gran-turismo.com http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/ gran-turismo.com news headline en 20:10-02-26T20:04:11-0500 NASCAR® Comes to Gran Turismo 5 http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d5202.html ]]> 20:10-02-26T20:04:11-0500 Introducing the Winners of the Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial Challenge http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d5201.html results are in, and now it is time to reveal the identity of the winners of the Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial Challenge who will be making their way to the 2010 Indianapolis 500® Mile Race as VIPs this May.

The demo's advanced driving physics, built from the ground-up to replace the physics engine from Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, provided a high level of realism and challenge as players competed in time trial events with standard and tuned versions of Nissan's 370Z on a special layout of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Pulling ahead to take the top spot for all of the United States was Carl Posey from the great state of Kentucky. After some intense jockeying on the rankings chart, when the flag dropped he finished with the fastest time for all of the United States. His fastest time with the standard Nissan 370Z was 1'47.643, with a time of 1'35.608 for the tuned 370Z, and a combined time of 3'23.251 for the event.


Here is what Carl had to say about winning this great honor.


I want to thank Sony Computer Entertainment of America for organizing the GT5 Time Trial Competition and allowing people from all over North America and the world to compete in this event and get a glimpse of what lies ahead in Gran Turismo 5.

I would also like to thank Kazunori Yamauchi and the rest of the team at Polyphony Digital for creating such a great series of games, and for giving players from all over the world the opportunity to compete against each other. This event has been great fun.

In order to win the competition, first and foremost, I spent a lot of time practicing, using my Logitech G27 wheel.

I guess you could say that through a trial and error process, I eventually developed a few main strategies for both cars. I always tried to make a habit of minimizing tire spin/ squeal as much as possible. Generally speaking, if the tires are squealing, you are losing traction and losing time. At almost every corner, my aim was to use the absolute minimum amount of braking possible, and when I had to brake I made sure I did so as smoothly as possible. I use my left foot for the brake pedal, because it allows me to apply brake and throttle simultaneously when necessary. It also makes trail braking, a smooth braking technique, very easy to pull off. This helps the car turn better through the corner and helps keep the car more stable. The third main thing that really helped me was “slow in, fast out.” It’s simple and obvious, but it’s absolutely crucial to fast lap times.

I also like to race against ghost replays from faster times than mine to race against and keep me on my toes. Not everyone does this, but for me it kept me motivated and helped me know if I was having a good lap or not.

When I was "in the zone" I was able to remember these important tips, and they all helped me to achieve the fastest time in the U.S. Gran Turismo 5’s driving physics are very realistic, so my previous practice with other Gran Turismo games (I hold quite a few #1 lap times in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue) also helped prepare me to do well in this competition.



Representing Canada as the competitor with the fastest combined time in all of North America is Bruno Lafrance of Quebec. His fastest time with the standard Nissan 370Z was 1'47.676, with a time of 1'35.569 for the tuned 370Z, and a combined time of 3'23.145 for the event.

Here is what Bruno had to say about this great honor.


I am very thankful to have been selected as the Grand Prize winner for the Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial challenge.

I think what helped me the most in being successful in this Time Trial is my past experience with the series. Gran Turismo 4 is the game that got me started, but the time and effort I put into Gran Turismo 5 Prologue was especially helpful. I never thought I could improve that much in one month by playing several hours a day on average. And I was even able to put skills learned and refined in Gran Turismo to use in real life, when I graduated from Bridgestone Racing Academy's "Advance to Racing" course, racing a 2008 Van Diemen formula car.

After the Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial Challenge, I am very excited about Gran Turismo 5 and how it will help me become a better driver in the game and on the real track.


PlayStation and Polyphony Digital congratulate Carl Posey and Bruno Lafrance, and thank them and all of the participants who downloaded the Time Trial Challenge demo and entered the competition.

This coming May, both Carl and Bruno will be headed to Indianapolis, Indiana, receiving round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations for two (winner and guest) to attend the 2010 Indianapolis 500® Mile Race, a.k.a. the Indy 500®. Each will also receive a VIP package that includes two all-access passes for Carb Day® (final Indy 500® practice, pit stop competition, special concert festivities, special event car rides in a 2010 Indy 500® event vehicle), all-access passes to the garage, pit area, and Victory Lane for pre- and post-race celebrations for the race, and two VIP suite tickets to enjoy the race. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially for racing fans like Carl and Bruno.

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20:10-02-22T19:20:42-0500
Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial Challenge Top Worldwide Rankings Transition Chart http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d5199.html ended in Europe and in North America as of January 25. We have created a special chart that shows how the top 24 finishers for these two territories ended up there, going up and down through the rankings down to the last day of the competition.

* Click on the chart image to enlarge.
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20:10-02-05T16:31:03-0500
"GT5 Time Trial Challenge" Final Results http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d5195.html compete for a chance to win a VIP trip to the 2010 Indianapolis 500® Mile Race. Nearly one million Gran Turismo fans in North America stepped up to the challenge and downloaded the demo from the PlayStation Store. Competition was fierce and lasted down to the wire, but the dust has now settled and the rankings are final.

Below are the final top 10 rankings by country, showing the fastest of the fast for this competition in each respective country. Check back here on the official Gran Turismo website for more information on the two lucky winners who will receive VIP packages to the 2010 Indianapolis 500®.

US Results

Rank
Online ID
Tuned Car
Normal Car
Total
1usGTP_CarlPKY1'47.6431'35.6083'23.251
2usGTP_timeattack1'47.6341'35.6503'23.284
3usz06fun1'47.7121'35.7503'23.462
4usEL_ZISSOU1'47.8471'35.7573'23.604
5usGTP_FASJ64181'47.8351'35.8633'23.698
6usAlienigena691'48.0501'35.8193'23.869
7usXTR-gamegangsta1'48.0741'35.9713'24.045
8usGTP_drama-kyd1'48.0721'35.9963'24.068
9uschiefdnd1'48.1381'36.0333'24.171
10usGTP_billyjoebobx1'48.3561'35.9883'24.344


Canada Results

Rank
Online ID
Tuned Car
Normal Car
Total
1caGc_under_011'47.6761'35.5693'23.245
2caHTrio1'48.0921'35.9683'24.060
3caAnimalK121'48.2611'35.9423'24.203
4cajosh86rolla1'48.2941'35.9173'24.211
5calapierre41'48.2861'36.0243'24.310
6caRad_Racer101'48.2291'36.1833'24.412
7caAero-A1'48.3951'36.3053'24.700
8cadriver_350z1'48.3791'36.3543'24.733
9cagaudd1'48.2951'36.4493'24.744
10caXTR-Venus1'48.4911'36.5233'25.014


Mexico Results

*Although Mexico was not part of the competition to win a trip to the Indianapolis 500®, the demo was available there. Here are Mexico's top 10 fastest players.
Rank
Online ID
Tuned Car
Normal Car
Total
1caXXJECOXX1'48.4331'36.1893'24.622
2caArbac81'48.9601'36.6833'25.643
3caamanuuma1'49.1431'37.0323'26.175
4caForzadag1'49.2811'37.0643'26.345
5caAlan10Michel1'49.5901'36.8053'26.395
6caMXPWR_-BAJA-_1'49.6101'37.1103'26.720
7caSangron1'49.7771'37.2373'27.014
8cadjdanis1'50.1491'37.1883'27.337
9caDarklufft1'49.8581'37.5083'27.366
10caGTP_KumaBar_MEX1'49.9801'37.4503'27.430

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20:10-01-27T05:49:09-0500
Combined North American Ranking Transition Chart http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d5197.html
Congratulations to "Gc_under_01", representing Canada and coming in first place for all of North America, followed by "GTP_CarlPKY" taking the trophy for the top US spot.

*Please note that this chart shows the combined top 10 ranking for the US, Canada and Mexico. Please visit the individual ranking pages to see the rankings lists for each individual country, and here for a quick snapshot of top 10 rankings per country.

*Click on the chart image to enlarge.
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20:10-01-27T03:30:58-0500
Winners of the Gran Turismo® Ultimate Fan Contest http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d5191.html
A few months ago Sony set out to find the ultimate Gran Turismo fan. Fans were invited to enter by submitting either a video, essay, or slideshow to tell their story and prove why they think they are the ultimate Gran Turismo fan. On top of the bragging rights of being deemed the ultimate Gran Turismo fans by the makers of Gran Turismo themselves, fans competed to win the custom Gran Turismo helmet, driving suit and gloves worn by Rhys Millen for the Gran Turismo TV commercial shoot. The ultimate fan also wins a Gran Turismo PSP Entertainment Pack, and a Gran Turismo poster signed by Rhys Millen and Tanner Foust (the “passenger” in the TV commercial).

Hundreds of entries came in, but in the end there could be only one. Michael Blevins, a California native currently residing in Colorado, rose to the top thanks to his impassioned story and intense devotion to Gran Turismo. And the passion for racing, fostered by years of playing Gran Turismo, inspired him to pursue real racing, where he has raced dirt circle track for two years and won the championship his first year out. He has since moved up in class and is actively pursuing this passion of his.

After being chosen for this great honor, Michael said, “I am a huge fan of Gran Turismo and have been since its debut. I feel I have become a better driver because of the game. It’s not that a simulator can replace real life, but a simulator can teach you to push yourself to the edge. Gran Turismo is as close as it gets. I am the ultimate fan.”

Coming in second place is Samuel Sligh III, a 25 year old college student and researcher from North Carolina. Samuel loves racing and other sports, cars, reading, studying, cooking, and living life to the fullest. He’s also a big Ferrari fan and loves the Enzo Ferrari, F40, and 512BB. For winning the second place honors, Samuel will receive the custom Gran Turismo helmet, driving suit and gloves worn by Tanner Foust, the “passenger” for the Gran Turismo TV commercial shoot, as well as a Gran Turismo PSP Entertainment Pack, and a Gran Turismo poster signed by Rhys Millen and Tanner Foust.

Winning third place honors, as well as a Gran Turismo PSP Entertainment Pack and a signed Gran Turismo poster, is Jordan Greer, founder of Gran Turismo fan site GT Planet. Gran Turismo inspired him to undergo extensive training at the Skip Barber Racing School and he will be competing in his first race this year. Plus, the experience and challenges of running GT Planet has also inspired Jordan to pursue a graduate degree in computer science to further his career in technology so he can one day fulfill his dream of owning a home in the village of Nurburg, Germany, home of the famous Nurburgring track, with an E92 BMW M3 GTS in his garage.

Seven additional runners-up for the contest will receive a signed Gran Turismo poster to add to their Gran Turismo collection.

PlayStation and Polyphony Digital congratulate Michael Blevins, Samuel Sligh III and Jordan Greer, and thank them and all of the fans who took the time to enter the contest for their continued support and passion for Gran Turismo.
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20:10-01-22T19:05:16-0500
"GT5 Time Trial Challenge" Top 100 Weekly World Rankings for January 22 http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d5194.html "GT5 Time Trial Challenge", being held separately in Japan, Europe, North America and Asia. Take a peek to see who are the fastest players in the world, and where they are from. There are only a few days left, as the competition ends on Monday January 25. Don't miss your chance to win.

Laptimes as of: Jan. 22, 2010

* Please note that depending on the time difference, there may be a slight deviation of this recorded period.
* List of ranking countries/region names and icons here

Rank
Online ID
Tuned Car
Normal Car
Total
1jpTakeuchi011'35.3141'47.3993'22.713
2del1a2r31'35.2981'47.4643'22.762
3frLearner___Driver1'35.3701'47.5293'22.899
4jpP-5171'35.4441'47.4853'22.929
5jptaruru12161'35.5341'47.3983'22.932
6jpFlame_Rotary1'35.4001'47.5653'22.965
7zakartno381'35.4741'47.5473'23.021
8esGTro_Ramon1'35.4491'47.5753'23.024
9esWGP_pym_1'35.4841'47.5683'23.052
10fiGTP_Timppaq1'35.5081'47.5473'23.055
11jpZ233501'35.5021'47.5563'23.058
12auGTP_DHolland1'35.4531'47.6393'23.092
13esGTro_rootbe1'35.5421'47.5543'23.096
14jpRobert_20121'35.4451'47.6773'23.122
15gbEDDSKILL1'35.5511'47.5813'23.132
16hrprasinar1'35.5571'47.5953'23.152
17itFAK_EV1L1'35.4791'47.7373'23.216
18frkraor1'35.5641'47.6553'23.219
19ptmeagainstyou1'35.5851'47.6553'23.240
20usGTP_CarlPKY1'35.6081'47.6433'23.251
21fiAnaq1'35.5941'47.6633'23.257
22nlIRT_SolarSystem1'35.6251'47.6363'23.261
23chfeutz51'35.5731'47.6983'23.271
24esvicen031'35.6421'47.6393'23.281
25esGTro_danilc10071'35.5301'47.7703'23.300
26jpSPACE-BOWIE1'35.6441'47.6683'23.312
27fiOcer_FI1'35.5141'47.8003'23.314
28jpYAM231'35.4001'47.9233'23.323
29deZocker16_GTRP1'35.5471'47.7843'23.331
30deO-Schatzmuller1'35.5341'47.7983'23.332
31gbOldbeanee1'35.6121'47.7233'23.335
32jpFullSpecHivision1'35.6581'47.6873'23.345
33esGTro_AeropiTT1'35.6821'47.6823'23.364
34esGTro_El_Contra1'35.6271'47.7503'23.377
35esBRracing_Rob_911'35.5751'47.8083'23.383
36usGTP_timeattack1'35.6841'47.7123'23.396
37esaldoma261'35.6451'47.7623'23.407
38esGonzalirio1'35.6591'47.7493'23.408
39esDPRacing_781'35.6261'47.7893'23.415
40twwshong1'35.6581'47.7673'23.425
41caGc_under_011'35.6601'47.7723'23.432
42jpTeam-PENNZOIL1'35.7901'47.6593'23.449
43gbdavissi1'35.6731'47.7803'23.453
44deEugentheKing1'35.6731'47.7813'23.454
45jpClockwork_20001'35.5821'47.8783'23.460
46gbGTP_PrudentBear1'35.7531'47.7163'23.469
47frGEMINI_ROCKET1'35.7131'47.7833'23.496
48deachmed_221'35.7051'47.8043'23.509
49esMakaayX1'35.7291'47.7913'23.520
50jpyooshi198605081'35.6591'47.8683'23.527
51frHkaesse1'35.7451'47.7833'23.528
52fimaatu791'35.7461'47.7923'23.538
53gbMr__Arrogance1'35.6941'47.8543'23.548
54jpGNo-131'35.6591'47.8973'23.556
55frGT5rs_Apo1'35.7301'47.8353'23.565
56auwarrior21671'35.6741'47.8933'23.567
57gbechoes081'35.7671'47.8053'23.572
58jpElder5121'35.7701'47.8093'23.579
59frGT-club_Atho_1'35.7971'47.7823'23.579
60esGTro_stradivar1'35.7421'47.8373'23.579
61esWGP_Mclarensucks1'35.6951'47.8883'23.583
62frgt5rs-kimilo1'35.7791'47.8063'23.585
63esGTro_MaNiUs1'35.6851'47.9023'23.587
64esVCS_LiAo1'35.7001'47.8903'23.590
65nlGTP_spyrrari11'35.8151'47.7763'23.591
66frSNAKE--911'35.7011'47.8983'23.599
67chGTNDC-Honeycar1'35.7041'47.8983'23.602
68usEL_ZISSOU1'35.7571'47.8473'23.604
69deGTRP_Motorius1'35.8231'47.7843'23.607
70jpbunspeed1'35.7711'47.8373'23.608
71gbGMDLONDON1'35.7781'47.8333'23.611
72jpsamurai_4051'35.7561'47.8573'23.613
73itWickerMan_GTIRN1'35.7271'47.8873'23.614
74gbGTP_Hyperspeed1'35.7771'47.8423'23.619
75jpvan-ap11'35.8011'47.8193'23.620
76auJRUGGIER81'35.7761'47.8463'23.622
77esjairo461'35.7101'47.9123'23.622
78deGTRP_Gantenbein1'35.6681'47.9573'23.625
79frshumi221'35.8041'47.8243'23.628
80esgta87701'35.8061'47.8243'23.630
81gbGTDrivers_Moose1'35.7681'47.8653'23.633
82frStefounzy1'35.7401'47.8953'23.635
83frdavidmonaco1'35.7611'47.8773'23.638
84frDriverR11'35.7531'47.8853'23.638
85auSFeigl1'35.8071'47.8333'23.640
86frUGO_SPOLDING1'35.7531'47.8893'23.642
87gbmarkyboy921'35.7411'47.9083'23.649
88seSchumi741'35.8491'47.8023'23.651
89grGEORGE_GR331'35.7711'47.8813'23.652
90chTurtle_GTRP1'35.7871'47.8663'23.653
91frGT5rs_Snubber1'35.7871'47.8683'23.655
92gbMysteron711'35.8591'47.7993'23.658
93jpSKYPILOT331'35.8241'47.8363'23.660
94dePappa_GTRP1'35.8521'47.8163'23.668
95jpyamado_racing381'35.8131'47.8653'23.678
96jptizon-tireg1'35.8651'47.8203'23.685
97auGTP_DEVIE1'35.7101'47.9793'23.689
98deGTRP_RudiRaser1'35.8501'47.8403'23.690
99itDcmoz_TeamGT1'35.8201'47.8723'23.692
100jpsiroi_461R1'35.7671'47.9283'23.695
]]>
20:10-01-22T18:01:11-0500
Toyota and "Gran Turismo" Announce Data Logger Visualization Technology http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d5189.html
This technology involves taking real-life CAN (Controller Area Network) data, used to manage car and GPS positioning data, and using it to reproduce a visualization of the recorded driving within Gran Turismo.

Simply put, CAN and GPS data recorded in a real car is exported to a USB memory stick and fed into Gran Turismo's simulation engine, producing a replay or recreation of that data within the game.

That data can even be used as a ghost car, or used to analyze a person's real-life performance on the race track. CAN data includes things like forward/aft and right/left G forces, steering, brake, accelerator operations and engine rpm, as well as the rotational speeds of each wheel. When combined with GPS positional data, a very accurate recreation of the recorded drive is possible.

On the stage at the Toyota Booth, actual driving data taken from a real lap, driven by 2009 Super GT Champion Juichi Wakisaka in a Toyota (Lexus) IS-F on the Fuji Speedway, was reproduced in Gran Turismo. The level of precision of this system was proven by showing both footage taken from an in-car camera during the lap from the actual lap and the recreated lap in Gran Turismo (see above video).

Look forward for more exciting news on this and other collaborations.

Related: Gran Turismo at Tokyo Auto Salon, Joint Event with Toyota
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20:10-01-22T10:00:09-0500
Free Car Pack Now Available http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d5186.html
The bundle pack includes a 2009 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 in the Black M color, a 2008 Citroën GTbyCITROËN in yellow, a 2009 Nissan GT-R SpecV in an exclusive blue color, a 1974 Lamborghini Countach LP400 in Arancio orange, and a 2002 Ferrari Enzo Ferrari in Giallo Modena yellow.

Download this car pack from the PSP® native store, Media Go software for PC, or the PlayStation Store on the PlayStation®3 system to add these cars to your garage.]]>
20:10-01-15T16:12:38-0500
Gran Turismo at Tokyo Auto Salon, Joint Event with Toyota http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d5185.html
Visitors to the Gran Turismo booth can take a guided tour, enjoy the latest videos for Gran Turismo 5 and a documentary about Gran Turismo Academy, and even try their driving skills on special demo stations featuring the Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial Challenge (available for download on PlayStation Network through January 25, 2010). Also in the booth is a real version of the Nissan Fairlady Z (370Z) that appears in the Time Trial Challenge.

Elsewhere, Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi is speaking at Toyota's booth about a new collaboration between Gran Turismo and Toyota. Presentations are scheduled for Friday at 3 PM and Saturday at 5 PM.

Additionally, pro driver Juichi Wakisaka will be at the Toyota booth on Sunday, the final day of the event, for a panel discussion, and will be taking challengers in a special face-off competition using a special demo of Gran Turismo 5.

・Visit the official website of Tokyo Auto Salon 2010 with NAPAC.

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20:10-01-15T14:06:55-0500