Forza Motorsport 3

LONDON – 29 July 2009 - Xbox® today announced Swiss born, female racing sensation Natacha Gachnang as the European ‘Face of Forza’ to celebrate the upcoming launch of Forza Motorsport® 3 for the Xbox 360® from Microsoft.

Launching on 23 October 2009, Forza Motorsport 3, is the definitive racing game for everyone from hardcore tuners to anyone who’s ever dreamed of driving at full-throttle. Who better than Gachnang to speak to its incredible realism and thrilling driving action.

In December 2008, Gachnang was announced as the first ever female driver to race in the FIA Formula Two Championships. The 21 year old, who is the cousin of Formula One driver Sébastien Buemi, is currently shining in her debut season racing under MotorSport Vision.

Natacha also spent some time in Seattle as a consultant on the game, giving advice on the realism of some of the tracks she has raced in her career, as well as critiquing the sounds and set ups of the cars she has driven. Gachnang also explored the customisation and tuning elements of the game and created her own car.

The ultimate thrill seeker, Gachnang lists heliskiing as one of her favourite hobbies and she jumped at the chance to test her experience of the road on the breathtaking virtual tracks of Forza 3.

“What a buzz – the tracks, the cars, the handling – the attention to detail is incredible. Forza 3 is a car fans dream! It really feels like I’m right there, in the car, racing round the tracks, all in the comfort of my own living room!” said Natacha Gachnang

Launching this October exclusively on Xbox 360, "Forza Motorsport 3" unites the racing game genre making it possible for everyone to experience the thrill of the world's most exotic and exquisite cars.

You can take the wheel of over 400 of the most loved cars on the planet on over 100 different tracks, including the sublime Audi R8 and the infamous German Nürburgring.

Developed by Turn 10 and Microsoft Studios, Game Director Dan Greenawalt stated, “A love of all things cars lives in everyone at Turn 10. It’s fantastic to see this mirrored in Natacha. Her passion and expertise for racing is clear to see and the realism of the game really lets her skills as a driver shine through. From a pro driver like Natacha to anyone who has a passion for cars, Forza Motorsport 3 has something for everyone.”

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For press information, please contact:

Nik Thakkar / 020 3047 4087 / nik_thakkar@jcpr.com

Georgina Edwards / 020 3047 4057 / georgina_edwards@jcpr.com

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