Alan Boiston of VVV Gamer has picked on something really interesting in his newest news video (see below) as two major racing game franchises are due to make a return this year.

According to MCV magazine, Project Gotham Racing 5 is planned to be shown off at this years’ E3 expo. The first-ever Project Gotham Racing was a launch title for the original Xbox back in 2001 and with the third Xbox to make its debut at E3 as well, a new PGR title would be the perfect fit.

Following the release of Project Gotham Racing 4 in 2007, the franchise was discontinued with the exception of one mobile title as the developing studio Bizarre Creations was bought by Activision and closed in 2011. That means that a new PGR title will have to be developed by a new studio, back in 2009 Microsoft was said to be on the lookout for a new studio but PGR5 was never mentioned again until now.

Another title to make a return is GRID as Codemasters are apparently planning on a successor for the original title that was released back in the summer of 2008. Since then, Codemasters have very much focused on making the most of their Formula One license as well as the DiRT franchise, GRID 2 is rumored to be first shown on the E3 as well with the release possibly planned for 2013.