Video Gaming News - November 2003
Las Vegas, NV (November 5, 2003) - Sony today announced the winners of
its Gran Turismo 4 (GT4) Awards.
From Sony:
To honor automotive excellence and celebrate car culture, Sony Computer
Entertainment America, publisher of the best-selling Gran Turismo(R) racing
franchise for PlayStation(R)/PlayStation 2, hosted the first-ever Gran Turismo 4
(GT4) Awards yesterday at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) auto
show in Las Vegas. In its inaugural year, the GT4 Awards marked a historic
collaboration of videogame and auto enthusiasts, while featuring a distinguished
line-up of entries from top SEMA show exhibitors, all vying for the coveted
honor of being dubbed "Best in Show," a title that included the historic
privilege of having their vehicle inserted into the revolutionary Gran Turismo 4
driving simulator for PlayStation 2.
Held at Las Vegas hot-spot Ghostbar in the Palms Hotel/Casino Resort, the GT4
Awards highlighted six categories that included "Best Truck/SUV," "Best Japanese
Import," "Best European Import," "Best Domestic Automobile," "Best Hot Rod" and
the coveted "Best in Show." The Best in Show vehicle will not only be inserted
into the upcoming Gran Turismo 4 videogame, but will be available for all
consumers to soon view and drive, virtually making it the talk of the automobile
industry.
"The Gran Turismo 4 Awards honor and exemplify the high level of passion and
enthusiasm that both auto enthusiasts and the Gran Turismo racing franchise
possess," said Kazunori Yamauchi, famed creator of the Gran Turismo series.
"Through the GT4 Awards and the support of the automotive community, Gran
Turismo 4 can not only be seen as a game, but as a unique medium to learn, enjoy
and experience automotive culture like never before."
"The attention paid to detail in Gran Turismo 4 is extraordinary. From the
topography of the race course to the sunlight dancing off a car's body panel.
Even the brake lights light up appropriately," said Sam Mitani, International
Editor, Road & Track Magazine. "The GT4 Awards goes to show how committed the
makers of this great driving game are to automotive enthusiasm. The Gran Turismo
series isn't just celebrating car culture, they have become an integral part of
it."
Entries for the GT4 Awards included vehicles encompassing manufacturers
around the globe. GT4 Awards category winners were selected by representatives
from popular automotive media outlets including Road & Track, Motor Trend,
Popular Hot Rodding Television and Super Street, with the "Best in Show" award
being selected by legendary Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi.
The overall winner was Ted and Sue Richardson who were honored with the "Best in
Show" award for their one-of-kind 1962 Buick Special. In addition to the
hardware, the Richardson's 1962 Buick Special will set a new standard for
visibility among auto enthusiasts as their vehicle will be drivable in Gran
Turismo 4 when it is available worldwide for PlayStation 2 in 2004.
The "Best Truck/SUV" honor was presented to Dustin Whipple for his 2004 Ford
F-150.
Walking away with the award for "Best Japanese Import" was Craig Wilson for
his 1992 Acura NSX Coupe. In the "Best European Import" category, Werner Funk
took first prize for his 2001 Renault Clio SportThe "Best Domestic Automobile"
award was given to Michael Jackson for his 2003 Saturn Ion outfitted with Gude
Performance Parts. The final category, which was for "Best Hot Rod," was awarded
to the overall Best in Show award winners -- Ted and Sue Richardson with their
one-of-kind 1962 Buick Special.
With more than 30 million units sold worldwide, the Gran Turismo franchise is
regarded as the best and most authentic driving simulation ever created. For the
launch of Gran Turismo 4, a new standard will be set for authentic racing action
with upwards of 500 cars and 50 tracks encompassing auto manufacturers and
courses from around the world, as well as realistic driving physics.
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