Focus ST will get racy at Goodwood

The latest generation of Ford's hottest of hot hatches will be making a special appearance at this weekend's festival of all things automotive where it will take on a virtual version of itself in the event's notorious Hill Climb.

In what is being touted as a world-first, the new car is set to take part in a virtual-vs-real race. In the real corner, Ben Collins, stunt and racing driver extraordinaire and the former Stig from BBC's 'Top Gear,' will drive an actual Focus ST on the actual Hill Climb course while an equally proficient gamer will take to the PS3 to drive its digital representation over the course as it appears in racing game 'Gran Turismo 6.'

The action will be displayed on big screens erected around the grounds and anyone attending the Goodwood Festival of Speed will also get a chance to see if they can set a virtual course record by playing the game too.

To give gamers a fighting chance -- after all The Stig's abilities with a car are legendary -- the cars will race three times, once each day.

As for what the new ST will have under its hood or what that will do to its top speed or acceleration, Ford is keeping very tight-lipped and won't be revealing any information about specifications until the car's official unveiling on June 27.

Now in its 21st year, the Goodwood festival of Speed is held in the grounds of Goodwood House, West Sussex and has become to motoring in the UK what Glastonbury has become for music.

The centerpiece of the event is the 1.68km (1.16-mile) hill climb course, which features 9 tree-lined turns and which rises over 90 meters (300 feet) from start to finish, making it one of the most demanding tests of any car or driver.