Ice Arena is a short rally circuit featured only in Gran Turismo 4 and Gran Turismo PSP. Snow Tyres are required to drive the course. Presumably located in the ski resort town of Whistler in British Columbia, Canada, it is a hard track to race on despite its short length and compact nature, and it is very difficult to overtake your opponent due to the slippery icy roads.
Characteristics[]
Despite being a short circuit, the track is incredibly complex. Not only is the entire circuit set on snow, it is a slow speed circuit with lots of tight hairpins and narrow chicanes. This circuit relies more on car control and low-end speed than anything else.
It is also hard to overtake on due to the narrow and twisting nature, with only a handful of opportunities present. Simply muscling your way through is almost impossible; waiting patiently for the right moment is the best method in achieving a successful overtake.
Layout & Sectors[]
Sector 1[]
Accelerate around turn 1 at full throttle, being careful not to collide with the wall on the outside. Position yourself to the right in preparation for turn 2. Brake where the snow wall of the right turns into a mesh barrier and turn in. Maintain a steady throttle as you slide around turn 2, and avoid getting into a big slide. Ideally, you want to maintain this momentum into turn 3 to make it as straight as possible. Use the cars acceleration to straighten up as you pass the turn 3 apex.
Brake just before entering turn 4. Turn in using approximately 50% throttle, and maintain this as you navigate through turns 5 and 6. Try to take standard racing lines through these corners if possible.
Sector 2[]
Turns 7 and 8 are a pair of sharp hairpins with outside banking, making them easy corners to trip up at. For both of these, you want to maintain a steady inside line and avoid going too far towards the outside. You also want to minimize sliding as much as possible, as getting the rear tires loose here can cause the car to go wide on exit and cost you time.
Begin braking on approach to turn 7, and then turn in with minimal throttle input. Apply acceleration on exit, and repeat this for turn 8.
Turn 9 is a right-angled corner that goes from a narrow section to a wide section. It can be easy to apply full throttle and slide around the corner, but this can send you wide and into the snow banking on the outside. Brake just before entry, and control your slide through turn 9.
Sector 3[]
Turn 10 is a long left-hand turn that leads into a tight chicane. Reduce your speed and stay to the inside for as long as possible. For the turn 11 & 12 chicane, avoid hitting the inside snow mound on the inside of turn 11 as this will send you into the barrier ahead. Brake as you exit turn 10 and drive around turns 11 and 12 at slow speed to avoid sliding. Time when you pick up the accelerator on exit to maximize your speed across the control line.
Events in Gran Turismo[]
GT4[]
Special Conditions[]
Easy[]
- Whistler Ice Race; 2 Laps - Race 1
- Whistler Ice Race (reverse); 2 laps - Race 2
Normal[]
- Whistler Ice Race; 3 Laps - Race 1
- Whistler Ice Race (reverse); 3 laps - Race 2
Hard[]
- Whistler Ice Race; 5 Laps - Race 1
- Whistler Ice Race (reverse); 5 laps - Race 2