BATHURST mayor Gary Rush joined forces with actor and motor enthusiast Shane Jacobson to unveil Gran Turismo Drive at Mount Panorama yesterday morning.
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The newly named drive, which is located behind the pits, is intended to pay tribute to the Gran Turismo franchise’s detailed recreation of the Mount Panorama racing circuit in the game’s latest edition.
To celebrate the unveiling of Gran Turismo Drive, Shane drove a Nissan GTR along the drive and raced Cr Rush around Mount Panorama in the yet-to-be-released PlayStation game Gran Turismo 6.
While Cr Rush lost the race he said it was wonderful to see Mount Panorama immortalised in the franchise’s latest PlayStation game.
“It is wonderful that Bathurst is recognised in a game which is going to go worldwide,” he said.
It will put the iconic Mount Panorama in a more prominent position and highlight that it is one of greatest race tracks in the world.”
Cr Rush said he was very impressed with the game and the way in which Mount Panorama was presented.
“It is extremely lifelike, the details of the track, the scenery, the houses and even the trees, it is all there,” he said.
He added that naming roads after corporate sponsors was part of a strategy to leverage more assets from Mount Panorama which could put more funds into the community.
“We are going to attempt to have a small precinct of streets named after sponsors.”
Cr Rush noted the majority of streets would be named after the legends who contributed to making Mount Panorama what it is today.
“The streets will be predominately named after legends to help create an even better atmosphere for those who camp in behind the pits,” he said.
Cr Rush said Shane Jacobson was a tremendous fellow who was very supportive of racing at Mount Panorama.
“His visit to Bathurst adds interest and I am confident he’s going to keep returning,” he said.
“It is great to see that he is particularly excited about the launch of this game for the global community which has an Australian icon in it.”
Race fans will have the chance to play Gran Turismo 6 when it is released this Friday.
