Nissan GT Academy recruiting South African PS3 players

Nissan’s famous GT Academy is coming to South Africa to rope-in some PS3 players for the chance of a lifetime – to become a real-life racing driver.

Having already proven a success overseas, the GT Academy is challenging local gamers to test their skills in Gran Turismo 5 with the Nissan GT-R and 370Z.

The challenge requires players to compete in a number of console-based races and stages, before earning your way to the real-life racetrack in England.

The first step requires South African gamers to download the Gran Turismo Qualification Demo, and compete to earn their place in the final 24.

The National Finals (stage two) will let the 24 fight it out to leave on 8 standing, who will then be joined by 8 finalists from the Middle East.

From there, the last 16 will take to the GT Academy Race Camp at Silverstone in the UK, where they will learn to master the Nissan GT-R and 370Z.

The overall winner will then be taken to the Driver Development Programme (DDP) and undergo a three-month training schedule to qualify for an international racing license and the ultimate prize – competing in the Silverstone 24 hours in 2014.

The GT Academy has proven to produce real race-drivers, as Spain’s Lucas Ordoñez (2008 GT Academy winner) is contesting the European Le Mans Series and took part at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, along with Frenchman Jordan Tresson (2010 winner), who competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The GT Academy’s 2011 winner, Jann Mardenborough (UK) currently competes in the British GT Championship and the Blancpain Endurance Series.

The GT Academy opens its virtual doors to gamers on 15 October 2012, with the selection of finalists taking place between 15 December 2012 and mid-January 2013. The top 24 – including those qualifiers who will progress on to Silverstone – will be announced at the end of January 2013.