2011 GT Academy Has an Extra Seat for You

How would you like to join online gamers in the UK National Finals of the 2011 GT Academy? You know, the competition that will allow one racer to swap the console racing action with a real-life experience behind the wheel of a Nissan 370Z.

The contest, which will place its winner in control of a Nissan 370Z at the Dubai 24 Hours race, is open to anyone with a PlayStation3 and a copy of Grand Turismo 5, but now Nissan UK and Sony Computer Entertainment are offering a “Wild Card” slit, which brings an additional pathway to the National Finals, which will take place in May.

You can enter the “Wild Card” contest, scheduled to be held at the Nissan Innovation Station at The O2, by registering at www.nissangtawildcard.co.uk for an entry slot, between 10am and 8pm on either April 1,2 and 3, when you will complete a time trial, “driving” PS3 race pods.

“Each entrant’s quickest lap of three will be recorded, with the best drivers from each of the three days winning a Logitech Driving Force GT™steering wheel, the official wheel of Gran Turismo, which features force feedback and 900-degree wheel rotation. The best time overall across the three days will win the extra place at the National Finals,” the press release explains.

“At the National Finals, participants will take part in a series of Gran Turismo 5 gaming heats. Additional non-gaming challenges that the National Finalists face will be unveiled in due course.Two UK National Final victors will advance to the International Finals, to be held at Silverstone in June, when competitors will take to the track in Nissan’s 3.7-liter, 323bhp 370Z models.”