Xbox 360 “pilots” need to start their warming laps as “Forza Motorsport 3” for Xbox 360 developed by Turn 10 of Microsoft Game Studios has hit store shelves in the United States. Microsoft and Turn 10 managed a fast lap between the starting point, five months ago when the game was unveiled at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, and what the Redmond company considers the finish line for “Forza Motorsport 3,” namely availability in the retail channel. The software giant revealed that it was pleased to be able to offer members of the Xbox community the next iteration of the Forza Motorsport franchise, the highest-rated racing game on Xbox 360.

“The reviews are in. The wait is over. The definitive racing game is here,” noted Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “The passion and automotive expertise of our team at Turn 10 is evident in every track, headlight and lug nut in ‘Forza Motorsport 3.’ This is the game for anyone who loves cars, regardless of age or skill level.”

Rated E for Everyone, “Forza Motorsport 3” comes with a price tag of $59.99. But in addition to the $60 Standard Edition, Microsoft and Turn 10 are also offering a Limited Collector’s Edition selling only through GameStop in the US for $79.99. Completely out of the box, gamers will be able to enjoy in excess of 400 cars and 100 tracks, but according to the Redmond company, Game Add-on content has also been packaged into “Forza Motorsport 3.”

“Forza Motorsport 3” is not just for racers and drifters — painters and tuners are also invited to hit the garage with the game’s deep Livery editor. Taking advantage of more painting tools and tuning options than ever, Import Tuner magazine is further fueling the creative fires by tapping into the “Forza Motorsport” community to help design a paint job in-game that will appear on a real-life, fully upgraded, track-ready 2009 Nissan 370Z.