Description:

The Nissan PlayStation GT Academy (also The NISMO PlayStation GT Academy or GT Academy; GT abbreviated from Gran Turismo) was an international virtual-to-reality contest that allowed the video gamers of the Gran Turismo game the opportunity to become a real-world car racing driver.

Created in June 2008 in collaboration between Nissan Europe, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Polyphony Digital, GT Academy provided an alternative route into professional motor racing for people.

The contest comprised different phases. Players began with virtual racing on PlayStation's Gran Turismo, and progressed to National Finals before the winners of each region competed for real in actual Nissan cars at Race Camp. This experience involved week-long testing and challenges which also involved elimination. Since 2008, Race Camp had always been based at Silverstone Circuit, UK, where the title of GT Academy Winner was awarded to whoever demonstrated the greatest potential to make the switch from Gran Turismo gamer to real racer.

Competition winners were rewarded with a place in Nissan's Driver Development Programme as well as entry into an international race or series with Nissan.

GT Academy was originally run only across Europe. The sixth season in 2014 grew to include separate competitions for Europe (France, Italy, UK, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Russia, Sweden, Poland and Czech Republic), Germany, North America (USA and Canada) and an International group (Australia, India, Middle East, Mexico and Thailand). 

Nissan's Driver Development Programme was included to try and assist GT Academy Winners to develop the skills needed to compete against those with years of car racing experience. Over six seasons, more than five million people had entered GT Academy via PlayStation 3. GT Academy Winners who qualified to compete in the international race or series were also considered for a potential future racing career with Nissan as a NISMO Athlete.
 

About the car: The cars were built for racing from a brand new road car direct from the Nissan Factory by RJN Motorsport. They were fitted with an FIA Approved Roll cage and interior stripped. They were fitted with 2 bucket seats for coaching and a brake pedal on the passenger side. Safety equipment inc. plumbled in fire extinguisher and battery isolator. Finished off with carbon door cards. 
 

Outside a GT4 body kit and carbon rear wing were fitted. The car still has its correct Academy wrap and number. 
 

Underneath the car features a Nismo LSD with adjustable preload and plates. The main feature on this car are the Ohlins 2 way TTX dampers, these give the car excelent handling. The brakes are still standard apart from an upgrade to the pad compound. Tyres are Toyo R888.

Upgrades to the standard Academy spec include a short shifter kit to the gear lever as well as a full lexan window kit inc. front and rear windscreen. 
 

This is a really cost effective way of buying a competitive club level GT car with a great piece of history that is sure to only go up in value with time. 

Keyword Search Terms:

GT, Nissan, Club Enduro, Britcar, 370z