1960 Chevrolet Corvette Wins 'Best in Show' at Fourth Annual Gran Turismo™ Awards, Securing Opportunity for Car to be Featured in World Renowned Gaming Franchise on a PlayStation® Platform

In an effort to find the hottest car for its next Gran Turismo™ property on a PlayStation® platform, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. held its fourth annual Gran Turismo Awards at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas. Hundreds of entries from the world's largest auto show entered the competition in one of five categories, the winners of which were in the running for the top honor. In the end, the 2006 Gran Turismo "Best in Show" title was bestowed upon on Craig Morrison and his 1960 Chevrolet Corvette.

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Morrison's Corvette will now be immortalized in the most realistic racing simulation game for all fans of the best-selling franchise to enjoy. Gamers can race award winners from 2003 and 2004 in Gran Turismo™ 4 which has sold more than 7.6 million units to date worldwide exclusively on the PlayStation® 2 computer entertainment system. Last Year's winning Honda S2000 will be making its first appearance in the Gran Turismo franchise on a PlayStation platform soon.

"The Gran Turismo Awards has established itself as a perfect forum to honor those automobile enthusiasts that share a passion for video games," said Kazunori Yamauchi, famed creator of Gran Turismo franchise and President of Polyphony Digital Inc. "There is a strong parallel between the automotive and gaming industries, and we're excited to have an opportunity to celebrate that through the SEMA show."

About the Judging for the Gran Turismo Awards

Prior to the SEMA show, all exhibitors were invited to enter their car into the Gran Turismo Awards. The Gran Turismo Awards honor five different categories, including "Best Domestic," "Best European," "Best Hot Rod," "Best Japanese," and "Best Truck/SUV." From this group, one is saluted with the coveted "Best in Show" award.

Judges consisted of various respected journalists and personalities in the automotive industry. Judging for each category is based on the judge's choice for a car with well-balanced performance, style and speed. The "Best in Show" award is selected by the famed creator of the Gran Turismo franchise -- Kazunori Yamauchi.

About the Gran Turismo Award Winners

Held November 1, inside the Hard Rock Hotel at Las Vegas hot spot, The Joint, award winners and VIPs of the automotive industry held witness to the fourth annual Gran Turismo Awards ceremony. In addition to the ceremony, party guests were treated to live performances by iconic rock band Foreigner and Pharrell Williams' DJ, Jus Ske. Guests were also granted the exclusive and enviable opportunity to test their driving skills on GT HD for the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system, three weeks before the highly anticipated console goes on sale in the US.

In addition to his "Best in Show" trophy and "Best Hot Rod" award, winner Craig Morrison will set a new standard for visibility among auto enthusiasts as his vehicle will be drivable in a future Gran Turismo property. Other 2006 winners include:

  "Best European Import" -- Don Nicholson, for his 2008 Volvo C30.
  "Best Domestic Automobile" -- Tajai Das for his 2006 Pontiac Solstice.
  "Best Hot Rod" -- Craig Morrison for his 1960 Chevrolet Corvette.
  "Best Japanese Automobile" -- Leigh Guarnieri for his 2007 Honda Fit.
  "Best Truck / SUV" -- Daryl Klassen & Mike DeFord for their 2006 Hummer
   H3.

2005 Best in Show winner Stephen Papadakis and his 2004 Honda S2000 are getting ready for their video game debut. Past winners include Marcel Horn (2004) and his one-of-kind HPA Volkswagen R32 and Ted and Sue Richardson of Oregon (2003) with their 1962 Buick Special. Both cars from 2003 and 2004 can be seen in Gran Turismo 4 for PlayStation 2.

To obtain images from the Gran Turismo Awards, please visit the official press center at http://www.us.playstation.com/presscenter , Username -- SCEA, Password -- SC3APR.

About Gran Turismo

With more than 45 million units sold worldwide, the award-winning Gran Turismo franchise for the PlayStation platforms, serves as the racing game of choice amongst the automotive and gaming audience due to its true-to-life graphics, physics and real-life cars and tracks. With the recent launch of Gran Turismo 4 for PlayStation 2, a new standard was set for authentic racing action with upwards of 700 cars and more than 50 tracks encompassing 80 real auto manufacturers and various real-life courses from around the world. Available soon, exclusively on PLAYSTATION 3, Gran Turismo HD will serve as a glimpse into the evolution of the franchise and provide gamers with two types of game modes, both online and offline that offer an unparalleled racing experience suited for the next-generation of gaming. For more information, please visit http://www.gran-turismo.com/.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated all Gran Turismo properties "E" for Everyone. For more information about the ESRB, please visit www.esrb.org .

About Polyphony Digital, Inc.

Lead by famed Gran Turismo creator, Kazunori Yamauchi, Polyphony Digital is an internal development company for Sony Computer Entertainment Inc that develops software for the PlayStation family of products. Since its inception in the late nineties, Polyphony Digital has been on the cutting-edge of game development, consistently delivering revolutionary technology and best selling games including the award-winning Gran Turismo racing franchise and newly released Tourist Trophy franchise.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one™ game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and the upcoming, much-anticipated PLAYSTATION®3 system.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com/

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Ryan Bowling, +1-650-650-3657, or
ryan_bowling@playstation.sony.com, or Ron Eagle, +1-858-824-5585, or
ron_eagle@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment America

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/