To celebrate the release of Gran Turismo 7’s v1.32 update, Polyphony Digital has offered players the chance to take part in not one, not two, but three cash-dispensing Lap Time Challenge time trials. And one could lead directly to qualification for the 2023 Olympic Esports Series!
We’ve covered the Olympic-themed Lap Time Challenge in a separate article (it’s a pretty big deal, after all), but there are still two more juicy Credit pay-outs available over the next fortnight, with one from the Red Bull Ring and the other at the recently revamped Fuji International Speedway.
Lap Time Challenge B
The second Lap Time Challenge sees the brand-new (to Gran Turismo 7) Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo taken through its paces around the revamped Fuji International Speedway. Well, you could choose a different Gr.3 car but why wouldn’t you pick the new kid on the block?
Although the car has undergone extensive developments over the winter – look at Assetto Corsa Competizione’s latest update for more information – the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT3 is largely the same racer that dominated worldwide GT3 racing last year.
Making the car easy to drive is crucial in GT racing given the number of amateur drivers taking part, and this has translated over to GT7, making the Merc hugely forgiving and instantly chuckable. This makes it our recommended car for Lap Time Challenge B.
A new Gr.3 car is always going to be popular in GT7 and looking at the Lap Time Challenge leaderboard this one definitely is, where at the time of publication Spanish player ‘J.Serrano’ sits atop the standings with a 1:39.216 in their Stuttgart speeder.
You can check out this obscenely quick lap below.
As you can see, carrying speed through Fuji’s wide-open corners is crucial, with the Mercedes-AMG able to maintain traction easily through high-speed turns thanks to its motorsport-honed aerodynamics package.
Recommended car: Mercedes-AMG GT3 ’20 (Brand Central, 450,000 Credits or free car rental)
Lap Time Challenge C
We head to Austria’s Red Bull Ring for the last of the available Lap Time Challenges, but take note, as this one is only available until the 4th of May.
The car given to us is the beautiful Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm ’20 super-saloon. It first appeared in GT7 with the game’s 1.27 update and is a sportier derivation of the base Quadrifoglio model. The Quadrifoglio represented a turning point in Alfa Romeo’s car manufacturing fortunes thanks to its excellent dynamics and sumptuous Ferrari V6 engine.
And that’s before we mention how good it looks. With a natty rear wing reminiscent of the 156 GTA, the car looks fast standing still. But don’t worry, with over 500bhp on tap there’s plenty of brawn to match its beauty: exiting the Red Bull Ring’s tight Turn 3 hairpin a tricky task in managing power oversteer.
At the time of publication, Canadian player ‘Lester’ holds the fastest time with a 1:37.971 (shown below), and it exemplifies the need to keep this hefty Italian muscle car pointing straight ahead in the traction zones while maintaining its momentum through Red Bull Ring’s medium-speed turns.
This is especially the case since players are forced to use hard compound sports tyres.
Recommended car: Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm ’20 (Brand Central, 220,000 Credits or free car rental)
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 pay-out. With over 4,000,000 Credits on the line for just these two Lap Time Challenge events, there’s never been a better time to top up your GT7 bank balance.
Lap Time Challenge B
Race Information
Track: Fuji International Speedway
Entry Period: 27th April – 11th May 2023
Regulations
Useable Tyres Racing: Hard, Intermediate, Wet
Category: Gr.3
Wide Body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Prohibited
Car Restrictions
BoP/Tuning Forbidden: Mid-speed
Car Used: Garage Car, Event-Specified Car
Car Settings: Specified
Race Settings
Track Limit: Normal
Penalty Settings
Shortcut Penalty: Invalidate Time
Lap Time Challenge C
Race Information
Track: Red Bull Ring
Entry Period: 27th April – 4th May 2023
Regulations
Useable Tyres Sports: Hard
Wide Body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Prohibited
Regulations (Specified Car)
Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm ’20
Car Restrictions
BoP/Tuning Forbidden: Mid-speed
Car Used: Garage Car, Event-Specified Car
Car Settings: Specified
Race Settings
Track Limit: Normal
Penalty Settings
Shortcut Penalty: Light
