The Gran Turismo World Series (GTWS) is returning with its Exhibition Series for the Manufacturers Cup, and fans are eagerly anticipating the high-octane action. The event is scheduled to run from 16 September to 11 November 2023. Here’s what you need to know about the races, points system, and overall event structure.
Round | Date | Track | Category | Required Tyre Type Change | No. of Laps (GT1/GT2 & GT3) | Minimum No. of Pit Stops | Fuel Cons. Rate (Final) | Tyre Wear Rate (Final) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 16 September 2023 | Suzuka Circuit | Gr.3 | None | 35 / 15 | None | 1x | 2x |
2 | 30 September 2023 | Dragon Trail – Seaside Reverse | Gr.3 (GT1) / Gr.4 (GT2 & GT3) | Racing: Hard | 34 / 15 | None | 2x (GT1) / 6x (GT2 & GT3) | 4x (GT1) / 1x (GT2 & GT3) |
3 | 14 October 2023 | Nürburgring 24h | Gr.3 | None | 10 / 3 | None | 2x | 3x |
4 | 28 October 2023 | Grand Valley – Highway 1 | Gr.3 (GT1) / Gr.4 (GT2 & GT3) | Racing: Hard | 32 / 14 | None | 2x (GT1) / 6x (GT2 & GT3) | 4x (GT1) / 1x (GT2 & GT3) |
5 | 11 November 2023 | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya GP Layout No Chicane | Gr.3 | Racing: Hard | 33 / 16 | None | 2x | 5x |
GT1 League: Races for this league are held at 14:00, 16:00, and 18:00 (PST).
GT2 & GT3 Leagues: Races are scheduled at multiple slots ranging from early morning 07:00 to evening 18:00 (PST).
Participants can enter the race event 15 minutes before the start time.
Players will be awarded points based on their performance, but to add a strategic angle, only points from the best three rounds will be considered for the final score. Even though participants can enter multiple slots during a round, the last race they enter will count for that specific round.
A Glimpse into the Rounds
Round 1 (16 September): The Suzuka Circuit will witness racers navigating its challenging turns with Gr.3 category Garage Cars. There will be no mandatory pit stops, and racers in the GT1 league will have to deal with heavy mechanical damage.
Round 2 (30 September): The Dragon Trail – Seaside Reverse will be the backdrop for this round. While the GT1 league will continue with Gr.3 cars, the GT2 & GT3 leagues will switch to Gr.4. The required tyre type change for this race is Racing: Hard.
Round 3 (14 October): Racers will tackle the legendary Nürburgring 24h. This long and demanding circuit will be especially challenging for GT1 racers with a 10-lap race compared to the 3 laps for GT2 & GT3 leagues.
Round 4 (28 October): Grand Valley – Highway 1 will offer racers a blend of straight roads and challenging turns. With similar vehicle requirements as Round 2, racers will need to be strategic about their tyre choices and pit strategies.
Round 5 (11 November): The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya GP Layout No Chicane will be the final battleground. Racers will need to adapt quickly, especially in the GT1 league with a required tyre type change to Racing: Hard.
Key Takeaways
- The Exhibition Series runs from 16 September to 11 November 2023.
- Racers can enter the event 15 minutes before the start time.
- Points from the best three rounds will be counted towards the final score.
- BoP/Tuning is mainly set to Mid-speed with the exception of Round 3 set at High-speed.
- Mechanical damage is consistently heavy for GT1 league and light for GT2 & GT3 leagues across all rounds.
- Tyre strategies vary by round with mandatory tyre type changes in Rounds 2, 4, and 5.
- Race schedules and regulations are tentative and may change.
