In this article about Gran Turismo, The Japan Times Online reports that advancing technology in the video game series significantly blurs the line between virtual and real-world driving, and today's auto racing champions can quickly and safely practice laps on the PlayStation and television screens. Reigning World Rally champion Frenchman Sebastien Loeb said that every real-world professional drivers he knows (including himself) uses Gran Turismo as a full-blown driving simulator for practice these days.
Gran Turismo can also help a normal driver make a smooth transition from the virtual race to the real one. In his first real auto race, the video game series creator Kazunori Yamauchi (who had never joined a real race before) was clocking the same times as seasoned race drivers; Yamauchi already had plenty of practice on Gran Turismo.
[ By Peter Lyon, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 ]
