The real Gran Turismo

	I get in a trance-like state when racing a real car. I want to understand what makes me feel like that and feed it back into Gran Turismo 5

Carving its way through the Eifel Mountains in western Germany is the ultimate challenge in motoring – 300 metres of elevation change, 73 corners and more than 12 miles of Armco-lined tarmac. This is the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, familiar to gaming fans the world over.

Faithfully recreated on the best-selling Sony PlayStation game Gran Turismo 4, the ’Ring has come to life in more than 50million homes across the globe. But how does it compare to the real thing? To find out, I’m taking part in a four-hour endurance race around the Nordschielfe with a very special driver: Kazunori Yamauchi, the creator and producer of the Gran Turismo game. Famed for his attention to detail and the recreation of a ‘real car’ feel in his virtual vehicles, Yamauchi has only competed in a handful of races before, so tackling the most challenging track in the world is a massive task.

>> CLICK HERE TO WATCH A FULL ON-BOARD HOT-LAP OF THE NURBURGRING NORDSCHLEIFE WITH GRAN TURISMO CREATOR KAZUNORI YAMAUCHI

However, he is no ordinary novice. Yamauchi explains: “I’ve covered nearly 2,000 virtual laps, and while real racing is obviously far scarier, the driver’s actions and the lines taken through the corners are the same.” As someone who learned his skills through ‘real’ racing, Yamauchi’s virtual training is alien to me, but I’ve used the game to memorise the sequence of more than 70 corners we’ll face in the race.

We are taking part in the Langstrecken Meistershaft. With 160 entries, divided into numerous classes, this Series features cars that range from top-notch GT racers, such as the Porsche GT3 RSR and Audi R8 V10 LMS, down to the smallest of hot hatches. Our World Car Awards Racing Lexus IS F runs in a production class, so it maintains its road-standard gearbox and engine, but stiffened suspension and some weight saving mean it looks every bit the real racer.

>> CLICK HERE TO WATCH OUR EXCLUSIVE VIDEO FEATURE AND SEE HOW THE TEAM GOT ON

On race morning, low cloud and rain drifts across the lush green tree tops. Auto Express contributor and fellow racer Peter Lyon takes the start on wet tyres, but soon the weather is changing and sections of the circuit are drying, so he pits to change to an intermediate cut slick tyre. Around 90 minutes into the race it’s my turn, and as I wait in the pitlane, Peter radios the team to confirm we should stay on this tyre.

One of the unique features of the Nürburgring is that the length of the track means it can be dry on one part of the circuit but raining on another, and that’s exactly the challenge I face on my stint.

The IS F’s strong brakes and efficient traction control are welcome, but the ’Ring demands a huge amount from man and machine. Unforgiving and hugely intimidating, you have to deal with the traffic, changing weather, high speeds and tight turns, although it’s exactly this that makes it so addictive and totally absorbing.

After a nine-lap stint we are running second in class, but a slightly overheating differential is a concern. Despite this, all is going to plan and I hand over to Yamauchi. Unfortunately, the challenges of racing are tough for a road-based car, and our overheating issue means that with 40 minutes to go we have to withdraw. But it’s clear Yamauchi has relished the race. “I feel like I am in a dream, driving as fast as I possibly can,” he tells me.

“The only time I get in this trance-like state is when I am racing a real car. I want to understand what makes me feel like that, and ultimately feed it back into Gran Turismo 5.” This revelation – that the stunning game play of GT 5 is set to be even more realistic when it is released next spring – is sure to get fans wildly excited!

But the virtual to real world crossover extends to the car, too. Yamauchi is making sure the IS F is faithfully recreated in the game, but our feedback is being used to both hone it for racing and assist in the potential development of a high-performance IS F-R road car.

He says: “You must treat this car carefully on the ’Ring, even in the game. Depending on how you drive, you can experience understeer, oversteer or a neutral balance. It’s a good car. But I’d love to be able to assist in making it faster in the real world.” He’s smitten with the track, too. “What impresses me more than the rapidly changing weather, its astonishing history and its sheer size are the people who come to see and drive it. They are amazing.

This is a true Mecca for all those who love driving.” And thanks to Yamauchi, it’s one you can visit from your living room next spring...