Awards Ceremony Honors Automotive Excellence and Highlights the Upcoming
Release for the New Edition of the Best Selling Racing Videogame Franchise
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104-a )
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 Sport
The "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.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the
entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(TM) game console,
and the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. The PlayStation 2
computer entertainment system is set to revolutionize the home entertainment
market, offering the most compelling interactive content and the capability to
be used as a network terminal in the coming broadband era.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops,
publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console and
the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system for the North American market.
Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves
as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Visit us on the Web at http://www.playstation.com .
SOURCE Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.playstation.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104-a
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, 1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840
CONTACT:
Ryan Bowling of Sony Computer Entertainment
America, +1-650-655-3657, or ryan_bowling@playstation.sony.com;
or Marc Feuerstein, +1-310-274-7800, or mfeuerstein@bncpr.com,
for Sony Computer Entertainment America
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