Epic GT7 Showdown: Racing Against 70,000 Players for Ultimate Glory
Racing aficionados, gather around! I embarked on a special journey this past week, clocking in over 1,864 miles (3,000 km) in just five days. Half of the excitement stemmed from my stint with the 2024 Mazda MX-5, but let's keep that tale for another time.
As Thursday came around, I was already miles away from my PS5 but that didn't diminish my excitement for the latest Time Trial Event. Spa-Francorchamps, one of my all-time favorite tracks, was the battleground. Polyphony Digital threw in a thrilling surprise by allowing racers to choose from 50 different cars, each offering a unique challenge and driving experience. I eagerly sat behind my console as soon as I got home, ready to conquer the virtual roads.
Diving into the Challenge
Before diving headlong into the Spa challenge, I reflected on my previous performance at the Le Mans Time Trial. With a lap time of 3:54.723, I finished at position 136,050 out of nearly 153,000 racers—not my finest moment, but it still earned me a Bronze Record Reward and 250,000 credits. In the Barcelona challenge, I'd also fallen back by 30,000 spots. However, I was still ahead of 70,000 drivers worldwide. Feeling motivated, I decided to splurge on a few new cars in hope of improving my standings.
The used car lot had nothing that caught my eye, so I made a beeline for Brand Central. I missed my trusty MX-5 and ended up purchasing the Roadster NR-A (ND) for 31,000 credits. Sporting just 130 horsepower, it was a sluggish ride around Spa, clocking in at 3:21.114. Yet, it was a fun drive, particularly as I worked the controller. My wife, who loves driving the Roadster in GT7, also found it to be a good practice car.
Upgrading and Testing
Next, I splurged an additional 100,000 credits on a Porsche Cayman GT4, improving my lap time by 30 seconds despite some missteps. Curious about its potential with a steering wheel, I speculated the Cayman could clock a lap time under 2:35. My third choice was the striking 2017 Ford GT, dressed in triple yellow and costing a hefty 550,000 credits. Despite my high expectations, it ended up shaving just 4 seconds off the Porsche’s time and proved challenging to manage with the controller.
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Time Trial
Time for the main event: a 50-hour Time Trial at Spa, featuring Spanish racer J. Serrano as the frontrunner with a blistering lap time of 2:16.547. Only 21 drivers had managed to break the 2:17 barrier. Realizing the uphill battle, I scanned through the list of 50 cars and was intrigued by five potential racers: the Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette Group 5, the GT-R GT500 '99, the Dodge Viper SRT GT3-R '15, and the McLaren F1 GTR - BMW '95.
The ’80s Skyline astonished me with a lap time of 2:41.438 using the controller. Transitioning to the more modern GT500 granted an instant 6-second improvement. With the Dodge Viper, I shaved another 2 seconds off my time, while the McLaren F1 GTR offered the most exhilarating ride, clocking in at 2:29.959. Despite being good enough for a Bronze Record Reward, 50,000 drivers still held faster times.
Switching to a Logitech G29 wheel instantly added two seconds to my gain, but I soon realized a more modern car was necessary for further improvement. Among my Gr.3 options were the Corvette C7, the NSX GT500, and the Huracan GT3. The Huracan managed an impressive 2:23.940 lap time, yet the Mercedes-AMG GT3 '20 outpaced it with an even more effortless 2:22.948.
Pushing Boundaries
After covering nearly 217 miles (350 km) at Spa, I tested various cars, including two R8 editions, the Ford GT Race Car, and the Ferrari 458 Italia GT3. I saved the Ferrari for last, and it paid off, yielding a rewarding lap time of 2:22.085. Sitting proudly among the Top 21,000 drivers worldwide, I relished the thrill of navigating through Spa's challenging Eau Rouge and Turn 18. While still 1.5 seconds away from the coveted Gold Record Reward, the journey was intensively gratifying. If you're aiming for Gold, patience and practice are your best allies.
