2014 New Zealand / Australia General Discussion

[Louie_Schumii]

Could you pencil in Jann for the GTR GT3 car at bathurst seeing how he is already down this way the weekend before?

They've got 10 drivers already to fill out two cars at Dubai haha - www.motorsport.com/endurance/news/moffat-to-make-international-debut-in-2014-dubai-24-hour-aboard-nissan-370z-nismo/ - seems like they really want the message to get across that the program produces drivers that are world class.

It will if they come to Aus they will have to go as far as NZ.

If they do include New Zealand with the Australian one they'll get a talent base that's approximately 19% larger (based on AUS and NZLs relative populations). Of course I would much prefer a stand-alone NZ one because there will be a greater chance of winning but beggars can't be choosers

Speaking of which; just sent in this tweet:

Pretty sure every one of these from unique twitterers to Nissan New Zealand and Darren Cox will be a step closer to kiwi GT-A!

 

[Louie_Schumii]

Sorry for the double post but just wanted to say a big thank you to @Wardez for putting the SpeedCafe article on the front page. It definitely won't hurt the chances of a New Zealand Academy coming to fruition due to all the online publicity it will generate 👍

 

[Doodle]

It's not a double post if they are nearly a month apart.

 

[Tidgney]

I'll be honest, I think we can take some idea from what's been said by Darren Cox and also the driver lineup at this years Dubai 24 hour at what's coming up for GT Academy.

India is definitely going to have one, Darren has always said he wants an Indian winner and now Karun Chandhok is driving for Nissan, it's got to be a certainty?

Likewise I think Nissan entering the V8 Supercars last year (Or was it 2? can't remember now) and now James Moffat racing in the Dubai 24 hour I can imagine Australia, and perhaps New Zealand once again coming back??

I would also bet that these 2 would be the core driver judges for the competition!

But hey, that's all consipiracy but if I was to place a bet, these 2 would things would be high up there!

EU keeps getting bigger, and then Nissan USA have had an outstanding year near 10% increase on sales from last year!

Personally I love GT Academy, it brings a chance to talented drivers who haven't had the chance to get into motorsport that chance. Ye I lost out on my chance, but that was due to mistakes, and probably due to high pressure, which is very very high, in fact you won't realise how much pressure until you are there! I hope one day I can re-enter or if there's an actual Global competition, sort of a 1 seat drive set like a 2 ticket thing earlier to previous versions, bring a total global feel to it! That would be epic!

 

[iamsupernasty]

Ye I lost out on my chance, but that was due to mistakes, and probably due to high pressure, which is very very high, in fact you won't realise how much pressure until you are there!

I resemble that remark

-----

Awesome to hear that GT Academy will continue to expand, and that Nissan is becoming increasingly involved in Worldwide Motorsports.

 

[keybladekyle]

I am really hoping for GT Academy to be open to NZ this year, I have already started training for it. Getting Silverstone locked down and building up my general fitness.

I don't get any track time IRL either so i will be hitting the back roads and mountains to practice my heel-toe.

 

[Louie_Schumii]

For those that live in Auckland or Hamilton (or anyone who can make it up to these parts) the NZ Race Champs will be at Hampton Downs this weekend.

The TRS cars will be there meaning you can meet Jann and his NISMO Athlete support team - maybe for the last time in the country (bar the New Zealand Grand Prix in Manfeild) if he moves up to GP3 or FR3.5 this year. Also be a good opportunity to show how much local interest there is in GT Academy so that they can put in a good word to Nissan and PlayStation NZ about bringing the competition back here.

 

[keybladekyle]

Any entry fee to go and watch Louie?

 

[Louie_Schumii]

Any entry fee to go and watch Louie?

Unfortunately for the Saturday/Sunday sessions there is http://www.dashtickets.co.nz/?/event/zctfwxkg4

There's no mention of prices for the Friday test session so I'm guessing that day would be free?

 

[Louie_Schumii]

Umm, don't want to shoot myself in the foot but this must be double post worthy. I know there's a thread for GT Academy 2014 already but figured it would be a good idea to isolate the New Zealand/Australian discussion so as not to clog up that thread and keep most of the NZ/AU info all under one roof.



You can clearly see Australia highlighted in the trailer in red at the end indicating it's one of the 30+ countries competing this year and all we see of New Zealand is 3/4 of it earlier in the clip. Thoughts?

 

[05XR8]

Well, one of tests has to be beating the R35 GT3 lap time around The Mountain. Another might be muscling a NISMO Altima around a section of the mountain. Here's hoping.

 

[Louie_Schumii]

Updated the thread title. Also re-watched the teaser and New Zealand just makes it in there.

 

[Mad94d]

Yeah I think when it comes to race camp Madison Down will be tough to beat as he has quite a bit of real racing experience too.

There may be a problem with that for me though... I seem to remember back in 2010 Justin Ruggier (Aussie iRacing Driver) made the National final but was ineligible because he had a CAMS racing licence. If that is the case again this time, that will count me out because I needed one to race Aussie Racing Cars at Sydney obviously.

I'm hoping that's not the case, but either way, I'm really happy to see Australia and NZ eligible again in GT Academy. There is a huge amount of talent here that's for sure.

 

[fastboysmith]

M

There may be a problem with that for me though... I seem to remember back in 2010 Justin Ruggier (Aussie iRacing Driver) made the National final but was ineligible because he had a CAMS racing licence. If that is the case again this time, that will count me out because I needed one to race Aussie Racing Cars at Sydney obviously.

I'm hoping that's not the case, but either way, I'm really happy to see Australia and NZ eligible again in GT Academy. There is a huge amount of talent here that's for sure.

More chance for the rest of us.
I almost got a cams license to do a sprint event in Pittsworth Qld. But pulled out because I was afraid of crashing my ute

 

[Nicko]

Great to see both New Zealand and Australia coming back to the GT Academy!

Looking forward to it.

 

[velly]

Come at us Bro

 

[Turbo_snail]

Must I ask what is the lowest age for GTA, because if it is 14 (most regional motor sport age I think) what would happen if a younger person was to win it?

 

[fastboysmith]

Must I ask what is the lowest age for GTA, because if it is 14 (most regional motor sport age I think) what would happen if a younger person was to win it?

Its 18 and have a license I think

 

[Turbo_snail]

Well I've got 4 or 5 years to practise.

 

[Aquarelle]

Great to see New Zealand coming back to the GT Academy!

Is that just speculation on your part or have I missed something?

Just because NZ happened to slightly be in one shot doesn't mean anything. We're geographically close to Australia.. to omit us you'd have to angle that shot pretty carefully.

 

[Nicko]

Is that just speculation on your part or have I missed something?

Just because NZ happened to slightly be in one shot doesn't mean anything. We're geographically close to Australia.. to omit us you'd have to angle that shot pretty carefully.

It is speculation but I have been going off what others have been saying. Personally it seems ridiculous to include Australia, but not New Zealand. Hopefully soon we will have some official confirmation.

 

[fastboysmith]

It is speculation but I have been going off what others have been saying. Personally it seems ridiculous to include Australia, but not New Zealand. Hopefully soon we will have some official confirmation.

Well Canada is not in it and it's next door to USA. But hope they are

 

[Aquarelle]

Well Canada is not in it and it's next door to USA. But hope they are

Pretty much this.

Just because we're "Close by" doesn't mean anything. Heck, Japan wasn't eligible last year - how much "Closer" can you get??

I hope we get included since I was actually doing seriously well the other year when I put some degree of effort in - If I actually push myself to practice and improve my time rather than a last day rush like I did in 2012 I don't doubt that I'd have a decent shot of getting up the top of the leaderboards. However, knowing that I'm not eligible any drive to keep grinding the laps off over .100 of a second to get into the top is non existent.

We already have "Official confirmation" in that they made zero mention of New Zealand I'll gladly eat my words but I seriously, seriously doubt it and being a cynic means you never get disappointed.

Good for you aussies though, glad you get another shot 👍

 

[joshmuggo]

Oh yeah it is back!

Preparation starts today

 

[Doodle]

Oh yeah it is back!

Preparation starts today

Hopefully all that iRacing helped you.

 

[joshmuggo]

Hopefully all that iRacing helped you.

Haha hopefully!

 

[noshog]

Well fingers crossed for all the keen kiwi's that we are included again.
I still remember our national finals like it was yesterday. I wont be participating if we are included but still hopeful we get another shot at it.
Either way will be watching and hoping someone from Aussie or NZ can go all the way and win it all.

 

[Mad94d]

Oh yeah it is back!

Preparation starts today

This guy is going to be extremely hard to beat.

 

[Louie_Schumii]

Lol yeah if New Zealand is included this year us kiwis either have to pray that we're seperate from our neighbours across the ditch or we all step up our game to the level that the Australians are on if we even want a chance to make it to the national final.

I don't know what the cut-off time was in Australia for the 2010 Academy but going by the rankings you'd be hard pressed to say that all of the NZ top five would have made it through.

 

[noshog]

Lol yeah if New Zealand is included this year us kiwis either have to pray that we're seperate from our neighbours across the ditch or we all step up our game to the level that the Australians are on if we even want a chance to make it to the national final.

I don't know what the cut-off time was in Australia for the 2010 Academy but going by the rankings you'd be hard pressed to say that all of the NZ top five would have made it through.

Yea, just going from memory, but I think I was 3rd or 4th in the NZ time trial and remember checking to see where I would've ended up in the Aussie rankings...Think it was only good for like 18th or 22nd or something.
I have seen a few Kiwi names near the top of some of the recent GT6 seasonals so think we still have a fair few talented ones that could get well up on the Aussie rankings too if needed. Unfortunately all this is a bit point pointless though until NZ is officially confirmed.