-speed (M)
Car Used: Garage Car, Event-Specified Car
Car Settings: Specified
Race Settings
DR Updates: Yes
SR Updates: Yes
Mechanical Damage: Light
Minimum No. of Pit Stops: None
Track Limit: Normal
Penalty Settings
Shortcut Penalty: Light
Penalty for collisions with other cars: On
Pit Lane Line Cutting Penalty: On
Race C
Race Information
Car: Gr.2
Laps: 10
Track: Autodrome Lago Maggiore – Full Course Reverse
No. Of Cars: 16
Start Type: Rolling Start
Duration: 25 Minutes
Fuel Consumption: 2x
Tyre Wear: 7x
Regulations
Useable Tyres: Racing Medium, Soft, Intermediate, Wet
Required Tyre Type: Racing Medium and Soft
Category: Gr.2
Wide Body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Prohibited
Car restrictions
BoP/Tuning Forbidden: Mid-speed (M)
Car Used: Garage Car, Event-Specified Car
Car Settings: Specified
Race Settings
DR Updates: Yes
SR Updates: Yes
Mechanical Damage: Light
Minimum No. of Pit Stops: None
Track Limit: Normal
Penalty Settings
Shortcut Penalty: Light
Penalty for collisions with other cars: On
Pit Lane Line Cutting Penalty: On
LAP TIME CHALLENGE
Race Information
Track: Daytona Road Course
Entry Period: 16th February – 2nd March 2023
Regulations
Useable Tyres: Sports Soft
Wide Body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Prohibited
Regulations (Specified car)
Honda NSX ’17
Car Restrictions
BoP/Tuning Forbidden: High-speed (H)
Car Used: Garage Car, Event-Specified Car
Car Settings: Specified
Race Settings
Track Limit: Normal
Penalty Settings
Shortcut Penalty: Light
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