Spent another 20 minutes last night and got Gold. Then I decided to record it so I ran a few more clean laps. In all, I got Gold about 5 times last night but I wanted the cleanest run to post. Granted, this isn't a 1:14 like the WRS guys but it is a solid 1:16 that I think anyone with a wheel could duplicate.
I have complained before about the turning radius on the DFGT. This is one of the tough tracks. You can see that my tires never turn red (except during the launch) and I need to go completely hand over hand to get around the hairpins. I think if I had a little more rear slippage it would lessen the amount of steering input I had to provide but i found it tough to get the car to rotate consistently.
I talked yesterday about trying to stay in 3rd before the tunnel. I tried it a few times and found I was less consistent. Downshifting to 2nd got the car to rotate and I could come in tight before the tunnel. It's a different line than some of the faster videos but it was still quick enough for the gold.
A quick break down of the turns...
1) Brake at or just before the blue box on the left side. Start turning in while still on the brake, but before you've reduced your speed completely. This will get the car to begin to rotate. Plan your downshift to 1st for before you turn in hard. It will help rotate the car a little and if you use paddles like me you'll have difficulty hitting it once your arms are twisted. You don't have to have the front wheel in the dirt immediately on entry, but you won't get a fast enough exit if it isn't completely in the dirt at the late apex.
2) Accelerate in 1st gear and plan for an early apex into turn 2. I stayed in 1st, it was easier. Use 50% brake to hug the dirt. Start accelerating before you can see the downhill straight, shift to 2nd right when you see it.
3) Quick shift to 3rd and get to the outside of the track. Aim the car for the inside dirt before braking hard and you'll get a little extra rotation on entry. Similar to turn 1, its ok to late apex. Downshift all the way to 1st again.
4) Floor it out of turn 3 and you may hit the rev limiter in 1st gear. Come in tight for turn 4 and when you lift off the throttle in 1st the car will rotate itself. As soon as you see the bridge floor it and shift to 2nd. Put 2 wheels in the right side dirt patch as you approach the bridge
5) Start braking before you reach the flags on either side of the track. I turned this into a double apex turn. Brake harder than you think you have to and hit an early apex. Use the tires to scrub off additional speed and get back on the gas about 75% through the turn.
6) Tap the brakes just as you go into the dip and turn in hard. Get 2 wheels into the dirt. Ease into the throttle gently exiting this turn to avoid breaking traction.
7) Turn 7 is flat out, line the car up on the right side of the track so you can brake in a straight line approaching turn 8
8) Brake just before the dirt patch on the left side of the screen. Do not put 2 wheels into this dirt because it will increase your braking distance. Turn 8 is another double apex like turn 5. The first apex is at 10% around, the second at 80%, both are marked by dirt patches. The first one is easy to hit, let your car run wide after it. 50% through the turn downshift to 2nd and apply a small amount of throttle. Wait until you have the 2nd apex lined up and ease into the throttle. I went a little wide and didn't get 2 wheels in the dirt on the 2nd apex. However I got in tight enough that I could power through the final kink before the straight.
Final notes: This can be a fun challenge once you figure out where you need to make progress. I'd say achieving the gold time is one of the more challenging parts of this game. It is certainly more difficult than the next stop in the Grand Tour, Monza. Now I need to figure out that Lambo at Toscana! I think I'll have to spend some time learning the track if i'm going to catch that 1st place car.
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