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-HARD ONE- (4)
Gran Turismo 5

-HARD ONE- (4)

Conquer the challenging NASCAR Championship in Gran Turismo 5 with this comprehensive guide. Learn car tuning, race strategies for Indy, Grand Valley, High Speed Ring, Laguna Seca, and Daytona.

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Conquer the challenging NASCAR Championship in Gran Turismo 5 with this comprehensive guide. Learn car tuning, race strategies for Indy, Grand Valley, High Speed Ring, Laguna Seca, and Daytona.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Acquire a NASCAR: Win one by achieving all Golds in the Jeff Gordon NASCAR Special Event, or purchase one from Toyota, Ford, or Chevy dealerships for 500,000 credits.
  2. 2
    Initial Tuning: Start with 824HP. Change the oil once to reach 864HP. Go to the tuning shop, buy Chassis Reinforcement and Racing Soft tires.
  3. 3
    Advanced Tuning: Tune the car for a major advantage. If not tuning yourself, use the following internet-sourced setup:
    • Suspension: Ride height: Forward +15, Rear -15. Spring rate: Forward 18.4, Rear 18.5. Dampers: 8 (all 4). Anti-roll bars: 6 (both). Camber angles: 0.5 (both). Toe angles: Front 0.00, Rear 0.20.
  4. 4
    Transmission: Set max speed to 224mph.
  5. 5
    A-Spec Series (5 Races): You get 100 points for a win, 75 for second, 60 for third, etc. You can still win the series without winning every race.
  6. 6
    Race 1: Indy: Aim to hold 160mph through turns for lap times around 51.5 seconds and a 4-second lead. If you can't win here, practice until you can.
  7. 7
    Race 2: Grand Valley: Before the race, change top speed to 193mph and ensure SRF (Stability Management) in Driving Options is on.
    • Handling Tips: The car is heavy and steers slowly. Avoid passing on the outside of curves. Feather the gas in turns, especially in 1st or 2nd gear, and accelerate fully only when straight. Be patient; it may take a lap or two to take the lead.
  8. 8
    Race 3: High Speed Ring: No changes needed.
    • Cornering: Take the first turn full speed. Second turn around 3rd gear. Third turn at 70mph. Fourth turn at 83mph. Fifth turn (right) full speed. Sixth turn in 3rd gear.
  9. 9
    Race 4: Laguna Seca: Drop top speed to 162mph for better acceleration.
    • Strategy: Use superior acceleration to gain a 5-second lead per lap. Be gentle on the gas through corners to avoid hitting walls.
  10. 10
    Race 5: Daytona: If you have 400 points, you likely have a sufficient lead. A lead of over 100 points guarantees winning the series even if you finish last here. The pack can draft and drive faster, making it easy to get spun out. If you miss a turn, the pack will pull away, costing you 2 seconds per lap. Finish the race and aim for the gold later if needed.
    • Attempting Gold Now: Set top speed back to 224mph. Keep left tires on the yellow line. Do not release the accelerator. If the pack catches up, let them pass. Draft the left-most column and pass on the left. Avoid the wall.
  11. 11
    Lap 9 Strategy: If back in the pack, try to nudge the 3rd place car by the middle of lap 9. This leaves two cars to draft.
  12. 12
    Lap 10 Strategy: On the first turn of lap 10, pass the car(s) on the left. Block aggressively. Be aware that you might get spun out half the time.
Tips
  • A NASCAR has no added parts and starts with 824HP, maxing at 892HP after an oil change.
  • Changing oil once is sufficient for the first A-Spec series, reaching 864HP.
  • The car handles like a heavy vehicle and requires careful throttle control, especially in turns.
  • Patience is key, particularly on tracks like Grand Valley and Daytona.
  • If you fall behind at Daytona, focus on finishing the race and returning later for the gold.

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