Gran Turismo 7: The Ultimate Drift Circuit Guide
Hey guys! Ever felt the itch to slide sideways, smoke some tires, and feel the raw thrill of drifting in Gran Turismo 7? You're not alone! It's one of the most exciting aspects of the game, and finding the best drift circuits can make or break your experience. This guide is your ultimate pit stop for everything drift-related in GT7, helping you find the perfect tracks, optimize your car setup, and master the art of controlled chaos. So, buckle up, because we're about to dive deep into the world of drifting in Gran Turismo 7!
Finding the Perfect Drift Circuit in Gran Turismo 7
Alright, first things first: where do you even begin looking for drift circuits in Gran Turismo 7? The game offers a pretty diverse selection of tracks, but not all of them are ideal for drifting. Some are too narrow, some are too fast, and others simply don't have the right flow. The key is to find circuits with a good mix of corners, elevation changes, and enough space to let your car dance. Now, most players immediately think of the Tokyo Expressway for drifting. While the Tokyo Expressway is great for beginners, once you get the hang of drifting you want to explore further! This means looking at circuits with more technical turns and less predictable layouts. Finding the perfect drift circuit in Gran Turismo 7 really depends on your skill level and what you're looking to achieve. Do you want to practice your basic techniques, or are you ready to string together some epic drift combos? Are you looking for a circuit that is easy to navigate, or one that will provide a challenge? Here are some of the circuits that can be excellent circuits for drifting.
First, let's explore Special Stage Route X. It might seem like an odd choice at first, but hear me out! Its high-speed nature allows for some seriously long drifts, testing your car control to the absolute limit. You can practice long drifts, transitions, and fine-tune your throttle control at high speeds. Because of its lack of complexity, it's also a great place to test your car's setup without any distractions from tight corners or tricky transitions. However, this is not the ideal track for beginners. Next, Dragon Trail Gardens is a fantastic circuit with a great flow, and it's perfect for both beginners and experienced drifters. The variety of corners, from slow hairpins to medium-speed sweepers, allows you to practice a wide range of drifting techniques. The track's layout also encourages smooth transitions and linking drifts, which is what makes it so much fun. It provides a good balance of challenge and accessibility, making it a great circuit to hone your drifting skills. If you're a beginner, start here and work your way up! Finally, the Brands Hatch GP circuit is another great pick. It's a classic track with a good mix of high-speed and technical sections, including the infamous Hawthorn Hill. This circuit will challenge your drift skills and require precise car control. It also forces you to plan ahead and adapt your approach to the different corners, which will improve your overall drifting skills. This track is not the easiest to drift on, however. To get good you will need to practice and understand the circuit very well. In order to become a proficient drifter, you must explore these tracks and find what works best for you and your car setup. Keep in mind that car choice is an important factor.
Refining Your Approach to the Circuits
Once you find a few circuits that you like, it's time to start refining your approach. This includes understanding the layout of the circuit and planning your drift lines. Familiarize yourself with the corners. Pay attention to the entry points, apexes, and exits of each turn. Visualize your drift lines before you even get in the car. This will help you anticipate the corners and set up your car for a smooth drift. Practice different techniques. Experiment with different entry methods, such as the clutch kick, handbrake turn, and power oversteer. Find what works best for each corner and adjust your technique accordingly. Remember that drifting is all about control. Don't be afraid to experiment with different techniques and find what works best for you. Now, let's talk about the important part which is car setup!
Optimizing Your Car Setup for Drifting in Gran Turismo 7
Now that you know where to drift, what about the car setup? The right setup can make all the difference between a frustrating slide and a perfect drift. Let's break down the key areas you'll want to focus on to get your car drifting like a pro. This involves fine-tuning your car's suspension, tires, and differential to achieve optimal performance.
Suspension Settings
Let's start with the suspension. A stiffer suspension will help with stability and allow for quicker transitions. However, you don't want it to be too stiff, or you'll lose that all-important feeling of weight transfer. Experiment with spring rates, dampers, and anti-roll bars to find the right balance. For drifting, a slightly lowered ride height can also improve your car's center of gravity and handling. The ride height adjustment affects the car's weight distribution and can significantly impact its drifting characteristics. Try lowering the front slightly more than the rear to promote oversteer. Fine-tuning the spring rates is crucial for controlling body roll and weight transfer. Stiffer springs will help control the car's movements during drifts. Adjust the dampers to control the car's rebound and compression. Increase the rebound damping to help the car settle quickly after a drift. Finally, the anti-roll bars will help to control body roll and improve stability. Increasing the anti-roll bars will reduce body roll and provide more predictability. You will want to experiment with these settings until you find a setup that suits your driving style.
Tire Selection
Tires are the single most important component of your car. Choosing the right tires is also essential for drifting. You'll want tires with good grip, but also with a predictable breakaway. Sport tires are typically a good starting point, as they provide a balance of grip and slide. Avoid racing tires, as they offer too much grip and make it harder to initiate and maintain drifts. Choosing the right tires greatly impacts how the car behaves. Tires with more grip will make the car feel more planted. Experimenting with different tire compounds and pressures can significantly influence your drift performance. Experimenting is key! Also, tire pressure affects grip and the way the tires behave during drifts. Lower tire pressures can increase grip and improve the tire's ability to conform to the road surface, which can lead to better drifts. Higher tire pressures reduce grip but can make the car more responsive to steering inputs. You need to find the balance!
Limited-Slip Differential (LSD)
Next, the limited-slip differential (LSD) plays a huge role in transferring power to the wheels during a drift. Adjust the initial torque, acceleration sensitivity, and deceleration sensitivity to fine-tune how the LSD works. A higher initial torque can help initiate drifts, while a higher acceleration sensitivity can help maintain them. This setting determines the LSD's behavior under acceleration. Fine-tuning the LSD settings allows you to optimize the car's power delivery and stability during drifts. The LSD helps to control wheelspin, improve handling, and maintain drifts. A higher initial torque setting will help the car initiate drifts more easily by locking the differential and transferring power to the wheels. Fine-tuning these settings is essential for achieving optimal drift performance. Experiment with different settings and find what works best for you and your car. This process allows you to find your personal drift style. Remember, the goal is to find a setup that feels natural to you and allows you to easily control the car. Adjusting the LSD's settings can help balance the car's power delivery and stability, making it easier to control drifts and achieve higher scores in drift events. This customization can take a while, but it will improve your drifting performance and make it more fun!
Advanced Drifting Techniques in Gran Turismo 7
Alright, you've found your circuits and optimized your car. Now, it's time to level up your drifting skills. Mastering advanced techniques will take your drifting to the next level and allow you to link together impressive drift combos. Let's go over some of the key techniques you can use to improve your drifting performance in Gran Turismo 7.
Entry Techniques
Let's explore several drift entry techniques. The clutch kick is a classic method that involves quickly pressing and releasing the clutch pedal while applying throttle. This momentarily breaks traction and allows you to initiate a drift. It's especially useful for transitioning into a corner at higher speeds. The handbrake turn is a simple and effective way to initiate a drift. Simply pull the handbrake while turning the steering wheel into the corner. This will lock the rear wheels and cause the car to slide. Then there is the power oversteer, it involves applying a sudden burst of throttle to induce oversteer. This technique is more effective with powerful cars and can be a great way to initiate a drift in a straight line or mid-corner. Experiment with each entry method and see which one feels the most natural to you. These techniques are essential for entering corners smoothly and setting up your drifts. Then, you can mix these with other more advanced techniques such as feinting!
Maintaining and Linking Drifts
Next, it's all about how you maintain your drifts. Throttle control is key! Mastering the throttle is probably the most essential aspect of drifting. Applying just the right amount of power to keep the rear wheels spinning without losing control is an art form. You'll want to be prepared to make tiny adjustments to keep your drift going. A little more gas, a little less steering – it's all about feel and instinct. Steering inputs are also a must. The ability to use the steering wheel precisely is crucial for controlling the angle and direction of your drift. Small adjustments can keep the car stable, while more dramatic inputs will change the direction of your drift. Weight transfer can also be employed to help you maintain your drifts. Shifting the car's weight by braking or accelerating can help you control the car's rotation. Using the throttle and steering wheel in coordination with each other to manage the car's weight will prove vital. Finally, to link drifts together, you need to master smooth transitions between corners. This involves quickly transferring the car's weight and steering into the next corner. Practice smooth transitions from one drift to another, as this will improve your car control and overall score. Practice makes perfect!
Advanced Maneuvers
For more advanced drifters, there are techniques such as the feint drift which involves quickly steering in the opposite direction before initiating the drift. This helps to transfer weight and rotate the car into the corner. Also, there's the Scandinavian flick. The Scandinavian flick involves turning the car in the opposite direction of the corner to initiate a drift before quickly turning into the corner. This is a more complex maneuver that requires precise timing and car control. Keep practicing, and you'll become a drifting master in no time!
Practice, Practice, Practice!
At the end of the day, the key to mastering drifting in Gran Turismo 7 is practice. Don't get discouraged if you don't get it right away. Drifting takes time, patience, and a whole lot of trial and error. Experiment with different cars, setups, and techniques. The more you practice, the better you'll get. Participate in drift events and online races to test your skills against other drifters. Watch videos of professional drifters and learn from their techniques. Always be willing to learn and adapt your approach. Over time, you'll develop your own unique drifting style and become a master of the sideways art! Also, don't forget to have fun! Drifting is all about enjoying the experience. If you're not having fun, then you're not doing it right. Keep experimenting with different cars, setups, and techniques. The more you practice, the better you'll become.
Conclusion: Drift Like a Pro in Gran Turismo 7
So there you have it, guys! With the right circuits, car setup, and practice, you can become a true drifting pro in Gran Turismo 7. Remember, it's all about finding what works for you, experimenting, and, most importantly, having fun. Embrace the slide, master the techniques, and enjoy the thrill of controlled chaos. So, get out there, start drifting, and show everyone what you've got! Now go and drift your heart out! Good luck, and happy drifting!
