You'll be heading back to Suzuka again for this event, which runs over the next two weeks, but you'll be able to select any vehicle you like from the Gr.2 category, on Racing Medium tires.
That's a pretty broad church these days, having originally only been populated by six GT500-class cars: one each from Honda, Lexus, and Nissan from the 2008 and 2016 seasons of Super GT. These days the Gr.2 category includes a Class 1 car from DTM, and a trio of classic Le Mans race cars — all of which ultimately failed to win the famous endurance event.
However, it's a surprisingly difficult class to balance properly, and the twisty Suzuka Circuit seems to favor the 2016 Super GT machinery. If you're aiming to get a top time then, you should avoid the temptation to go for the Toyota GT-One!
It's likely to be a pretty busy event in terms of player entries, and the times are already breaking into the 1:47.8s — requiring a flat-1:51 to be in the gold bracket at present. Chances are that won't hold though, so look to hit a 1:50.5 or better for some peace of mind.
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 August 29.
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge August 22 – Suzuka
- Track: Suzuka
- Car: Gr.2 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (M)
- Tires: Racing Medium
- Settings: Fixed
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge August 15 – Mount Panorama
- Track: Mount Panorama
- Car: Renault Clio V6 '00 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (H)
- Tires: Sports Hard
- Settings: Fixed
Though intended as selection events for the two esports series, each also offers up the regular Time Trial rewards for the various brackets — although it's doubled for the bronze standard only. That means there's potentially another 6m credits available if you're quick enough!
Gran Turismo 7 Honda Racing eMS 2024 Challenge Class
- Track: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
- Car: Honda RA272 '65 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (H)
- Tires: Racing Hard
- Settings: Partially Allowed – Brake Balance
Gran Turismo 7 Honda Racing eMS 2024 U17 Class
- Track: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
- Car: Honda RA272 '65 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (H)
- Tires: Racing Hard
- Settings: Partially Allowed – Brake Balance
Gran Turismo 7 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Virtual Championship
- Track: Laguna Seca
- Car: Mercedes-AMG GT3 '20 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (L)
- Tires: Racing Soft
- Settings: Fixed