To promote the new Focus ST, Ford teamed up with Sony to arrange a 'virtual versus real' race. BBC Top Gear's former Stig, Ben Collins, drove the real Focus while gamer Krisztian Somodi tackled a version of the Goodwood hillclimb course simultaneously in Gran Turismo 6 for the PlayStation3. Real life triumphed, just, with Collins beating Somodi by a tenth of a second.
It took Ben 1 minute 5.13 seconds to complete the 1.16-mile (1.9-kilometre) course. Neither participant knew how their opponent was doing during the race but spectators were able to follow the action on giant screens at the Festival. Visitors to the Ford stand also had the chance to set their own time on a Gran Turismo 6 simulator.
"Racing the new Ford Focus ST against the virtual one was a first for me. I had no idea who was in the lead, so I was ecstatic when I realised I'd won," Ben said. "The Focus ST has always been a great driver's car but the new version is even more responsive and rewarding."
Polish graphic designer and lifelong Gran Turismo fan, Somodi commented: "It was a very close race and such a buzz competing against a real car and driver. The virtual Focus ST looks, feels and sounds just like the real thing. Gran Turismo 6 is very impressive.
Anything else?
Care was taken to ensure the conditions in the game matched real life as closely as possible to keep the contest fair. Even the tyre characteristics were claimed to be identical. A video of the race is available here.