Welcome to Gran Turismo 6 — a legendary racing series returns on PS3, and with it comes a brand-new lineup of events, cars, and challenges. In this inaugural guide, we’ll be breaking down the very first stages of the GT6 journey: the Novice Series, including Sunday Cup, Amateur Cup, and the Novice Championship. Whether you’re just starting out with the humble Honda Fit RS or diving into the deeper mechanics of front-wheel-drive cars, this walkthrough is designed to help you cruise through each stage with confidence and style.

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Getting Started: Your First Car and Setup Tips

Most new players will begin their career in GT6 behind the wheel of the Honda Fit RS, a front-wheel-drive (FF) hatchback that’s modest in power but extremely effective in early-game events. No tuning is required to clear these races, but if you’re finding yourself a little short on lap time or traction, investing a mere 3,000 credits in Racing Suspension: Hard can tighten up your ride nicely. The only other tweak needed? Adjust the brake balance to 5 in the front and 1 in the rear. That’s it. You’re good to go without spending another credit.

Driving settings are another key part of setup. Here’s the recommended config used:

• Transmission: Manual
• Driving Line: Off
• Traction Control: Off
• Active Stability Management (ASM): Off
• Skid Recovery Force: Off
• ABS: Set to 1
• Blind Spot Detection: On

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Sunday Cup: A Grand Turismo Classic

The first event you’ll encounter is the iconic Sunday Cup — two short, relatively easy races designed to help you get a feel for the car and the game.

• High Speed Ring: This wide-open course is forgiving with large banked corners that provide tons of front-end grip. The Fit RS handles this track with ease. Take advantage of the slipstream — tuck in behind opponents on the long straights, and you’ll pass them with momentum to spare. Brake minimally, aim for smooth lines, and you’ll dominate.
• Autumn Ring Mini: A tighter, more technical circuit with undulations and sharp corners. Here, it’s all about maintaining momentum. Avoid braking too much, look for inside lines when opponents go wide, and always focus on corner exit speed — especially on the uphill sections.

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Amateur Cup: Step Up the Pace

Now things heat up with three more competitive tracks:

• Brands Hatch Indy Circuit: This is a short, technical course. The first lap might catch you off guard, especially at the first and second turns where understeer is common. Hit the apexes cleanly and use AI hesitations to your advantage — they tend to brake early. Dive down the inside and carry that speed through the final sweeping turn for a strong finish.
• Grand Valley East: A longer, returning track with two laps. It’s not particularly punishing but does have a few places where you can lose speed if you don’t manage elevation changes properly. One key tip: avoid oversteering on the exit of the final corner. Losing traction here can kill your top-end down the straight, which AI cars like the MR2 will capitalize on.
• Willow Springs International Raceway (Big Willow): This is a fast, flowing circuit. Most corners can be taken at high speed, but it requires precision. Focus on exit lines, especially coming down the hill and out onto the long straights. One misstep can cost you crucial time. The final sweeping double-right is particularly tricky — aim for a late apex and smooth throttle to carry maximum speed.

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Novice Championship: Three-Race Showdown

To unlock your National B License, you’ll need to complete the Novice Championship — a three-race series you can either run individually or as a full championship. To win the title, you need to complete all three consecutively and rack up the most points.

• Brands Hatch Indy (repeat): Already covered earlier, but you’ll need to execute consistently. A first-place finish here earns 100 points.
• Autumn Ring Full: This is twice the size of the Mini version and includes technical uphill and downhill sections. Key moments include the long left-hander under the bridge, where a double-apex approach works best. Be patient through the tight kink before the main straight — many AI cars will exit slowly, giving you a great chance to pass.
• Brands Hatch GP Circuit: A longer, more challenging version of the Indy layout. For first-timers, the visibility might be an issue due to GT6’s dynamic time-of-day system — this race takes place around 7:30 PM with limited lighting. The headlights work, but they’re not particularly bright, so focus on memorizing the track. Avoid overusing second gear as torque drops quickly — third gear is your friend through high-speed corners.

Win all three races and you’ll hit the maximum 300 points for gold. You’ll also receive the Renault Clio RS as a reward, with your choice of color.

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Final Thoughts and FF Driving Tips

If you’re unfamiliar with FF (front-engine, front-wheel-drive) cars, they require a different mindset. You can brake later into corners, but be wary of understeer. Manage your throttle — too much on the way out of a corner and the front tires will struggle for grip. Smooth, calculated inputs win the race.

There’s also a dedicated companion video that breaks down FF driving techniques, so be sure to check that out for a deeper understanding of how to master the Honda Fit and similar vehicles.

This wraps up the Novice Series. Next up: license tests, coffee break challenges, and eventually the more advanced events and special trials. For now, keep the racing line clean, your inputs smooth, and enjoy the ride.

See you on the track.