First Nissan GT Academy Winner to Realize Virtual Ambitions in Le Mans 24 Hours

What professional gamer out there doesn’t dream of becoming a real-life race driver? Well, if you are really good with your console controller, you might actually be in with a chance, as Lucas Ordonez, the Spaniard who won the inaugural Nissan GT Academy will soon hit the track at this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

The young driver will see all of his dreams come true or turn to dust at the wheel of the Signatech Nissan LMP2 car.  However, since he won GT Academy in 2008, Lucas has been on a steep learning curve and has now made the grade as a pro sportscar racer.

"Le Mans has been my dream since I was ten-years-old," said Lucas.  "It is the most important race in the world and a very important event for my family. My father has all the yearbooks, which I used to read as a kid, never thinking I would one day be part of it.  Even after winning GT Academy I never expected to get this far and I don't think I'm really going to believe it until it happens.“

“The Test Day was an amazing experience for me; on my first lap is started to rain so it was pretty scary along the Mulsanne.  After that though I enjoyed the moment, going through all those legendary corners and I can't wait to go back there for the race," the Spaniard added.

This year’s endurance race is very important for the Japanese carmaker, as it will be showcasing the LEAFTM NISMO RC in action on the famous track, while also supplying the VK45DE V8 engine to three teams competing for LMP2 glory.