Gadgetrepublic.com - News: Gaming

PlayStation 3 and Nissan Ireland have joined up to bring the competition of a lifetime to PlayStation 3 owners, with a PlayStation Network (PSN) account.

Simply download the Gran Turismo Academy 2010 time trial (available since 17 December) and post your fastest lap time.

On 21 January, when the competition closes, PlayStation 3 will determine the holders of the 20 fastest lap times who will then be invited to a face-off final in February to find Ireland's champion.

There's more

It doesn't end there! The national champion will take part in the European finals by undertaking an intensive week-long training programme to see if they have the guts and glory to make it as a real-world racing driver.

Two winners will be picked from the European finals and they will spend eight more weeks training in Silverstone to qualify for an international racing licence. One will go on to race a full season as part of the Nissan team in the European GT4 Cup in a Nissan 370Z car.

"GT Academy offers one lucky racing fan the chance to turn their dream into a reality, and become a professional racing driver," said Niall O'Hanrahan, managing director, Sony Computer Entertainment Ireland.

"The time trial is also a great opportunity for gamers and car enthusiasts to preview the much-anticipated GT 5, due for release in 2010," he added.

Zoom, zoom

This is actually the second year of the competition: last year, Spanish student Lucas Ordonez won and made his professional debut in the Dubai International 24 Hour Race alongside former F1 driver Johnny Herbert and then went on to drive alongside British driver Alex Buncombe in the full European GT4 Cup season.

Photo: PlayStation 3 and Nissan Ireland have joined forces to bring a racing competition to PlayStation 3 players for the second year in a row.

By Marie Boran