Think you got what it takes to become a real race car driver? Well here's you're chance to do so as PlayStation and Polyphony Digital have teamed up with Nissan North America to bring you GT Academy, a competition that takes the best Gran Turismo 5 players and pits them into the real thing, a chance to become a professional race car driver.

Starting December 20, "all participants will compete in a series of GT5 online trials using Nissan cars and will be narrowed down to the top 32 virtual racers in the U.S. They will be invited to compete to become one of 16 GT Academy finalists in the live national finals event in March 2011. The 16 finalists will compete in a series of challenges, including behind the wheel of real Nissan race cars, for a chance to become a professional race driver as the GT Academy winner. The ultimate GT Academy winner will train with elite race car drivers and race as part of a professional team."

And if that wasn't enough, the best gamers will be documented in a multi-episode reality show airing exclusively on SPEED channel and the PlayStation Network in 2011.

"With the upcoming launch of Gran Turismo 5, it's a very exciting time to team with Nissan to announce GT Academy," said Scott A. Steinberg, VP of Product Marketing, SCEA. "With the realistic racing experience that only Gran Turismo 5 provides, GT Academy will identify someone who truly has the skills to become a pro race car driver, providing the chance of a lifetime to win the ultimate prize."

"This is a great opportunity for Nissan to bring GT Academy to the U.S. and support the launch of Gran Turismo 5" said Jon Brancheau, Vice President Marketing, Nissan. "Gran Turismo 5 provides an amazingly realistic racing experience and we're taking that to the next level by putting 16 finalists behind the wheel of a Nissan race car with the chance to become a race driver with a professional team. Nissan vehicles are known for innovation and performance, so this is a perfect way to demonstrate and deliver on that promise."

For those interested, be sure to register for GT Academy, which opens on December 6th at the official Gran Turismo website. Gran Turismo 5 will be available on November 24, 2010.

Via [US PlayStation Blog]

Tweet

66.7% of voters think this story ROCKS!

Vote Now!    (4) (2)