gran-turismo.com
http://eu.gran-turismo.com/au/news/
This is the news headline for gran-turismo.com, the official site for the Gran Turismo game series.en2010-03-17T02:25:41+10:00GT Academy 2010 winners make their racing debut at Snetterton
http://eu.gran-turismo.com/au/news/d12619.html
Snetterton (Norfolk, UK) - Sunday 14 March, 2010 - PlayStation® and Nissan's quest to turn a virtual driver into a real one took another step forward this weekend, when Luca Lorenzini from Italy and Jordan Tresson from France took to the track at the Snetterton circuit in a pair of identical Nissan 370Z cars. The pair recorded 10th and 11th place finishes respectively in the 750 All Comers event but, more importantly, secured valuable signatures that will assist them in their bid to qualify for an 'International C' race licence.
Lorenzini and Tresson were winners of the recent GT Academy 2010 event at Silverstone, which took place from 26 February - 2 March. The racing driver's boot camp saw the pair beat off hot competition from around the world to impress a panel of judges that included Eddie Jordan, Johnny Herbert and Nürburgring specialist Sabine Schmitz.
The 18 competitors that attended Silverstone were chosen in national finals contested on the Gran Turismo game on PlayStation®3. Over 1.2 million gamers from 17 different countries entered the original competition.
Luca Lorenzini from near Mantova in Italy and Jordan Tresson from Villers La Montagne in northern France returned to the UK last Monday (8 March). The Snetterton race was the beginning of a comprehensive training programme that sees them living near the RJN Motorsport team in Oxfordshire for nearly two months. They will participate in a series of national races in the hope of qualifying for an international licence in time for the start of the European GT4 Cup. Only one driver will be selected to race the full season in a race-prepared, 400bhp Nissan 370Z GT car.
The 750 MC season opener at Snetterton was a tough test for the pair. They were racing on road tyres in standard 370Z cars, but were up against some quick, open-top, slick-shod sports cars such as Radicals and Ginettas. However, both drivers impressed their new team boss, Bob Neville..
I am happy with a good solid start, said the experienced boss of the PlayStation Nissan team. "This was about getting used to being on a track with lots of other cars around. The fact that most of the cars were a much faster class than ours and were on slick tyres was probably quite useful in terms of making Luca and Jordan very aware of what was going on around them and adjusting lines to let people past safely. This is all part of what a racing driver has to learn.
Their pace was virtually identical. Jordan was slightly quicker in qualifying but Luca's fastest lap in the race was a fraction quicker and he finished ahead. What I am very pleased about is that Luca and Jordan are behaving like team-mates and helping each other. With only one drive in the European GT4 Cup at stake there was a danger that they would be competing against each other, but I am pleased that they are both taking the right attitude.
Having raced on Saturday, Jordan and Luca acted as race marshals on Sunday, which is an important learning activity that also earned them an extra 'signature' to build up towards the all-important licence. Coupled with a signature for the Advanced ARDS achieved at Silverstone during the week and one for the race, both are progressing well with a total of three signatures each.
But it was the racing that was obviously more exciting for the new drivers.
I really enjoyed the race, enthused 21-year-old automotive engineering student Jordan Tresson. "We didn't go as fast as I would have liked, but our goal was to stay on track and not take risks. We finished in good places and got two signatures. I've been enjoying the training this week, we've been in the gym every day. Our next big race is at Pembrey and I'm looking forward to it as we get more time on the track."
Echoing his sentiments, Luca felt they got off to a positive start: "It was a nice weekend," said the 26-year old mechanic. "The car felt great, it was prepared well, there were no mistakes out on the track. I had so much fun at this event I can't wait to race again."
Luca and Jordan will be back on-track on 27 and 28 March at Pembrey circuit, where they will compete in a round of the Welsh Sports and Saloons Championship.
]]>2010-03-17T02:25:41+10:00"Gran Turismo 5" Concept Movie Vol.2
http://eu.gran-turismo.com/au/news/d12544.html
It also demonstrates several new features of the latest Real Driving Simulator on PlayStation®3, including NASCAR and WRC events, damage modelling and night racing.
It would be a pity to include the world's most desirable supercars without placing them in fittingly stunning locations, and the tracks showcased in this video include Tokyo and Indianapolis. Look out for more trailers and screenshots from Gran Turismo 5 as we get closer to its release.
The high resolution version of this movie is also being distributed for free in "Gran Turismo TV" of "Gran Turismo 5 Prologue". If you own Gran Turismo 5 prologue, we invite you to take a look.
]]>2010-03-13T03:00:42+10:00GT Academy 2010 at Silverstone – Day 5
http://eu.gran-turismo.com/au/news/d12500.html
Lapping the Stowe Circuit in a full race-spec Nissan 350Z GT4 car must have been a highlight of GT Academy for the gamers turned drivers. It was the very same car that had carried their predecessor, Lucas Ordoñez, to second place in the 2009 GT4 Cup. However, there was a final, and incredible, challenge still to come for the four finalists.
After 10 minutes of practice and a 10 minute qualifying session, all four drivers lined up in identical race-prepared Nissan 370Zs on Silverstone’s famous start-finish straight. The competition was fierce in a 20 minute race, punctuated by a simulated driver change in the pits. Jordan Tresson entered the pits with a lead, but it was third-placed Marco Calvo who re-entered the circuit first after a lightening fast pit stop. Marco held on for the win and hoped that he had done enough to progress to the fourth stage of GT Academy.
But in the end, it was Luca Lorenzini from near Mantova in Italy and Jordan Tresson from Villers La Montagne in northern France who most impressed the judges with their talent, determination and ability over the five day duration of the Academy. Under the expert tutelage of RJN Motorsport, both now go on to complete an intensive driver training programme to qualify them for an international C race licence.
At the end of April, only one of them will be announced as winner of the ultimate prize - a full season drive in the European GT4 Cup.
WINNERS
Luca Lorenzini, Italy (Mantova) 26
Jordan Tresson, France (Villers La Montagne) 21
RUNNERS UP
Marco Calvo Acedo, Spain (Madrid) 22
Daniel Collins, Ireland (Limerick) 31
ELIMINATED ON DAY 3
Filipe Barreto, Portugal (Lisbon) 32
Giacomo Cunial, Italy (Treviso) 20
Oliver Simon, Switzerland (Hausen Am Albis) 27
Jeroen Kesselring, Netherlands (Rotterdam) 26
ELIMINATED ON DAY 2
Roberto Otero, Spain (Mininos) 21
Dan Holland, Australia (Brunswick West) 25
Benjamin Peron, Belgium (Hainaut) 29
Christian Giere, Germany (Bremen) 27
John Moorby, UK (Macclesfield) 32
Tony Autridge, New Zealand (Paraparaumu) 19
Steffen Christein, Germany (Baiersbronn) 20
Alex Ingram, UK (Harrogate) 22
Marko Moisio, Finland (Tampere) 25
Robert Wawrzyniak, Austria (Salzburg) 5]]>2010-03-12T17:45:56+10:00GT Academy 2010 at Silverstone – Day 4
http://eu.gran-turismo.com/au/news/d12497.html
First up were tense ‘dog-fights’ on Stowe circuit in the Nissan 370Zs. The dog fight was a knockout pursuit race with one driver starting at a point on the track, trying to catch the other driver who had started at the opposite point.
After entertaining races in which Jordan Tresson defeated Daniel Collins and Luca Lorenzini triumphed over Marco Calvo, a final was set up and won by Italian Lorenzini.
A ‘bleep’ test followed – where the contestants undertake shuttle runs with an ever-decreasing time limit between each one and won by the ultra-fit Jordan, who carried on well beyond his competition
Staying on Stowe circuit, the four contestants had the opportunity to take the wheel of the GT-R in race mode. With judge and lead instructor Rob Barff monitoring their progress from inside the cockpit, Formula One Grand Prix winner Johnny Herbert drove his old team-boss Eddie Jordan in a second GT-R to scrutinise their racing lines at close quarters...sometimes inches!!! As well as being able to assess the drivers, the exercise proved useful for putting the drivers under pressure with Herbert all over their tails at high speed. Overall the contestants were judged on their consistency and speed over five laps.
]]>2010-03-12T17:44:48+10:00GT Academy 2010 at Silverstone – Day 3
http://eu.gran-turismo.com/au/news/d12494.html
Super fit Jordan Tresson was first home. Luca Lorenzini brought up the rear but his grim determination to make it to the end, despite his exhaustion, was impressive.
Back on track, albeit a damp track, the eight continued to hone their car control with a drifting test in the rear wheel drive manual Nissan 370Z. The contestants enjoyed the pleasure of lapping Silverstone's National Circuit in the GT-R set up in race mode. The final, and perhaps most challenging, on-track session of the day took place in Silverstone's single-seaters on the newly redesigned Stowe Circuit. The GT Academy instructors assessed all activities to feed back to the judges.
The second elimination of GT Academy 2010 reduced the field to four. Jordan Tresson, Marco Calvo, Luca Lorenzini and Daniel Collins all progressing to the final two days of the Silverstone 'boot camp'. Italian Giacomo Cunial was extremely disappointed, having proved to be a fast competitor. However, he was quick to congratulate his fellow countryman and look to the future.
]]>2010-03-12T17:42:38+10:00GT Academy 2010 at Silverstone – Day 2
http://eu.gran-turismo.com/au/news/d12491.html
At the end of the day, the competitors undertook a teamwork challenge. Split into two teams, they were timed to undertake a full 'pit-stop' on the new 370Z GT4 race car, delivered to the circuit by their potential new boss, Bob Neville of RJN Motorsport.
Back at the GT Academy's hotel base, the judges, armed with the competitors' times and scores supplied by Silverstone's experienced team of instructors, deliberated on the fate of the 18 hopeful gamers.
The decision was made - Luca Lorenzini and Giacomo Cunial of Italy, Marco Calvo of Spain, Filipe Barreto of Portugal, Jordan Tresson of France, Daniel Collins of Ireland, Oliver Simon of Switzerland and Jeroen Kesselring of the Netherlands all made it though to the next stage of GT Academy.
The 10 eliminated drivers were delighted to learn that they would not be sent home, however. An alternative driving programme was in place for them for the remainder of the Silverstone event. The sense of friendship and community among the Gran Turismo gamers ensured there were no sore losers and they immediately got behind the remaining eight - a spirit that remained throughout.
]]>2010-03-12T17:40:00+10:00GT Academy 2010 at Silverstone – Day 1
http://eu.gran-turismo.com/au/news/d12489.html
The 18 drivers then moved to the famous Silverstone circuit for medical and fitness tests and media interviews in the GT Academy Silverstone base at the Experience Centre. A Gran Turismo PS3™ pod featuring GT5 demo code proved popular with all the competitors, despite the fact that they were about to sample the real thing!
A fleet of stunning new, white Nissan 370Zs was on hand at the Stowe Circuit. An eight-lap assessment on track was followed by a "superpole" competition.
Next up the party of hopeful drivers and international media made the short drive to nearby Milton Keynes and the Daytona Kart Track. After a full briefing on endurance racing strategy, the drivers were teamed up in pairs for a two-hour endurance race in some powerful 125cc karts. Some members of the media also took to the track - often acting as mobile chicanes for the super-quick gamers!
At the end of the two hours, the Franco- Portuguese duo of Jordan Tresson and Felipe Barreto pipped Spaniards Roberto Ortero and Marco Calvo for the win.
A late night press conference with members of the international media underlined that there is more than one side to the life of a racing driver. The media took part in judging the drivers on their presentation skills.
]]>2010-03-12T17:28:25+10:00GT Academy 2010 at Silverstone – Overview
http://eu.gran-turismo.com/au/news/d12486.html
This video gives you a taste of what the finalists had to do to impress the expert judges. They faced tests of both physical fitness and mental aptitude, as well as thorough examination of their talents behind the wheel.
]]>2010-03-12T17:04:44+10:00GT Academy 2010 at Silverstone – Biographies of Triumphant Finalists
http://eu.gran-turismo.com/au/news/d12483.html
Luca Lorenzini
Age: 26 Nationality: Italian Home town: Mosio di Aquanegra near Mantova (Lombardia in Northern Italy) Occupation: Mechanic
With a name like Luca Lorenzini, this super quick Italian seems destined for a career in motorsport! At his second attempt at GT Academy, Lorenzini's speed, adaptability and determination shone through to impress the judges. He was consistently fast in any car, and while his fitness did let him down occasionally, he never gave up.
A mechanic who works in the family business, Luca is ready to swap his overalls for a racing suit to fulfil his lifelong dream of becoming a professional race car driver. He joins fellow GT Academy winner, Frenchman Jordan Tresson, to live in a house at Silverstone for the next two months. Both drivers will compete in a series of races that will allow them to gain enough 'signatures' to qualify for an 'International C' competition licence (one race finish equals one signature).
Under the expert tutelage of RJN Motorsport team manager Bob Neville, Luca and Jordan will undergo an intensive race training programme. However, only one driver will be chosen at the end of two months to race for a full season in the European GT4 Cup in a Nissan 370Z GT car.
A participant of the 2008 GT Academy, Luca failed to progress when his physical fitness let him down. He returned over a year later having worked on both his English and his fitness. A full eight kilograms lighter on this trip to Silverstone, he showed a renewed determination to triumph over the 17 other competitors and progress onto stage four of the process to turn a virtual racer into a real one.
A gamer since he was a young child, Luca is a massive fan of the 'Grand Valley Speedway' fictional circuit on Gran Turismo. His older brother also shares Luca's passion for gaming and motorsport and was a national finalist for Italy in the 2008 GT Academy.
Away from his PlayStation, Luca enjoys autocross, volleyball and playing the keyboard.
Luca's all time hero is the legendary motorcycle and race car driver Tazio Nuvolari. In keeping with all things Italian, car enthusiast Luca is the proud owner of both a Ferrari 318 and Alpha Romeo 156 Crosswagon 94.If he could choose one actor to play him in a film, it would be Gone in 60 Seconds star Nicholas Cage, because, in Luca's words, "he usually plays characters that have to work hard to reach their dreams and goals like me in the GT Academy".
During the GT Academy at Silverstone, Luca's best moment was when they called out his name on the final night. He also loved driving the Nissan GT-R, which he feels is an incredible car because: "It's so easy to drive considering its speed. Its power and grip are amazing, plus the chassis, engine and transmission all work so perfectly."
Luca is now looking forward to gaining his race licence and being "faster than Jordan!" Luca has his eye firmly on the prize - a season long drive in the European GT4 Cup in a Nissan 370Z.
Jordan Tresson
Age: 21 Nationality: French Hometown: Villers La Montagne, Lorraine (Northern France) Occupation: fourth year Automobile Engineering masters student at Estaca University
Super-fit Jordan Tresson breezed through the physical challenges of GT Academy 2010. He also proved to be quick in a car and remained among the front runners throughout the five-day Silverstone 'boot camp'.
Having won the competition alongside Italian Luca Lorenzini, the pair will now return to Silverstone to share a house on-site. This will be their base for the next two months while they compete in a series of races that will allow them to gain enough 'signatures' to qualify for an International C' competition licence (one race finish equals one signature).
Under the expert tutelage of RJN Motorsport team manager Bob Neville, Jordan and Luca will undergo an intensive race training programme. However, only one driver will be chosen at the end of two months to race for a full season in the European GT4 Cup in a Nissan 370Z GT car.
Like his laid-back hometown, Jordan is also very relaxed. But behind this calm and cool exterior lays a determined and focused young man who has his heart set on a career in motor sport.
Jordan is currently in his fourth year of a Masters of Automobile Engineering masters degree at the prestigious Estaca University (Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Aéronautiques et de Construction Automobile) near Paris. Prior to entering the GT Academy at Silverstone he had discussed putting his studies on hold, in the event that he takes the overall prize.
Jordan has been an avid Gran Turismo gamer since the age of twelve. His favourite track is the renowned Nürburgring circuit.
Away from his PlayStation, Jordan enjoys relaxing with his friends, listening to heavy metal music and karting. His level of fitness in GT Academy impressed the judges and he maintains this by running around the city of Levallois-Perret, where he is based for university.
Jordan's racing hero is the late, great Ayrton Senna. If he could chose one actor to play him in a film it would be Ewan McGregor, who he became a big fan of after seeing Trainspotting and the Star Wars movies.
During the GT Academy at Silverstone, Jordan most enjoyed driving the Nissan GT-R, because of its power and grip - in his words, "it's a truly amazing car".
Jordan is relishing the driver training and race experience he will now receive. He expects a healthy rivalry with Luca Lorenzini as they continue to improve their skills in the lead-up to one of them winning the ultimate prize.
]]>2010-03-12T16:49:36+10:00Top Worldwide Rankings Transition Chart
http://eu.gran-turismo.com/au/news/d12436.html
Here we have a special chart which shows the transition of combined top rankings for the entire world, from the start of the event until the end of the event in the EU and US.
We invite you to check out the transition of top world ranking over the course of the event, together with the top 100 weekly world rankings we've provided earlier!
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