European GT Academy winner Jann Mardenborough’s bid to make the jump from PlayStation gamer to real racing driver took a massive step forward on Sunday when he contested a round of the Nippon Challenge national series at the UK’s Rockingham Circuit. The 19-year-old from Cardiff had an almost faultless day in the Nissan 370Z taking pole position and dominant wins in both races and recording the fastest lap of race one in the process. Jann’s American counterpart, Bryan Heitkotter, completed an excellent weekend for the PlayStation® Nissan Team taking second on the grid, second place in both races and the second fastest lap.
The weekend marked a double celebration for the two Gran Turismo 5-gamers-turned-racing-drivers as they have now secured enough ‘signatures’ to qualify for an ‘International C’ race licence. The licence is required for the GT Academy winners to achieve their goal of competing in a Nissan 370Z GT4 car in the prestigious Dubai 24 Hour race in January, 2012 – the ultimate prize of the competition that saw over 90,000 gamers enter the European version.
Despite holding first and second on the grid in both races, the GT Academy drivers were passed by some fast starters. But they quickly fought back and by the end of lap one on both occasions were one and two not headed again.
“That was one of the best weekend’s so far,” said an excited Jann. “Being on the podium and getting a couple of great trophies is fantastic. It was a bit hairy in parts during the races, but I am really pleased with how I drove.”
Bob Neville, the experienced PlayStation Nissan Team boss, was extremely pleased with both the speed and maturity of his two drivers: “This was an excellent performance by both Jann and Bryan,” he enthused. “They had to lap people and pick their way through traffic while keeping an eye on the faster guys chasing them. There were a few signs of contact on the cars after the first race and so I had a word with them and there was no repeat in race two – fast and 100% safe.
“After a short break for the guys we are going to see how they get on in the GT4 car next month. The switch from the modified road car to a full-on race car will be a big test for them, but on the evidence so far I am feeling confident.”
The comprehensive ‘Driver Development Programme’ for the GT Academy winners sees the pair living close to Silverstone circuit. Between a number of national-level races at various UK circuits the pair undertake a programme of driver skills training, fitness, psychology and simulation training. The race training will continue throughout September in the Nissan 370Z GT4 car that the pair hope to campaign in Dubai in January.
While there is a short hiatus for the 2011 GT Academy winner, Jann’s predecessors are preparing for major race weekends and both leading their respective championships. Frenchman Jordan Tresson, last year’s winner, currently heads the Blancpain Endurance Series GT4 class in the Nissan 370Z with his RJN Motorsport team-mates. The trio will be in Magny Cours on 27th August to contest the penultimate round. Meanwhile, Spaniard Lucas Ordoñez, who has already been on the podium of the famous Le Mans 24 Hour race in 2011, will contest the Silverstone round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup from 9-11 September. Lucas’s Signatech Nissan LMP2 team are also heading the points standings with a further two races remaining after Silverstone.
See more articles on Bryan Heitkotter, Jann Mardenborough, and Nissan 370Z.
Wow, big congratz!!
Its kind of sad though, since this has only 19 comments, but once news of a new seasonal or update comes around, it has well over 100… Keep it up Jann and Bryan, those 370Zs look so cool
:) It’s going great.
Yahoo they’re so amazing at this, that so cool. Congratz guys, you rule. :)
It’s amazing how a video game has helped these guys live their dream! Way to go guys!
I presume the expert tuition from a F1 winners helps against amateur club drivers too.
Great result!! My own car is a 2010 370Z GT so even happier!
GT Academy representing!!! Go get em guys!!
Looks like Nissan always has the top car prepared for the race.. money perhaps?
Still more than i could accomplish :) Congrats!
Congrats guys you make us proud.
P.S.
Why isn’t this 370Z in GT5 or rather this RM for the 370Z? It bugs me everytime i see pics of it.
Good to see all the GT Academy guys doing well. :-)
Go Bryan!
A very nice job by the two of them even if their cars were clearly the class of the field. That of course shouldn’t take anything away from them, it’s still a massive achievement for gamers.
I think GT would have given them an experience advantage for this race, being just behind after the start then leading from the end of the first lap to the flag. They might choose to add some ballast or go down a tyre spec to make it interesting next time. :-)
Good show.
Amazing stuff. Can’t believe Jann is only 19.
Congrats to them, whats Bryan going to Mid-Ohio for? Is he going to drive for one of the teams?
I believe so. Not sure on all of the details, just know he’s going to be there. Wish I didn’t live so far away. :(
Bryan will be back in the States in September for the Grand Am Weekend at Mid Ohio if anyone wants to go congratulate him! Good work guys! Keep it up so we can get an all GT Academy Nissan team at LeMans in the next year or two. :D
Seems like the Nissan’s are the only team with money
Congrats guys!!