Games retailer Game has teamed up with Nissan and Sony to give gamers a wildcard route to the National Finals of the 2011 GT Academy.

The Academy uses Sony's driving game Grand Turismo 5 to find real world racing drivers. Game stores will host four time trial challenges in April: on the 8th in Manchester, the 9th in Norwich, the 15th in Glasgow, and the 16th in Reading. The gamer with the best overall time will progress to the Academy's National Finals.

Finalists will compete across a series of GT5 and non-gaming challenges, with two gamers progressing to the Silverstone Circuit GT Academy Race Camp, in June - joining other hopefuls from around the world.

There the final 16 will have the chance to transfer their GT5 skills into the real world, with an array of Nissan cars including the 370Z. They will also have their fitness and mental attitude tested, before an eventual winner will be chosen.

The Academy offers a genuine gateway to professional racing with 2008's winner, Lucas Ordoņez, currently competing in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and the Le Mans 24hr, in June.

Russell Campbell - 7 Apr 2011