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Nissan Europe has today issued a press release detailing the campaigns their three GT Academy graduates will be driving in the 2012 season. While last year we reported on a statement from Signatech Nissan’s team boss that Jordan Tresson would be joining Lucas Ordoñez at the team, Nissan’s announcement today says that Lucas has joined Greaves Motorsport. He will run an LMP2 campaign in the European Le Mans Series in their Zytek Nissan alongside Tom Kimber-Smith (who will be defending this title) and Alex Brundle. Lucas will also be driving the Le Mans 24 Hours for the team alongside Alex and his father Martin Brundle. |
Jordan will indeed be driving for the Signatech team in 2012 in the FIA World Endurance Championship and will also have a seat in the Le Mans 24 Hours. The newest European GT Academy graduate Jann Mardenboroughwill be again driving for RJN Motorsport in a season of the Blancpain Endurance Series, driving the new Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3. There is no news yet on the 2012 schedule for GT Academy USA graduate Bryan Heitkotter. The full Nissan press release may be read here. From GTplanet |
The VisionRacer Blog |
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Nissan Europe Confirms GT Academy Drivers for 2012
Lucas Ordoñez 2011 “Rookie of the Year”.
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SPEED.com has announced original GT Academy winner Lucas Ordoñez as the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup “Rookie of the Year”. If you’ve been following Lucas throughout the 2011 ILMC season, you already know why: he’s put in a flawless set of consistent drives in the world’s toughest endurance races, including the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. |
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Buy Lucas Ordoñez’s Sofa, Go to The 24 Hours of Dubai
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Lucas sells the GT5 sofa..... but still uses a VR3. |
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Lucas Ordoñez & Team Score Podium Finish at 24 Hours of Le Mans 2011
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As you’ve probably heard by now, GT Academy winner Lucas Ordoñez and his teammates Franck Mailleux and Soheil Ayari drove an incredible race at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Despite two unfortunate tire punctures, they pushed their Signatech Oreca Nissan back up through the field of LMP2 cars – all the way to a second place class finish in the world’s toughest endurance race. “Today all of my dreams came true,” said Lucas. “Three years ago I won an amazing prize but never in my wildest dreams did I think that it would take me all the way to the Le Mans podium. I have been on the biggest adventure you could ever imagine and I must thank Nissan and PlayStation for creating GT Academy! I also have to thank my two teachers, Franck and Soheil, from who I have learnt so much, and of course the Signatech Nissan boss, Philippe Sinault. Finally I must thank my family and friends for putting up with me while I pursue my dream. It will take a while for this to sink in for me but so far it is the most amazing feeling.” This not only marks another amazing chapter in the story of Lucas’ racing career, but increases the international prestige of GT Academy and the Gran Turismo brand, and hopefully will bring a new level of awareness and respect for this virtual hobby so many of us enjoy. |
 Congratulations to Lucas, Soheil, Franck, and the entire Signatech team on a job well done!
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Lucas Ordonez & Team Finish 2nd in Class at Sebring 12h
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GT Academy winner and VisionRacer advocate Lucas Ordonez and his Signatech Nissan team finished second in class during their first race: the challenging 12 Hours of Sebring. After starting on pole, the team was forced to battle with gearbox and electrical issues, but still managed to bring the car home in one piece with a very respectable finish. Check the official race report for a complete overview of all the results. A huge congratulations is in order for Lucas, GT Academy, and Signatech. This is a great day for GTfans and sim racers everywhere! Next up for the team: a 6-hour endurance race at Spa Francorchamps in May – then on to the 24 Hours of Le Mans… |
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Lucas Ordanez Drives LMP2 with Sony
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Winner of the first GT Academy, Lucas Ordoñez, has just been announced as a driver with Team Signatech Nissan, to compete in the 2011 International Le Mans Cup – including the 24 Hours of Le Mans! He’ll be piloting their ORECA O3 LMP2 car at ILMC events around the world, starting with the 12 Hours of Sebring next month. This is an awesome step forward – not just for Lucas, GT Academy, and the Gran Turismo series, but for sim-racers everywhere. Here’s what Darren Cox, European Marketing Manager for Nissan Sports Cars, had to say about the announcement:
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VR3 racer Lucas Ordanez on the Madrid GT5 Launch Party
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The last 24th of November was a great day for all of us. Too many years waiting for the most exciting game in the world. Finally I had the chance to try the definitive Gran Turismo 5. Unfortunately without a VisionRacer seat. The launch day was very long for me. Early in the morning I met with the media to do a few interviews about my past, present and future in terms of Racing. Also I had the chance to talk with Kazunori Yamauchi (Gran Turismo creator and president of Polyphony Digital). Was great to meet with him and all his team and share that important day for us. In the morning also I had a chat with Jaime Alguersuari (Toro Rosso F1 driver and friend) he was pleased to be there and make the official release of the Game and also of the amazing Red Bull X1. In the afternoon our agency told me to sit in the first line for the presentation near Madrid Major, J.Alguersuari and my Teammate Jordan Tresson. Was great to see Kazunori San presenting his Game and also showing in the big screen the GT Academy project when Kazunori mention our name to stand up in front of 700 people. Was such a great experience to be part of that important moment for Gran Turismo world. After Kazunori's presentation I had a run in GT5 3D with Manuel Cobo (Madrid Vice Major) then I started to receive a lot of people from PlayStation and motor sport world like Andy Soucek (Virgin F1 Ex-Test driver and friend). |
After the Sushi Dinner I had the chance to try the new Mercedes SLS with my girl friend around Madrid doing the same track as in the game. I really enjoyed the SLS but definitely is not as fast as the Nissan GT-R. The day after the event I had the opportunity to try GT5 at home with my amazing VisionRacer VR3 seat and the G27 wheel! What a great feeling. I just couldn't believ It was happening because since VisionRacer sent me the seat I had not a proper simulator to try it and train with it! First thing I do was try Le Mans circuit in a Nissan GT-R Super GT500 (My dream car in my dream circuit) and now can't wait to race against everybody online!! So VisionRacer fans and friends! Add me in your PlayStation as a friend mentioning VisionRacer in subject and I'll be happy to race with you! My name in PS3 is LucasOrdonezSPA. I'll be back soon with videos and pics and of course with updates about 2011 racing season! Thanks again for your support! Follow me at: www.lucasordonez.com Twitter.com/Lucas_Ordonez Lucas |
The GT Academy 2010 Experience [Video]
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Lets take a look at the GT Academy five day event. This is one set of
dreams coming true. We expect this type of event to be a natural way
for motorsport to progress. Other manufacturers will work out that
connecting via sim racing to there public will net huge results. One
look what Nissan have achieved in terms of "standing" by GT5 drivers for
the Z cars. The PR is huge but more importantly the "love" is being
built. (Not that we required too much convincing on the new GTR!) Additionally, the driver gene pool is increased dramatically. That was proven with Lucas Ordanez's performance last year. The virtual to real is possible but wait until the sim drivers achieve star status it will make for a whole new motor sport world. |
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Lucas Ordóñez Talks About GT Academy
If you’re eligible for GT Academy 2010 – which begins in less than 10 days now – you’d be wise to take Lucas’ advice if you want to follow in his footsteps! Keep reading for the full interview…
Q. How did you first get involved with GT Academy?
LO: “I was with some friends and we were looking through a motor sport magazine and I saw an advert from PlayStation and Nissan for GT Academy. I have always been a big motor sport fan and had a little bit of racing experience. I thought if I can train myself to be quick on Gran Turismo then I might have a chance.
“I already had a PS3, but I went straight out to buy a steering wheel and pedals for it as I thought that this would help. I was really determined and I put in lots of hours of practice and developing my skills on theGran Turismo game. I ended up being the second fastest in Spain and racing in the national finals and I won my place at Silverstone. There I was, driving the Nissan GT-R and the 350 Z at Silverstone…amazing!
Q. How did you find the GT Academy at Silverstone?
LO: “I was very surprised by how tough it was from the fitness angle and by the level of the other competitors. It was really hard work. But the driving was amazing. Driving the 350 Z in a three-way ‘dog fight’ was incredible.”
Q. Did you think you would win?
LO: “After the first couple of days I was down around sixth position and at that time I really thought it was going to be tough. But when we got to do more driving, especially in the last two days, I just really worked hard and my confidence grew. I had some good luck but I also think I handled the pressure well , and I won.”
Q. How did it feel when they announced that you were the winner?
LO: “When they said that Lars and I had won it was an amazing feeling. I couldn’t believe it. But then, almost immediately, Bob Neville [owner of the RJN Motorsports Team] was talking to me about strategy, the car and the races we were going to do. Then I had to do lots of media interviews and then Nissan were talking to me about my contract. So after two minutes, I suddenly already felt like a real, professional racing driver!”
Q. How was the switch from the 350 Z road car to the full race car?
LO: “Our first drive of the GT4 car was at Cadwell Park in the North of England. It is a great track, very narrow but a real up and down circuit and we learned a lot about racing and overtaking there.
“There is a massive difference in terms of driving between the 350 Z GT4 and the road car – particularly in the gearbox and the suspension set up. The GT4 needs to be ‘driven’ a lot more. The gearbox is very stiff and one little mistake with your revs can cause a disaster with the engine. The road car is far more forgiving and you have room for errors, but in the GT4 car you have to concentrate 100% for every second as one mistake and it can be all over.”
Q. You eventually secured your race licence and headed to Dubai for the 24 Hour race. How was that experience?
LO: “I worked so hard in the run up to Dubai, particularly on my fitness. I was absolutely determined to show everyone that I was capable of carrying on racing even after Dubai. I was so focussed on the race. All my friends were asking me what the city was like, but I honestly don’t know as everything was concentrated on driving.
“Doing 250km/h at night on the long straight in the GT4 car was truly amazing. I was really surprised and happy with my lap times because I wasn’t so far away from Johnny Herbert and I think I showed everyone that I was professional.”
LO: “Well that was the prize. I had raced in Dubai.
But I did ask Nissan if I could carry on racing somehow. It was a tough
three-month wait, but then I got the call and it was a great surprise
that I would be racing in the European GT4 Cup with Alex Buncombe.
“When we won our first race in the fifth round at Zolder it was an
incredible feeling. I was just thinking about everything that had
happened in the last year – from playing the PlayStation to this, and I
started crying! The team and Alex were all so happy. It was the best
feeling of my life.”
Q. How has your life changed? Did you finish your studies?
LO: “I did
pass my MBA in January. It was hard work but I had to study at the same
time as preparing for Dubai but I am very pleased that I did it.
“The biggest change in my life has been going from being a student
going to university every day to now going to lots of other countries
and travelling a lot. I have done many interviews with the media which
is very different. At the same time, I still need to stay focussed on
my racing and so Itrain very hard in the gym and I am also busy looking
for personal sponsors. This is the real life of the racing driver!”
Q. What next?
LO: “I am going to help out at Silverstone for the GT
Academy and then I hope to be racing with Alex again in the European
GT4 Cup. We have an unfinished job to complete, but this time in the
new 370 Z.”
Q. What would you say to someone who is looking to compete in GT
Academy?
LO: “The whole thing is tough. But for me racing cars was my
dream, so it was great. Anyone taking part has to be prepared for a
real 360 degree change to their life. You have to have total dedication
and be prepared to make sacrifices. Lars, who won with me, was a great
guy and he was a good driver, but I just don’t think he was focussed
enough and he ended up not being ready to race.
“On the other hand, driving on Gran Turismo is great fun. So I would
recommend that everybody gives it a go even if it is just to see how
quick you are compared to other people. You never know!”
Q. What tips can you offer to people just setting out on the online
time trial stage of GT Academy 2010?
LO: “Driving is the same as most
other sports. You have to keep practising. I think I played pretty much
every day on the online stage of the game. People just kept getting
faster so I was always watching the leader board to see what I had to
beat.
“Another tip would be to start working on fitness as soon as possible.
If you make it to Silverstone it is really important. You have to be
confident in yourself that you can give it a go and that it is what you
want to do, but you still have to work very hard. The instructors at
Silverstone are watching you all the time. Finally, I would say just
get on to the GT Academy time trial and play, see how it goes and good
luck! It is definitely worth thehard work. But if you don’t make it, at
least you will have fun trying!”
From GTplanet
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