Playing GT3 again o_0

After Cored posted all those race video links I had a hankering for gt3 again..  I\'m trying to get first place in Apricot Hill Raceway from the Professional Turbo cup.  I\'m using a plain ol Nissan Skyline fully modded out for 1081 hp, here is the config:

Front: Medium
Rear: Medium-soft
Gear Ratio: Around level 24.. max speed is ~180mph
Front Lift: 94mm
Rear Lift: 96mm

I keep getting 2nd, making 2 pit stops for the 15 laps.. any gt3 pros know any extra settings I should tinker with or is it just a matter of driving perfectly?  Would the Mine\'s Skyline be a better racecar even though it has less hp?

/me crosses fingers hoping someone will respond

Some times just going harder tyres can be enough to skip a pitstop and get you through,however I\'m no pro I\'ve only got 87%.

I\'ve got a solid 100%, to get better at driving just go to the arcade area and beat the developer times.  That\'ll make you a plenty good driver if you don\'t quit at it.

I\'m on 97% complete andmust say that I am having an uphill battle in some of those formula 1 races (Already own the tournament but need to still come first in 3 races to finish the game.)

[clips]

is there a code to receive gold on all license tests? That\'s the ONLY thing i hate about gt. i can get past the tests but in order to unlock stuff you need to get gold on everything.

Just do what I did if you have $30 to spare..  Get the Gameshark Mem card thingy so youu can dload the 100% + $10 trillion dollar save.

As for the race I\'m getting closer, I lowered the ride height all the way down to 86mm all around but I still have to find the right tires to use.  The Esprit or RX-7 kill me in that dept.

[Kurt Angle]

Use the F1 car and you should win easily.

All I can think of also is to try superslicks and out pit #1. Cheap way to win I know (not as cheap as using the F-1 though!) but it was the only way I could beat one or two of the pro races ( the Vitz comes to mind).  Yeah I\'m no expert either,  as I recall there weren\'t many pro races I bothered to try with a non-race car.

The following link could get you some more gearhead type responses
IGN Gran Turismo board (free)

I loved the Vitz race. It was by far one of my favorites.

I wouldnt use a maxed skyline but IDK, thats your call. Just make sure that its not too heavy and that you dont have too much power going into the wheels.

GT3 was so damn fun. License tests....uhg. I wont even get into that. Afterwards, drifting got me to play for so much longer. Good times.

I love racing games:D