Speedcafe published an article highlighting Nissan’s plans to open up GT Academy in Australia sometime within the next year and a half. In the article, Nissan Global Motorsport Director Darren Cox gave his take on bringing the program to the country:
“It’s on the radar and the local guys are very keen to do it. I would say that in the next two cycles of the academy, so in the next 18 months, you’ll find that there’ll be an Australian version of it. The ladder system is difficult in Australia when you look at the championships you have and what is the best way to go. Formula Ford is being downgraded, Formula Holden disappeared… it’s not easy to make your way through to the top level. This will definitely provide another route through.”
He also lays out the basic program for GT Academy champions and how he’d like to do the same in Australia. Nissan wants drivers to be developed in European races to gain as much high-level experience as possible before returning to their home countries to take part in top flight National racing. Their goal for Australia is set to have the GT Academy Australian champion go from Europe, to a V8 Supercar feeder category such as the Pirtek Enduo Cup, then a full-time V8 Supercar seat in Altima COTFs, if all goes to plan.
However, this wouldn’t be the first time the GT Academy program was open to Australian players. Back in 2010, the second GT Academy competition included Australia and New Zealand as a region in which Dan Holland won his ticket to Silverstone to compete in the finals. That ended up being the year Jordan Tresson won top honors, 2010. Australia’s exclusion from the following years of GT Academy went without explanation. Considering Australia’s love of motorsport, you can imagine how many players will receive this news with great anticipation.
New Zealand still has not been brought up specifcally. Although if things are as they were in the past, we expect Kiwis to be included in the fun and have their fair shot at becoming the first GT Academy champion from down under.
See more articles on GT Academy Australia and Nissan Global Development Program.
