David Coulthard tests the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell prototype
He’s still an active driver who races in the DTM German touring car series, when he’s not acting as a demonstration driver for Red Bull Renault, a brand ambassador for AMG, or an F1 commentator for the BBC.
There’s no denying that Coulthard is fast, but if you live in Europe and have serious skills on Gran Turismo 5, you can see how you stack up against him by driving a virtual representation of the the same car, in Gran Turismo 5, on the same track.
Coulthard will be strapping into a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG on a yet-to-be-revealed track somewhere in Europe. At the same time, six of the fastest GT5 drivers (pared down from 24 prize winners) will climb into simulators at Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey, and go head to head to see if they can beat the time set by Coulthard in a real SLS AMG.
The winner, whether or not they beat Coulthard’s time, will win an all-expense paid trip to the 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix on November 27.
If you weren’t one of the lucky 24 chosen to compete in Surrey, you can still throw down against Coulthard in an upcoming GT5 “seasonal event.” European gamers will have the chance to run the same track in an SLS AMG, but the payoff is limited to your name on the leader board. Still, you get the chance to see if you’re faster around a virtual track than a former F1 star is around a real track, which has to count for bragging rights, at least.
The race is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz and Sony Computer Entertainment, and Sony is billing it as “The World’s Biggest Race.” The festivities begin at 15:20 BST on Monday, September 5, and you can get live coverage of the event on the Mercedes Live Race website.
[Mercedes-Benz via AllCarTech]