Indians compete in Nissan Playstation GT Academy

Six Indian youngsters, who have the best set of skills playing on PlayStation GT6 racing simulators in the country, will see their driving skills further tested and honed on the Formula One Silverstone motor racing circuit in Nismo-tuned Nissan 370Zs and GT-Rs. From virtual driving to real driving, several Indian youngsters are currently going through the programme laid down at the Nissan Playstation GT Academy. Eventually after several rounds, six would be shortlisted to go to the UK.

At the GT Academy’s Silverstone Race Camp, all will be eliminated, save one who will then move on to the Driver Development Programme and learn all the skills necessary to compete in an international ‘graduation race’.

Ordinary people across the world, with an aspiration to pursue a career in motor racing have found the opportunity of their lifetime in the Nissan PlayStation GT Academy driver discovery and development programme.

The international award-winning Nissan PlayStation GT Academy is in its sixth year and has been hugely popular and successful in Europe, Russia, the USA, the Middle East and South Africa. India too is now part of this international league.

According to a Nissan India press release, in the hunt for motor racing talent in India, Nissan PlayStation GT Academy has witnessed promising racing aspirants in both Delhi and Mumbai, with the latter topping the leaderboard thus far. The award-winning and internationally acclaimed driver discovery programme will complete qualifying rounds in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai by June 2014 before finalising the quickest 14 lap times that emerge out of all five cities in contention for the first Indian edition of GT Academy, said a Nissan India report.

Launched in India in February 2014, Nissan PlayStation GT Academy attracted a large number of entries in less than two months. Over 2000 aspiring racers participated in GT Academy’s qualifying rounds conducted at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, and in shopping malls in Delhi (NCR) and Mumbai.

The most recent qualifying round was held in Mumbai in March. The Hyderabad round completes on April 20, 2014. Kenichiro Yomura, President Nissan India operations, said, “We are delighted to have launched GT Academy in India. The programme is reinforcing the commitment of growing the Nissan brand in India. GT Academy really proves that Nissan stands for innovation and excitement for everyone.”

Atindriya Bose, Country Head, PlayStation India added, “The partnership with Nissan allows us to offer a combination of the virtual and real life experience of racing one’s dream car on one of the world’s most coveted circuits. The programme will test the racing acumen of enthusiasts on PlayStation GT6 racing simulators that focus on a high-end simulated driving experience. At Delhi and Mumbai, we have already witnessed a furore of excitement amongst gamers and racers and I'm sure in Hyderabad, it’s going to go to the next level. We expect this to be a tough challenge.”

GT Academy is an innovative platform that offers aspiring racers and gaming enthusiasts to register, compete and potentially win a place in the coveted driver discovery and development programme.

Entered by racing on the Gran Turismo6 video game, exclusive to PlayStation3, GT Academy is a ‘virtual to reality’ programme that will test the racing acumen of enthusiasts through a time-trial competition on PlayStation GT6 racing simulators. The time-trials should be considered as qualifying rounds and will be hosted as ‘Live Events’ at shopping malls in New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai.

Already popular in other countries as the gateway to motorsports, Nissan PlayStation GT Academy extends exactly the same platform to motor racing aspirants in India. Entrants will have to first race on simulators and if they prove to be quick enough, can go through to the National Final.

Fourteen (14) quickest lap times from Live Events and another fourteen (14) from Online Qualification rounds – 28 in total - will be eligible to enter the National Final - the first gateway to GT Academy’s coveted International Race Camp.

At a later stage, an online qualifying round will be hosted on the Sony Entertainment Network Account (SEN) earlier popular as PlayStation Network (PSN).

The 28 contestants who enter the National Final will need to go through a two-day intensive physical and mental training examination programme which will filter out only six contestants who will be eligible for the International Race Camp at Silverstone in the United Kingdom.

Popular among international contestants as the best one week of their lives, the Silverstone Race Camp will include the six shortlisted Indian contestants and pit them against 18 qualified contestants (six each) from other nations that are also new to the programme. Under the supervision of experts from the world of motorsports all international contestants will undergo and endure exhaustive training for mental and physical strength.

Picture for representation purpose/ Courtesy Nissan