How to Start a Hao’s Special Works Race in GTA Online: A Comprehensive Guide
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The thrill of high-speed races and the allure of exclusive vehicle upgrades are major draws in GTA Online. One of the most sought-after experiences is participating in races and customizing your rides through Hao’s Special Works (HSW). This article provides a detailed guide on how to start a Hao’s race and unlock the full potential of HSW upgrades, along with answers to frequently asked questions.
How Do I Start a Hao’s Race?
To initiate your journey into the world of Hao’s Special Works races, you’ll need to complete a series of steps. Here’s a breakdown of how to start your first Hao’s race in GTA Online:
- Load Up GTA Online: First, ensure you’re in GTA Online and not Story Mode.
- Wait for Hao’s Call: Once loaded into the game, Hao will call you automatically. He’ll mention that he has a car for you and that he wants to see your driving skills.
- Head to the Vinewood Garage: Hao will direct you to a garage in Downtown Vinewood. The exact location will be marked on your in-game map, making it easy to find.
- Claim Hao’s Grotti Turismo Classic: Inside the garage, you’ll find Hao’s personal Grotti Turismo Classic. Get in the car and you will trigger the exhibition race.
- Complete the Time Trial Race: After you get into the Grotti Turismo Classic, you’ll participate in an exhibition race against Hao’s target time. You need to beat the target time of eight minutes and 10 seconds. This is an important step as it acts as a kind of initiation into the world of Hao’s Special Works.
- Go to the Los Santos Car Meet: After completing the time trial, you must travel to the Los Santos Car Meet.
- Purchase a Membership: If you haven’t already, you’ll need to purchase a membership from Mimi at the Los Santos Car Meet. This is a prerequisite for accessing HSW services.
- Access Hao’s Special Works: Once you are a member, you can now access Hao’s Special Works. To use it, you need an eligible vehicle. Drive it to Cypress Flats, where you will see an HSW Mod Shop. Sit inside your car, press right on the D-pad, and a menu will appear where you can Convert your car to be compatible with HSW Tuning Upgrades.
By following these steps, you will be able to unlock Hao’s Special Works and fully take advantage of the upgrades for the compatible vehicles. You also complete the first race and the rest of Hao’s street races become available through texts from Hao.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hao’s Races and Special Works
1. What is Hao’s Special Works?
Hao’s Special Works (HSW) is a unique customization option in GTA Online available on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. It allows you to apply exclusive performance upgrades to specific vehicles, boosting their speed, acceleration, and handling, essentially making them faster than standard vehicles.
2. Is HSW Only on Next-Gen Consoles?
Yes, HSW is exclusive to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of GTA Online. Players on PS4, Xbox One, and PC do not have access to HSW upgrades.
3. How Do I Unlock Hao’s Special Works?
You can unlock HSW by first waiting for Hao’s initial call, and then completing his time trial in the Grotti Turismo Classic. You also need to be a member of the Los Santos Car Meet.
4. What Triggers Hao’s Initial Call?
Hao’s call should happen automatically soon after you load into the game, provided you are playing on a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S.
5. Where is Hao’s First Time Trial Located?
Hao’s first time trial is located after you receive his call and go to the Vinewood Garage indicated on your map. The exhibition race is activated once you enter the Grotti Turismo Classic in the garage.
6. How Long Does it Take for Hao to Call?
Hao should call almost immediately after you load into GTA Online on a next-generation console for the first time. If you have completed the mission before, the phone will not ring.
7. Can I Replay the First Hao Time Trial?
The first time trial is part of the introduction to Hao’s Special Works and is not replayable after the mission is finished. Once you have unlocked the ability to use the HSW menu, the car will be gone.
8. How Do I Unlock More Hao Street Races?
After the initial time trial, additional street races become available via text message from Hao. They’re available in the evenings between 8 PM and 6 AM in-game time.
9. Where Do I Find the Street Race Locations?
To start a street race, approach the racers sitting at the location marked on the map and then press right on the D-pad.
10. How Do I Start a Race in GTA 5 in General?
In GTA V, you can find races on the map and drive to them to activate them, or select them from the Jobs menu. For street races, approach racers at marked locations.
11. How Do I Get a Turbo Start in a Race?
To get a turbo start, do not press the accelerator during the countdown. Press the accelerator right as the word “Go!” appears.
12. Can I Create Races in GTA Online?
Yes, the GTA Online Race Creator allows you to build your own Land, Sea, and Air Races. You will need to publish a land race first before you can unlock the ability to build aquatic and aerial races.
13. What is the Fastest HSW Car in GTA Online?
As of late 2023, the Grotti Itali GTO Stinger TT is the fastest car in GTA Online once upgraded with HSW.
14. What is the Fastest non HSW car in GTA Online?
The BF Weevil Custom is one of the fastest non-HSW cars in GTA Online with a top speed of 137.5 mph.
15. Can I Upgrade Any Car with HSW?
No, not all cars are compatible. You will need an eligible vehicle that can be upgraded at the Cypress Flats HSW Mod Shop. You will then need to convert the car to be compatible with the HSW tuning upgrades.
Conclusion
Understanding how to initiate a Hao’s race and access Hao’s Special Works is crucial for any GTA Online enthusiast looking to maximize their racing performance and vehicle customization. By following the steps outlined and consulting the FAQ section, you’ll be well on your way to dominating the streets of Los Santos with your upgraded rides. Enjoy the enhanced speed and handling capabilities that HSW provides, and remember to keep checking for new races and opportunities from Hao to test your driving skills.