A new Gran Turismo 7 Online Time Trial is available starting today, as one high-speed prototype event gives way to another for a challenge marking one of the most important endurance races in the world.
That is, of course, the 24 Hours of Le Mans which gets underway this year on Saturday June 14 — right in the middle of this time trial’s active window — so you won’t be surprised to learn that your opponent for the next two weeks is the 24 Heures du Mans Circuit.
Reflecting the top category at the event, you’ll be aiming to go as quickly as possible around the “No Chicane” course — the modern layout without the two chicanes on the Hunaudieres — in a Gr.1 car on Racing Soft tires. You’re free to use any car from this wide-ranging category that covers vehicles from classic Group Cs to modern prototypes to futuristic Vision GT cars adapted for approximate parity with P1s.
The early leaderboard is overwhelmingly pointing at the Toyota GR010 Hybrid as the fastest way round. While its sibling TS050 is quicker in the real event, GT7’s Gr.1 BOP leans in favor of the modern LMH instead. Notably the GR010 is still the game’s only LMH/LMDh representative in the now five-year old category that comprises ten vehicles, with a further three joining in the next couple of years and three that no longer compete…
Currently the world record for this combination is a 3:06.582 (in the GR010), which sets the gold target as a 3:12.179 — comfortably faster than the all-time qualifying record set in the 1970s in a Porsche 917 on the then-chicaneless course. Times are beginning to cluster, but we wouldn’t rule out some movement over the next two weeks; figure on needing a mid-to-low-3:11 if you want the 2,000,000cr reward.
Two other Time Trial events remain active for one more week, comprising a regular challenge and a special trial that’s part of the celebrations around this weekend’s Gran Turismo World Series live event in London.
The first, a quick blast around Alsace Test Course in the Z34 Fairlady Z has reached the point of diminishing returns as the top players duke it out over hundredths of a second. Currently the record for that is a 51.275s lap, setting gold at 53.276s, and it’s unlikely to fall much further; a 53.1 is likely enough for gold at the close of play.
You can pick from the 12 Manufacturers Cup finalists’ representative cars in the special event at Tokyo Expressway South Counterclockwise. Despite the longer, higher-speed lap, times haven’t fallen all that far over the past week, with former finalist Benjamin Hencsei leading the way in the Supra with a 1:54.443. That sets the gold time at 1:57.876 currently, so our predicted 1:57.5 will likely be more than good enough.
In order to access the Online Time Trials, you’ll need to unlock Sport Mode, by completing Menu Book 9 (“Championship: Tokyo Highway Parade”) in the GT Cafe single player hub. As it’s just you against the clock and not a direct, head-to-head multiplayer event, PlayStation Plus is not required.
You’ll usually need to be within 3% of the fastest time globally once the event finishes in order to secure “gold” status and a 2m credit bonus prize. There’s smaller prizes of one million for being within 5%, and 250,000cr for bronze at 10% off.
The events update every Thursday, with each individual challenge usually remaining available for two weeks and the oldest of the two events being replaced each week. You can look forward to the next new Time Trial arriving at 0700 UTC on Thursday June 12.
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge June 5 – 24 Heures du Mans
- Track: 24 Heures du Mans Circuit No Chicane
- Car: Gr.1 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (H)
- Tires: Racing Soft
- Settings: Fixed
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge May 29 – Alsace Test Course
- Track: Alsace Test Course
- Car: Nissan Fairlady Z (Z34) ’08 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (M)
- Tires: Sports Hard
- Settings: Fixed
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Special Event May 29 – Tokyo Expressway
- Track: Tokyo Expressway South Clockwise
- Car: Gr.3 Car Selection – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (H)
- Tires: Racing Soft
- Settings: Fixed
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