GT Academy Winner Lucas Ordoñez in 24 Hours of Le Mans

GT Academy Other March 1st, 2011 by Jordan

Winner of the first GT Academy, Lucas Ordoñez, has just been announced as a driver with Team Signatech Nissan, to compete in the 2011 International Le Mans Cup – including the 24 Hours of Le Mans! He’ll be piloting their ORECA O3 LMP2 car at ILMC events around the world, starting with the 12 Hours of Sebring next month.

This is an awesome step forward – not just for Lucas, GT Academy, and the Gran Turismo series, but for sim-racers everywhere. Here’s what Darren Cox, European Marketing Manager for Nissan Sports Cars, had to say about the announcement:

“When we started the GT Academy in 2008, we knew we were going to discover new talent, but we did not imagine that the Academy would take the turn of a training program to serve as a springboard to the biggest race in the world. With Lucas, we have indeed proved that a player on PlayStation could translate his skills on a real car on a real operating system. His progress in just two seasons racing sports are spectacular. They reflect the reality Gran Turismo and know-how and support that Nissan was able to provide players who have gone through the Academy. Nissan has a rich history in international motorsport and we are also a very innovative company. Therefore, we return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a driver that we have discovered three years ago through a race on PlayStation, for us is quite normal, although this will probably surprise many. “

Congratulations to Lucas on this amazing accomplishment! GTPlanet will be following your progress closely throughout the season. Thanks to all who sent this in so quickly.

Want More?

You should follow GTPlanet on Facebook, and on Twitter @GTPlanetNews. You can also get GTPlanet's news by full-text RSS feed, or delivered via email, straight to your inbox every day.

Tagged

56 Comments

Newest comments are displayed first.

  1. March 18th, 2011 at 4:16 pm - #
    jjaisli

    And the Signatech team takes LMP2 pole!!!

  2. March 12th, 2011 at 3:48 am - #
    LFA

    Unbelievable; best of luck.

  3. March 9th, 2011 at 4:23 pm - #
    Stardustm45

    Congratulatons from Spain Lucas.
    This was another reason why Gt5 was introduced in Madrid.

  4. March 3rd, 2011 at 12:52 pm - #
    autofusion

    Can I find that car in GT5?

  5. March 3rd, 2011 at 8:21 am - #
    Fryto

    Awesome!

  6. March 3rd, 2011 at 6:08 am - #
    IamDURRRRRR

    Beating the competition Like a Boss.

  7. March 2nd, 2011 at 6:28 pm - #
    Smok3:D

    GOOOOO Lucas! Mételes caña!!!

  8. March 2nd, 2011 at 11:10 am - #
    Kstennes

    @ Lucas! Congratulations for giving me more credibility when I defend simracing. What wheel did you use in the Academy?

  9. March 2nd, 2011 at 10:03 am - #
    KFM

    Right on, man! That’s a huge step forward for you and for GT Academy.

  10. March 2nd, 2011 at 9:30 am - #
    Markus Vhane

    I should let my mom and my wife read this! LOL… Congrats man. So proud of you! More power to GTplanet, Jordan, and of course, Kaz & Gran Turismo.

  11. March 2nd, 2011 at 6:45 am - #
    ultraman

    Way to go Lucas! This is for all the people who say that video games only spark violence and bad habits. This guy plays video games and look at the result..something positive. Man and I thought beating Ninja Gaiden was an accomplishment, rock on Lucas the GT commmunity will be rooting for you!

  12. March 2nd, 2011 at 4:43 am - #
    x_EpiC-FaiL_x

    What interests me that Nissan decided to participate in the 24 le man :)

  13. March 2nd, 2011 at 3:06 am - #
    ChicoMaloXD

    That car is AWESOME! I hope it comes to GT5 on a DLC package.

  14. March 2nd, 2011 at 2:29 am - #
    GTP_Shigegaki

    Congrats Lucas!

  15. March 2nd, 2011 at 12:51 am - #
    AGTFan

    Go Lucas! You’ve done the GT community and everybody involved in GT academy so proud!

  16. March 2nd, 2011 at 12:01 am - #
    guidance is internal

    Lets just hope PD honors us GT5 owners with a free download of that ORECA O3 LMP2 car.

  17. March 1st, 2011 at 11:42 pm - #
    Pole_Position

    So this is where the money for GT Academy Canada and GT Academy Scandinavia went LOL

  18. March 1st, 2011 at 10:52 pm - #
    MintBerryCrunch

    Ha, and people said putting someone in a real race based on their talents in a game was a stupid idea.
    Good luck, not that you’ll need it.

  19. March 1st, 2011 at 9:03 pm - #
    n00kz

    Wow, I knew he was doing well, but this is pretty impressive . Nothing but the best to Lucas and the new team !!!

  20. March 1st, 2011 at 8:59 pm - #
    sumbrownkid

    Go get’em tiger.