We’re going down under for week’s new Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge, and it’s off to Bathurst’s Mount Panorama circuit for a blast with the Maserati MC20.
Introduced in GT7’s August update the MC20 is the Italian firm’s latest supercar, which forgoes the industry standard of electrification by featuring a 621bhp V6 twin-turbo engine.
Plans are afoot to make the MC20 fully electric in future, however, so fans are encouraged to make the most of Maserati’s final fully petrol-powered supercar while they still can.
The Lap Time Challenge takes place at the scenic Mount Panorama circuit, featuring elevation changes galore, high-speed sections and tricky, wall-lined dips ready to catch out the unwary.
Despite its street circuit vibe, the key to a quick lap time at Mount Panorama is to get as close to the walls as possible, maintaining enough momentum to carry onto the enormous straights after Hell Corner and Forrest’s Elbow.
Using the topography of the track is also important, with the compressions around McPhillamy Park and The Dipper providing much more grip than one would initially expect. It’s a case of building your confidence up gradually and taking care across the mountain as it tends to punish mid-engined cars.
Just ask Garth Tander…
Gran Turismo 7’s Lap Time Challenges explained
GT7‘s Lap Time Challenge is a time trial mode where you compete against other players to set the fastest time on the leaderboard. However, there’s a caveat: setting a lap within three per cent of the fastest time nets players 2,000,000 Credits.
If you aren’t quite quick enough, then lapping within five per cent gains you 1,000,000 Credits, while a time inside 10 per cent of the fastest results in a 250,000 Credit payout.
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge video guide
The fastest lap at the time of publication has been set by Japanese player ‘Speedy_ki0409’ with a 2:13.098. It’s not the perfect lap by any means, with a couple of missed apexes showing there’s room for improvement, but it does highlight the use of short-shifting to help get the Maserati’s power down. Check out their full lap below.
Recommended car: Maserati MC20 (Brand Central 300,000 Credits or free rental)
Lap Time Challenge
Race Information
Track: Mount Panorama
Entry Period: 10th-24th August
Regulations
Useable Tyres: Sports: Hard
Wide body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Unrestricted
Regulations
Maserati MC20
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
