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COMPETITION HOTS UP ON THE VIRTUAL FAST TRACK

Sony PlayStation2 Gran Turismo 4 (GT4) challenge dropped by Dubai during the weekend on April 28 and 29 in BurJuman where game enthusiasts flocked the mall and anticipated their chance to take on the challenge.

The GT4 challenge, organised by Sony Gulf FZE, is a car racing competition that is one of the first of its kind. Held in six countries, the gaming trial took place to seek the fastest Middle East representative to try for the world champion title scheduled to happen during the month of June in Le Mans, France.

"The main idea of the challenge was to promote the much-awaited Gran Turismo 4 game that was recently launched in the region," said Neil D’Sylva, Sony Gulf FZE’s Corporate Communications Department Executive. "The game in the assessment involved the usage of the car with three laps on the Suzuka East Circuit track where the racers' best lap times were recorded," he said.

Twelve winners, two from each country, will first compete against each other in the Middle East GT4 Grand Finals planned to be held in Dubai during this month. The fastest winner of the Middle East Finals will not only receive the opportunity to tackle gamers around the world but will also get to drive away a new sports car.

"Only one winner will acquire the car and stand for the Middle East but the second and third winners will receive a consolation prize each which we haven’t decided what that would be though," said Neil.

Speaking to some of the racing fans that were present and had a go at the challenge, Lebanese Bashir Gourani, 17 said was "really excited and couldn’t wait to get his hands on the car."

"I tried the game and really liked it. I doubt I’ll get be short listed though because my time score was really bad but it was fun and I enjoyed the game as I love racing," said 17-year-old Indian Marlene Farrow who was one of the few female participants.

If you think the competition was well dominated by teens, think again. Many adults also joined the gaming experience. Among them were 35-year-old Mohammad Ali, a very confident Sudanese who said he was "here to win."

Caesar Ramos from the Philippines is a 32-year-old who also competed in the challenge. "I heard about this from a friend and thought why not try it out. I’m here for the fun and it would be great to represent the Middle East in France," he said.

Nine winners have already been announced. Dubai's crowned winners are 27-year-old Fadi Tammour who achieved an astonishing 53.601 seconds followed by 18-year-old Arnold Vergheseold who holds the second position with 53.903 seconds, both beating the original fastest time score of 54.000 seconds - formally reigned by Abu Dhabi's Bassem Al Jajeh.

Countries visited apart from the UAE included Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia. Winners chosen for the Middle East Grand Finals also include Muammar Al Qubaisi from Abu Dhabi, Cameron Cheesewright from Oman, Abdul Razak Abdul Malik from Riyadh and Aseel Al Safyani from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Rashaad Kazi from Bahrain and Abdullah Al Kater from Qatar.