Polyphony Digital has done it to us again! This week’s Daily Races are once again subject to Balance of Performance (BoP) conditions.
All three races have strictly controlled car parameters meaning the races should be close, but the personal satisfaction gained from tuning your favourite car to perfection is gone.
Gran Turismo 7 fans are perhaps a little jaded by BoP races now, perhaps Polyphony can compromise and offer one per week for a while? Either way, one hopes the developers are using the Daily Races data to perfect the relative performance of the cars, ensuring closer racing in future.
This week, (w/c 11th April 2022) we head to Japan, and the Fuji International Speedway for a blast with the divisive Mitsubishi GTO, before heading slightly north-east to the Tokyo Expressway for a Gr.4 battle. The Daily Races are topped off with a Gr.4 visit to the Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya Grand Prix Layout.
RACE A
Fans of the original Gran Turismo will likely have misty-eyed memories of the Mitsubishi GTO. When tuned extensively, it produced over 900bhp. Alongside the Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R, it was a car that could take you from the beginning to the end of the game thanks to its potent on-track abilities.
So why doesn’t it receive the same kind of real-world adulation as the Skyline?
Well, because it’s awful.
Evo – a well-respected car magazine in the UK – regularly berates the GTO, (or 3000GT as it’s known in the UK) so much so that it’s become a bit of a meme. The truth is, it’s probably not quite that bad, but it received lukewarm reviews on release, and despite its 282bhp twin-turbo V6 engine, it weighed a portly 1700kg+.
It did feature active aero and suspension though, so it was well-appointed with gadgets and gizmos, and although the 3000GT UK variant is rare, there’s a decent number of Japanese GTOs around for JDM enthusiasts to bid on. Prices are on the rise, however, like most of the original GT’s car roster.
Race A uses Fuji’s modern full layout and last played host to the Japanese Grand Prix in 2008. The year before saw some of the worst wet weather ever seen in an F1 race, however; a common feature in the shadows of Mount Fuji.
The Mitsubishi GTO was previously available from the Used Cars dealership for 48,800 Credits, so keep an eye out for it in future. Alternatively, it can be earned by gaining Gold ratings in all of the National B License stages.
Recommended car: Mitsubishi GTO Twin Turbo ‘91 (Used Cars) 48,800 Credits
Race B
We’re off to Tokyo for a mad dash around its Expressway – Central Clockwise route for Race B, and this time in the familiar Gr.4 cars. We’ve seen the Mazda Atenza Gr.4 become a bit of a star in these races in previous weeks, but this time Polyphony Digital seem to have nailed the BoP formula.
There’s a few cars with seemingly equal performance on this occasion, and the fast-flowing nature of Tokyo Expressway probably negates some of the Atenza’s four-wheel-drive traction advantages.
This means you’ll be fine to pick from the likes of the Toyota Supra Gr.4, McLaren 650S Gr.4, Nissan GT-R Gr.4, or, if you fancy going a bit left-field, the Suzuki Swift Sport Gr.4!
Our choice, however, would be the BMW M4 Gr.4, mainly for its powerful straight-six engine and poised handling. With 5x tyre wear enabled, be sure to keep your steering inputs smooth, and try to avoid sliding the car too much.
Recommended car: BMW M4 Gr.4 (Brand Central, 350,000 Credits)
Race C
Ah, so it’s great to see Polyphony Digital have finally reined in the Mazda Atenza in the Gr.4 class. This should make Gr.4 races more open in fut… Oh, the top ten leaderboard for Race C is full of Atenzas. Excellent.
After seeing a variety of cars topping the times in Race B, it’s a familiar sight in Race C. The Mazda Atenza’s four-wheel-drive traction comes to the fore in the slow and medium-speed sections of Barcelona’s F1-hosting track, setting it apart from the competition.
Its punch out of hairpins – Turns 5 and 10 – plus the Turn 14/15 chicane, really plays to its strengths. The extra driven axle ensures better tyre wear too, as slip is all but eliminated, and this could be crucial with 5x tyre wear in force.
With plenty of tyre-shredding high-speed corners, this is a track for Sergio Perez-style tyre-saving.
Recommended car: Mazda Atenza Gr.4 (Brand Central, 350,000 Credits)
Race A
Race Information
Car: Mitsubishi GTO Twin Turbo ’91
Track: Fuji International Speedway
Laps: Six
No. Of Cars: 12
Start Type: Grid Start
Duration: 15 Minutes
Fuel Consumption: 1x
Tyre Wear: 1x
Regulations
Categories: Mitsubishi GTO Twin Turbo ’91
Wide Body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Cannot be fitted
Tyre Choice: Comfort Soft
Race Settings
BoP/Tuning Forbidden: On
Car Used: Garage Car
Car Settings: Specified
Mechanical Damage: Light
Shortcut Penalty: Enabled
Car Collision Penalty: Enabled
Pit Lane Line Cutting Penalty: Enabled
Race B
Race Information
Car: Gr.4
Track: Tokyo Expressway – Central Clockwise
Laps: Eight
No. Of Cars: 16
Start Type: Formation
Duration: 15 Minutes
Fuel Consumption: 2x
Tyre Wear: 5x
Regulations
Categories: Gr.4
Wide Body: Prohibited
Power: Specified
Weight: Specified
Nitrous: Cannot be fitted
Tyre Choice: Racing: Hard, Intermediate, Heavy Wet
Race Settings
BoP/Tuning Forbidden: On
Car Used: Garage Car
Car Settings: Specified
Mechanical Damage: Light
Shortcut Penalty: Enabled
Car Collision Penalty: Enabled
Pit Lane Line Cutting Penalty: Enabled
Race C
Race Information
Car: Gr.4
Track: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix Layout
Laps: 10
No. Of Cars: 20
Start Type: Formation
Duration: 25 Minutes
Fuel Consumption: 7x
Tyre Wear: 5x
Regulations
Categories: Gr.4
Wide Body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Cannot be fitted
Tyre Choice: Racing: Hard, Intermediate, Heavy Wet
Race Settings
BoP/Tuning Forbidden: Applicable
Car Used: Garage Car
Car Settings: Specified
Mechanical Damage: Light
Shortcut Penalty: Enabled
Car Collision Penalty: Enabled
Pit Lane Line Cutting Penalty: Enabled
