Gran Turismo 5 Asia online tournament starts this month

Update: The first place winner prize has recently been updated. The story is updated to reflect that change.

Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong recently announced that it will be hosting the Gran Turismo 5 Asia online tournament for fans and avid players of the driving simulation title. The contest is open for PlayStation Network members from Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

The tournament is officially open right now. To participate, players will need to select Seasonal Event under GT Mode, and then select the Asia Online Tournament 2012 option. Players will need to send in their best lap time for the time trials using the Fuji Speedway F course and driving the Nissan Calsonic IMPUL GT-R (Super GT) '08 car. The deadline to submit lap times is May 4.

GT5 fans can race in style for the prize that is TGS 2012.

The first place winner for each region will win a two-way air ticket to Malaysia -with hotel accommodation--to attend the finals of the Super GT Sepang Grand Prix in the Sepang Circuit. Second place winners will get S$320 ($254) for use on the PlayStation Network store. Third place winners will get S$160 ($127) also for use in the PSN store. All participants who have gained an in-game gold trophy in the contest and events will earn a Nissan Calsonic IMPUL GT-R '08 car for their in-game collection.

The results for the regional winners will be announced on May 4. The winner for the finals on June 10 will get two-way air tickets to Japan to attend the Tokyo Game Show held on September this year. Hotel accommodations will be provided for the winner. The winner will also get to go on a tour in Polyphony Digital Inc. studios and have dinner with designer Kazunori Yamauchi.

Check out the full details on Sony HK's page for the contest. For more information on Gran Turismo 5, check out GameSpot's recent coverage on the racing title.