Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) hosted its 10th annual Gran Turismo Awards last night during the SEMA Show at the Rain Nightclub in the Palms Casino Resort, which also featured a performance by Snoop Dogg. The Gran Turismo Awards offers SEMA exhibitors the opportunity to achieve automotive immortality for their vehicle with a feature spot in the "Gran Turismo" video game for PlayStation.
After deliberating over dozens of entries, the judging panel and "Gran Turismo" creator Kazunori Yamauchi crowned David Eckert the "Best in Show" winner for his 1969 Ford Mach 40, which also won the award for "Best Hot Rod."
“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 Yamauchi. “We continue to be blown away by the quality of the vehicles that are submitted and are excited to add the 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 Marcellino for the 2013 Scion – Evasive
• “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 hip hop icon Snoop Dogg, who 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. “I have been a PlayStation fan for years, and had a blast helping to make this tenth year celebration for the Gran Turismo Awards into an ‘off the hook’ affair."
