Las Vegas, NV (Top40 Charts / Sony Computer Entertainment America) Sony Computer Entertainment
America (SCEA) hosted its tenth annual Gran Turismo Awards at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show last night at the Rain Nightclub in the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, with a headlining performance by Hip Hop icon Snoop Dogg. Celebrating continuing excellence and innovation in the automotive industry, the Gran Turismo Awards offers SEMA show exhibitors the opportunity to achieve automotive immortality for their vehicle with a feature spot in the world's best-selling racing franchise exclusive to PlayStation®, the Gran Turismo® franchise.
This year, after heavy deliberations over dozens of entries, the judging panel and celebrated Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi himself, crowned "Hot Rod" winner,
David Eckert for his 1969 Ford Mach 40 as the 2012 "Best of Show" winner, to be awarded the honor of being added to the Gran Turismo® franchise, and be driven virtually by millions across the globe.
"For the past ten years, the Gran Turismo Awards has recognized and rewarded automotive enthusiasts who demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for video games, and amazing car design and performance," said Kazunori Yamauchi, famed creator of the Gran Turismo franchise and President of Polyphony Digital. "We continue to be blown away by the quality of the vehicles that are submitted and are excited to add 1969 Ford Mach 40 to our list of distinguished winners and to the Gran Turismo franchise."
Additional prizes were awarded to:
"Best Truck/SUV" - Sean Morris for the 2008 Toyota Dragquoia
"Best Domestic Car" - Jim Holloway for the 2013 Ford Mustang RTR
"Best Asian Import" - Felix Marcelino for the 2013 Scion - Evasive FRS
"Best European Import" - Jamie Vondruska for the 2013 Volkswagon Vortex Super Beetle
"Best Hot Rod" -
David Eckert for the 1969 Ford Mach 40
This year's Gran Turismo Awards also featured a special performance by Snoop Dogg. The Doggfather of Hip Hop treated SEMA attendees to a set of his greatest hits and best-known raps including "Gin & Juice," "Nuthin' But A G Thang," "
Drop It Like It's Hot" and "Young, Wild & Free (feat. Bruno Mars)."
"Gran Turismo is the most real-deal driving game I have ever experienced," said
Snoop Dogg aka Snoop Lion. "I have been a PlayStation fan for years, and had a blast helping to make this 10th year celebration for the Gran Turismo Awards into an 'off the hook' affair."
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