nissan-gran-turismo-5

Gentleman, and gentlewomen, start your engines. After years of development and numerous announcements, trailers, and breathtaking screenshots, players will finally get a chance to test-drive Gran Turismo 5 starting December 17th. According the official PlayStation Blog, PS3 owners will be able to download the "Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial Challenge" from the PlayStation Store - not just to experience the forthcoming title's updated physics engine via the new Nissan 370Z  but also for the chance to win a generous GT5-themed prize.

gran-turismo-5-time-trial

So what can you expect from the "Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial Challenge"?

According to Sony:

The Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial Challenge features both a stock and a tuned version of the new Nissan 370Z, and includes two time trial events on a single track, one for each version of the car. Both cars drive and handle differently, each providing a unique challenge for newcomers to the GT series and long-time fans alike.

Simply test-driving the challenge won't be enough to win the grand prize - "You’ll have to master both to have a chance at winning, because the grand prize will go to the player with the best combined time for both the stock and tuned Time Trial events."

Any hopeful contest winner will certainly have their work cut out for them but the prize is well-worth the effort:

The winner will receive round trip airfare and hotel accommodations for two (winner and guest) to attend the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, a.k.a the Indy 500, on May 30, 2010. It doesn’t end there, because the winner and guest also get a VIP package which includes two all-access passes for Carb Day — which includes the final Indy 500 practice, pit stop competition, special concert festivities, special event car rides in the 2010 Indy 500 event vehicle, as well as 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 the experience of a lifetime for true racing fans.

The top five runner-ups will receive download vouchers for Gran Turismo PSP.

Win or lose, it's exciting to see that we really are nearing the finish line that for too long has been separating gamers from copies of Gran Turismo 5. Personally, I can't wait to see what Polyphony Digital has in store for PS3 owners.

Will you be downloading the Time Trial Challenge? Think you have a shot at winning the contest?

Gran Turismo 5 has a tentative March 2010 release date.

Source: PlayStation Blog