PGR3: There can be only one

Globalists, start you engines. Verizon and Lamborghini are sponsoring a world-wide PGR3 tournament on Xbox Live beginning April 17. The top four gamers in each region (Europe, Asia and the Americas) will be hot wheeled all the way to the Lamborghini factory in Sant' Agata Bolognese, Italy to compete in the finals on automotive holy ground. Qualfiying action takes place on the Tokyo Nishigushi Short route track, so start practicing. Here's the full list of prizes for the European region:

(4) Regional Tournament Grand Prize Winners

• An invitation to compete in the PGR3 Xbox Live Final taking place at the Lamborghini factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy

• A trip for winner and a guest to Sant’ Agata, Italy departing on Sunday June 11, 2006 and returning on Thursday June 15, 2006

• A limited edition PGR 100 Xbox 360 console

• An official Xbox Live PGR3 Lamborghini Jacket

(10) 2nd Place Prize Packages (places 5-14)

• Limited Edition PGR 100 Xbox 360 console

• Official Xbox Live PGR3 Lamborghini Leather Miura Racing Gloves

(10) 3rd Place Prize Packages (places 15-24)

• Limited Edition PGR3 Faceplate

• Official Xbox Live PGR3 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder T-Shirt

(10) 4th Place Prize Packages (places 25-34)

• Official Xbox Live PGR3 Lamborghini Cap

For some reason, American grand prize winners don't get the console. There's also no special prize specified for the overall winner. That sucks because if I beat the entire world, I'd expect a late model Diablo at the very least. Sign up early because registering doesn't guarantee a spot in the qualifying round.

Fulfilling Microsoft's promise to turn obsessed basement dwellers in to global celebrities, the finals will be viewable on Gotham TV. Those sick days seem so worth it now.