Online Time Trial events usually run for two weeks, with a new event each week replacing the oldest of the two. However, the physics change for the 1.49 update meant that running a time trial across the update would render an entire week's worth of driving moot and PD opted to bring them both to a close simultaneously.
Two new events are now available, each using new content from the update, with the first one lasting for only one week in order to restore the staggered scheduling.
That will see you taking to the wheel of the new Ferrari 430 Scuderia, a track-focused version of the Ferrari F430, around the high-speed Tokyo Expressway East Clockwise course.
In what's sure to be a pretty tight time trial event, you'll be aiming to get the Ferrari around this track — based on road sections from the real Shuto Expressway in Tokyo — as fast as you can on Sports Medium tires.
With the new physics in play it's tricky to predict what the fastest time will be and where you'll need to be in order to collect 2m credits for a gold-standard time. Currently the record sits at a low-2:03, but we can see a fight to get into the 2:02s developing. That'll make a mid-2:06 the target, so aim to hit 2:06.5 or faster if you want a little security over the next week.
Again this is going to be a tricky one to predict with the new physics, but we're already starting to see times breaking into the 1:02s — thereby requiring a 1:04.8 to hit the gold marker. Chances are this won't be the limit, though a short lap time means only small gains are possible. It's likely that a 1:04.5 will be good enough, but aim for a low-1:04 to give yourself a decent safety net.
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 1.
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge July 25 – Tokyo Expressway
- Track: Tokyo Expressway – East Clockwise
- Car: Ferrari 430 Scuderia '07 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (H)
- Tires: Sports Medium
- Settings: Fixed
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge July 25 – Eiger Nordwand
- Track: Eiger Nordwand Full Course
- Car: Suburu Impreza WRC '98 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (L)
- Tires: Racing Hard
- Settings: Fixed
