Take part in the Mercedes-Benz Driving Event on PS3

Gran Turismo 5 on PS3 gives you the chance to test your driving skills against professional racing driver David Coulthard.

On 5 September 2011, the worlds of virtual and real-life racing collide in Gran Turismo 5 on PlayStation 3. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, along with the game's developer Polyphony Digital and prestigious car maker Mercedes-Benz, is giving you the chance to go head-to-head with a man who won 13 Grand Prix in an illustrious career spanning 15 years in Formula 1.

Starting at 15:20 BST at a secret UK location, Scotland's David Coulthard - twice a Formula 1 winner on the fabled Monaco Grand Prix circuit - will take the wheel of a real 6.3 litre V8 powered Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. His goal? To rack up the quickest possible lap within a 15-minute time period.

At the same time, GT5 players the world over will be able to race the exact same car in-game over an identical track in a special Seasonal Event which is accessed via the main menu.

Meanwhile, at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands, England, 24 lucky prize draw winners will be battling to qualify for their chance to go head-to head in the same Seasonal Event on the renowned racing game for PlayStation 3. Those who set the top six qualifying times will then get back in the driving seat in GT5 on PS3 to compete against Coulthard in real time at the flagship venue where visitors are welcome to come and watch the action for themselves.

At the end of the 15-minute challenge, the contestant from Mercedes-Benz World that sets the fastest lap will win an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2011 Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix on 27 November 2011.

Action footage of David Coulthard driving the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, combined with footage from his real-time PlayStation opponents at Mercedes-Benz World, can be viewed live online with live pre-race coverage from Formula 1 commentator Martin Brundle. Live coverage on race day will begin at 15:00 BST at mercedesliverace.co.uk and you can check out highlights and additional material at gran-turismo.com once the event finishes.

Leader board information for virtual racers brave enough to take on David Coulthard via the Mercedes-Benz Driving Event will be available on gran-turismo.com. With over 5.5 million copies of the game having been sold worldwide in its first two weeks on sale, the live event hopes to become the world's biggest ever race and racers can continue to tackle Coulthard's best time up until 26 September 2011 when the Seasonal Event closes.

If you haven't tried out The Real Driving Simulator yet, Gran Turismo 5 is available as part of the great value Platinum range for PS3 from early September 2011.