From virtual to reality
Ever dreamed of driving a real racing car instead of one on a computer screen? Well, Nissan and PlayStation have given two gamers the chance to turn their dreams into reality, by training them to race in the Dubai 24hr Endurance Challenge.
We all know what it’s like to race a car around a track at high speed… in the comfort of your own living room, that is, whilst playing a driving simulation game like
Gran Turismo. ‘This is a piece of cake!’ you yell at the television, before readjusting your cushion and taking a swig of tea. ‘I’d be brilliant at this in real life.’
Well, with a little help from Nissan, PlayStation has called gamers’ bluff. Two
Gran Turismo players will be taking their driving skills out of their living rooms and on to the road, in the real-life Dubai 24hr endurance race in January 2009.
The two players – Lars Schlömer from Germany and Lucas Ordóñez from Spain – were discovered through the GT Academy tournament, which has been running since June.
A new AcademiaThe GT Academy has been a gruelling three-month competition to find two gamers fit to take the challenge of racing a real Nissan 350z against professional drivers.
Over 25,000 players all across Europe entered by recording their best
Gran Turismo race times on the PlayStation network. The top players from each country then went on to compete in the GT Academy at Silverstone at the end of August.
The finals at SilverstoneFor five days, 22 competitors from across Europe were pitted against each other in a boot-camp style event held at the legendary British Grand Prix circuit. Under the watchful eyes of a panel of judges that included ex-Formula One driver Johnny Herbert, the competitors went through exams, psychological workshops, tough fitness tests and, of course, racing around the famous track.
Gradually – and emotionally – the players were eliminated, including UK hopeful Matthew Gordon, who made it to the final eight. Finally, at the end of the last day, the two winners were decided upon – not only due to their driving ability, but also thanks to their level of commitment and determination, which are very important attributes needed to race cars professionally.
A dream come trueApart from playing
Gran Turismo, Lars, 28, drives quite a lot in reality: he is a taxi driver by profession. Going from driving his cab at 12mph between red light to red light to racing a supercar at 150mph in the Dubai 24hr endurance challenge will be a massive jump for him.
“I have wanted this for the last 10 years of my life but I just never had the chance,” he said, breaking down in tears when he won. “This is amazing. I truly would have been heartbroken if I hadn’t won.”
But the challenge is far from over for Lars and Luca. Their lives are now being put on hold as they face a four-month training programme to earn their racing licences and become a part of the Nissan team in January. It is for them a dream come true.
And it just goes to show that with a little help, virtual reality can become actual reality. Best plump that cushion and get practising… you never know where it might lead.
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