Grapevine: Tresson wins 2010 GT Academy
The 2010 GT Academy has crowned French racing rookie Jordan Tresson as its winner and will reward him with a season in the GT4 European Cup
More than 1.2 million people entered the first round of the competition - a laptime challenge on PlayStation 3 game Gran Turismo 4 - before the fastest 20 from each participating country were narrowed down to 18 for a boot camp at Silverstone.
Tresson emerged the winner after beating fellow finalist Luca Lorenzini in a test over five flying laps in a 420bhp Nissan 370Z GT4.
The 21-year-old Frenchman, who is studying automotive engineering at university, will now get to race that car, sharing with Alex Buncombe, in the full GT4 championship, which begins at Silverstone next weekend.
"I never imagined I would end up here when I was on my PlayStation back in December - this is amazing," said Tresson. "Racing a full season in the GT4 class is an incredible opportunity, thanks to Nissan and PlayStation. I wanted to believe it was possible and I know I did a good job, but you never know.
"At the moment I just feel like my body is here but my mind is not. This has always been my dream. If I could spend all my time in a car then I would. I can't wait to come back to Silverstone next week for the race. I have so much to learn from Alex and lots of improvements to make."
RJN Motorsport boss Bob Neville, who will run the car, added: "I think we have got ourselves a racing driver. Jordan is easy to work with, he listens, learns, gives good feedback and does what we ask. But he still pushes on and has that racing instinct.
"I think driving with Alex in the GT4 Cup he will learn a lot very quickly, and get quicker and quicker. The 370Z looks very good and I think we are in for a good year."
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