Gran Turismo 7’s Lap Time Challenge, 2nd-16th March: Gr.3 chicanery

Ross McGregor
Gran Turismo 7’s latest Lap Time Challenge features Gr.3 cars at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya GP’s No Chicane Layout.
Gran Turismo 7, Barcelona no chicane, Hyundai Genesis Gr.3

It’s time for another Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge and this fortnight’s edition comes from a track that has made the news this week.

Yes, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya GP track – let’s just call it Barcelona – has made headlines recently thanks to the FIA approving the deletion of its finickity final chicane complex for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.

The move is designed to encourage more overtaking in F1, returning the circuit to its traditional layout in use before the chicane’s implementation in 2007. Ironically, the chicane was added to reduce cornering speeds in the final two turns (Europcar followed by New Holland); something that will surely still be of concern.

Gran Turismo 7's Lap Time Challenge, 2nd-16th March: Gr.3 chicanery

F1 levels of speed won’t be a problem with the Gr.3 cars in this Lap Time Challenge, however, but they’ll still require a steady hand to guide them to a clean lap around the notoriously challenging Spanish circuit.

Barcelona was predominantly the test track of choice for the F1 paddock until restrictions limited its use. Its combination of slow-speed turns and high-speed, aero-dependent sweeps make it the perfect place to evaluate a car’s strengths and weaknesses.

The Turn 1 complex is the key to sector 1; slow the car down enough to take all the kerbing you can into Turn 1, then keep your right foot planted until the fearsome Turn 3, again using all the kerb available. This long right-hander is a tyre-killer, but on corner exit keep the car as far to the left as possible before diving into Turn 5 – Repsol.

Gran Turismo 7, Barcelona no chicane, Hyundai Genesis Gr.3

The next big challenge is the Würth left-hander. This has deceptive camber, so try to hug the left-hand kerbing as much as possible and let the car move out to the exit on the right while avoiding the gravel trap. The key here is to avoid too much tyre scrub.

Breathe on the throttle through the high-speed Campsa corner before entering the slowest part of the track and the recently revised Caixa corner. This complex will lead you onto the final medium-speed corners and the 1km pit straight.

Our car of choice is the fictional Hyundai Genesis Gr.3. The Genesis is a four-door luxury saloon with little-to-no sporting credentials, but the GT7 racing version uses the Korean manufacturer’s Coupe body shape and it certainly packs a punch on track. As an alternative, the Porsche 911 RSR (991) ‘17 is also an effective choice.

Gran Turismo 7, Barcelona no chicane, Hyundai Genesis Gr.3

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.

At the time of writing, Japanese driver ‘rK1 tired’ holds the top spot in the standings with a very un-tired 1:39.987 in his Genesis Gr.3. Can you get close enough to earn some credits? Best of luck!

Gran Turismo 7, Barcelona no chicane, Hyundai Genesis Gr.3

Recommended car: Hyundai Genesis Gr.3 (Brand Central, 450,000 Credits or free car rental)

Lap Time Challenge

Race Information

Track: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya GP Layout No Chicane

Entry Period: 2nd-16th March 2023

Regulations

Useable Tyres Racing: Hard, Intermediate, Wet

Category: 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

Track Limit: Normal

Penalty Settings

Shortcut Penalty: Light

Gran Turismo 7's Lap Time Challenge, 2nd-16th March: Gr.3 chicanery
Add a Comment
Previous Post
Buy cars in Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown a 'special moment'

Buying cars in Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown a ‘special moment’

Next Post
South Korean city Busan coming to strategic sim Mini Motorways this month

South Korean city Busan coming to strategic sim Mini Motorways this month

Related Posts