This week’s round of Gran Turismo 7 Daily Races have a slightly different feel. Firstly, Race A unusually features the powerful Gr.3 sportscars, while we also see the first implementation of GT7‘s new Balance of Performance (BoP) system – as introduced in last week’s v1.19 July update.
BoP is now split into three categories: High-speed (H), Mid-speed (M) and Low-speed (L). Why the change? Well, for too long now four-wheel-drive cars have dominated the popular Gr.3 and Gr.4 races.
In an effort to rein in their advantage, Polyphony Digital has taken drastic measures to ensure a bigger variety of cars have an equal chance of setting similar lap times. Which is a good thing.
Since 30th May, Race A will not affect players’ Driver Rating (DR) and Sportsmanship Rating (SR). This means it’s ideal for newcomers to online racing, or those simply unwilling to risk their hard-fought DR and SR
RACE A
We head ‘Down Under’ for Race A, with a Gr.3 race around Bathurst’s Mount Panorama circuit. Famously home of Australia’s premier tin-top race – the Bathurst 1000 – the track also hosts a round of SRO’s Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) – better known as the Bathurst 12 Hours.
Gr.3 cars are based on the GT3 ruleset employed by IGTC, so the track and cars are a perfect combination. To shave off those vital tenths, players have to get as close as possible to Mount Panorama’s walls – overstepping the limit will just shave off parts of your car.
Race A uses the new High-speed (H) BoP. And it seems to work – there’s a large variety of cars able to set similar lap times. However, we reckon McLaren’s rather elderly 650S GT3 is the car to have. Just don’t bin it…
Mandatory car: McLaren 650S GT3 ’15 – (Brand Central, 450,000 Credits)
Race B
We’ve extolled the virtues of Autopolis in previous Daily Races articles, and touched on its frankly incredible origin story – the eccentric circuit owner had an original Picasso painting on-site for goodness sake – but this is the first occasion we get to use its Short Course layout.
The track is a technical challenge, but it’s made easier thanks to the little lightweight Mazda Roadster Touring Car’s immense cornering abilities. Low weight equals low inertia, so the Mazda can change direction quicker than a fly on steroids, even when restricted to using Sports: Hard tyres.
Race B uses the Mid-speed (M) BoP format.
Recommended car: Mazda Roadster Touring Car (Brand Central 90,000 Credits or free rental)
Race C
The last of this week’s Daily Races comes from Brands Hatch’s Grand Prix configuration. This time players are restricted to Gr.4 cars only, with the Mid-speed (M) BoP.
So, you know how we said the new BoP system should help contain the advantage of four-wheel-drive cars? Erm, well, the best car for Race C is the Genesis G70 GR4… which is four-wheel-drive.
It’s not even close either, with the G70 almost having a monopoly over the qualification rankings. It’s disappointing, but with further honing we hope Polyphony can finally get on top of their car balancing issues.
Brands Hatch Grand Prix should at least provide a stern test: its technical opening sector making way for fast and flowing turns at the back of the circuit. An additional challenge is the 7x fuel consumption factor, which should bring rear-wheel-drive cars back into play since they’re a tad lighter on the RON than their total traction competitors.
Recommended car: Genesis G70 GR4 Gr.4 (Brand Central 350,000 Credits or free rental)
Lap Time Challenge
The current Lap Time Challenge takes place at the Red Bull Ring using the Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette Group 5 ’84 car.
A new Lap Time Challenge will begin on the 18th of August.
Recommended car: Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette ’84 (Legend Car dealership, 1,150,000 Credits or free rental)
Race A
Race Information
Car: Gr.3
Track: Mount Panorama
Laps: Five
No. Of Cars: 12
Start Type: Rolling Start
Duration: 15 Minutes
Fuel Consumption: 1x
Tyre Wear: 1x
Regulations
Categories: Gr.3
Wide Body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Prohibited
Tyre Choice: Racing: Hard, Intermediate, Wet
Car restrictions
BoP/Tuning Forbidden: High-speed
Car Used: Garage Car, Event-Specified Car
Car Settings: Specified
Race Settings
DR Updates: Off
SR Updates: Off
Mechanical Damage: Light
Minimum No. of Pit Stops: None
Track Limit: Normal
Penalty Settings
Shortcut Penalty: Light
Penalty for collisions with other cars: On
Pit Lane Line Cutting Penalty: On
Race B
Race Information
Car: Mazda Roadster Touring Car
Track: Autopolis International Racing Course – Short Cours
Laps: Seven
No. Of Cars: 16
Start Type: Rolling Start
Duration: 15 Minutes
Fuel Consumption: 1x
Tyre Wear: 1x
Regulations
Categories: Mazda Roadster Touring Car
Wide Body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Prohibited
Tyre Choice: Sports: Hard
Car restrictions
BoP/Tuning Forbidden: Mid-speed
Car Used: Garage Car, Event-Specified Car
Car Settings: Specified
Race Settings
DR Updates: Yes
SR Updates: Yes
Mechanical Damage: Light
Minimum No. of Pit Stops: None
Track Limit: Normal
Penalty Settings
Shortcut Penalty: Light
Penalty for collisions with other cars: On
Pit Lane Line Cutting Penalty: On
Race C
Race Information
Car: Gr.4
Laps: 12
Track: Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit
No. Of Cars: 16
Start Type: Rolling Start
Duration: 25 Minutes
Fuel Consumption: 7x
Tyre Wear: 1x
Regulations
Categories: Gr.4
Wide Body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Prohibited
Tyre Choice: Racing: Hard, Medium, Intermediate, Wet
Required Tyre Type: Racing: Hard
Car restrictions
BoP/Tuning Forbidden: Mid-speed
Car Used: Garage Car, Event-Specified Car
Car Settings: Specified
Race Settings
DR Updates: Yes
SR Updates: Yes
Mechanical Damage: Light
Minimum No. of Pit Stops: None
Track Limit: Normal
Penalty Settings
Shortcut Penalty: Light
Penalty for collisions with other cars: On
Pit Lane Line Cutting Penalty: On
Lap Time Challenge
Race Information
Car: Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette Group 5 ’84
Track: Red Bull Ring
Entry Period: 4th-18th August
Regulations
Categories: Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette Group 5 ’84
Wide Body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Prohibited
Tyre Choice: Racing: Medium, Intermediate, Wet
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
