Mercedes-Benz has just announced a new Gran Turismo 5 contest (for UK residents only) featuring former F1 star David Coulthard. The contest starts out with a familiar formula: 24 entrants will be chosen at random, then brought to Mercedes-Benz World where they’ll be tested in real and virtual driving challenges to determine the top 6 contestants.
Next, things take an interesting twist: the top 6 move to the final round to compete directly against David Coulthard. They’ll be setting laps in the game while David is in the same car, on the same track, at the same time in the real-world, trying to best their times. Even if no contestants are able to beat David, the fastest among them will still go home with a nice prize: an all-expenses paid trip to the 2011 Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix with four-star accommodations.
The details of how the final stage will play out are sparse, but it will be streamed live over the Internet for the world to watch and play along on September 5, 2011.
Mercedes is not revealing the circuit which will hold this competition, describing it as an “undisclosed location”. That said, I can confirm it will be held on a circuit that’s already featured in the game, so don’t get too carried away with speculation!
To enter the competition, head on over to the contest’s official web page (entries close August 22, 2011). It’s open to UK residents over 17 years of age – the rest of us will have to stay tuned for the video stream of the finals, which I’ll be sharing here on GTPlanet’s blog when it goes live next month.
Good luck to all GTPlanet participants! Thanks to Pete for the tip.
See more articles on David Coulthard, Mercedes Live Race, Mercedes SLS AMG, and Online Competitions.
got a call today to say someone backed out as well. will keep my eye out for you hansawlo ;)
Just had a phonecall to say I had been selected as one of the final 24, but I have booked a holiday forgetting i had entered the comp GUTTED going to be on holiday!
Unlucky Kris8583, i got a call this afternoon. It was because someone could not attend, possibly you? I am going and will give it my best shot on your behalf.
I know it says uk only but is it not open to irealnd as most competions are uk and roi for all other events
David Coulthard is the new Hoff.
hey, is there any news that they might be adding a new track to the game for this occasion?
one might add, that it will be a real world circuit. :))
Please read carefully.
“I have games with less content giving me much more fun.”-I call BS… and even if it were true, its a driver’s game meant solely for people that love the racing aspect.
“All that matters is the continued and uninterrupted supply of the game with content and updates”-What are you expecting? To put decals, strobes, vinyls, etc for the next update? Because decals does make you faster… (I was being sarcastic to the whole statement)
I hope this is clear enough
Another thing to bear in mind. Why do people such as yourself think that the world evolves around you. Think of the individuals that need to move to a different location due to a natural causing disaster of event, instead of the updates.
“Former” F1 Star?
This can only be good news for all of us no matter where we live. If this proves to be good publicity for Mercedes, other manufacturers will notice. The potential for additions to GT5 and more special events like this is unlimited. Go UK. Go Mercedes. Go GT5
Good Luck UK!!!
Rest of the world, stop crying. It won’t get you into the competition.
cmon. at least throw canada in there ;)
Don’t care much about getting a prize, but it would be cool to at least get to do the race in other areas of the world.
They won’t choose The Ring, it’s too dangerous and I doubt Merc will want to risk their cars there. I think Dunsfold is most likely – large run-off areas and easy access for emergency vehicles/tv crews.
For UK peeps only, what a bunch of wankers! No US love…come on, we’re in a recession, wheres the love! :-)
The whole world is right now, thanks to you Americans…
The videogame itself is irrelevant now, just flashy side-shows to feed the monkeys happy… Congratulations.
Mercedes-Benz World to Dunsfold Aerodrome is only ~23 miles.
The weather seems to be consistent with Dunsfold as well.
i dont care.
Wooo!! Mercedes-Benz world!!! :D sounds like a interesting challenge :D
I give a damn sh** on GT live events or competitions.
All that matters is the continued and uninterrupted supply of the game with content and updates. Because a lot of people has paid a lot of money for it, and certainly more than for these stupid competitions.
Here ,PD has completely failed.
What would Bu++ers say?
In what way does this competition affect GT5s updates!?! Hmmm, let me see….none whatsoever!!
As it is, I can’t really think of any game with as much content day one out of the box or free content coming 10 months after release, not one of the other 50 PS3 titles I have bought over the past 4 years comes close. Obviously though you have some kind of entitlement mindset that is laughable. Go and buy an EA game, you pay full price and still have to pay up to $25 for content that should have been included with the game.
Its merc that are doing the promo, not pd. don’t worry, your 500+ staff are still working to bring you free updates and challenges
@slick
Mass doesn´t bring the qulity- I have games with less content giving me much more fun.
@big ron to second statement
I call BS… and even if it were true, its a driver’s game meant solely for people that love the racing aspect. What are you expecting? To put decals, strobes, vinyls, etc for the next update? Because decals does make you faster…
@badboy_etc
What are you talking about. Your statement doesn´t make any sense, because it has no relationship to mine.
Please read carefully.
“I have games with less content giving me much more fun.”-I call BS… and even if it were true, its a driver’s game meant solely for people that love the racing aspect.
“All that matters is the continued and uninterrupted supply of the game with content and updates”-What are you expecting? To put decals, strobes, vinyls, etc for the next update? Because decals does make you faster… (I was being sarcastic to the whole statement)
I hope this is clear enough.
Another thing to bear in mind. Why do people such as yourself think that the world evolves around you. Think of the individuals that need to move to a different location due to a natural causing disaster of event, instead of the updates.
I get the feeling that it will be a weather change track or David may struggle to win on a rainy day
That’s a good point. I believe that the only real-world weather change tracks are Fuji and Suzuka (unlikely), Monza, Nurburgring Nordschleife and 24H, and La Sarthe.
The weather currently seems to suggest the TG test track or Nurburgring, but not Monza. My bet would have to be Nurburgring, but the question is: Which Nurburgring?
Two things I noticed:
They didn’t mention a prize for actually going faster than Coulthard.
And they’re choosing drivers at random, not by how fast they are, or else they most likely WILL beat Coulthard.
Ah dude, they said even if no-one beats David the prize will still be awarded…
Awesome, too bad they cannot get other manufacturers and drivers on board for events like these for all countries. Best of luck.
yay ive entered ><!
Me too…
What A Great Idea For The Great Drivers Who Enter Best Of Luck People :)
Good luck Europeople :) Wish Canadians weren’t left out in everything :/
Australians get left out even more.
But Australians were allowed to compete in GT Academy (I believe in the same region as all the EU competitors). Canadians weren’t even allowed to compete as part of US GT Academy in spite of the fact we’re much closer than Australia/New Zealand is to European countries.
Australians weren’t allowed to compete in GT Academy. We havent had any competitions or free DLC cars (that shaving branded Camaro eg.).
Given that the Italian Grand Prix at Monza is on the weekend after the 5th, I’d put my bets on that being the track they use, as it’s also in the game.
Ooo looks interesting! Entering now :D
Nice prize. I wish I could enter. But even if I did they’ll probably have wheels set up, which I’ve never used myself.
Judging by the current temperature, and the fact that it’s Mercedes, I’m going to say the Nurburgring.
I also agree. GP/F?
Considering Mercedes have their own stand there AND David Coulthard used to drive for a team which were once powered by their engines, Nurburgring GP/F would be the most logical choice. Even if Coulthard IS racing at Brands Hatch the day before – with the wonders of modern day air travel he’ll be in Germany in next to no time anyway.
Time to practice.
It’ll most likely be held on the TG track
Most likely.
…or Nurburg.
He is racing at brands hatch the day before
What a brilliant idea. Best of luck to those entering!
Do us Americans get to complain about the competition being held for UK only?
No you don’t.
lol @ Bassclef6
@themainvr4 do the british get to complain that we dont get to race against someone slow like scott speed?