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From here, Autridge will head to the Silverstone circuit GT Academy boot camp in the UK with 20 other regional finalists from around the world. They’ll develop the necessary skills to take high-performance cars to real racing tracks. Although only two of the 20 will progress to an intensive UK-based racing programme, all drivers will leave the academy as fully licensed drivers.
Of the final two, only one will win the chance to compete on the international stage. The winner’s opening race is currently scheduled for May this year.
"It was really tough. And you needed a bit of luck too," said Autridge of the final. "I'm very excited to be going. But it still hasn't sunk in yet."
Game Console attended the national finals at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park last night where the final 20 Kiwis raced four at a time on the virtual tracks of Gran Turismo 5. The winners of each round progressed through to the next stage until the final four went head to head. The competitors raced on the Gran Turismo 5 time trial track that they became familiar with upon entering the competition, but one or two new tracks were also thrown into the mix.
On the night, Autridge came out on top through pure consistency and accuracy despite the fact that one of his opponents posted the fastest lap time in the final eight-lap race. It was a nail-biting and extremely close final, however, with two of Autridge’s opponents experiencing their first spin-outs of the entire day.
After a presentation ceremony, Autridge was taken for a hot lap in a Nissan 370 Z with New Zealand race driver Jonny Reid behind the wheel before getting the opportunity to take the car for a spin himself.
Four competitors at a time raced head-to-head on Logitech racing setups
The 20 finalists, with Jonny Reid far left and comp winner Tony Autridge in racing overalls in the centre
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