Nissan has kicked off the Mumbai qualifying rounds of the GT Academy at R City Mall, Ghatkopar. The qualifying rounds of GT Academy in Mumbai are being held from March 20 to 23. The GT Academy is a driver discovery and development programme that is being organised by Nissan in major cities across the country. The New Delhi qualifying rounds are already over. Post the Mumbai qualifying rounds, GT Academy will be hosted at shopping malls in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai.
The Nissan GT Academy is a virtual reality platform that tests the racing skills of gaming and motorsport enthusiasts. After registration, participants are allowed to drive on PlayStation GT6 racing simulators for around 10 minutes with the intention of clocking their fastest lap time.
Out of the five cities, fourteen contestants who clock the quickest lap times will be eligible to compete in the national final. The final contestants will need to go through a two-day intensive physical and mental training examination programme, following which only six contestants will be shortlisted. These six contestants will be eligible for the International Race Camp at Silverstone in the UK.
At the Silverstone Race Camp, the six shortlisted Indian contestants will compete against 18 contestants from other nations. Under the supervision of motorsports experts, their driving skills will be tested and honed on the Formula One Silverstone motor racing circuit, in Nismo-tuned Nissan 370Zs and GT-Rs. The Silverstone Race Camp will select one overall winner, who will move on to the Driver Development Programme and learn all the skills necessary to compete in an international ‘graduation race’.
Speaking on the ocassion, Kenichiro Yomura, president, Nissan India operations, “We’re delighted to launch GT Academy in India; bringing the programme here reinforces our commitment to growing the Nissan brand and developing relationships with both existing and potential customers. GT Academy really proves that Nissan stands for innovation and excitement for everyone.”
The international Nissan PlayStation GT Academy is currently in its sixth year. The GT Academy in India is open to everyone over the age of 18 and with a valid driving license. However, professional racers and those with a certain amount of motorsport experience are not eligible to participate.
GT Academy Schedule:
March 20-23, 2014: R-City Mall, Ghatkopar, Mumbai
April 17-20, 2014: Inorbit Mall, Hyderabad
May 15-18, 2014: Mantri Mall, Bangalore
June 5-8, 2014: Express Avenue Mall, Royapettah, Chennai
Uday Singh
Dipan Sur
Glenn Noronha
Viraaj Bhatnagar
