Finalists set for Nissan GT Academy race camp 2016 at Silverstone

Nissan's GT Academy competition includes Mexico, Indonesia, Australia, North Africa (Algeria, Egypt and Morocco), Thailand and the Philippines. Together these regions form Nissan GT Academy 2016.The National Finals for each region recently took 20 hopefuls through their paces to find the best of the best. Men and women ages 18- to 40-plus-years-old had their physical capabilities tested, their mental strength stretched and their real world driving skills assessed.

The result: A diverse range of 36 finalists – six from each region – are now heading to Silverstone Circuit in the UK for International Race Camp beginning October 18. In the end, one winner will be crowned Nissan GT Academy Champion 2016.

Among them, and for the very first time in Nissan GT Academy's history, a female finalist is in the mix. Elysse Menorca from The Philippines has proved #SheDares with Nissan and heads to the UK with her sights firmly set on the motor racing prize of a drive at the prestigious Dubai 24 hour race.

We also welcome our oldest competitor to date, 46-year-old Kanokphan Wathanakitanan from Thailand, who has proved age does not have to be a barrier to entry in a competition that is accessible to all.

Getting to International Race Camp was not easy. Live events were held over the summer in each country at venues including Nissan dealerships, shopping malls, exhibitions and hotels. During the competition, over 135,000 entrants to Nissan GT Academy were offered something truly unique for the first time this year; all were able to enter by competing on a unique demo version of Sony's flagship GT Sport game that's not yet available to anyone else in the world. No home console needed, no vast costs involved – anyone could register, turn up and play.This unparalleled access to PlayStation's latest and greatest game was prize enough for our competitors. With their best times set, the 20 entrants from each country attended their own National Final.Previous winners of GT Academy have gone on to win in the real world at the highest level. Most recently, Jann Mardenborough came in second in this year's Japanese Formula 3 championship. Previous winners currently race in Canada, the U.S., Europe, Japan and Australia. Seldom does a competition result in such opportunity for those lucky enough to make the grade.

Nissan GT Academy remains one of the most innovative concepts in motorsport. In keeping with Nissan brand statement "innovation and excitement for everyone," it levels the playing field for hopefuls trying to break into motorsport and offers them a truly accessible and unique thrill right from the earliest stages of the competition.


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