Day 1 | Silverstone | Wednesday, 30 July 2014A warm and sunny Silverstone greeted almost all of the 41 participants at the 2014 GT Academy European Race Camp yesterday (Tuesday, 30 July). What is known as ‘Day 0’ saw all the competitors introduced to their ‘Snoozebox’ accommodation, issued with their colour-coded kit for the week (see table below) and undertaking medicals and a rigorous fitness test.
They were also introduced to a new look Race Camp base. Set up in the garages of Silverstone’s Stowe building, the 2014 Race Camp looks like the ultimate racing drivers’ hangout with a Nissan GT-R GT3 race car, Gran Turismo®6 pods to practice on the various circuit configurations and some PS4s set up for relaxation.
It was ‘almost all’ of the competitors because travel issues led to arrival delays for three of the Russian team, while one of the six was unable to travel and had to withdraw from the Academy.
In this sixth year of the Nissan PlayStation GT Academy competition, it would come as no surprise to the finalists that they would be tested to the limit physically and the start of Day 1 did not disappoint. A ‘Mud Mayhem’ challenge began proceedings with a team challenge to complete an extremely tough 2km course that contained a number of tricky, and often unpleasant, obstacles, including an ice bath, water slide, slippery wall, fire run and, of course, electric shocks!
As a team challenge, the strongest members needed to support the weakest. The grouping of Sweden, Poland and the Czech Republic (known as SWEPOCZECH at Race Camp), proved not to have a weak link and powered ahead. Behind them the Benelux team put up a great fight catching Swepoczech at the death but unable to overhaul them. The UK team lagged behind for much of the challenge, but with an Italian struggling to make it over the final wall at the finish, the UK managed to cross the finish ahead leaving the Italians to bring up the rear.
Next up was an opportunity for the Judges and instructors to assess their teams on track. After some familiarisation with Silverstone’s circuits on Gran Turismo 6, the competitors went out in real cars with instructors. The compact Stowe circuit was used to set their ‘benchmark’ time in the 370Z Nismo. On the International circuit, meanwhile, the competitors enjoyed some top-level driver training in 370Zs and GT-Rs.
Towards the end of a long, full day, Race Camp moved to the Northampton International Raceway where seven Nissan Micra cars were all set up in the team colours for the fantastic ‘Stockcar Challenge’. With all five Russians now present, the teams raced against each other in a frantic endurance race around the tight oval. Benelux judge Tim Coronel’s tactical advice to his strong, and vocal, team paid off. Keeping out of trouble and pitting for driver changes at the right time, Benelux pulled off an impressive win. Two laps behind, a tight finish saw the green UK team overhaul the grey car of SwePoCzech to take second with two laps to go, while Iberia finished a further lap down. Italy were a few laps further down and followed home by France with the newly arrived Russians bringing up the rear.
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Head to this link to read the article on their Facebook notes.GT Academy are uploading all of their Race Camp photos to Flickr throughout each day. All of the photos from Day 1 can be seen here: http://bit.ly/1nIlGOd
GT Academy are also updating Twitter (www.twitter.com/gtacademy) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/gtacademy) with regular updates during Race Camp.
Guests: 19
