Drive Ayrton Senna's F1 car in upcoming Gran Turismo 6 DLC

An update coming to Gran Turismo 6 will allow players to relive the legacy of Brazilian racer Ayrton Senna, Sony and Polyphony Digital have announced. The content, which includes one of Senna's first go-karts and the Lotus 97T Senna drove during his second Formula 1 season in 1985, will be available for free on May 27.

The update also includes two Senna Challenges, which test a player's ability to best Senna's times on the same courses he drove in '85. Those that earn bronze or better in a Senna Challenge will earn the Lotus 97T for free, but those that would rather skip the whole "challenge" part can buy the car using in-game currency.

Kazunori Yamauchi, creator of the Gran Turismo series, called Senna a "personal hero" in the associated press release. "I am honored to be able to introduce him to the younger generation of racing fans through Gran Turismo," he said. Earlier this month, Sony and Polyphony released an update to the Gran Turismo site honoring Senna and the Ayrton Senna Institute.

[Image: Sony]

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POLYPHONY DIGITAL, INC AND AYRTON SENNA INSTITUE HONOR RACING LEGEND IN GRAN TURISMO®6
Relive Ayrton Senna's most memorable racing moments, including Brands Hatch and Monza, in Gran Turismo 6 exclusively on PlayStation®3

SAN MATEO, May 12, 2014 -- Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC announced today the launch of the exclusive Gran Turismo®6 (GT6™) special update celebrating the life, achievements and legacy of gifted Brazilian racing driver, Ayrton Senna. Available starting May 27 exclusively for GT6 on PlayStation®3, the Ayrton Senna Tribute is the culmination of a long term partnership between the Ayrton Senna Institute (IAS) and Gran Turismo developer Polyphony Digital, Inc. to deliver online content updates that enable players to trace the roots of his racing career and relive some of the legend's best moments, including his pole position laps on circuits such as Brands Hatch and Monza.

GT6 owners will be able to experience these historic moments through a free online update available starting on May 27. Upon downloading the latest update, a dedicated Ayrton Senna section will be made available on the main menu. Players receiving a bronze or better in any of the legendary Senna Challenges will receive the car. Drivers will also have the option to purchase the vehicle with in-game credits from the Ayrton Senna dealership without having to complete the seasonal event.

The new in-game content releases include one of Senna's first go-karts, built by DAP, which helped start his racing career, and the Lotus 97T that Senna drove during his second Formula 1 season in 1985 when he tallied seven poles. In addition to his cars, the in-game update includes Senna Challenges, which place gamers in the same courses driven by Senna, challenging them to beat his legendary lap times. The update includes:
· Lotus 97T
o Course: Monza '85 layout
o Target Time: Senna's pole position time 1'25.084
· Lotus 97T
o Course: Brands Hatch '85 layout
o Target Time: Senna's pole position time 1'07.169

"To racing fans around the world, the name Senna evokes a range of emotions. This speaks volumes about what Ayrton Senna represents to so many people. For me, he is a personal hero; someone who inspired me to go on the course I am on today," said Kazunori Yamauchi, creator of Gran Turismo and President of Polyphony Digital, Inc. "I am honored to be able to introduce him to the younger generation of racing fans through Gran Turismo. I feel it is a responsibility and privilege to continue his work and legacy through the Ayrton Senna Institute and am grateful to be able to do my part in fulfilling his wish to improve the lives of the millions of children who are supported by the Institute."
The Senna update is the continuation of the partnership announced at the Brazil Game Show in 2013 between the Gran Turismo franchise and the Ayrton Senna Institute. The partnership celebrates the life and achievements of Ayrton Senna by immortalizing his career in the world's best-selling racing franchise, and more significantly, benefits the non-profit organization that is shaping the lives of millions of children in Brazil.
Since its establishment, schools supported by the Institute have spread to approximately 25 percent of the cities in all of Brazil, giving more than 17 million children an opportunity to achieve literacy and receive education directly. The Institute has trained over 750,000 teachers with their educational programs.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Senna's legacy on May 1, Gran Turismo and IAS launched a tribute site that allows fans to follow the life of the famous race car driver through videos and a two-part slideshow that includes personal photos leading up to the in-game update on May 27. Fans can find a short film called "Ayrton's Wish" documenting how the IAS has carried out Senna's dream to make education attainable for children and young adults in Brazil.
For more news about PlayStation please visit http://blog.us.playstation.com/.
About the Gran Turismo® Franchise
Gran Turismo® celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2013, having first appeared internationally in 1998. The multi-award-winning franchise has been the most successful ever for PlayStation®, and in 2013 it also surpassed worldwide sales of 70 million units. Various iterations of Gran Turismo have been created for PlayStation® , PlayStation®2, PlayStation®3 and PSP (PlayStation®Portable) systems, and have always been regarded as the best and most authentic driving simulators ever created due to true-to-life graphics, authentic physics technology and design. Since the inception of Gran Turismo, famed creator Kazunori Yamauchi and Polyphony Digital Inc. in Japan have revolutionized the racing category as we know it today. His offerings provide the most realistic driving simulation in the industry and a unique medium for automotive manufacturers to showcase their products. Gran Turismo®6, the latest iteration of the game, was released on December 6, 2013.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) has revolutionized home entertainment since the first PlayStation® console launched in 1995 in the United States, followed by the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system launch in 2000. SCEA continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system, PSN℠, PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) handheld entertainment system, and the recently launched PlayStation®4 (PS4™) computer entertainment system. SCEA also launched PlayStation®Mobile, a cross device mobile platform using Android-based PlayStation® certified devices in October 2012. Recognized as an undisputed industry leader, SCEA markets the PlayStation® family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for PSP, PS3, PS Vita, and PS4 systems in North and South America. Based in San Mateo, California, SCEA serves as headquarters for all North and South American operations.

More information about PlayStation® products can be found at www.playstation.com.