GT Academy 2013’s “Racer X” Competition to be Held at E3, Win a Trip to Los Angeles

GT Academy 2013 is gearing up in the United States, and information about the coveted “Racer X” wildcard position has finally been released.

This year’s “Racer X” challenge will be held at E3 2013 in Los Angeles, on June 12-13, and will allow an eligible member of the public to become the first member of the top 32 finalists in the United States as determined by a fastest-lap time-trial.

If you’d like to go to E3 yourself and take a shot at the Racer X title, listen up: Nissan and Sony are also hosting a contest which will give five Gran Turismo fans an all-expense-paid trip to Los Angeles, where they can jump to the front of the line in the Racer X time trial challenge.

To enter, create a 1-minute video that shows off your sim-racing rig and shows off your creativity and enthusiasm for GT Academy, and submit your application here. Be sure to read over the official rules, and hurry – the contest closes to new entries on June 2, 2013, at 11:59pm ET.

As always, for more discussion with competitors and potential finalists, head over to our GT Academy forums.

I’ll be participating as a judge in selecting the winner of the contest and look forward to seeing what you can come up with. Good luck!

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Comments (64)

  1. MiuraSV777

    I was getting everything ready to shoot my video, and just found out you needed a drivers liscense… And im 5 months away from only getting my permit. Well, i guess theres next time… (I do understand why you need a drivers liscense, though, so please dont nag me on how Im too young :) )

  2. LeftyWright69

    I’m going to enter, I just heard about it and I already feel the pressure. My focus is the production of the video and my cameo w/ voice over. It’s going to take some staging for the driving rig w/ stills integrated into the video stream w/ stop action showing the 7 way capability of my design.

  3. backpian1

    my rig as the following materials in its construction,

    Screws, 2X4, Duck Tape, disc selves shoved behind wheel for anchor, CUSTOM built lawn chair for seating when i need to get my cool jack on. 4 screens, 1 for PS3, 1 for skype, 1 for looks and 1 for youtube videos from metal to eurobeat. all in all a getto construction that as stood up to the test of time SO FAR lol.

  4. smskeeter23

    I had actually built a pretty sweet foldaway rig (converted to a 2x2x4 box) and a DFGT before my wife bought me a G27 and an Open Wheeler for fathers day.

    I’m as fanatical about GT as anyone but I’m nowhere near as fast as “the aliens” and am way too far.out of shape to ever even survive the first physical challenge so I think I’ll keep my videos here and see what everyone else sends in ;-)

  5. TheGTGuy

    I hope we get another GT6 gameplay article soon with a race car or Ferrari just to see if the sound has slightly improved. I liked how the 370z sounded around Autumn Ring :)

  6. Lococurling

    I really hope they include more countries in this next gt academy edition. Just take a look to the leaderboard to see how some countries has good players, as well, lots of competitors.

  7. joetruckv8

    Hmmm I have a Rseat rig w/ Fanatec wheel & Pedals and I live in L.A. that’s a no brainer for me!

  8. mistersafeway

    In case anyone was too lazy to look at the first sentence of the rules:

    “1. Eligibility: “Show Your Sled” Contest (the “Contest”) is open only to legal residents of the forty-eight (48) contiguous United States and the District of Columbia who are at least the age of majority in their state of residence, have a valid driver’s license at the time of entry, and who did not purchase any equipment for the purposes of entering this Contest.”

    Only residents of the 48 interconnected States of the Union may enter unfortunately.

  9. infamousphil

    Just a thought, Jordan. “… creativity and enthusiasm for GT Academy…”? Sounds like you guys are looking for marketable personalities. I’d submit an entry video of me in my ‘jammies on the couch with controller in hand, but it ain’t very attractive. Haha

    Good to see the Academy going strong. Keep up the good work.

  10. Rich S

    GT Academy is too much of a TV show, its becoming a circus…. and now their giving away free tickets to who has the most expensive game crap…how much did fenatic/thrustmaster/playseat pay for that spot to be added in?

    Anyways they don’t really want to find the best racecar driver…sports car racing is low level anyways, anybody can learn to drive a GT sportscar. Just look at Adam Corolla, they guy failed driver’s ED. No money in pro sports car racing anyways….its all in Nascar, F1….

    I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the top Academy drivers have been hackers. Of course they might not be but there’s no way to really tell is there…

    1. racefan88

      Rich not trying to stir up drama here but have you done your research?

      Yes pretty much anyone can get behind the wheel of a GT car and race…thats the point of the sport you can take your money and go race around a track with some of the biggest names in racing. To call sports car racing low level just shows me you really do not watch any sports car racing. Lucas Ordonez took second in class at Le Mans in an LMP2 car which is very far from a GT.

      In fact I would you could even make a stronger argument that driver wise sports cars have a more talented grid. Look down the list of names slated to start at Le Mans 2013, it includes several ex-F1 drivers, DTM drivers, indy car drivers, the whole lot. Look at the starting grid from last years rolex 24…talk about essentially an all star race of the best drivers from around the world.

      Thats enough ranting but before you call something low level you should probably look at what it actually entails.

    2. Pit Crew

      I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the top Academy drivers have been hackers. Of course they might not be but there’s no way to really tell is there…

      Why would you say something like that? Totally unfair.

      Agreed racefan Sounds like hes jealous…

  11. Lambob

    I was top 1% from Canada, in last years GT Academy, in the first event featuring the Nissan Leaf, wearing nothing but my underwear and socks, beating all my friends on the leaderboard. Surely, that has to count for something! eh?

    good luck all, bring on GT6 demo!

  12. Ingenting87

    I am using Logitech G25 and Playseat, but i couldt care less about GT Academy..

    Give us D1 Academy, That would be awesome.

  13. BWX

    I have a Sim Seat SRX rig, a Fanatec CSR wheel, a CSR Elite shifter, gated and sequential both hooked up, CSR Elite pedals, two Aura Bass Shakers with a Dayton sub amp, a 52″ Aquos , and a Yamaha 7.1 home theater.. but I have no “enthusiasm for GT Academy”. Haven’t touched GT in months.

  14. QuikSlvr223

    I’ve got a DS3.
    But it’s silver! Amazing, I know, please calm yourself.
    Sure, the D-Pad is broken, and the color has worn off in a bunch of areas, but I’m proud!

    1. Swagger897

      Well my L2 (brake) doesent work half the time soooo…. I definately own the silver DS3 cat..

      Lol

  15. RESHIRAM5

    I am dissapointed that it is not showing footage of you driving and the best skill goes to E3.

  16. twofast4u1997

    This has nothing to do with this post, other than GT6, but does anyone else think that the GT6 on PS3 will be like a prologue? And then the full on game be released on PS4 later?

  17. Easy D1

    Living in Southeast Missouri, several miles in the woods, all I have is wood.(I didn’t mean for that to sound that way.) My setup wobbles a little bit, but it gets me around the track just fine. Cost me $1 in nails and is probably the cheapest setup around.

    1. Pit Crew

      LOL and hey you never know that may be just what the judges are looking for. Inexpensive hand built Creativity over how much money spent.

    2. lintels123

      I have a wobbly, creeky, wooden wheel setup as well! Next stand i have will most likely also be made out of wood tbh. So cheap to make and fun to build(imo).

  18. vr6cas

    Let me guess, the person with the most expensive, extreme racing rig and wheel setups is going to win, if so thats kinda lame because the majority of the players have just a wheel hooked up to a table in front of the tv of thier choice, so I hope they pick at least one person with a regular setup like this that is not sophisticated like some peoples rigs but is just as passionate about they wheels and GTacadamy as the next man or woman with a $5,000 rig. Other than that good luck to all, I wont try this because im in the wheel on a table in front of the tv crowd. lol.

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