The Special Condition Events of GT4 will test your ability to race mostly in rally-type conditions on tarmac and dirt. You even face the challenge of wet roads from rain or from snowy/icy conditions. Gran Turismo 4 and these Special Condition Events will not be easy to overcome. However, you can really establish yourself as a racing pro by completing these challenges. This blog post introduces you to the Special Condition races of Gran Turismo 4. Advice is also provided.
--- Special Condition Events at a Glance ---
There is a reason why this is called "Special Conditions" rather than just rally. While the majority of events here are rally-type events, not every course is a proper rally-style event. You will be taking part in races on tarmac and non-tarmac surfaces. You will be in one-on-one races. Unlike most other races in Gran Turismo 4, none of these races can be run under B-Spec. So if you loathe B-Spec, this is a series you should be happy about.
The Special Condition Events all feature a one-on-one racing challenge separated into three levels of difficulty. Almost every featured venue features a race in the Normal direction and in the Reverse direction. The Easy races mostly feature fairly weak cars in races lasting two laps. The Normal difficulty features faster cars in three-lap affairs. The Hard level races offer races against race cars with the maximum five lap races. The minimum license needed to participate in any Special Condition race is a National-A license. Invest in Dirt Tires and Snow Tires for your automobile to take on many of these events. You may even invest in Racing Tires for the tarmac racing events. It is fairly obvious, but you may also want to adjust the settings on your machine to take on each of the challenges here. Just about any car that isn't a "Special" car is eligible to compete in these races.
Tips and Rules.
When participating in these race events, be mindful of a few things. These are one-on-one races that are regulated in much different ways than any regular race against a pack of cars. Time penalties of five seconds at 31 mph will be regulated for certain incidents on track in these events. If you collide hard into a wall or your opponent during the course of any of these races, your car will be slown down to a top speed of 31 mph for five seconds. You have to pass your opponent and win the race to clear each event. So you need to carefully consider when to plan your passes.
A sneaky method you can practice is to try to collide into walls without inducing a penalty. This can come in VERY handy especially for when I remember doing Tahiti Maze in the Hard difficulty races. Another sneaky method [which I do NOT recommend] is to strategically whack your opponent off the road or into a wall to gain an unfair advantage. You know you will suffer a penalty with each hard hit, but you have a better chance of winning especially if you know you probably can't beat the other car in a straight-up race. So strategically look for a point where you can ram into your opponent from behind to make a pass for the lead. For example, try hairpins of a certain course for which to ram into your opponent hard so it will be hard to try to pass you. Take the penalty and try to hold off the other driver as much as you can. But again- NOT recommended.
Legend:
Here is how each post will look for each event:
Race_Name (Difficulty) [Required_License].
"some quote about the race"
(race description)
Races:
• Circuit (Normal, xx Laps)
• Circuit (Reverse, xx Laps)
Prize Money: {xxxxx}
So are you ready? Then let's go!
Special Conditions: Easy ---
First, let's begin with the Easy events. You will have your basic introduction to this category of racing with these events. These events require you to be more vigilant and active than you would be in a traditional circuit race. Many of these events take place on narrow sections of road and on narrow tracks. Plan carefully how you are going to pass your opponent and try to win the race. Remember to invest in some Dirt and Snow Tires to compete in the majority of these events. When racing non-tarmac events, always remember that precision racing will not help you win. Be aggressive by sliding around sections to smoothly get through those corners. And of course, make sure to power out of such corners strong to ensure your victory.
Here are the races you will take part in:
Umbria Rally (Easy) [A].
"Racing lines like a tight-rope. Try to defeat this narrow road sandwiched between walls."
The first challenge of the Special Condition Races takes place around the claustrophobic confines of Citta di Aria. This is a lovely city course in Assisi, Italy that is anything but lovely to race. You will really be challenged to make your passes as clean as possible and in the most opportune times. Otherwise, get ready for some "follow the leader" racing.
Races:
• Citta di Aria (Normal, 2 Laps)
• Citta di Aria (Reverse, 2 Laps)
Prize Money: {5,000}
Capri Rally (Easy) [A].
"This is an intense battle veiled in the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea."
Costa di Amalfi is one of my favorite courses in Gran Turismo 4. The roads are much wider than around Citta di Aria, and the setting is just as lovely as Citta di Aria. It is a much longer course with even greater elevation changes. You can enjoy racing at faster speeds here than in Citta di Aria. You will have a good amount of time to try to pull passes as well as have many different opportunities to make your pass with. If you are skillful enough, once you reach the highest point of the course to go into a series of bends leading into a hairpin, you can almost straightline those roads and just brake hard into the hairpin to get the most speed out of that section. Either way, enjoy your time around this course.
Races:
• Costa di Amalfi (Normal, 2 Laps)
• Costa di Amalfi (Reverse, 2 Laps)
Prize Money: {5,000}
Grand Canyon Rally (Easy) [A].
"This is a thrilling drift battle, racing alongside sheer cliffs."
One of the first courses to be unveiled during the development of Gran Turismo 4 was Grand Canyon. This is a course with narrow roads and a healthy array of tight, twisty corners and hairpins. Many people feared you could possibly overshoot the gates and fly off the Grand Canyon. That is NOT possible, thankfully! You still need to keep your machine in bounds while deciding when to pass. Grand Canyon is a fairly long course, so you will have a good amount of time to pull your pass. Just make sure to complete your pass and pull away as much as you can.
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Grand Canyon (Normal, 2 Laps)
• Grand Canyon (Reverse, 2 Laps)
Prize Money: {5,000}
Whistler Ice Race (Easy) [A].
"This is a battle on an extremely low coefficient of friction road surface which will provide a tough challenge."
Racing on ice or snow is much different than racing on dirt. Snow and ice offer much less traction than dirt, so you will struggle to get up to speed driving on such roads. Consider this a lesson in ice racing. Because Ice Arena is a short course, you need to plan your pass early and drive effectively to win. You have only two laps to make your pass, and the laps will be fairly short. Don't waste too much time here if you expect to clear either race around Ice Arena.
This race requires Snow Tires.
Races:
• Ice Arena (Normal, 2 Laps)
• Ice Arena (Reverse, 2 Laps)
Prize Money: {5,000}
Chamonix Rally (Easy) [A].
"Defeat this snow-bound labyrinth of a course."
Welcome to Chamonix. This course is a combination of snowy roads and icy tarmac in a nightmarish course. You and your car will be pushed to the limit as you try to weave your way around this course. Since this is the Easy level course, don't worry about having to bear racing this course for a long time. Just learn the course and adapt on the fly. Also, it is too easy to want to go faster than you really need to on this course. So make sure to take your time and try to avoid wanting to go too fast around this course.
This race requires Snow Tires.
Races:
• Chamonix (Normal, 2 Laps)
• Chamonix (Reverse, 2 Laps)
Prize Money: {5,000}
George V Rally (Easy) [A].
"This is a city street challenge where the winner will be congratulated through Etoile."
The streets of Paris are mean. Or at least, these streets. Paris (which is one of my personal favorite cities in the world) is aglow with city lights and street lamps for this course. The narrow confines here allow for high-speed racing with the long streets. But to keep you honest, many of the corners are shallow first and second gear corners. This track is the racing equivalent of stop-and-go traffic. Plan your passes carefully and be sure to deliver full power accelerating out of corners.
Races:
• George V Paris (Normal, 2 Laps)
• George V Paris (Reverse, 2 Laps)
Prize Money: {5,000}
Swiss Alps Rally (Easy) [A].
"A rally event where you can enjoy throwing your car as much as you like."
Swiss Alps returns in Gran Turismo 4 from its Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec. Swiss Alps is a fun course with wide roads and wide corners. This is a track where you can enjoy sliding your car deep or wide into corners with hardly any penalty. It is perhaps best practice to tune your car to power out of corners effectively and have a decent handling package for which to enjoy this style of off-road racing. You shouldn't have too many problems racing here if you are adept enough.
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Swiss Alps (Normal, 2 Laps)
• Swiss Alps (Reverse, 2 Laps)
Prize Money: {5,000}
Tour of Tahiti (Easy) [A].
"An event with a mixture of dirt and tarmac surfaces that runs through a maze-like tropical forest."
Gran Turismo's most formidable rally course is back for its third iteration- Tahiti Maze. If you are new to Gran Turismo, Tahiti Maze is a twisty nightmare that has a handful of obstacles thrown your way. This course is NOT easy. You can also only go so fast in a number of sections. But if you are able to negotiate each of the corners and each of the corners precisely, you will master this course. A lot of this course is on gravel. However, other parts of the course take place on tarmac. You won't have so much control on tarmac when driving on Dirt tires. You may want to stick to the off-road portions on the tarmac sections if you want to slide effectively. Don't stress this course too much on this difficulty level.
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Tahiti Maze (Normal, 2 Laps)
• Tahiti Maze (Reverse, 2 Laps)
Prize Money: {5,000}
Tsukuba Wet Race (Easy) [A].
"This is the Tsukuba Circuit in rainy conditions, to really separate the men from the boys."
For the first time in Gran Turismo history, you will be racing a proper racing course in wet conditions. If you played Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec, you remembered you could race Special Stage Route 5 under wet conditions. Racing on wet roads is not new with this course in Gran Turismo 4- you are just racing on a proper course with wet roads. Because the tarmac is wet, you will not have as much traction as you would have on a dry tarmac course. You will need to adjust your steering, acceleration, and braking accordingly to be able to properly race this wet course. Since Tsukuba is a short course, you need to look for the right moment(s) to pass your opponent and do it in a quick amount of time. Victory here shouldn't be too difficult as long as you know how to race Tsukuba and to pull passes quickly.
Races:
• Tsukuba Circuit - WET (2 Laps)
Prize Money: {5,000}
Yosemite Rally I (Easy) [A].
"This is a dirt event in dense greenery that includes a charming tarmac section."
This course combines a dirt section along with tarmac parts of El Capitan. The end result is a course that gives you tricky dirt roads along with the speedy portions of the El Capitan course. How you handle both equals the difference between victory and defeat. It would be good practice to have a car tuned to take on the dirt sections while having a solid car to take on the roads of El Capitan effectively. Try to take the corners of the dirt portions as deep as you can. See if you drift in the corners effectively and get some good power out of each corners. This course has a little of everything. So make sure to get the most fun out of racing a course like Cathedral Rocks I.
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Cathedral Rocks I (Normal, 2 Laps)
• Cathedral Rocks I (Reverse, 2 Laps)
Prize Money: {5,000}
Yosemite Rally II (Easy) [A].
"This is the short version of Yosemite that only contains the dirt section."
Unlike the previous event, you will only be racing the dirt part of Cathedral Rocks. So you will not be doing the tarmac section that makes of part of El Capitan. Many of the same strategies to racing Cathedral Rocks still apply. Remember what it took to get through Cathedral Rocks I's dirt sections to become a champion here.
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Cathedral Rocks II (Normal, 2 Laps)
• Cathedral Rocks II (Reverse, 2 Laps)
Prize Money: {5,000}
This concludes the Easy events. Up next is the Normal difficulty events.
--- Special Conditions: Normal ---
The next step in your Special Conditions tour of duty is with the Normal difficulty races. These events are longer and with more powerful cars. You may want to invest in getting a faster and more powerful car for these races. Maybe some of the machines you earned in the Easy races will help you here. Before you consider competing here, make sure you have an International-B (IB) license or higher.
Umbria Rally (Normal) [IB].
"The key is where you pull out. Snatch a win through audacious overtaking."
After doing this course for two laps with relatively powerful cars, this challenge returns with a three-lap race against a faster opponent. Remember what got you through the Easy level race around here and apply it to this Normal difficulty event. Since you're racing against a faster car, you'll have to be careful carrying too much speed through the narrow roads of this course.
Races:
• Citta di Aria (Normal, 3 Laps)
• Citta di Aria (Reverse, 3 Laps)
Prize Money: {10,000}
Capri Rally (Normal) [IB].
"The almost non-existent high-speed corner is a passing point"
You can afford to go faster around this course in a more powerful car than you probably used in the Easy level races around Costa di Amalfi. Take a few more chances to effectively deliver a win around Costa di Amalfi. Make sure your car is pointed in the proper direction and away from being too deep in the hairpins. Try to power out of each of the slow corners as best as you can.
Races:
• Costa di Amalfi (Normal, 3 Laps)
• Costa di Amalfi (Reverse, 3 Laps)
Prize Money: {10,000}
Grand Canyon Rally (Normal) [IB].
"The secret to winning is a swift exit out of the tight corners."
The Grand Canyon is back and ready to bite you like a snake. It is probably fitting I liken this course to a snake because it surely snaps at you with its tricky corners. You really need to be careful here with faster cars. Can you complete three laps around this tricky course and finish 1st?
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Grand Canyon (Normal, 3 Laps)
• Grand Canyon (Reverse, 3 Laps)
Prize Money: {10,000}
Whistler Ice Race (Normal) [IB].
"Achieve accurate control of the car using the revs in the mid-range of the power band."
Faster cars and one extra lap mean you'll have a tougher time around the short Ice Arena course than in the Easy events. Just be sure to be more efficient in racing and making passes than you were in the previous level's difficulty. Remember that icy and snowy roads have the least amount of traction compared to tarmac and dirt. Your ability to compensate for the loss of traction with solid driving will be the difference between victory and defeat.
This race requires Snow Tires.
Races:
• Ice Arena (Normal, 3 Laps)
• Ice Arena (Reverse, 3 Laps)
Prize Money: {10,000}
Chamonix Rally (Normal) [IB].
"The key to trimming your time lies in the snowploughed section."
Chamonix returns with a three-lap race. That means you'll be ripping up the icy roads and the snowy roads for one extra lap than the previous event and against a faster car. Get ready for an intense racing experience unlike any other here.
This race requires Snow Tires.
Races:
• (Normal, Laps)
• (Reverse, Laps)
Prize Money: {10,000}
George V Rally (Normal) [IB].
"Conquer this narrow road course with its slipery cobblestone paving."
Bring a fast car and make sure it's ready for stop-and-go racing on this narrow street course. The streets of Paris are back for you to race on under the lights. Remember also that this is now a three-lap race under the Normal difficulty level. Learn your lessons from the Easy level race and apply them to this race, and make sure to last one extra lap than the Easy race.
Races:
• George V Rally (Normal, 3 Laps)
• George V Rally (Reverse, 3 Laps)
Prize Money: {10,000}
Swiss Alps Rally (Normal) [IB].
"Use sheer technique to overcome the poor steering response on dirt road surfaces."
Get ready to have some fun again around Swiss Alps. Switzerland is a lovely country, and this is a very nice Swiss course. Do your best to navigate this course and enjoy slipping and sliding around these parts. You'll be doing this for three laps, so be consistent in your attack.
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Swiss Alps (Normal, 3 Laps)
• Swiss Alps (Reverse, 3 Laps)
Prize Money: {10,000}
Tour of Tahiti (Normal) [IB].
"Try to keep a close eye on potential understeer through these exceptionally tight corners."
The cars are faster, the course is one lap longer, but the same twisty Tahiti track remains the same. How are you going to solve this problem? Give full effort and dedication to try to clear this course with all of your might. Victory here depends on your ability to navigate this difficult course while also being sure to make your passes effectively. Don't give up!
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Tahiti Maze (Normal, 3 Laps)
• Tahiti Maze (Reverse, 3 Laps)
Prize Money: {10,000}
Tsukuba Wet Race (Normal) [IB].
"The key here is swift maneuvering and correctly anticipating understeer."
Tsukuba is back for another Special Condition Event. Just like the other courses in the Normal difficulty range, you will be doing a three-lap race. Doing a race here in a faster car and against a faster opponent means you'll have to judge your handling and performance differently than in the previous race around Tsukuba Circuit - WET. As you probably know, faster cars mean you have to brake sooner.
Races:
• Tsukuba Circuit - WET (3 Laps)
Prize Money: {10,000}
Yosemite Rally I (Normal) [IB].
"Do not lose speed in the middle section under any circumstances!"
Time to do Cathedral Rocks again. The first race is around the dirt of Cathedral Rocks along with some tarmac sections of El Capitan. Do whatever it takes to win here while remembering that you will be doing three laps of action here.
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Cathedral Rocks I (Normal, 3 Laps)
• Cathedral Rocks I (Reverse, 3 Laps)
Prize Money: {10,000}
Yosemite Rally II (Normal) [IB].
"Steadily overtake your rivals by careful use of the limited course width."
This three-lap race takes place about the dirt portions of Cathedral Rocks. Just remember what you did to win in the Easy races around Cathedral Rocks II to win here. Go race this course effectively to win these races. You can do it!
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Cathedral Rocks II (Normal, 3 Laps)
• Cathedral Rocks II (Reverse, 3 Laps)
Prize Money: {10,000}
One final set of races await you- the Hard difficulty Special Condition Races. Can you deal?
--- Special Conditions: Hard ---
If you mastered the Easy and Normal races, the final challenges are with the Hard-level Special Condition races. The races you will run here will be the longest- five-lap races and all against race cars, mostly rally race cars. I can tell you right now that only the Tsukuba Circuit - WET event will NOT be against a rally car. Find out more about that race and what I would recommend later in this post. Victory is not impossible with these races, but you would be best served bringing a proper rally car to these races to stand the best chance of winning.
Umbria Rally (Hard) [IA].
"Hold onto the record line using unflinching speed control."
One more time around Citta di Aria and for five laps. By now, you've become accustomed to the character of Citta di Aria. All you need to do now is to is learn how to make efficient passes around Citta di Aria in a very fast car. This will NOT be easy considering how difficult Citta di Aria course is.
Races:
• Citta di Aria (Normal, 5 Laps)
• Citta di Aria (Reverse, 5 Laps)
Prize Money: {20,000}
Capri Rally (Hard) [IA].
"Make an ally out of the series of hairpin corners that come one after another!"
High-speed battle will be at its most intense with this level of competition around Costa di Amalfi. You will be pushed one last time with the intense corners and the vicious elevation changes. Try not to carry as much speed into these sections to properly deliver great lap times around Costa di Amalfi. It is also best you try to pull your passes before dealing with the consecutive hairpins of the normal direction of this course. You have your work cut out for you. Go make victory happen.
Races:
• Costa di Amalfi (Normal, 5 Laps)
• Costa di Amalfi (Reverse, 5 Laps)
Prize Money: {20,000}
Grand Canyon Rally (Hard) [IA].
"Use precise speed control to stretch out a lead on your rivals."
Grand Canyon is back one more time, and you're going to be here a while- five laps. Judge the corners properly to win here. Be careful navigating the tight corners. You can't go too fast around here unless you expect racking up five-second penalties for whacking things. Take your time here and make sure your racing skills are on point.
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Grand Canyon (Normal, 5 Laps)
• Grand Canyon (Reverse, 5 Laps)
Prize Money: {20,000}
Whistler Ice Race (Hard) [IA].
"Go for traction over peak power!"
Try to get traction on the snowy roads to win here. Don't be too timid dealing with this course. Use careful car control to properly navigate the medium wide roads of this short course. Consistency for five laps around here will be the difference between winning and losing.
This race requires Snow Tires.
Races:
• Ice Arena (Normal, 5 Laps)
• Ice Arena (Reverse, 5 Laps)
Prize Money: {20,000}
Chamonix Rally (Hard) [IA].
"A smooth rhythm is paramount in mastering the winding hairpins."
Think of Chamonix as the icy equivalent of Grand Canyon. This one is difficult! You are going to be dealing with some intense corners. This is another one of those courses where you know you can only go so fast to navigate it properly. But if you remember from your License Test experience, you had to race Chamonix in a Group B rally car! This course is only so forgiving. You will be in a fierce battle with it and your opponent. Concentrate and focus if you stand any chance of winning here.
This race requires Snow Tires.
Races:
• Chamonix (Normal, 5 Laps)
• Chamonix (Reverse, 5 Laps)
Prize Money: {20,000}
George V Rally (Hard) [IA].
"Your driving rhythm will frequently change with the continuous acceleration and braking needed for this course."
Ready for one more street fight on the streets of Paris? Bring your A-Game one last time with this five-lap race around George V Paris. Since you'll be in a faster car, the stop-and-go nature of this course will be a bit more bearable. Don't lose your cool if involved in trying to execute a pass. You have plenty of time, so pull off your passes effectively. Don't be shy... go for the win!
Races:
• George V Paris (Normal, 5 Laps)
• George V Paris (Reverse, 5 Laps)
Prize Money: {20,000}
Swiss Alps Rally (Hard) [IA].
"Race through this series of high-speed corners using full counter-steer."
Your time to enjoy the Swiss landscape is limited. You got racing to do! In front of you is a five-lap race around Swiss Alps. You brought a capable car, but so has your opponent. Bring the speed and the power to win this one. You shouldn't struggle too much here, if at all.
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Swiss Alps (Normal, 5 Laps)
• Swiss Alps (Reverse, 5 Laps)
Prize Money: {20,000}
Tour of Tahiti (Hard) [IA].
"Correct control of the angle of your car by balancing acceleration and braking is the key to success here."
Tahiti is paradise to lots of people. In fact, much of the South Pacific is perfect as paradise. You will be taking one last trip in Gran Turismo 4 to French Polynesia. You got a five-lap race around Tahiti Maze. You got to pass the other driver and finish 1st to clear this challenge. How are you going to solve this puzzle? Plan your attack and don't be surprised if you have to try this race again a few times.
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Tahiti Maze (Normal, 5 Laps)
• Tahiti Maze (Reverse, 5 Laps)
Prize Money: {20,000}
Tsukuba Wet Race (Hard) [IA].
"Delicate handling in accordance with the characteristics of the car will decide the winner here."
If I were you, I'd do this race last. Basically, think of this race as Round 11 of the Gran Turismo World Championship because you will need a powerful car- perhaps the one you used to win the GTWC- to compete in this event. Your opponent will not be a rally car but more than likely some sportscar racing prototype. This is a race where you are better served bringing a prototype to this race rather than some rally car. I'd like to know if someone cleared this event using a rally car other than the Escudo Pikes Peak. Yeah- bring a prototype to this one. Otherwise, you're going to have a tought time trying to pass a prototype on a very short proper race track.
Races:
• Tsukuba Circuit - WET (Normal, 5 Laps)
Prize Money: {20,000}
Yosemite Rally I (Hard) [IA].
"Make sure that 100% of your power is transmitted to the road surface"
El Capitan tarmac + Cathedral Rocks dirt = Yosemite Rally I. Five laps of dirt/tarmac goodness are ready for you to enjoy in your four-wheeled rocketship. Be sure to deliver in properly racing every corner and going full speed in each of the speedy sections. Be careful all around this course. Make the most of this course and this race to win.
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Cathedral Rocks I (Normal, 5 Laps)
• Cathedral Rocks I (Reverse, 5 Laps)
Prize Money: {20,000}
Yosemite Rally II (Hard) [IA].
"This is a rally sprint race that doesn't let up the pressure for a moment."
The final challenge in the Special Condition Events is around Cathedral Rocks II. Be consistent and proficient in the art of drifting around on the dirt of Cathedral Rocks for five laps. Drive carefully here and look for the right moment to execute a pass. Victory awaits!
This race requires Dirt Tires.
Races:
• Cathedral Rocks II (Normal, 5 Laps)
• Cathedral Rocks II (Reverse, 5 Laps)
Prize Money: {20,000}
Hopefully, you were able to clear all of the Special Condition Races. If so, consider yourself a champion. Congratulations!
This concludes another blog post of "John's Race Space." Good luck to you racing these events. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.
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