Sony Computer Entertainment Australia and Nissan Motor Company Australia have announced today that the GT Academy program will make its way to Australia this year.
The GT Academy program is an international virtual-to-reality contest that allows the best Gran Turismo gamers to compete for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a real-life professional race driver.
Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment Australia, Michael Ephraim commented on the GT Academy, saying “The GT franchise continues to be extremely important to PlayStation, and we are proud of our close partnership with Nissan.”
“GT Academy is an exceptional programme and we look forward to following the journey of the fastest Aussie GT gamers as they transfer their skills to the real-world!”
For players to start off in the GT Academy, the top 14 Australian Gran Turismo players are identified through recording a series of online time trials using pre-selected digital Nissan vehicles available only in Gran Turismo 6. An additional 14 players will be selected from live events to be held at a number of public events around Australia (including at V8 Supercar Championship events).
The 28 will battle each other in a National Final event, where the top six will be invited to take part in the Final Selection Round at Silverstone Circuit in the UK. The Australian finalists will compete with 24 finalists from all over the world.
More information on the GT Academy and where live events will be held can be found through the official GT Academy Facebook page, NISMO Australia’s Facebook page and through Nissan Australia.