ManiaPlanet now features a countdown timer ticking off the seconds until the launch of the multiplayer beta for TrackMania 2 Canyon, which will take place one week from today on August 17th at 6:00 pm EDT (thanks Frans). Preordering the Nadeo's racing sequel grants automatic access to the beta; here's word:

We’ve never been that close to the launch and it is time for us to go even faster : may the red booster be with us!

That’s the reason why we’re offering from August 17 onwards, until the launch of the game, the multiplayer beta to each one of you buying TrackMania² Canyon.

It is a turning checkpoint for Ubisoft Nadeo as we will be opening doors to all of the players willing to jump into the 1st ManiaPlanet online title right away.

For $24,99 / £19,99, you will be able to buy the game before the launch and install the multiplayer beta, which includes the map editor and the mediatracker (for videos editing). Upon release day, the beta version will be automatically updated to the finale and complete version of the game.

It will be available on www.trackmania.com.

Should you fear to forget about it, here is a little widget to install on your PC : it will recall you the time left before D-Day and zero hour