This week’s new Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge takes us to the sunny climes of the Ardennes forest and the perpetually dry Spa-Francorchamps…
Oh, wait, no. It’s absolutely chucking it down as usual.
Fortunately, players have been given an absolute weapon of a car to master the 4.352-mile long course and its inclement weather, and best of all; it was designed in collaboration with Red Bull Racing’s aerodynamics guru Adrian Newey. It’s the Red Bull X2014 Junior.
Newey, who also takes a keen interest in designing racing yachts (ironically), came up with a series of Red Bull concept cars for the Gran Turismo series, with the Red Bull X2014 Junior arriving way back in Gran Turismo 6.
In terms of performance, the car sits around the level of a modern Formula 3 racer. It has 246bhp, which doesn’t sound like much but in a car weighing just 550kg it’s more than enough.
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 car choice and video guide
The fastest lap at the time of publication has been set by Italian player A. Tonini with a 2:37.557. Despite a missed apex or two, they manage to minimise wheelspin in the damp conditions to set a tidy lap time (check out their lap below).
Using the ABS and TC assists is a good way to help your wet weather driving, and try to avoid hitting the larger puddles that regularly accumulate at the Belgian venue. Thankfully, there’s no river along the Kemmel Straight – scene of many an Assetto Corsa Competizione mishap – but hitting the wrong pool of water at the wrong moment could spell disaster.
Not even Max Verstappen could use that excuse for his ‘lively’ race at Spa over the weekend…
Recommended car: Red Bull X2014 Junior (Brand Central 350,000 Credits or free rental)
Lap Time Challenge
Race Information
Track: Spa-Francorchamps
Entry Period: 27th July-3rd August
Regulations
Useable Tyres: Racing: Intermediate
Wide body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Unrestricted
Regulations
Red Bull X2014 Junior
Car Restrictions
Bop/Tuning Forbidden: Mid-speed (M)
Car used: Garage Car, Event-Specified Car
Car Settings: Specified
Race Settings
Track Limit: Normal
Penalty Settings
Shortcut Penalty: Light
