’71 Chevrolet Camaro Wins 2011 GT Awards’ Best in Show, Coming to Gran Turismo

The 2011 Gran Turismo Awards were held last Thursday night in Las Vegas, and Kazunori Yamauchi himself selected this year’s “Best in Show” winner: a 1971 Chevrolet Camaro, customized and tuned by Mary Pozzi of Salinas, California.

The Camaro beat out an impressive and diverse set of GT Awards finalists in the other categories, including:

  • Best Truck/SUV: Casey Scranton’s CGS Performance Ford F150
  • Best Domestic Car: Filip Trojanek’s 1966 Widebody Ford Mustang
  • Best Asian Import: Mike Mixon’s custom Nissan 370Z
  • Best European Import: Mark Arcenal’s custom 1990 Porsche 911 C4
  • Best Hot Rod: Marry Pozzi’s custom 1971 Chevrolet Camaro

Mary has been involved with motorsports for many years, and actually drives the car in competitive events. Take a look at this video for more background on Mary’s accomplishments, her thoughts on suspension tuning, and a look at the car in action:

As with previous award winners, the Camaro will be included in the GT franchise at some point in the future, though Kazunori didn’t yet know exactly when that would be when I asked him.

I was personally on hand for the event and toured the SEMA show floor with Kazunori Yamauchi, where he had a surprise encounter with the legendary Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima – the real-world pilot of Gran Turismo’s Suzuki Escudo Pikes Peak, and the current world record holder of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, set earlier this year (here’s a video of his 9:51 run).

The GT Awards party was held at the Marquee Nightclub in Las Vegas’ Cosmopolitan Hotel, with a special performance by the Stone Temple Pilots. It was an incredible event, and it was great meeting so many GTPlanet readers and community members, North American GT Academy champion Bryan Heitkotter, and GT super-fan Adam Barrera (known in the forums as HondaKid86).

Congratulations to Mary and all the category winners, and thanks to Sony for providing me the opportunity to attend this event!

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Comments (167)

  1. BAKEMISTER

    how cool will it be if they got all the cars from the awards show ever and put them in the game, just a thought

  2. Badasp5.0

    Why not the Production 2012 Ford BOSS 302 it would be a EPIC giant killer in GT5. Or since its SEMA the Ford turn key BOSS302S race cars?

  3. MasterGT

    Jordan: it was a pleasure to meet you and Bryan at SEMA, and I hope to see you there next year, too.

    Quite a show, eh?

  4. Drag Labs 101

    I like the Camaro an all but if older American Muscle is possible I’d like to see these…..1977 Oldsmobile 442
    1964 Chevy TWO
    1968 Chevy Nova SS
    1977Trans Am & 1997Trans Am WS6
    1972 Ford Gran Torino
    1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass 
    1986 Mustang SVO- 1993 Mustang Cobra- 1970 Mustang Boss………

  5. Chad D.

    Well that makes it official, there will be all generations of camaros in Gran Turismo, the only 2 that’ll need to be premium-ized will be the 3rd gen and the 4th gen camaros, of course I couldn’t care less about the 4th gen camaro (I hate the design, it looks nothing like a muscle car), the 3rd gen camaro on the other hand, well, most people have already heard me preach about how much I want that car premium-ized, lol

  6. ohnoitsmeagain

    We need more british cars please, i would love to see the old aston’s as premium’s, as well as that car no 1 can spell the Kerningzeg, the car that tryed to kill the stig on british Top Gear ( not british but would love to see it in game ). No aston Race cars whats going on there :(

    1. tika

      The car you try to spell is the Koenigsegg A creation of the mind from the Swede: Christian.V Koenigsegg .
      a company how has already three models, the CCX from 2006, the CCXR from 2007 and this years model the Agera.

  7. FLX1981

    Congrats to Mary on the trophy and on her nice ride! I personally would have preferred that ultraincredible widebody Mustang tho…

  8. Jamaicangmah

    Damn those are some awwsome cars loving that mustang too, it’s a shame they only choose 1. Couldn’t they like take the top 10? Come on Kaz make it happen. :D

  9. JVH1982

    Hmm, I got a little chuckle when I saw the 1966 Mustang is powered by a GM LS7. Make a nice combo, but I agree, not a fan of the spoiler.

  10. hokiefan8686

    Man, I sure hope we turn on GT5 one day, go to GT Life, the little music plays for your login and it says the Camaro has been added to the garage.

  11. jammed79

    oppps MY BAD C.A.M.A.R.O…AND WHO CARES IF U DONT LIKE IT COME RACE ME AND SEE HOW BAD I BEAT U…PS.. IT DOES LOOK LIKE A WETBACK CAR AND U KNOW IT

  12. SaintSaiya

    I wanted that truck to win dam it, we dont have any premium trucks it should have been a nice addition, i mean forza 4 has a good selection of trucks.

  13. TheMonster2

    No offence to anyone, but the Stang looks awful. The Camaro also looks too standard, I think that 911 should have won.

  14. jammed79

    THE 71 CAMERO IS A VERY NICE CAR ALSO THE 68 Z28…WE HAVE A PROMOD DRAG CAR OF THE 68 Z28 WE RACE.BUT IM A FORD MAN AND THE FACT IS THIS 71 CAMERO LOOKS LIKE A MEXICAN GOT HOLD OF…..ALL IT NEEDS IS FUR ON THE DASH AND DICE ON THE REARVIEM MIRROR….U PEOPLE HAVE VERY BAD TASTE!!!

    1. SonicWagon

      Who people? Mexicans? Or the readers of this forum? Or Kaz?
      Who is we?

      At least Mexicans know how to spell camaro and fit 6 people in one. ;)

  15. tazj_7

    They have five best of categories for the GT awards, why can’t we get the best car from each category and not just the best overall. I know it equals more work PD but it would be kinda cool

  16. el fayce

    dislike this one should win

    [IMG]http://ll.speedhunters.com/u/f/eagames/NFS/speedhunters.com/Images/Mike%20Garrett/001nov/SEMA/class11.jpg[/IMG]

  17. Tompie913

    Wasn’t it a ’69 Camaro last year? Kaz must have a thing for vintage Camaros.

    And did the 911 really ever have chance of winning? It’s not like it could be in the game.

  18. cbabb

    I was hoping for something better. But this will do. Paint it yellow and you got the older version of BumbleBee.

  19. GTP_Yamicarlos

    I’m still wating for Porsches in Gran Turismo series. I know that EA has exclusive rights of it (that’s why forza don’t have it anymore), but hope is that last thing that goes away before we do.

  20. Raito_CZ

    Never seen this ugly american car but WOW its in the game =/ how amazing. Almost nobody in Europe is not interested… but where on the hell are Škoda and Tatra? Never heard of them? Then you cannot say you like cars.

  21. DaihatsuDriver

    I guess this is the closest I get to getting a 1974 Pontiac Firebird. I want to drive around pretending I’m Jim Rockford. At the sound of the tone leave your message xD

  22. montecarlo87

    Happy to see this. I’ve always liked the second gen Camaro. Still crossing my fingers for an 87 Montecarlo SS but lovin anything that isn’t another Skyline. ;P

  23. Barry Spock

    Nice lookin’ car. So does this mean we might see an Autocross event in GT6? Then all we need is guns to shoot.

  24. Projectoutlaw

    Its a good thing there were no GTR’s in the lineup. It would have been picked without him even looking at the other cars.

  25. Foxiol

    I´ll see DLC coming with some of this cars and one car will be the Toyota FT 86-II concept. We have a video of that car in GT TV. (Needed? Nope. Beautiful? Yes. Other Japanese car? Why not…)

    Back to the topic…amazing car.

    Out of topic again. I love this game but also i need only one thing and it is the engine sound. Just make it real, real, real.To me is the only thing that this game needs to be not only the best (it is, like it or not, haters…) but the best overall.

    (the graphic issues with shadows, trees and smoke in the corner is not an issue from the game itself it is our PS3 that can handle the real graphic content that GT5 has, as PC games downgraded for consoles- example BF3 i have both versions and know how it looks and is almost a pain to see how downgraded is the game…GT5 is a downgraded game and with all that it still looks amazing, despite the standard cars and glitches or bugs)…

    I must say to me “cool story bro”…but it is the true. GT lover indeed.

    1. Kesl

      NO, no, N. O. Toyota FT-86 mark2. did those words just come out of your fingers? Why? Don’t get me wrong. You are right not only in your opinion but you have the right and freedom to have one as you wish, and I humbly will not call you names or obscenities, it’s just. If you are going to put stuff out into the universe, why put that into the universe. Why not a Gumoert. I am counteracting your request officially right here right now. Universe, he meant Gumpert, Morgan Aeromax, Noble, Mossler any of those will do. Not the FT-86 Mk 2. Thank you.
      That’s Mossler with 2 s’s.

  26. daYELLOWk1d

    the camero is nice, but c’mon, the RWB porsche is a must! its so dope. GT needs to add more tuner stuff in the game.

    1. danger23

      look porsche needs to ether change there power plant or get faster as long as chevy is in le mans gt series it’s not going to be easy.

  27. danger23

    I like the winner and i’m a die hard gt fan,but pd needs to show the rest of the world some love,” meaning” american cars there’s not a big selection of premium’s,as it is nissan’s silvias that no one hardly uses,”get it”.Only older mod’s that are premium are codra,challenger.camero i would like to see cars like the dodge charger old and new how about the “chrysler 300 srt8 AWD” yeah they do have one.or some of these other cars around the world for example the supra vs silvia as a premium,it would be a land slide if it was a vote “supra”.Why have the castrol supra and not have the regular one.THAT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IS KINDA DRY JUST LIKE SOME OF THE REST.First place a gt player may go to buy mutiple car from over and over and over again is “nissan” they do have some nice one’s,some of them r the “haft to have cars”, but compare how many different kind of skyline are in this game as aposed to the mustang through the years “60’s-present” and the mod’s.The same for the other car company’s in america and all over the world.Don’t get me wrong they did a great job and i love it to death but like me and other gt fans since the begining want the evolution to lay a little hard for GT6.

    1. Vortex1be

      See I totally agree with what you said, but have you read your own comment? U only ask for American cars. Probably because you ARE American. I’m European and I would like to see more European cars. Its just human to want more of your own country. Patriotism won’t sound unfamiliar to you I think.

      Don’t get me wrong though, I like american cars alot aswell and there are indeed some very important cars missing. (you pretty much have them covered) But atleast every major car manufacturer from America is represented. I don’t see Porsche in the dealership and I think alot of people would like to have a go in a porsche. Although I like the RUF thing they did.

    2. danger23

      THAT’S NOT WHAT SAYING euro already has some of most famous cars on the game i want to see who’s knows what’s instore for the euro on gt6 all the cars that’s coming out the farrari fxx the 610 i thnk most of the euro cars are primeium the ZONDA-R HAS IT’S OWN DEALERSHIP WOULDN’T U WANT TO SEE MORE THAN JUST ONE CAR THERE I BET YOU HAVE MORE NISSAN PRODUCTS IN YOUR GARAGE THAN ANYTHING ELSE THINK ABOUT U HAVE A GTR SOMETHING IN THERE” NOW DON’T U”GTR RULES GT5 RATHER GT PERIOD LOVE THOSE CARS BUT I WANT TO SEE SOMTHING DIFFERENT.

    3. Vortex1be

      Sorry, but you totally lost me there. I know most of the Famous NEW European cars are in there, but the good old BMW e30 and e34 are cars I would really like to see in the game. Also a BMW M6 and a 1M would be interesting to have. Audi also has an RS6 which is not in the game. We only have the RS6 Avant, a TT RS, I can go on and on, but I won’t.

      It seems like you misunderstand me a bit. I totally agree with you, but you have to realize that the game is made in Japan and thats why there are so many Japanese cars.
      If it was a European game it would have more european cars, if it was an american game it would have more american cars. That’s all i’m saying. I was just trying to explain to you why there are so many Japanese cars. It’s probably much easier for them to borrow a japanese car so they can model it than it would be to borrow an American car.

    4. danger23

      I know that kaz is japanese but they could have done better with some of the selection. There are better cars out there than the one’s that are on the game.THEY COULD HAVE PUTS SOME OF THESE PRIMEUMS IN THE USED CAR LOT, I HOPE THE WHOLE WORLD GET AN UPGRADE.

  28. Kazzie77

    i wouldn’t mind paying for a DLC that included the GT winners
    -71 camaro (this year)
    – last years 69 camaro
    – the plymouth XNR
    And heck some of the runner-up cars while there at it like last year’s red AE86,the HPA VW, that widebody mustang the “porsche” LOL its a great idea.

  29. Benmastaw00t

    What an outstanding looking car, I can not wait to see this in the GT franchise. Perfect compliment to the Gran Touring Garage Mustang.

  30. MasterLeaf

    I hate ’71 Camaros. So unoriginal. Maybe this will change my mind. Still would have preferred the Plymouth though.

  31. ObscureSerenity

    Ah Vegas, how I miss thee…
    Sounds like you had a good time Jordan, awesome that you could have a nice wander around with Kaz.
    Is he as easy going and relaxed as he looks?

    1. Jordan

      Yep, he is very kind and seemed very relaxed and happy – I think he especially enjoys SEMA and talking with the car owners. Though he’s obviously known for producing video games, he is a true car enthusiast at heart and is extremely knowledgeable about all things automotive.

    2. VspecZR1GT2RS89

      I can’t wait for the interview Jordan! I also live in Vegas, I would attened it, but I had car trouble and I don’t know how to obtain tickets. :/ Next year, I’ll be there. By the way, I’m lovin’ that ’71 Camaro.

  32. Praggia

    Coming to the next Gran Turismo game?? Why not as DLC – free of course cos i would not pay for that. It just doesn’t blow me away to be honest. Kaz what were you thinking man ???

  33. madracer

    Hmmmm..Not Impressed!!! The car looks too standard for a SEMA winner. Chip Foose wold done greater job on the this Camaro. The Porsche and Mustang have good looks. Why do they have selected the Porsche for the competition if they don’t have their License?? Weird????

  34. Mac K

    How anyone can hate a 1971 Camaro is beyond me.. especially one like that.. Have some respect guys. Congrats to Mary and everyone else! That F150 and RWB Porsche look great as well. I want to go to SEMA one day!

  35. grashopper

    Would have been funny if the Porsche had won best in show ;)
    It’s EA’s fault you had no chance of winning Porsche guy

    1. CarBastard

      Yeah, it’s sad…

      Why can’t Porsche see that all EA is gonna do with their license is show the world that the 911 is the quickest way of oversteering into a ditch and crashing in flames in a very MichalBay-esque kind of way??? At least in GT when people crash their 911s, due to the quirky driving habits of RR drivetrain, there’s no real damage and no death or omgz i lost 25m dollars and Christina Hendricks…

    2. Momoniu

      but if the porsche did win it would show up in the dealership as a Mark Arcenal’s 911 C4, as he has tuned and modified it.

  36. TeamOrecaViper

    the red mustang is way cooler and downforce and lower :p
    the camaro looks like a stock one with some paints on it :/

    1. 07_HSV_GTS

      I don’t like the Camaro or Mustang, I would of prefered one of the 2010 Camaro’s from last year or this year but that’s not what happened. But out of the list of award cars I would of went with the Ford Truck that thing is awesome.

  37. CarBastard

    A japanese game about interesting cars should by law have a Rauh-Welt tuned Porsche. However, I thank you KY for not choosing that bloody awful pick-up track or that Mustang that makes me dwell between loving/hating it.

    1. cheba

      Jason_B: That’s actually not the case with the RUFs. They are not branded as a tuner. RUF is officially a manufacturer.

    2. dj-smurph

      RUF recieve care body shells from Porsche they then put their own VIN on the chassis that designates it as a RUF

    3. N99GT

      Mark Arcenal’s custom 1990 Porsche 911 C4 personally i think that this car should have won!

      such a sick car we need some of Nakai San’s rides in GT5!!!!

    4. CtrlAltDelete

      That would be like calling the Tesla Roadster a Lotus just because it uses Elise gliders.

      RUF =/= Porsche.

      PD can not use any Porsche (as far as I know) so I doubt they could have used it, even if they called it a tuner, it’s still a Porsche.

    1. 07_HSV_GTS

      That Mustang that is there wasn’t one of the best looking Mustangs then they made it worst by adding the spoiler and front bar.

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