Binary Bathurst: Tackling Mount Panorama in Forza Motorsport 5 and in Real Life [Video]
If there’s one criticism that has been leveled at both of the top two console-exclusiveracing gamefranchises (Forza MotorsportandGran Turismo) over the years, it’s that both have time and time again failed to include Australia’s exaltedMount Panorama Circuit(home of theV8 Supercarsseries’ marquee event, theBathurst 1000, each October) on their track lists. Sure, it’s one thing to offer the continent-country’s car fans (and us foreigners who love their cars) laughably small selections of 99.9999% late modelHoldensandFords, but to leave out one of the most fearsome and most recognizable race courses in the motorsports world? It’s a wonderTurn 10 StudiosandPolyphony Digitalhaven’t been receiving jar after jar of vegemite from irked fans who are trying to get their point across.
Thankfully, that changes with the latest incarnations of both game series, both of which will be hitting stores in the next couple of weeks. In the case ofForza Motorsport 5, its developers enlisted the help of six-time Bathurst 1000 champMark Skaifeto ensure their virtual raceway’s authenticity. But the big bosses atMicrosofttook their involvement even further, going so far as to sponsor a wildcard entry for this year’s race, aHoldenCommodorepiloted byDTMstarsAndy PriaulxandMattias Ekstrom. Not quite as cool asthe father ofGran Turismohimself driving in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, but cool nonetheless.
Source: YouTube