The next batch of young gamers hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jann Mardenborough, Lucas Ordóñez and Bryan Heitkotter are starting to emerge around the world with the latest national Nissan PlayStation GT Academy finals taking place in recent weeks.

With judges on hand to oversee their progress, including last year's European winner Romain Sarazin, gamers from live events in Morocco, Egypt and Algeria gathered in Luxor, Egypt last weekend for a series of tests to find the racing driver of the future.

Out of the 20 gamers who competed in the North Africa final in Luxor, the six heading to the International Race Camp in Silverstone in October are Hassan Mostafa and Mohamed Waly from Egypt, Karim Teggar, Mohamed Madaci and Kamel Madaci from Algeria, and Oussama Benjellon from Morocco.

The Thailand National final took place recently and over the next two weeks gaming hopefuls from Australia, Mexico, Indonesia and the Philippines will contest their National Finals.

During this National Finals period, contestants competed against each other via simulators, physical fitness and an actual driving test.

Australian National Final winner Matt Simmons took the International GT Academy victory last year and joins Sarazin behind the wheel this season in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup.

The International Race Camp will feature six finalists from Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, Philippines and Thailand and last weekend's winners from North Africa (Algeria, Egypt and Morocco).