Gran Turismo World Series (Nations Cup 2025 Exhibition Season 3: 15 Oct - 1 Nov)

[Zorz]

This is an awkward round to practice for. I've been trying to roughly replicate the conditions in a custom race to get a feel for tyre wear but the AI is a menace.

I pit for Softs when the racing line had just about dried enough with rear tyres at about 33%, which was end of lap 7. 3 laps later, the AI was still going with Inters that were now practically bald. Trying to trace the dry line and get a feel for how long the Softs last with the AI cars being unpredictable and braking extremely early on it is a nightmare. Would turn them off but kind of need them to make the track dry out in a more reasonable time frame.

Starting to suspect the IM-S-IM-S 3 stop might end up being the way to go. The Inters don't last all that long. My custom race's first lap started out wetter than free practice does, so I suspect I got less wear than the real thing will cause.

 

[IORT_Fishtail]

This is an awkward round to practice for. I've been trying to roughly replicate the conditions in a custom race to get a feel for tyre wear but the AI is a menace.

I pit for Softs when the racing line had just about dried enough with rear tyres at about 33%, which was end of lap 7. 3 laps later, the AI was still going with Inters that were now practically bald. Trying to trace the dry line and get a feel for how long the Softs last with the AI cars being unpredictable and braking extremely early on it is a nightmare. Would turn them off but kind of need them to make the track dry out in a more reasonable time frame.

Starting to suspect the IM-S-IM-S 3 stop might end up being the way to go. The Inters don't last all that long. My custom race's first lap started out wetter than free practice does, so I suspect I got less wear than the real thing will cause.

To test in custom, try adding only 1 AI and start them in p2.
Best way to test track conditions and also track your full race time for trying different strategies.

 

[Moose78]

This is an awkward round to practice for.

Definitely! I've been hesitant to even try a custom race. I remember practicing a fair bit in custom races for the wet Gr.3 race we had at RBR a few seasons ago -- the one where the Ferrari was the META -- only to discover in the race that the track dried much slower than it did in practice.

I tried another 30-lap session in free practice this morning. I switched to RSs on lap 26 to see how they would do for a final stint if the IMs don't last. The moisture gauge stayed above the lower tick mark until lap 30, even on the 'dry' line. They were not any faster than the IMs and may have even been slightly slower. I imagine the track would dry up quicker with more cars on the track, but since there's way to try the weather pattern outside of free practice, I have no way to tell. Awkward, for sure.

The rain on lap 15 was a problem again. I braked early for T3 -- apparently not nearly early enough -- and went sailing past the corner. I'm starting to feel like pitting at the end of lap 14 for IMs might be the smartest move for me. I worry that the IMs won't last to the end of the race if I do, though. And again, there's no way to test it in free practice. Sigh.

 

[newmedia_dev]

I think strat wise I’m gonna go as conservative as possible and bring something home. Toooooo many variables to think for me anything other that as my target.

Stepping away from actual strat, I am guessing probably quite high attrition in this race, also there will be a real mix of people that dial in to this sort of car and those that don’t.

Based on driving feel I’m gonna give it a good shot, and strat by feel and see how that lands first race (I can only do 2 slots, same as moose the dailies clubbed my DR down to B, I’ll be back in A ironically when the race happens! Grrrrr)

 

[Zorz]

To test in custom, try adding only 1 AI and start them in p2.
Best way to test track conditions and also track your full race time for trying different strategies.

That's how I normally do it. The issue is trying to get a decent recreation of the back-and-forth mixed weather conditions in this round.

If you run with 1 AI car, the track will take much longer to dry than if there's the full field of 16, making it harder to get the feel for tracing the dry line whilst it expands at a roughly equivalent pace.

If you run with the full 16 and the AI cars decide they'd rather stay out when it's dried up enough to switch to Softs after the first 6-7 laps, the ones that get past whilst in the pits turn into unpredictable rolling roadblocks hanging around on the dry line with shredded Inters.

I've since seen the AI follow me in at the pits on a different run, so it seems like a dice roll.

 

[MIE1992]

This is the discussion thread for an article on GTPlanet:

Gran Turismo World Series Nations Cup Exhibition Season Returns October 15​

After quite the lull across 2025, following the official qualifying for the Gran Turismo World Series itself, the Exhibition Seasons return this month — beginning with a Nations Cup event starting October 15...

These are some very interesting regulations, indeed! Even the two rounds that have you use the X2019 aren't exactly the same, as one has just RM and RS available, while the second one to feature it has all three Racing compounds available! Could that first round at RBR potentially have rain, as well?

EDIT: For that last round at Le Mans, I recall there being a GTWS race similar to it, wherein the Porsche 919 was the most popular pick, but we'll see if that changes with the GT-R LM Nismo essentially getting buffed. Not to mention that I recall that the older race had a mandatory pitstop whereas this one doesn't, so I wonder if that could play a factor? Especially if it rains!

 

[Moose78]

the second one to feature it has all three Racing compounds available

One interesting thing I noticed with that race is that all three compounds are available, but there isn't a requirement that they all be used. This is different from the race in London, where all the compounds were required. Not sure if that is a mistake or intentional. Suppose we'll find out as that round approaches.

Could that first round at RBR potentially have rain, as well?

I guess you haven't tried any laps out in Free Practice yet. You'll find that the track starts wet and gradually dries out until rain hits briefly around lap 15, then more substantially at lap 18. I would definitely plan to be driving in the rain for it.

 

[VTEC Driver]

I did a 30 test laps and the first 3 laps with the IM are already painful to me.
Even if i put TC at 5 the car tend to spin every time (using automatic gear).

Unfortunately on free trial you don't see tire consumption so I mechanically decided to put Soft at lap 8 and till lap 13 is fine. As soon as the first drops arrive I was already out of track...

The challenge for me will be complete the race without going out 4-5 times...
If I will gain any position it will be for other's mistakes.

 

[MetalApe]

Looking forward to Round 1, I like a mix of interesting strategy and a nice fast car, shame about the track, have they disabled track limits? I didn't get any practicing.
I'll have to race down under though, because for the UK round this Wednesday I should be able to claim to be first the UK based player to miss a championship round because of a Sumo Tournament.

 

[VTEC Driver]

Looking forward to Round 1, I like a mix of interesting strategy and a nice fast car, shame about the track, have they disabled track limits? I didn't get any practicing.
I'll have to race down under though, because for the UK round this Wednesday I should be able to claim to be first the UK based player to miss a championship round because of a Sumo Tournament.

Exiting the Pit I got the famous 3 seconds... but because having slick that side is wet so I immediately spin... with manual I would get out in third or forth gear in that moment...

 

[Moose78]

FWIW, I've all but given up on trying to push through the short blast of rain on lap 15. Every attempt I've made at it has ended with a spin or off-track excursion. I'm planning to pit at the end of lap 14 for IMs. I'll stick to the wet edges of track to keep the tires from burning out before the rain returns on lap 18. I suspect I'll need to go in for another tire change at some point afterwards.

By the way, I find it very curious how the rate at which the track dries seems to vary throughout the race in Free Practice. It takes 6 laps for the dry line to appear at the start. After the short rain on lap 15, though, the dry line returns almost immediately after the rain stops. And then after the heavier rain on lap 18, the moisture gauge stays above the first tick until lap 30. Granted in each of these cases, the moisture gauge tops out at different levels, but it still seems like the track dries out a different rates. Maybe I'm just imagining things.

 

[VTEC Driver]

FWIW, I've all but given up on trying to push through the short blast of rain on lap 15. Every attempt I've made at it has ended with a spin or off-track excursion. I'm planning to pit at the end of lap 14 for IMs. I'll stick to the wet edges of track to keep the tires from burning out before the rain returns on lap 18. I suspect I'll need to go in for another tire change at some point afterwards.

By the way, I find it very curious how the rate at which the track dries seems to vary throughout the race in Free Practice. It takes 6 laps for the dry line to appear at the start. After the short rain on lap 15, though, the dry line returns almost immediately after the rain stops. And then after the heavier rain on lap 18, the moisture gauge stays above the first tick until lap 30. Granted in each of these cases, the moisture gauge tops out at different levels, but it still seems like the track dries out a different rates. Maybe I'm just imagining things.

I can confirm your feelings.
At lap 18 rain comes again but as short shower and within 3-4 laps you see already the dry track but in reality if you put soft you will spin. it is like the track stays dirty longer.
Being on trial session I pit again for IM and I kept till lap 30.
Unfortunately you don't have any indication of tire health, but the car was performing well at least till lap 27-28 (with my driving style).

The point is: what happen when you have 16 cars on the track? What happen when you have dry line but outside is still wet and you want to overtake?
I already know that I will struggle a lot.
This race will not be for beginners...

 

[Zorz]

FWIW, I've all but given up on trying to push through the short blast of rain on lap 15. Every attempt I've made at it has ended with a spin or off-track excursion. I'm planning to pit at the end of lap 14 for IMs. I'll stick to the wet edges of track to keep the tires from burning out before the rain returns on lap 18. I suspect I'll need to go in for another tire change at some point afterwards.

I think I'm with you and playing it safe by pitting for Inters at the end of lap 14. That lap 15 shower is just too much.

I still can't help but wonder if that will change in race conditions though. I find the dry line still has water on it by the time the shower hits in free practice. Maybe the extra cars will dry things out to the point where the lap 15 rain will take it back up to the crossover where it's survivable, rather than over it and into clear Inters territory...?

Even if it does, maybe it won't make a difference. The ones who stayed out at Berlin and got to take the Inters to the end because of it didn't have much tyre life left at the end. The track will dry quicker after the second wet phase with 16 cars so taking the Inters to the end would be even harder. Kind of expecting this to be an IM-S-IM-S 3-stop now but maybe some people will attempt the 2-stop.

I can confirm your feelings.
At lap 18 rain comes again but as short shower and within 3-4 laps you see already the dry track but in reality if you put soft you will spin. it is like the track stays dirty longer.
Being on trial session I pit again for IM and I kept till lap 30.
Unfortunately you don't have any indication of tire health, but the car was performing well at least till lap 27-28 (with my driving style).

The point is: what happen when you have 16 cars on the track? What happen when you have dry line but outside is still wet and you want to overtake?
I already know that I will struggle a lot.
This race will not be for beginners...

Is this your first race with a wet-to-dry transition? If it is, enjoy. 😅

When it comes to passing whilst following a dry line, you either need to put a lot of pressure on the car in front and force an error, or just throw caution to the wind. It'll get easier as the dry line expands, to the point where you could potentially get alongside on the inside whilst partially on it. Turns 4 and 9 would probably be the best places to do that, since the dry line will help to "catch" you as it comes across the track for the apex. Still probably going to be a risky move though.

 

[newmedia_dev]

If this was the road car race the passing off line is feasible but in the RB cars it’s so inconsistent.

I play in VR and my perspective and feel of the track is a little different (nothing changes, just view perspective) probably won’t matter for much as it really only helps with car positioning and feel on the wheel.

I would say in the transitional condition phases it doesn’t feel worth it unless it’s better exits but it’s RBR so easy to defend.

 

[Zorz]

Just watched Guy Barbara doing round 1 with the larger lobby. He made the winning Berlin strategy work with a 2-stop, but it looks incredibly risky with the extra drying.

The track does dry up considerably more than on free practice. The dry line was completely dry by lap 10, as opposed to never hitting it by lap 15 when running alone. He pit at the end of lap 5 and keeping the Softs alive long enough to go to the end of lap 17 was actually a concern. It also required staying out into the first rain shower with tyres that looked like this...

After pitting at the end of lap 17, he then actively looked for wet patches the whole way and his tyres looked like this at the end:

I'm definitely 3 stopping now. 😅

Edit - Also, qualifying is dry. Do not forget to switch to Inters for race start!

 

[tankuroded]

Quick note for those who care about tire decals: Mandatory Dunlop tire decals are not yet here for this season. Would expect that either in Manu or either in Exhibition Season 4.

 

[Moose78]

I watched a French stream earlier -- must have been a GT2 league race. A couple observations stood out to me:

1. The track is dry for qualifying
2. Like @Zorz already pointed out, the track does dry faster than in Free Practice
3. The brief rain on lap 15 still raises the moisture gauge well above the first tick, which means I'll be pitting for IMs at the end of lap 14.
4. The IMs wear pretty quickly from laps 16-18, until the rain returns
5. There is virtually no tire wear on the IMs while it is raining.
6. The moisture gauge fell below the first tick somewhere around lap 24 and the dry started to become visible. The streamer that I watched switched to RS tires at the end of lap 23 and really struggled for the first couple laps. I'm feeling like lap 25 is when I'll aim to pit for slicks.

Good luck to everybody racing today!

 

[MetalApe]

I just did a race down under, quite strong GT1 field, I only qualified 14th. Had a clean start to the race, switched to RS after 7 laps. I was running 11th at the end of lap 14, surprisingly I was the only one to pit! The top 3 made it round another lap and pitted before the track was too wet, the rest (barring a couple of tailenders who never went to slicks) were spinning all over the place.

By the time it all settled down I was in a strong 4th, well ahead of the chasing pack. P2 simply vanished in the middle of lap 19, so upto 3rd. I was already planning on playing safe and staying with Inters to the finish, I figured I might as well get fresh tyres sooner than later, so pitted for new Inters at the end of lap 21.

Which turned out to be a bit of a borderline decision, the laps ticked by cleanly, holding on to 3rd. But those inters were wearing down fast, the last three laps I was taking it real easy to look after them. A couple of slick runners were closing in fast, another half a lap and I've been down to 5th, but I made it to the finish 3rd. Picking up a nice trophy for my GT1 debut down under.

[Found a link to a live stream]

 

[KAlex122]

Had my first long race in years. I drove out for Qualy on IM tyres and came back to change quick. After that i bottled my first lap and had time for only one more that gave me P3. After an initial chaos in the first lap i was about P4 to 5 and pretty happy.

My first stop to RS tyres was about lap 8 or 9. The guy from behind after the pit exit who was still on IM just didn't expect me to try to defend the dry line of course (up to T3) and spun me but i didn't lose much. Later that lap or the next i spun him a bit since we where constantly trying to take different lines.

I suppose nobody read the forum as i was the only one to pit for IM at the end of lap 14. Lot of going off track in lap 15. I was P2 for that period.

I changed back to RS in lap 25 i guess. You know when you switch to slicks and due to that the auto mode drives really slow at the wet pit exit? It felt like it took forever to get on track again. Finished P3 happily and won't look back.