On Saturday, May 6, two key contributors to Microsoft's Xbox 360 Project Gotham Racing (PGR) franchise will climb behind the wheel of a Noble M400 supercar to compete in the 2006 Tire Rack Cannonball One Lap of America Presented by Car and Driver Magazine.

PGR Art Director Kiki Wolfkill and Game Design Director Chris Novak will travel almost 5,000 miles in eight days, stopping off at nine of America's premier racetracks along the way for timed competitions. While the two video game professionals have logged thousands of hours of virtual seat time in Xbox 360 racing games like Project Gotham Racing 3 and Forza Motorsport, they also are no strangers to real-world racing.

The two will drive a Noble M400 from 1g Racing, the sole Noble distributor in the U.S. One of the cars featured in Project Gotham Racing 3; the Noble M400 recently received the prestigious Britain's Best Driver's Car Award from Autocar Magazine UK.

As they hurtle through nine states in eight days, Wolfkill and Novak will file daily reports from the road (and track).

A video crew from Voom HD Networks will accompany Team Xbox throughout the race, videotaping all of the action, with footage airing later this year on Gameplay HD.

"Our goal in participating in this year's One Lap is to raise awareness about the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating system for video games, and to highlight family settings available in electronic gaming consoles like Xbox 360," says Wolfkill.

Microsoft and Best Buy have teamed up to help ensure parents are aware of the tools available to help them provide a safe, secure entertainment experience for their families.

As part of the campaign, Xbox 360 wristbands, with different phrases including Life is Your Game and Challenge Me are available exclusively at U.S. Best Buy stores for $1. All proceeds will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America in support of the Club Tech program, founded by Microsoft, which trains youth to use technology safely and responsibly.

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