Aussie lines up for Nissan GT Academy

A 25-year old student from Melbourne will represent Australia for the first time in the Nissan GT Academy International.

Daniel Holland (pictured being congratulated by Glenn Seton) finished ahead of 15 others from around the country by recording the top result from a series of Playsation 3 (PS3) Gran Turismo challenges earlier this month, thus qualifying for his slot in the Nissan GT Academy.

More than just a training program for aspiring race drivers at famed British F1 track, Silverstone, the Nissan GT Academy also provides an opportunity for a season's drive in the European GT4 Cup racing series, competing in a fully prepared Nissan 370Z.

Holland will be competing at Silverstone against rivals from 17 other countries.

"I'm stoked! I can't believe that my passion for Gran Turismo has provided me with this opportunity," said Holland.

"The fact that I'm now going to Silverstone at the end of this month as the first Australian to take part in Nissan GT Academy, blows my mind."

Holland will train and compete alongside others at Silverstone over a five-day period, which the organisers describe as 'race driver boot camp'. In addition to the training, participants will be assessed on the strength of aptitude and fitness for two slots in an advanced training program, also to be conducted in the UK.

From those two finalists, one winner will be chosen to compete in the 2010 season of the European GT4 Cup, driving a Nissan 370Z built by RJN Motorsport.

Holland's progress is being tracked via a Facebook account, on Twitter and via the Playstation3 Gran Turismo website.