After a huge prologue day at Hampton Downs yesterday, the Targa NZ cars were officially launched this morning from the Telstra Pacific Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland. It’s a hardcore day of racing ahead for competitors with 4 Special Stages before lunch in Otorohanga, then 3 more Specials before overnight in New Plymouth.  That’s 182 kms of Special Stages and 351kms of Touring.

Yesterday was officially Day 1, and for good reason, it was the day of documentation for the Drivers, Co-Drivers and for the cars they have to pass an engineering and safety scrutineering.

A solid crowd had gathered at the Manukau City’s Telstra Events Centre because there was other motorsport activities as part of Full Throttle Weekend.

Then in the Genesis Theatre there was the Briefing sessions, held separately for Targa Tour participants, then all Service Crews and then Driver and Co-Drivers. These are compulsory sessions and cover a broad range of important topics.

At 1 pm the cars headed off to Hampton Downs for Prologues 1 and 2.  Essentially these are the sessions where the cars are given their last ‘shakedown’. Some were bedding in new brakes and others used it as an opportunity to take sponsors for several hot-laps of this exciting circuit.

Naturally there was much interest in the appearance of the four Nissan GT-R35s. Ex —pat Kiwi Steve Millen from California in his very own Stillen GT-R and it is a work of art.  It has been lightened everywhere with extensive use of carbon fibre.  The carbon ceramic brake disks fill the inner circumference of the alloy wheel.

Tony Quinn from Queensland has had his VIP Pet Foods GT-R35 here before and whilst it looks standard, we know it’s not — it and Tony are fast and that is why he is No.1 seed.

(more…)

Get ready to go head-to-head with our judges to find out whether your car is of GT5: Prologue standard and if it’s hot enough to win $50 of gas.

Playstation 3 is holding an event to celebrate the launch of GT5: Prologue at the Caltex Fanshawe Street, Auckland on Saturday 29^th of March between 11AM and 1PM.  Be there for the chance to win heaps of spot prizes including merchandise and GT5: Prologue games.  The 100 coolest cars will win $50 of gas and be decked out with GT5: Prologue decals. You’ll also get the chance to win a PS3 and copy of GT5 Prologue.

Even if you don’t think you have the greatest ride, come down to check out all the great cars entering the competition.

Sony Computer Entertainment announced yesterday that April 17 will be the North American release date for Gran Turismoâ„¢5 Prologue, available exclusively on PlayStation3 (PS3), so it can’t be too far behind for New Zealand.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue , an intense precursor to Gran Turismo 5, features over 60 meticulously detailed vehicles from manufacturers such as Ferrari , Audi and Nissan. Users will experience the vehicle-specific physics technology and intricate graphical rendering that Polyphony Digital is renowned for. Additionally, for the first time in the history of the franchise, users can race online – at 60 fps (frames per second) in stunning 1080p HD – with up to 16 vehicles at a time on beautifully rendered tracks from around the globe, including Daytona International Speedway and a London City track.

“Ten years following the introduction of Gran Turismoâ„¢ on PS one, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue delivers the most realistic and technologically advanced racing experience on any platform,” said Jeff Reese, Director, Software Marketing, SCEA. “With 1080p graphics, revolutionary online features like Gran Turismoâ„¢ TV and the new in-cockpit racing view, the world’s best-selling racing franchise will once again set the standard for racing games.”

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will feature various innovative and revolutionary modes to harness PS3 system’s capabilities while further developing an automotive lifestyle and global community . Among them is Gran Turismo TV, a new dedicated online channel available exclusively from PlayStationNetwork that delivers worldwide motorsport programming and manufacturer content. Additionally, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will support online racing events to foster community competition. A new in-cockpit view will provide a unique perspective for racers and features real-time gauges and human animations that accurately represent the true performance and handling of each vehicle . To extend the realistic driving experience, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is also compatible with the new Dualshock3 controller, which has vibration functionality.

We’ll let you know when the New Zealand release dates are as soon as we know.

Source: Sony