We head over to the West Coast of the United States in this week’s Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge, as we’re treated to a dreamy car and track combination: the Chevrolet Corvette C8 and Laguna Seca.
Sited in Monterrey, California, Laguna Seca (its official title is the less-than-snappy ‘WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca’) is a tight and twisty ribbon of asphalt featuring swathes of elevation changes and technical corners; the most famous of which being ‘The Corkscrew’ and its terrifying five-storey drop.
With few run-off areas Laguna Seca normally demands a pragmatic approach, but for a GT7 Lap Time Challenge you have to use every piece of kerb and sand to maximise your lap times.
Gran Turismo 7 Laguna Seca track guide
Take a wide line into the Andretti hairpin initially, as this will open up the exit to Turn 3. An early turn-in is required for Turn 4 as the corner opens out onto a short straight towards the banked Turn 5.
Using the gradient to slow the car down is vital to picking up the gas early for the uphill run to Turn 6’s blind apex, continuing the climb towards the Corkscrew. Once there, try to stay tight to the first apex: this will set you up perfectly for a straight run through the second clipping point. Beware, though, as using too much real estate will invalidate your lap.
Follow a shallow line into Rainey Curve – again, using the berm to help turn and slow the car – before diving down into Turn 10, ensuring you don’t carry too much pace as the camber falls away on exit. For the final corner, it’s best to sacrifice entry speed to ensure a cleaner exit onto the start-finish straight.
Combat ‘Vette
The Corvette C8 is Chevrolet’s riposte to the European supercar hegemony ruled by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, McLaren et al, providing a slice of American muscle in a tasty, midship package.
Forgoing the traditional front-engined V8 layout, Corvette’s latest range-topper ably competes with its Euro rivals in the handling stakes, with its flat-plane ‘eight’ mimicking both Ferrari and McLaren road cars. The ‘Vette can hit 60mph in just 2.6s, making it one of the quickest-accelerating production cars on the planet.
However, the C8’s biggest advantage is its price: depending on specification, the Corvette can be almost half the cost of a Ferrari F8, despite boasting similar performance. Mamma mia!
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 second fastest lap at the time of publication has been set by Spanish player N. Romero with a 1:30.024 lap time as shown below (the fastest lap’s replay was unavailable, unfortunately). Although unrealistic, Romero spams the downshift button entering into slow corners, using engine braking to arrest the Vette’s progress.
Not an advisable tactic in the real world, however, as it causes actual engine breaking…
Recommended car: Chevrolet Corvette C8 ’20 (Brand Central 85,000 Credits or free rental)
Lap Time Challenge
Race Information
Track: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Entry Period: 31st August-14th September
Regulations
Useable Tyres: Sports: Medium
Wide body: Prohibited
Nitrous/Overtake: Prohibited
Car Restrictions
Bop/Tuning Forbidden: Low-speed
Car used: Chevrolet Corvette C8 ’20
Car Settings: Specified
Race Settings
Track Limit: Normal
Penalty Settings
Shortcut Penalty: Light
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