6 Pinoys Advance to GT Asian Leg

Pasay City, Philippines - Plaques of Success.The photo shows the top 6 racers that will compete in the Asian leg of the GT Academy in Silverstone, U.K. From L-R Jof Cox ( Driving Specialist and GT Academy Specialist ) , Nicki Hewson ( events manager ) Raphael Miru Lesaguis ,Luis Cachero ,Terrence Aldrich Lallave, Jose Gerald Policarpio, Daryl Brady, Joel Agojo, Marlon Stockinger ( Filipino-Swiss -Louts F1 Junior Team race car driver and mentor) Antonio Zara ( Nissan Philippines In. President and Managing Director) SJ Huh (NPI General Manager for Marketing )

DIEGO MARIANO, INQUIRER

SIX lucky racers were qualified to compete in the Asian leg of the GT (Gran Turismo) Academy and reach the checkered flag in Silverstone, United Kingdom, in August 2015.

From the 15,000 virtual racers from Metro Manila, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan De Oro, and from the 30,000 virtual race trials in 25 live events during the three month run of the event, only 20 lucky racers outraced the thousands of virtual racers and only six racers made it to fly to U.K.

Since the launch of the Nissan GT Academy last March 25, the six finalists—Raphael Miru Lesaguis, Luis Cachero, Terrence Aldrich Lallave, Jose Gerald Policarpio, Daryl Brady and Joel Agojo—have also been through “different challenges, not only driving challenges but also physical, mental, and personality challenges,” Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI) President Antonio Zara explained.

The physical challenges tests the fitness level of the finalists include push ups, planking, and sergeant jump. Driving challenges, which include drifting, tested the driving skills of the finalists, while personality tests included a panel interview with selected members of the media. Simulator pods where it all started was also included in the challenges.

After all these challenges, some drivers thought there was still much to improve in their transition from virtual to reality. “More on training, on driving, more on physical aspect, more on driving kailangan paulit-ulit lang ’yon. Kailangang gumaling, ma-improve ang kailangang maimprove. Sa ngayon, ang kailangang ma-improve ’yong physical ko. ’Yong driving nai-improve naman ’yan, pero ’yong physical… kailangan talagang maimprove,” said Daryl Brady, a freelance I.T. race driver developer, and one of the six finalists.

These challenges prepared the six finalists who will race against each other, together with other Asian representatives from Thailand, India, Japan and Indonesia, but this time using a real race car. “The final top six candidates who successfully hurdle all these challenges can look forward to flying to the Silverstone Race Circuit in U.K. and compete in the GT Academy Asia Leg,” said NPI General Manager for Marketing Huh.

Swiss-Filipino Marlon Stockinger, Lotus F1 Junior Team driver, said, “while I am happy to share my knowledge and experience in racing, nothing beats the contestant’s determination and drive to succeed in this demanding sport.” He will also serve as the coach and mentor of the six finalists.

“We’re happy to be giving aspiring racers and gamers the opportunity to turn their dreams into reality,” Zara said.

Nissan Philippines helps fasttrack the dreams of more potential Filipino racers to race in the international racing arena.


Published on Inquirer Libre July 17, 2015