By Grant Shepherd

SYDNEY: Microsoft Australia today announced a new partnership between its Xbox 360 console and V8 Supercars. The deal will see eight V8 Supercars appear in the upcoming Forza Motorsport 3 title which is exclusive to Xbox 360.

To announce this exciting news, Microsoft held a press conference at Sydney’s Lamborghini Showroom, the perfect location to launch a racing title.

At the event were V8 drivers: Mark Winterbottom, Garth Tander, Lee Holdsworth, Michael Caruso and Shane van Gisbergen, who tested out their racing skills on the new title against members of the media.

Tony Cochrane, V8 Supercars chairman, commented on the new partnership.

“V8 Supercars is recognised as the best touring car Championship on the planet and being included in the internationally acclaimed Forza 3 is testament to that,” he said.

Due to the fierce rivalry in the V8 circuit between Ford and Holden, Microsoft didn’t want to play favourites so both car manufacturers are featured equally in Forza 3. From the Holden Commodore camp are teams such as #2 Toll Racing Team, #33 Garry Rogers Motorsport, #39 Supercheap Auto Racing and #51 Sprint Gas Racing. Ford Falcon is represented by #1 Team Vodafone Racing, #5 Ford Performance Racing, #9 Stone Brothers Racing and #25 Britek Motorsport.

All the drivers who were on hand to try out the game were very impressed with the realism and similarities to the real racing environment, and as a testament to this most drivers performed exceedingly well on their respective time trials.

Forza Motorsport 3 will be available on 23 October 2009 and is available exclusively on the Xbox 360.

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