The GT Academy program created gaming and motorsport history when the first ever all-gamer driver line-up competed at the prestigious Dubai 24 Hours this past weekend. As a team, all four winners of the highly acclaimed virtual-to-reality motorsport talent spotting contest tackled the demanding endurance race, sharing time behind the wheel of the awesome 410bhp Nissan 370Z. In the end, they ended up with a podium finish, coming in third place in their vehicle class and 26th place overall.

The most recent Gran Turismo®5 experts turned real racing drivers, Bryan Heitkotter (USA) and Jann Mardenborough (UK), earned their place in the Dubai 24 Hours when they won GT Academy last summer. Since then they have been on one of the steepest learning curves imaginable to make sure they were up to the challenge of competing in a 24-hour endurance race. Joining the newest recruits will be two ‘old hands’, the first two winners of Europe’s GT Academy program, Lucas Ordoñez (ESP, 2008 winner) and Jordan Tresson (FRA, 2010 winner).

“I’m so pleased that we got a good result in our first international 24 hour race,” said Bryan Heitkotter. “We’ve worked hard during the last six months to get to this point and I would say to anyone who wants this as much as I did that you can reach your goals if you focus on them and work hard.”

“That was without doubt the weekend of my life,” added Jann Mardenborough. “The only thing that compares to it is winning GT Academy last June. It feels like pure joy. This is just the first step for me and now I hope that my performance in Dubai can take me further.”

The first winner of GT Academy Europe, Lucas Ordoñez, started his international racing career in Dubai three years ago and so far his journey has taken him all the way to a class podium in the Le Mans 24 Hours. “This is a great moment,” said Ordoñez. “We have really proved that GT Academy works as to get four gamers to a podium finish at this race is amazing. I am very impressed with my new team mates who have only been racing for six months. They came here and were fast, consistent and didn’t make any mistakes.”

“It was pretty tough in the car and 24 hours is a long time to have to hold it all together,” said second GT Academy winner, Jordan Tresson. “If any of us had made just one slip at any point during the race it could have been game over for us. I want to say well done to Jann and Bryan who were still bedroom gamers just one year ago.”

The boss of the RJN GT Academy team, Bob Neville, was delighted to see the graduates that he has trained achieving an incredible result. “This is the first time that all four of my graduates have raced together so it is a special moment for me,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for two better guys when Jann and Bryan won the European and USA competitions last summer. Like Lucas and Jordan before them they came into this with their eyes and ears open and absorbed everything we taught them. This race was the toughest test and they all passed with flying colors. I’m proud of them all and proud to be part of GT Academy.”

Follow GT Academy on Facebook to keep up with further news updates.

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Gran Turismo TV
“ACURA NSX CONCEPT Movie” now released

Article source: http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d6206.html

In the Gran Turismo TV section of Gran Turismo 5, a free program “ACURA NSX CONCEPT Movie” has been released.

This is a movie presentation of the Acura NSX Concept, which was revealed on Jan 9th at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Related Links

- ACURA NSX CONCEPT Movie


Gran Turismo 5
Gran Turismo 5 XL Edition Coming January 17

Article source: http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d6188.html

Reversible coversheet

Announcing Gran Turismo 5 XL Edition, a brand new version of Gran Turismo 5 packed with even more features, functionality, and content. Here’s what you can expect to find inside when it rolls out to stores starting January 17 for $39.99.

- Original Gran Turismo 5 game, featuring more than 1,000 cars, 20+ locations with 70+ track layouts, diverse racing styles including rally, track, karting, NASCAR®, and more, deep online community features and online racing, plus Gran Turismo TV, Course Maker and more.

- All of the new and improved features and functionality from all free downloadable game updates up through Spec 2.0 included on the disc.

- Voucher good for over $20 worth of DLC content, including the Racing Car Pack, Car Pack 2, Course Pack, Racing Gear Pack, and Paint Pack.

- Reversible inside coversheet featuring the new Red Bull X2011 supercar, to add a different look to your game library shelf.

Look for the XL Edition of Gran Turismo 5 at your favorite retailer starting January 17.

Gran Turismo TV
“Racing at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring 2011″ now released

Article source: http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d6186.html

In the Gran Turismo TV section of Gran Turismo 5, a free program “Racing at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring 2011″ has been released.

The ‘Nürburgring 24 hour race’ is the world’s largest touring car event. Kazunori Yamauchi has returned to this extreme race, driven on the combined Grand Prix course and Nordschleife of the Nürburgring.

This year he is participating from a private team, Shulze Motorsports. The car is the R35 GT-R, which is challenging the Nürburgring 24 hour race for the first time since its release. See the close battle against the works teams of Volkswagen in the SP8T class, and the first class victory of the Nissan GT-R attained by Shulze Motorsports and Kazunori Yamauchi.

Combining aerial shots as well as exciting in-car cameras, this program covers the 24 hours of Nürburgring driven by Kazunori Yamauchi.

Related Links

- Kazunori Yamauchi achieves a Class Victory in the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race
- Racing at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring 2011
- Kazunori Yamauchi Competes in Nurburgring 24 Hour Race, Team Finishes 4th in Class


Gran Turismo 5
Scion FR-S Concept Movie

Article source: http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d6176.html

This is a movie presentation of the Scion FR-S commercial model announced at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show.

Event Report
Recap of the 9th Annual Gran Turismo Awards

Article source: http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d6136.html

Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi with the five category winners.

Best of Show winner, Marry Pozzi’s custom 1971 Chevrolet Camaro.

Kazunori Yamauchi with Best of Show winner Mary Pozzi.

Stone Temple Pilots performing.

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) hosted its ninth annual Gran Turismo® Awards at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show last week at the Marquee Nightclub in the Cosmopolitan hotel of Las Vegas, embracing the passion of customizing cars and showcasing the efforts in the Gran Turismo franchise.

Each year, the Gran Turismo Awards offer SEMA show exhibitors the opportunity to join the ranks of the famed Gran Turismo racing fleet, awarding one car the honor of being added to the Gran Turismo franchise as a playable car in the game and driven virtually by millions across the globe.

Prior to SEMA 2011, all exhibitors were invited to enter their vehicles into the Gran Turismo Awards, which honor five different categories comprised of: “Best Domestic Automobile,” “Best European Import,” “Best Hot Rod,” “Best Asian Import,” and “Best Truck/SUV.” Judges consisted of various respected automotive journalists representing media outlets such as Motor Trend, CNET, and Super Street with judging for each category based on a balance between performance, style, and speed. Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi then bestows the “Best in Show” award honor to one of these five category winners.

After heavy deliberation over dozens of entries, the 2011 Gran Turismo Awards “Best of Show” award went to “Best Hot Rod” winner Mary Pozzi for her 1971 custom Chevrolet Camaro. This stunning vehicle will be playable in a future installment of Gran Turismo.

Additional prizes were awarded to:
• “Best Truck/SUV” – Casey Scranton, CGS Performance Ford F150
• “Best Domestic Car” – Filip Trojanek, 1966 Widebody Ford Mustang
• “Best Asian Import” – Mike Mixon, custom Nissan 370Z
• “Best European Import” – Mark Arcenal, custom 1990 Porsche 911 C4
• “Best Hot Rod” – Mary Pozzi, custom 1971 Chevrolet Camaro

Also in attendance at the event was Bryan Heitkotter, the very first US winner of GT Academy. The GT Academy program, a collaboration between SCEA, Polyphony Digital Inc., and Nissan North America, gave consumers a chance to pursue the dream to become a real race car driver through Gran Turismo 5. Over 53,000 hopefuls registered for GT Academy, and Heitkotter rose to the top to become champion, and is now a Nissan-sponsored professional race car driver and part of a four-person team that will race the 24-hour race in Dubai in January 2012. Heitkotter’s journey with GT Academy is currently being shown on the Speed Channel, PlayStation®Network, and Hulu, via a reality show series that chronicles the competition and the winner’s road to stardom.

Closing out the night for attendees at the Marquee Nightclub was a special musical performance by Stone Temple Pilots.

Related Links

- Recap of the 8th Annual Gran Turismo Awards
- Recap of the 7th Annual Gran Turismo Awards

Related Images

Gran Turismo 5
The Next Evolution: Red Bull X2011

Article source: http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d6100.html

All racing machines are subject to many small refinements and changes year after year. The Red Bull X2010 Prototype, a prototype vehicle borne from a close partnership between Gran Turismo and the Red Bull racing team and that first appeared in Gran Turismo 5, is no exception. Under the hands of Red Bull Racing’s Adrian Newey and Gran Turismo, the next evolution of the X2010 is here: the X2011.

The Red Bull X2011 Prototype is included as part of the Racing Car Pack paid add-on content pack available for purchase starting October 25 (Racing Car Pack also included as part of the Complete Pack bundle).

Here are the individual advancements that have been made to the cutting-edge X2010 prototype design to transform it into the X2011:

1. Slimmed down mono-canopy for reduced frontal projected surface area

The engine induction box and the shock absorbent material supporting the driver helmet was optimized, to slim down the glass canopy characteristic to the X2010. As a result the frontal projected surface area of the car has been reduced.

2. Optimization of the side pontoon shape

The shape of the side pontoons containing the radiator as seen from its sides, were changed to become a narrow– bulge– narrow cross section, so that the air flows neatly towards the rear (mainly to the rear diffuser).

As compared to the X2010, the upper and lower surface (seen from the side) of the side pontoon is now more tear-dropped in shape, and leads air efficiently towards the rear. Though not apparent from the outside, the cross sectional area of the air duct leading from the exhaust fan to the skirt at the rear end was also made slightly larger to improve the efficiency of the fan.

3. Changed the mechanism of the exhaust fan to a rotating blade – static blade combination

The fan used to draw out the air from the underfloor was improved. The X2010 utilized a simple fan using only rotating blades, but in the X2011 the fan now takes on a two layer structure using static blades added behind the rotating blades to improve efficiency.

Due to the improved efficiently it became possible to reduce the speed of the exhaust fan, resulting in less loss in drive power for the engine. This has improved engine output by approximately 5%.

4. The width of the rear wing was widened to the full width of the body

The width of the rear wing on the X2010 was limited to be within the width of the rear wheels, but this has now been widened to the full width of the body. This allows it to more effectively rectify the air flowing over the rear wheel arch, reducing both drag and lift.

5. Optimized the shape of the rear wheel fender

Another characteristic shape of the X2010, the rear fender with the rear wheel covers, was changed to be more tear-dropped in shape (mainly the upper surface). The lifted tail end of the fender was also made slightly longer.

This is to reduce the drag caused by the air wrapping around at the rear end of the car after passing though the rear fender, as much as possible

6. Extended the rectifying fins at the rear end of the front fenders towards the rear

The rectifying fins at the rear end of the front fenders were extended so that air flowing on the outside of the front fenders will flow more smoothly towards the side pontoons.

7. Changed the shape of the exhaust louver on top of the pontoons

The shape of the exhaust louvers on top of the pontoons were revised to more efficiently draw out air in the side pontoons that has passed through the radiator.

8. Changed the position of the exhaust outlet

The position and direction of the exhaust outlet on top of the side pontoons were optimized to match the flow of air above the pontoons.

The Red Bull X2011 prototype has stepped even closer to perfection as the ultimate racing machine. Experience it for yourself, only in Gran Turismo 5.

Related Links

- “GT5: The build of the X2010″ now released
- Red Bull X2010 Prototype Full Reveal
- “Red Bull X2010 Prototype” Project with Red Bull Racing Unveiled

Related Videos

Gran Turismo 5
Red Bull X2010 Prototype trailer Vol. 2
Length: 4 min 39 sec

Gran Turismo 5
Red Bull X2010 Prototype Trailer
Length: 1 min 26 sec

GT Academy
GT Academy TV Show Finale, Nissan GT-R GT500 Stealth Model DLC Car

Article source: http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d6067.html

The fifth and final episode of GT Academy has aired on SPEED Network, and will be available for download from the PlayStation Store very soon. To celebrate this historic television show, we are proud to offer a free voucher code to add the custom Nissan GT-R GT500 Stealth Model vehicle to your Gran Turismo 5 garage, as seen in a special promotional spot during the final episode.

To download the Nissan GT-R GT500 Stealth Model vehicle, log into the PS3 with your PSN ID, and go to either the PlayStation Store and select “Redeem Codes” at the top right, or go to Account Management on the XMB and then select “Redeem Codes.” Enter the voucher code shown below into proper fields and follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the car.

RD69-FJN9-5N6Q

The next time you boot Gran Turismo 5, follow the on-screen instructions as necessary to add the car to your garage, and enjoy racing this performance machine on your favorite tracks.

Offer good through January 30, 2012. Available while supplies last.

Remember to follow GT Academy on Facebook to stay up to date with the latest news and information about GT Academy.

Related Links

- GT Academy TV Show hits SPEED, PlayStation Network


Gran Turismo 5
Spec 2.0 opening movie now available

Article source: http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d6051.html

We have begun distribution of the new Spec 2.0 opening movie of Gran Turismo 5 on gran-turismo.com. We hope you enjoy the new movie featuring the latest update and DLC content.

Related Links

- Gran Turismo 5 – Products


Gran Turismo 5
Notice of the Sebastian Vettel World Champion Celebration Event and Giveaway

Article source: http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d6049.html

In the F1 Japan Grand Prix final today, Sebastian Vettel became the 2011 F1 series world champion. To celebrate this occasion, we have started two special campaigns in Gran Turismo 5. Both campaigns are only offered for a limited time (1 week).

Special Online Event

We will be hosting a time trial on the Suzuka Circuit, using the Red Bull X2010 S.Vettel.
Try driving the “fastest racing car on earth, free of any and all regulations”, on the same Japan Grand Prix final course where Sebastian Vettel became series champion.

The prize for winning this race is an incredible 5 million credits. And because this is a champion celebration event the difficulty for the Gold time target has been set lower than usual, making this a great opportunity for everyone to win a huge prize.

To participate in the online event:

1. Start Gran Turismo 5 on a PS3™ system connected to the internet, and start the game while signed into the PSN. (If a game update is found, please perform the update first).

2. Go from the top screen to [GT Mode] – [GT Life] – [Seasonal Events].

3. Select your event from the event listing.

Red Bull X2010 S. Vettel Giveaway

Everyone who logs onto Gran Turismo 5 during the campaign will receive the Red Bull X2010 S.Vettel in the game.

Celebrate this historic birth of the new king of racing by adding GT5’s ultimate dream car, the Red Bull 2010 to your own garage.

How to receive the car:

1. Start Gran Turismo 5 on a PS3™ system connected to the internet, and start the game while signed into the PSN. (If a game update is found, please perform the update first).

2. Go from the top screen to [GT Mode] – [ Community] – [Gift].

3. Select the [Gift Car Ticket] from the list of gifts.

4. Change the display to [GT Life], and select the Red Bull X2010 S.Vettel from [Car Delivery] at the bottom of the screen. The car receiving scene will appear.

Related Links

- Get Ready to download the Red Bull X2010 to commemorate Sebastian Vettel’s historic F1 Championship
- “GT5: The build of the X2010″ now released
- Red Bull X2010 Prototype Full Reveal
- “Red Bull X2010 Prototype” Project with Red Bull Racing Unveiled

Related Videos

Gran Turismo 5
Red Bull X2010 Prototype trailer Vol. 2
Length: 4 min 39 sec

Gran Turismo 5
Red Bull X2010 Prototype Trailer
Length: 1 min 26 sec

Gran Turismo 5
Server Busy Notice

Gran Turismo 5
Get Ready to download the Red Bull X2010 to commemorate Sebastian Vettel’s historic F1 Championship

Article source: http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d6002.html