As we near the end of Gran Turismo Sport Daily Races reporting, and the start of a final send-off tournament within the game, this week’s playlist also highlights a car company that has seen end times – but is moving on to something new.
TVR.
With a name that stands for Trevor, after the company’s eponymous founder, it managed to build a global sportscar empire from humble origins in the English coastal town of Blackpool. Known for its theme park, slot machines and illuminations more than high-performance vehicles.
Maranello it ain’t.
Yet, the team still made it work, and thanks in part to the original Gran Turismo, were yearned after by teenagers around the world.
Owner Peter Wheeler sold up shop in 2004 to Nikolay Smolensky who sadly ran the company into the ground.
In 2013, however, a new consortium run by Les Edgar and John Chasey took ownership of the rights and has set about reimagining the brutish two-seater designed by Gordon Murray Automotive. As it stands, production has not started, but here’s hoping…
Fire up GT Sport, drive the daunting TVR and look forward to Gran Turismo 7 on 4th March 2021.
Race A is in a TVR, as it happens, combined with the West II short variation of Autodrome Lago Maggiore. Everyone will be in identical cars, so the only decision you need to make is which colour to use.
This is a tougher question than with most cars as you have 22 to choose from. For the ultimate early ‘00s vibe, we recommend one of the iridescent colour changing hues of either Reflex Purple or Reflex Spice.
Try to avoid the interior viewpoint, as the dashboard reflects upon the inside of the windscreen. Far from a Gran Turismo error, it’s said this is what’s like in the real world too.
Next up is a classic combination. Any Gr.4 from your garage and the Dragon Trail Seaside track. As ever, watch out for that chicane on lap one.
As it stands, the front-wheel-drive touring cars of the Audi TT Cup ‘16 and Volkswagen Scirocco as the weapons of choice. Wheelspin, understeer, but when managed with a tweak of driving style, the most effective cars here, helped by the use of a rolling start.
Rounding out this week is a homage to the premier Japanese racing series, Super GT. Utilising the Gr.2 cars – which will expand to cars outside of Super GT in Gran Turismo 7 – paired with Suzuka and a mandatory pitstop.
Tyre wear is pretty strong at 7x, and you must use both medium and hard compound rubber at least once in the race. So, while the Nissan may have the ultimate one-lap pace, the NSX and Lexus may return serve later in the race.
Full details of each race are below, and the playlist will next reset on Monday 7th February 2022. Don’t forget, there’s a special send-off tournament, in the style of the FIA event, within GT Sport starting later this week and more information about Gran Turismo 7 is coming on the 2nd of February.
Race A
Car: N400 – TVR Tuscan Speed 6 ’00
Track: Autodrome Lago Maggiore – West II
Laps: Four
No. Of Cars: 12
Duration: 15 Minutes
Tyres: Sports Medium
Fuel Consumption: None
Tyre Wear: None
Start Type: Grid Start
Race B
Car: Gr.4, any
Track: Dragon Trail – Seaside II
Laps: Four
No. Of Cars: 16
Duration: 15 Minutes
Tyres: Racing Medium
Fuel Consumption: None
Tyre Wear: None
Start Type: Rolling Start
Race C
Car: Gr.2 any
Track: Suzuka Circuit
Laps: 10
No. Of Cars: 20
Duration: 25 Minutes
Tyres: Racing Medium and Racing Hard, mandatory use of both
Fuel Consumption: 1x
Tyre Wear: 5x
Start Type: Rolling Start
Image source: Motorsport Images
