The annual Goodwood Festival of Speed features a centre-piece racetrack called the Goodwood Hill Climb, and it has today been announced that the upcoming PlayStation 3 exclusive Gran Turismo 6 will include this signature track. Not only that, but attendees of the festival – running from July 11-14 – will be able to play a new GT6 demo and challenge Nick Heidfeld’s 1999 41.6s record on the 1.86km course, set in a Formula 1 car.
The annual event is held at the family home of the Earl of March, and features an array of cars that spans generations; from the beginnings of the automotive industry at the end of 19th century to the very latest cars proudly displayed by the manufacturers. Racers both old and new are driven by an exclusive group of top drivers and invited guests, up the iconic hill, which is being immaculately recreated for “The Real Driving Simulator”. Polyphony Digital President and legendary creator of Gran Turismo, Kazunori Yamauchi, explains;
I have always been a huge admirer of the Festival of Speed and what Lord March has achieved. I love the incredible range of cars on display – from the priceless, rare and exotic, to the latest family hatchback and full on racing cars – I love the challenge of the Hill Climb and the rally stage. Goodwood represents every type of motoring and motor sport which very much mirrors what we aim to achieve with Gran Turismo and so it is very special that we have forged this partnership. There will be no better feedback than that provided by the Goodwood fans to tell me if we are heading in the right direction with Gran Turismo 6!
The special demo version of GT6 that will be installed on Sony PlayStation branded race-pods at the Goodwood Road Racing Club, The Family Area and Goodwood Hotel will allow fanatics the chance to experience the virtual representation of this prestigious track for the first time ever. Nissan and Alfa Romeo will also make the GT6 demo available at their respective stands, while Mercedes-Benz, Ford and Nissan also have race-pods on their Moving Motor Show displays – the Nissan display also playing host to a ‘wildcard’ competition for a chance to reach this year’s GT Academy UK National Final.
Of course, The Earl of March finds this addition of the Hill Climb to the hugely popular franchise an exciting prospect;
I am very excited to welcome Polyphony Digital Inc to Goodwood, and I feel proud and honoured that the Festival of Speed has been chosen to showcase Gran Turismo 6 globally, as I cannot think of a more fitting gaming partner for this celebration of motor sport and car culture, especially in this, our 20th anniversary year. I am particularly looking forward to driving the Hill Climb on Gran Turismo 6, although I suspect I may have to tear my children away from playing it for me to get a look in!
Check out the gallery of screens, as well as the extended “concept movie” highlighting the course, directly below. And download the standard demo, which is available as of today!
