Kazunori Yamauchi puts the pedal to the metal at the Nürburgring
Sony PlayStation® joins forces with ABT Sportsline again for the Zurich 24-Hour
Nürburgring: fast, snaking, legendary. Between 13 and16 May 2010 motorsports fans will feel their pulses quicken as the race track dubbed the Green Hell plays host to the 38th edition of the ADAC Zurich 24-Hour Race. This is the third year that Gran Turismo®, the race simulation game for PlayStation, has been a main sponsor of the endurance racing event. To mark the beginning of the motorsport season, Sony PlayStation and Gran Turismo are giving fans some real racing treats. PlayStation is teaming up with ABT Sportsline in a bid to repeat the success of previous year and secure a place on the winners podium in 2010. Legendary developer Kazunori Yamauchi will be taking part in the race for the first time, and racing enthusiasts everywhere can look forward to their very own premiere: the demo version of the Nordschleife in Gran Turismo®5 will be available for a wider public to get a first taste of at the PlayStation Truck in the ring°boulevard.
GT Entertainment Area at the ADAC Zurich 24-Hour Race
The popular PlayStation Truck will feature games consoles and racing seats so that motorsports fans can test out their driving skills and experience the virtual adrenaline rush of driving the Nordschleife. Action-packed entertainment, Sony-style, also awaits guests in the large GT Area at the ringwerk°, where they can get a hit of high-speed action in racing seats or on PSPs. Regular prize-draws and competitions also keep the sporting spirit going.
Sony PlayStation and ABT Sportsline in starting lineup
Once again, this year will see the ABT Sportsline team and Sony PlayStation on the starting grid at the Nürburgring. A spectacular race secured the duo a well-deserved second place in 2009, and they are hoping to top that in 2010.
Legendary developer Kazunori Yamauchi behind the wheel
More exciting news: Kazunori Yamauchi, vice president of SCE and president of Polyphony Digital, the software developer responsible for GT5, wont just be present at the 24-hour motorsport extravaganza; hell be taking part in the race too for the first time ever. Even for Yamauchi, a self-confessed car-lover and developer of the world-famous Gran Turismo franchise, the Nordschleife is still a major challenge.
Gran Turismo®5 is the latest edition in one of the worlds most successful gaming series of the last ten years, and the first full Gran Turismo title for PS3. The game was created in close collaboration with the automobile industry and is the result of ten years of experience developing hyper-realistic race simulation games. The cars are amazingly true-to-life and feature stunning design and handling. They deliver a thrilling, unparalleled racing experience that will take your breath away. The facts speak for themselves and are sure to impress GT fans everywhere: over 950 vehicles, including the latest hybrid and electric cars, high-definition graphics, over 20 track locations, more than 70 track layout options, and many other features besides.