Nissan North America is partnering once again with Sony Computer Entertainment America and Polyphony Digital for a second season of the popular non-scripted TV series GT Academy in the U.S. The series will highlight the latest blending of virtual racing and reality. GT Academy challenges gamers and racing fans to compete in a series of online time trials in pre-selected Nissan vehicles for a shot at becoming a real racing driver. Last year’s competition drew over 53,000 competitors nationwide, with 30-year old Californian Bryan Heitkotter emerging as the winner. Heitkotter has gone on to compete in races for Nissan in the United States, Middle East and Europe. Heikotter talks about the experience in the exclusive video interview below.

Ever since its release in 2010, Gran Turismo 5 has been winning the hearts of racing fans on the PlayStation 3, selling millions of copies.  Lately, the amount of DLC for the game has picked up, with new cars and content to keep fans happy.  If you somehow missed out on it, don't worry, as Sony is preparing a special "XL" version of the game that will have all that content included, and for a lower price.

Forza Motorsport 4 is doing quite well for the racing community, with hundreds of thousands of folks hitting the track and showing the world their racing mettle.  But that racing world is about to open up even further, as Microsoft has announced a new pack of cars coming to the game December 6th.

LAS VEGAS – When it comes to driving games, Sony’s Gran Turismo franchise has been pushing the envelope for over a decade. Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo 5 and its new DLC was featured at SEMA in Las Vegas this month. Reality TV stars Ali Fedotowsky and Roberto Martinez from "The Bachelorette" were on hand to give GT5 a test drive and listen to Stone Temple Pilots at the GT Awards at the Marquee nightclub at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. They talk about the new racing game in this video interview below.

When it comes to enjoying Ridge Racer, there are two types of people.  There are those who get drift-happy with the racing game and love every minute of it, and there are those who think it's a little too arcade-y for its own good.  No matter which side you're on, though, you have to admit that when Ridge Racer 7 debuted on the PS3 years ago, it was a technically proficient game, and more challenging than most entries in the series.  Now the game gets a major push with tomorrow's PlayStation Network update, with not only a free 3D upgrade, but also a digital release.  Is it too late to improve on the game now, though?

Every year, the 1C Company, one of the biggest game companies in Russia (and publishers of such franchises as Men of War and IL-2 Sturmovik), holds a press event in the Russian consulate in San Francisco, inviting select press to celebrate its upcoming releases and get crazy with some vodka-infused drinks, food and hot girls in Kill Bill-style costumes.  So, of course, when I received my invite for the event, I had no choice but to come up.  (That's how I roll.)