GT Academy Puts Gran TurismoSavant Into Driver's Seat
It's safe to assume that, if you're reading this, you're familiar with Gran Turismo. It's even possible that friends, loved ones and possibly parents have criticized the unhealthy amount of time you spend tethered to your PlayStation3 since GT5 Prologue came out. We're not telepathic. We're you. But if you live in Europe, that time behind the virtual wheel could pay off. Nissan and Sony are teaming up to offer one lucky Gran Turismo addict the chance to test their mettle in the real world though the GT Academy.
Over an eight-month period, players will duke it out online through the European Playstation Network for a single spot in the GT Academy. After which, the winner will spend four months training and accumulating the necessary FIA licensing to prepare for some real wheel time during the 24-hour Dubai endurance race next January. However, don't be confused by the liveried GT-R.
The virtual racing virtuoso will be piloting a race-prepped 350Z during the event. But if you live on the other side of the pond and think you have what it takes, log on to the Playstation Network and make the gamers of the world proud.
Cosworth VQ35 Build-Up Update
In our July 2008 issue, we revealed plans for a naturally aspirated 400-plus-bhp VQ35DE. Partnering with renowned engine builder, Cosworth Engineering, we will be making our non-turbo monster V6 within the Castrol Syntec Top Shop Challenge. This means obeying specific rules and that our stroked 3.8-liter engine will be going head-to-head with engines built by shops picked by our sister magazines eurotuner, Turbo, Import Tuner, Modified, Super Street and Lowrider.
After some measurements and examination, Cosworth developed a plan of attack and formulated a recipe. Starting with a bare VQ35DE block, Cosworth would be basing this project around its already available forged piston set, twin-plenum intake manifold and CNC-ported cylinder heads. With a few of these hard parts pulled off the shelf, Cosworth assembled a prototype and has spent the last few weeks on one of its two engine dynos, testing various camshaft profiles for naturally aspirated use.
With cam development nearing completion, it's only a matter of time before our final competition VQ35DE is assembled and we see how much power can be obtained using 100-octane fuel. With the stock-displacement, 3.5-liter, 11.1:1-compression cam powerplant making 370bhp, we're confident we can do much better with more displacement and a 12.1:1 compression ratio.
In the meantime, log on to www.sportcompactcarweb.com and www.cosworthusa.com for more information on our engine build and visit www.SyntecTopShop.com to vote for SCC and Cosworth. The winning engine from the competition will be given away to a lucky reader who voted for the winning team, so go and place your vote now.
Remember, figuring out what to drop a Cosworth-built VQ35 into is a problem we'd all like to have.