PS3 Informer

Fifth Annual Gran Turismo Awards Crowns 2007 Audi TT as 'Best in Show' at SEMA 2007

Annual Gran Turismo Awards Ceremony Honors Automotive Excellence and Immortalizes SEMA's Hottest Car into the World's Best Selling Racing Game Franchise

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA), publisher of the Gran Turismo series, the world's best selling racing game franchise with over 47 million units shipped worldwide, hosted the fifth annual Gran Turismo Awards last night in conjunction with the 2007 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) auto show in Las Vegas. This year's highly anticipated event featured a distinguished line-up of automotive entries from top SEMA show exhibitors representing five categories, all vying for the coveted "Best in Show" title, which went to Marcel Horn for his 2007 Audi TT.

For the top honor, Marcel Horn's exceptional 2007 Audi TT will be immortalized as a featured vehicle in a future iteration of the Gran Turismo franchise, allowing millions of fans worldwide to race his vehicle. Last year's Best in Show award winning 1960 Chevrolet Corvette will be unveiled in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, available on PLAYSTATION3 (PS3) computer entertainment system in North America in 2008.

"The 2007 Gran Turismo Awards showcases the collaboration between the automotive culture and the gaming industry," said Kazunori Yamauchi, famed creator of the racing franchise and President of developer Polyphony Digital, Inc. "We are proud to honor auto enthusiasts for their passion of cars, and to celebrate the automotive lifestyle that Gran Turismo embodies."

About the Judging For the Gran Turismo Awards

Prior to the SEMA show, exhibitors are invited to register their car for the Gran Turismo Awards. The Gran Turismo Awards honor five automotive categories, including "Best Domestic," "Best European Import," "Best Hot Rod," "Best Japanese Import," and "Best Truck/SUV." The winners of each category go head-to-head in a final round of competition for "Best in Show," and for the opportunity to have their vehicle immortalized in the next edition of the Gran Turismo franchise.

The judging panel consists of respected automotive journalists who have been chosen for their individual expertise to evaluate contestants. "Best of Class" winners are determined by each judge solely on their choice for the vehicle with the most well-balanced performance, style and speed. The top-honor "Best in Show" award is selected from the five category winners by the creator of the Gran Turismo franchise, Kazunori Yamauchi.

About the 2007 Gran Turismo Award Winners

Held on November 1st at Las Vegas hot spot Tryst inside the Wynn Hotel & Casino, award winners and VIPs of the automotive industry were witness to the fifth annual Gran Turismo Awards ceremony followed by a special live performance. At the event, party guests were also given an exclusive opportunity to test their driving skills on an early version of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue prior to its 2008 release. Setting the bar to unprecedented heights of realism, quality of design and physics technology, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue continues to obscure the line between simulation and reality.

In addition to his "Best in Show" trophy -- a custom-lasered PS3 and intricate display case -- and a "Best European Import" award, winner Marcel Horn will set a new standard for visibility among auto enthusiasts as his vehicle will be drivable in a future Gran Turismo property. Previous Gran Turismo Awards Best in Show winners include Stephen Papadakis (2005) and his 2004 Honda S2000, Marcel Horn (2004) and his one-of-kind HPA Volkswagen R32 and Ted and Sue Richardson of Oregon (2003) with their 1962 Buick Special. Both cars from 2003 and 2004 can be seen in Gran Turismo 4 for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system.

The individual category 2007 GT Award winners include:

"Best European Import" -- Marcel Horn; 2007 Audi TT

"Best Domestic Automobile" -- Gary Cheney; 2007 Factory Five GTM

"Best Hot Rod" -- Jim and Mike Ring; 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback

"Best Japanese Import" -- Michael Chung; 2007 Nissan 350Z

"Best Truck / SUV" -- Mike DeFord; 2007 Dodge Ram

In addition to the awards ceremony, guests of the 2007 Gran Turismo Awards were treated to a special performance by one of today's hottest singer songwriters, Chris Cornell. Cornell rocked the crowded house with his famous catalog of songs that he has written and performed with world famous bands such as Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden and Audioslave as well as during his solo career.