Home NEWS by SERIES Le Mans LMS : From sofa to Le Mans grid - Virtual becomes reality for Nissan racer
Your display of gratitude and support by making a donation through PayPal today is vital in enabling us to continue bringing this motor sport news service to you tomorrow.  Please show support  Your display of gratitude and support by making a donation through PayPal today is vital in enabling us to continue bringing this motor sport news service to you tomorrow.
Your contribution is VITAL
in allowing us to continue.


Amount: 

LMS : From sofa to Le Mans grid - Virtual becomes reality for Nissan racer E-mail
Sunday, 06 March 2011 03:00
Nissan/Playstation GT Academy winner to contest the famous 24hr race - In 2008, Nissan teamed up with PlayStation to ask the question; can a super fast gamer become a super fast driver in the real world?

Photo credit Nissan
In less than three years, Lucas Ordoñez has proved the answer to be a resounding ‘yes' when his transformation from novice to professional racing driver has amazed the motor sport fraternity and the extraordinary story will reach climax on 11 and 12 June.

Lucas will line up to contest arguably one of the most famous races in the world, the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The 25 year old Spaniard will contest the full Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in 2011 behind the wheel of a Nissan powered LMP2 car for the Signatech Nissan team.

For his part, Lucas is naturally thrilled to be given the opportunity to take to the legendary track for the famous 24 Hour race.

"It is beginning to sound a bit clichéd for me to keep talking about ‘living my dream'," said the former MBA student.

"However, the past three years have been amazing and now to have been given the opportunity by Nissan to race at the Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as all the other fantastic races in the Intercontinental Le Mans Series, is incredible. I recognise that this is a big challenge and a great honour and I can't wait to get started at Sebring later this month."

Lucas was among the fastest of the 25,000 people that entered the first GT Academy competition on PlayStation's Gran Turismo game. He won a place to represent Spain at a five day training camp at the UK's Silverstone circuit and emerged victorious.

Between September and the end of 2008, Lucas embarked on an intensive driver training programme to qualify for an international racing licence.

With the licence secured in record time, Lucas headed to Dubai in January 2009 and joined former Le Mans and Grand Prix winner Johnny Herbert in the GT Academy Team, contesting the Dubai International 24 Hours in a Nissan 350Z.

The Intercontinental Le Mans Series consists of seven races in 2011. Starting with the 12 Hours of Sebring in Florida on 19 March, it includes a number of famous races such as the 1,000km of Spa Francorchamps in Belgium, the Le Mans 24 Hours and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta with the series finale taking place in November in China.

If you found this service informative please be kind and leave a tip.
If You Like This Service Please Leave a Tip Here
If You Like This Service Please Leave a Tip Here

© F1SA.com

 
OVER 18 YEARS OF SERVICE TO ALL PASSIONATE F1 AND MOTOR SPORT SUPPORTERS
Informing those in the know who want to know even more
Dedicated to Rudolf Ray +++ 14 April 2002 to 7 September 2007 +++

fosa