Nissan brings the first GT Acadamy in the Phiippines

Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) is the newest participant of the virtual-to-pro racing competition, the GT Academy. 

GT Academy gained prominence since its inception in 2008. Now on its seventh installment, this globally played competition sees an expansion in the form of the new GT Academy Asia, in which Philippines will be pitting against other Asian countries including Japan in the battle to become the GT Academy Champion. 

“With the launch of GT Academy in the Philippines, we at Nissan offer an exciting opportunity for Filipinos to emerge as a breakthrough talent in the racing world,” said Antonio Zara, President and Managing Director of Nissan Philippines, Inc. 

With GT Academy, any player who can prove their driving skills in the world of video games can compete in a real racetrack. The GT Academy International Champion 2014 Ricardo Sanchez flew in all the way from UK to attend the launch. After winning last year’s competition, Ricardo’s racing career took off after he joined Nissan’s elite motor sport team, the NISMO, to run the coveted tracks of the prestigious Dubai 24-Hour race in January 2015.

GT Academy takes skilled Gran Turismo 6 players and turns them into professional racers in five stages.

Thousands of hopefuls will be narrowed down to the top 20 gamers to be determined by time trials taking place behind the wheel of GT pods during live racing events. 

The National Finals will determine top 6 Filipino players who will go to the next round and go bumper-to-bumper with the best Gran Turismo drivers in Asia. 

Players will be tested on their strength, stamina, mental agility and driving skills against Asia’s best at the Silverstone Racing Circuit in UK.

The emerging GT Academy Champion in Asia will join other GT Academy winners in a rigorous training under the wing of professional coaches and racers at the Silverstone Racing Circuit in UK.

After passing the Driver Development Program, graduates will receive their International C License, allowing them to compete in a prestigious racing eventanywhere in the world.

“We are looking forward to discovering even more new stars in 2015. Anyone in the Philippines who thinks they have what it takes should give GT Academy a go. Not everyone can win, but the experience is hugely rewarding at every stage of the competition.” said GTA Global’s Managing DirectorLaurence Wiltshire.

With the GT Academy, any player who can prove their driving skills in the world of video games can compete in a real racetrack. From the time trials in the recruitment stage that will run until June, the 20 fastest gamers will advance to the National Finals in July, where they will shift to real cars. The top 6 drivers will join Asia’s best at the Race Camp Week in August at the prestigious Silverstone Racing Circuit in the UK where they will be tested on their strength, stamina, mental agility and of course, driving skills. The emerging winner will join others from the different regions in a series of rigorous training under the Driver Development Program.

“I actually love driving. I feel free and in control at the same time,”Sam related. “My mom’s driver taught me how to drive when I was about 16. I would drive myself to high school secretly and park really far so no one would see me driving. But I let my friends go on a ride with me after school hours,”she chuckled before adding that her school was only 15 minutes away from her house.

“I think of myself as a relaxed driver. Better safe than sorry, I don’t want any accidents. But in the Nissan GT Academy pods, I can drive as fast as I want, the rush is quite addictive,”shared the two-time winner of FHM’s Philippine Sexiest Woman in the World title and former housemate of the reality series Pinoy Big Brother. Sam started her career as a commercial model. Many recognize her for her role as Neneng B in the comedy TV show ‘Bubble Gang’ where she starred in the segment ‘Pick-Up Lines Battle’ which became a widespread hit and was adapted into the big screen.

For GT Academy updates and Live Event schedules, please visit Nissan Philippines Inc’s Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/NissanPhilippinesInc.

Nissan GT Academy launch in the Philippines

Nissan GT Academy launch in the Philippines

Nissan GT Academy launch in the Philippines

Nissan GT Academy launch in the Philippines

Nissan GT Academy launch in the Philippines

Nissan GT Academy launch in the Philippines

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