Nissan Playstation GT Academy 2014 Race Camp concludes

  • Aug 20, 2014
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Indian participant Abhinay Bikkani secures podium in the Nissan Playstation GT Academy 2014 Race Camp in Silverstone

Nissan Playstation GT Academy 2014 Race Camp

Bangalore-based Abhinay Bikkani won third place in the coveted final race at Nissan’s GT Academy International’s 2014 Race Camp in Silverstone. Ricardo Sanchez of Mexico took top honours and John Muggleton of Australia took the second best spot on the podium. 

Nissan first launched the GT Academy in India earlier this year during the 2014 Auto Expo. Qualifying was done with the help of ‘Live Events’ at high footfall malls in major cities as well as online. From the hundreds of thousands of Gran Turismo gamers that entered the competition from India, Abhinay stood tall and arrived to Silverstone as one of the six participants representing our country. 

Over the course of six days, the competitors were put through their paces both on and off track. With the help of racing mentors like Karun Chandhok, ex-F1 test driver Dani Clos, V8 Supercar legend Rick Kelly, Rally Driver and Drift King Abdo Feghali and renowned Thai Formula racer Tor Graves, participants had to survive the elimination rounds. They enjoyed some of the best racing action in a range of Nissan cars, including the mighty GT-R, the 370Z Nismo and 370Z race cars.

Abhinay Bikkani, podium finisher Nissan Playstation GT Academy 2014 Race Camp

Following several elimination rounds, judges nominated two of their best drivers to take the wheel of the 370Z race car for an eight lap race on the circuit. Abhinay drove a fantastic race to finish on the last step of the podium. 

Karun Chandhok, India Judge and Mentor, said “Abhinay did a good job, perhaps a seven out of 10 for the race. He has a lot more potential; in practice and qualifying he was really fast, I really thought he could have won but unfortunately it didn’t work out for him. But he has a lot to be proud of; he beat all his fellow countrymen and got on the podium. He should go home happy. However, I hope to see a stronger and more prolific India in motor racing in the future!”

The inaugural Nissan Playstation GT Academy International Race Camp drew to a thrilling conclusion at the UK’s Silverstone circuit with Ricardo Sánchez being crowned champion. He will now be trained for the next four months for further development before racing for the Nissan NISMO race team in the Dubai 24 hour race in January 2015. 

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