Goodwood’s renowned 1.86km Hill Climb, centre piece of the British stately home’s annual Festival of Speed, has been announced as a new track to feature on the forthcoming Gran Turismo®6 for PlayStation®3. Polyphony Digital Inc., creators of PlayStation®’s best-selling Gran Turismo® franchise, recently announced a deal to partner the Goodwood Festival of Speed (11-14 July). A new GT6™ demo will now give some of the expected 185,000-plus spectators their chance to challenge Nick Heidfeld’s 1999 41.6s course record set in a Formula 1 car. The demo will include a range of stunningly recreated cars to race up the virtual version of "the Hill".

The Goodwood Festival of Speed has an enviable international reputation as a celebration of all things automotive and motor sport. The annual event, held at the family home of the Earl of March, features an array of cars that spans from the beginnings of the automotive industry at the end of 19th century to the very latest cars proudly displayed by the manufacturers. The range and scope of the event is mirrored by Polyphony Digital’s aspirations for "The Real Driving Simulator".

"I have always been a huge admirer of the Festival of Speed and what Lord March has achieved," explains Polyphony Digital President and legendary creator of Gran Turismo, Kazunori Yamauchi. "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!"

Priceless classics, new and old pure racers, the latest supercars and an array of other different, rare, innovative or simply quirky cars are piloted up the Hill by an exclusive group of top drivers and invited guests. With the iconic Goodwood Hill Climb now gloriously recreated in full Gran Turismo detail, the legions of GT players around the world will have their chance to experience the excitement and honour that has been reserved for only a handful of top drivers, with the added bonus of having the huge range of cars that will be available on Gran Turismo 6 from launch to choose from.

Festival-goers will also be able to race or cruise up the Hill Climb on special demo version of Gran Turismo 6 installed on PlayStation "race pods" at The Goodwood Road Racing Club, The Family Area and Goodwood Hotel. Nissan and Alfa Romeo will make the GT6 demo available on their stands while Mercedes-Benz, Ford and Nissan also have pods on their Moving Motor Show displays. For those that are inspired by all of the racing drivers on display at Goodwood, Nissan, PlayStation’s partner in the innovative GT Academy programme, will be running a "wildcard" competition on its Moving Motor Show display for a chance to reach this year’s GT Academy UK National Final.

The addition of the Hill Climb to the hugely popular Gran Turismo is an exciting prospect for Goodwood Festival of Speed founder The Earl of March: "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!"