Every year, the SEMA Show->ke216 in Las Vegas showcases some of the biggest and brightest aftermarket tuning projects in the world. It's an absolute haven for car enthusiasts because it offers a different approach in automotive enthusiasm.

SEMA offers no shortage of special events and one in particular has drawn significant attention from all the exhibitors in attendance: the Gran Turismo GT Awards.

The GT Awards is held each year during SEMA to give exhibitors the unique opportunity to have their aftermarket creations featured in a future installment of the critically acclaimed Gran Turismo video game franchise. This year, the GT Awards will have a number of categories, including Truck/SUV, Asian Import, European Import, Domestic Auto and Hot Rod.

One vehicle will be chosen from each of the five categories, where they will fall under the scrutiny of the man behind the Gran Turismo franchise, Polyphony Digital CEO Kazunori Yamauchi.

Of these five cars, Yamauchi will be the one to choose one car that will win the "Best in Show" prize and more importantly, the opportunity to be featured in a future installment of Gran Turismo.

A year ago, the winning car - a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro with a 7.0-liter V-8 engine that produces 762 horsepower and more than 800 lb/ft of torque - came from the 'Hot Rod' category and was modified by GM engineer Mark Stielow.

Who'll take the cake this year? We'll have to wait for SEMA to find out.

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