53,000. 32. 16. 1.
The numbers represent Bryan Heitkotter’s quest, in sequence. An automotive enthusiast with a love for autocross, he was one of 53,000 competitors who entered the inaugural GT Academy driver search by playing Gran Turismo 5 for the Sony PS3 online.
From what amounts to the population of a medium-sized city, he became one of the 32 fastest gamers who moved on to Orlando, Florida to compete against each other over two days of intense virtual races. The number was whittled down to 16 (with Heitkotter the top point-getter) for the finals held at the historic Silverstone Circuit in England.
At Silverstone, the competition went from virtual to reality when the GT Academy finalists competed for the first time in physical and behind-the-wheel challenges. Thanks to Sony’s partnership with Nissan, the competitors trained and competed in Nissan GT-Rs, 370Zs, and even the all-electric Leaf. In addition to the Nissans, the finalists drove open-wheel karts.
The experience was filmed for an upcoming reality show, with participants eliminated as the week progressed. For the final challenge, Heitkotter and three others raced around Silverstone’s GP track in 370Zs, Heitkotter emerging victorious after a heated battle. While we’d like to discuss the details of the final race or the week-long competition, we promised the video production team that we wouldn’t.
Fork in the Road
Heitkotter’s prize for winning GT Academy? The 30 year old gamer-turned-driver will be saying goodbye to his Fresno, California hometown to train for seven months at Silverstone and compete in European races. For his global debut, Heitkotter will drive a Nissan in the 24 Hours of Dubai in January 2012.
From 53,000 to 32 to 16 to one, Heitkotter beat the odds with determination and skill, changing the entire course of his life. Modest, shy and extremely talented, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. We can’t wait to see Heitkotter’s career take off. In the meanwhile, watch Speed Channel in September of this year for full episodes of GT Academy.
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