This definitely isn’t the first lap we’ve seen of Tokyo R-246, but it is one of the fastest. With the notoriously fast GT Academy 2010 finalist Daniel Holland at the wheel, this clip is considerably more fun to watch than most of the others -- and it sounds pretty good, too. Thanks to CoolColJ for digging this up!

Torgo, who apparently has an early copy of “God of War III” with the new GT5 trailer and some proper video capturing equipment has shared the clip excellent quality. Watch it in HD below, and check out some of these still images which I’ve captured from the clip after the jump…

As many users in our forum suspected, there’s a brand new GT5 trailer included in “God of War III”. Here’s our first look at the new video, which shows a brief look at night racing, damage, and the new Rome circuit. Thanks to hardvibes for sending this in! I’ll post up a better quality version of this clip as soon as it’s available.

Here’s a look inside the Subaru Impreza WRC car as it makes its way around Tokyo R246, as seen in one of the GT5 demos used at the recent GT Academy 2010 national finals. Thanks to CoolColJ for digging this up!

MotorTrend has just published a new video today, which includes new NASCAR video footage -- including interior view! It also documents Kazunori Yamauchi’s first-hand experience at the Texas Motor Speedway. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

After five intense days of on and off track action, Luca Lorenzini from Mantova in Italy and Jordan Tresson from Villers La Montagne in northern France have been announced as the two winners of the GT Academy 2010. More hard work awaits the victorious pair who will be back at Silverstone next Monday to commence an intensive driver training programme to qualify them for an international C race licence. Only one of the pair will then be given the opportunity race a full season in the European GT4 Cup in a Nissan 370Z GT car.

It was not an easy decision for the GT Academy judging panel that consisted of Eddie Jordan, Johnny Herbert, Sabine Schmitz and experienced sportscar driver Rob Barff. Irishman Daniel Collins and Spaniard Marco Calvo just failed to make the grade from among the final four. However, they could be proud to have emerged from an original 18 and, even more impressively, from among the 1.2 million gamers that entered GT Academy via the PlayStation®3 Gran Turismo time trial.

“This has been extraordinary,” enthused former Formula One team boss, Jordan. “I have been absolutely blown away. I could not believe that these gamers, with no experience of racing cars could do this. Apart from one accident today, we have had no issues at all on the driving side. They really are great drivers, all of them, and this has been a great experience. In the end, I think we had two clear winners and I think they will do very well. But each and every one of the 18 can be rightly proud of what they have achieved and I know that they have all had an amazing experience that will stay with them forever.”

The final day of action started with an early morning triathlon, comprising a muddy sprint from Whittlebury Hall to the Silverstone off-road area for bike changeover and a cycle to Stowe circuit, followed by laps in the 370Z. The event produced high drama when Jordan Tresson, who was the clear leader, put his chances of winning at risk when he misjudged the first corner of the new Stowe Circuit on cold tyres and crashed into a tyre barrier.

“It was a serious incident and he really let himself down at that point,” explained Barff. “However, overall Jordan has been extremely good and fast and he is supremely fit. Crashing on cold tyres is a mistake that many drivers have made, and I suspect he will not do it again!

“This has been a fantastic final day. I was so impressed with how quick the guys were in a full GT4 car. Luca has been so consistent and got better and better throughout. I think we have a great pair. Dan Collins is a PlayStation learning machine who has just grown and grown. Marco had a great last day but just wasn’t quite there.”

Lapping the Stowe Circuit in a full race-spec Nissan 350Z GT4 car must have been a highlight of GT Academy for the gamers turned drivers. It was the very same car that had carried their predecessor, Lucas Ordoñez, to second place in the 2009 GT4 Cup. However, there was a final, and incredible, challenge still to come for the four finalists.

After 10 minutes of practice and a 10 minute qualifying session, all four drivers lined up in identical race-prepared Nissan 370Zs on Silverstone’s famous start-finish straight. The competition was fierce in a 20 minute race, punctuated by a simulated driver change in the pits. With the drivers having to release their steering wheels, jump out of the car and run around it before getting back in, it proved to be a decisive element of the race. Jordan Tresson entered the pits with a lead, but it was third-placed Marco Calvo who re-entered the circuit first after a lightening pit stop. Marco held on for the win and hoped that he had done enough to progress to the fourth stage of GT Academy.

“This has been an incredible journey for all of us, but particularly for our two winners,” said three-time F1 winner, Johnny Herbert. “They have really stood out over the course of the week and today showed that they are ready to compete in a GT4 car at international level.

“All 18 drivers that we started with have got a lot to take away with them. They have driven things and experienced things that they never would have. It has been wonderful to be a part of this and I look forward to watching the progress that Luca and Jordan make from now.”

German winner of two Nurbürgring 24 hour races Sabine Schmitz, was also impressed with GT Academy: “I have enjoyed this so much. Working with two F1 legends was one thing, but to work with all these great young guys who are so talented has been unbelievable. I have worked with many people on track days with more experience. These gamers came here with virtually no track time and they knew where to brake, when to turn in. They struggled at first with the G-force, but I think it really shows how good the Gran Turismo game is.”

QUOTES

Jordan Tresson, France

“I was worried about my chances this morning after I crashed, but I am so happy I made it. It’s just amazing that Nissan and PlayStation have given me this opportunity.

“I’m going to do my best over the next two months and try and improve as much as possible. Even if I’m not the winner who gets to race in the European GT4 Cup, I will have still learnt so much.”

Luca Lorenzini, Italy

“Jordan was so fast, I always tried to beat him but it was tough! I did think that I would get through, as my times were faster than the other two guys. I’m so happy that Nissan and PlayStation are running GT Academy. It’s my one opportunity in life to live my dream”

Daniel Collins, Ireland

“To be honest, I am happy. This has probably been the best experience of my life. I am also really happy for the other two. They really deserved it so I can’t be disappointed. It was an incredible learning experience. I would like to thank PlayStation and Nissan and all the judges, the organisation and other competitors. I would certainly like to come back again if I get another chance.”

Marco Calvo, Spain

“I am quite disappointed but Luca and Jordan were fast and they deserved to win. I went a bit wrong in the GT4 car. It was right hand drive, which was hard. I certainly would like to do more racing and would love to come back here again. Being a racing driver is still my dream.”

Mark Bowles, Sony Computer Entertainment

“We’re really pleased with the two guys that won, they are going to do a fantastic job in the next stage of the competition. All eighteen finalists should be so proud to be here. They beat 1.2 million other hopefuls to get a place in the GT Academy, and we appreciate all the hours they have put in playing Gran Turismo and everything they have achieved here at Silverstone over the last five days. PlayStation would love to see either Jordan or Luca go on to mirror the success of last year’s GT Academy winner Lucas Ordoñez.”

“We have learnt a bit from 2008 and I think we put together an extremely intensive programme. We took 18 gamers, most of whom had never been on a track. When I watched the final four driving a 400 bhp, slick-shod international race car they all looked like professional race drivers. They have a lot to live up to. Lucas, our winner from 2008, was on the podium in his first race. These two now have to aim high during the next two months.

With the famous Silverstone Circuit bathed in sunshine today (Monday), the GT Academy 2010 action hotted up once more. The final four Gran Turismo® racers in the competition had an incredible day of on-and-off track action. Jordan Tresson from France, Marco Calvo from Spain, Luca Lorenzini from Italy and Daniel Collins from Ireland were pitted directly against each other in a series of challenges designed to unearth the racing driver with the most potential to succeed in the European GT4 Cup race series.

First up were tense ‘dog-fights’ on Stowe circuit in the Nissan 370Zs. With the drivers starting at opposite points on the circuit, this was a pursuit race. After entertaining races between Marco and Luca and Jordan and Daniel, the French and Italian drivers emerged as the finalists, with Luca taking the win. The third place race-off was won by Daniel over Marco after the Spaniard spun.

Physical fitness is vital to any racing driver and has played an important part in GT Academy. A ‘bleep’ test – where the contestants undertake shuttle runs with an ever-decreasing time limit between each one – was won by the ultra-fit Jordan, who carried on well beyond his competition. Carrying a leg injury from the previous day’s assault course, Daniel saw it through to be second. Marco was second to be eliminated for failing to keep up with the ‘bleeps’, thus finishing third. Luca was the first one out, and so last.

Staying on Stowe circuit, the four contestants had the opportunity to take the wheel of the GT-R in race mode. With judge and lead instructor Rob Barff monitoring their progress from inside the cockpit, Formula One Grand Prix winner Johnny Herbert drove his old team-boss Eddie Jordan in a second GT-R to scrutinise their racing lines at close quarters…sometimes inches!!! As well as being able to assess the drivers, the exercise proved useful for putting the drivers under pressure with Herbert all over their tails at high speed. Overall the contestants were judged on their consistency and speed over five laps.

The afternoon saw a fascinating knockout session played out on the National circuit. Each competitor drove the 370Z for a ten minute ‘qualifying’ session. The drivers then switched to Silverstone’s single-seaters. The driver with the worst combined qualifying time was eliminated and the remaining drivers repeated the exercise until the winner emerged. The test of driving versatility and speed was won by Italian Luca Lorenzini. Jordan Tresson was second, Daniel Collins third and Spaniard Marco Calvo was the first driver eliminated having struggled in the single-seater.

A second ‘press conference’ challenge, confirmed that the four finalists had all paid attention to Louise Goodman’s media masterclass. All four contestants put in excellent performances and responded well to some difficult questions – all in English.

“I was so impressed with all of them in the press conference,” said two-time Nürburgring 24 Hour winner Sabine Schmitz. “On the track it has been a very interesting day. To see them driving real cars with no traction control has impressed me. The GT-R is a very fast car and it not easy to go as quickly as they did. They even managed to get Johnny Herbert into trouble while he was chasing them, which was funny! I am enjoying this process enormously. It is a fantastic event and really big fun.”

Rob Barff was delighted to get some dry track time today: “The first dry day has given us a great opportunity to assess the drivers in a different environment. Jordan Tresson has excelled in fitness. Luca has been driving incredibly fast this afternoon. Daniel Collins just continues to improve with every lap. Marco Calvo definitely enjoyed the wet conditions, but he did struggle a little this afternoon. But tomorrow’s another day and there is still a lot left to run in this competition. GT Academy 2010 has been brilliant. It has proved again that this crazy idea really can work!”

After the toughest day of the competition so far, the fate of the eight Gran Turismo® racers left in GT Academy 2010 has been decided. Jordan Tresson from France, Marco Calvo from Spain, Luca Lorenzini from Italy and Daniel Collins from Ireland will all progress to the final two days of the Silverstone ‘boot camp’. The four will keep their hopes alive of being one of two drivers that will undergo an intensive race training programme to qualify for an International C Race licence. One winner will then progress to drive a Nissan 370Z GT car in the European GT4 Cup.

Day three began with a 6.00am wakeup call for participants. They were taken to Silverstone’s off-road experience area to be put through an extreme fitness test. Three ex-marines guided them through an assault course that would be tough at any time. In temperatures of less than two degrees, with driving rain, wind, mud and lots of water it became almost unbearable for some of the competitors. Mental and physical strength were pushed to the limits but all eight hopefuls made it through.

“This was not really a test of fitness, but more one of mental stamina,” explained ex-Royal Marine Commando Ben Mason who ran the assault course. “In that respect, they all did very well. Some of the guys might not have been fit by our standards, but they pushed hard to the end in difficult conditions.”

France’s Jordan Tresson had both the physical and mental aptitude required to take first place. He was followed home by Italy’s Giacomo Cunial and Ireland’s Daniel Collins.

After a much-needed hot shower and breakfast, the competitors met with Nissan athlete Geraldine Fasnacht. The Swiss gave the racing hopefuls an insight into her life as an extreme sportswoman and what it takes to survive at the top.

Former ITV Formula 1 presenter, and ex-Jordan Grand Prix press officer, Louise Goodman then enlightened the participants in the ways of the media. She gave them a brief but impressive media training workshop to prepare them for a possible life as a racing driver.

Back at Silverstone the competitors were back on track, albeit a damp track. They continued to hone their car control with a drifting test in the rear wheel drive manual Nissan 370Z. The contestants enjoyed the pleasure of lapping Silverstone’s National Circuit in the GT-R set-up in race mode. The final, and perhaps most challenging, on-track session of the day took place in Silverstone’s single-seaters on the new Stowe Circuit. The GT Academy instructors assessed all activities to feed back to the judges.

In a packed day, there was no let-up for the competitors on their return to the hotel. They were taken straight to a class room to undertake their ARDS (basic race licence) exam before a mind-coaching session with a Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) expert.

A welcome addition to the Academy judging panel today was former Formula One team owner, Eddie Jordan. The BBC F1 presenter, who counts Michael Schumacher as one of his former protégées, was impressed with the competitors: “I’m staggered by the standard,” explained the experienced Irishman. “I didn’t believe that it was possible for people from the virtual world to have that relationship with the car. They are undoubtedly the quickest and best on PlayStation 3, but to come here and display such immediate talent, speed, commitment and understanding is impressive. I underestimated them. They are racing drivers in disguise!

“It’s going to be an interesting couple of days with these four guys. If it is as difficult to get them from four to two as it was to separate this eight, it is going to be very hard for us!”

The GT Academy 2010 continues tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday with the on-track action intensifying. The judges will be scrutinising all four competitors before a final decision on the two winning drivers is taken on Tuesday night. Check out all the photos from the day on the GT Academy Flickr Photostream.

Difficult conditions greeted the 18 at Silverstone today (Saturday). But despite some heavy rain during the day, all driving activities went ahead as planned. A sprint competition in the 370Zs was followed by 3 separate activities in the afternoon – a head-to-head, parallel course time-trial in the awesome Nissan GT-R, drifting and car control in the 370Z, and lapping Stowe circuit in the 370Zs with an instructor assessing their progress.

At the end of the day, the competitors undertook a teamwork challenge. Split into two teams, they were timed to undertake a full ‘pit-stop’ on the new 370Z GT4 race car, delivered to the circuit by their potential new boss, Bob Neville of RJN Motorsport.

Back at the GT Academy’s hotel base, the judges, armed with the competitors’ times and scores supplied by Silverstone’s experienced team of instructors, deliberated on the fate of the 18 hopeful gamers. After less than an hour, the decision was taken as follows…

The Final 8:

• Jordan Tresson – GT_driver_BMW (FR)
• Oliver Simon – GTNDC_czsimo (CH)
• Daniel Collins – DarkEnergyForce (IE)
• Jeroen Kesselring – Oenta (NL)
• Marco Calvo – MakaayX (ES)
• Filipe Baretto – Hunter_4_6 (PT)
• Luca Lorenzini – Giagua (IT)
• Giacomo Cunial (IT)

Formula One and Le Mans 24 Hour winner Johnny Herbert felt that most of the decisions were relatively clear cut: “I would say that the standard is fairly similar to that of GT Academy 2008 at this stage,” he explained. “However, the eight that we have chosen are close, compatible and very competitive. There was probably a bit more of a difference between the last eight in the first Academy. You have the impression that these guys are really going to push each other, but in a positive way.

“Obviously we feel we have got the best eight, but it was a hard decision. There were a couple of guys that were close and we had to weigh up all the factors and make that tough decision based on who can realistically progress to be the full racing package. That means being fast and consistent on the track, but also being able to communicate well with your team and the media. In the end, it may have been some of those ‘softer’ elements that made the difference of one guy over the next.”

The GT Academy continues on Sunday. A 7.00am start of a gruelling assault course awaits the competitors, followed by more intensive race instruction and challenges in the GT-Rs, 370Zs and some single seaters. In the classroom, the eight competitors will sit their written ARDS (race licence) test. Joining the judging panel on Sunday will be former Formula One team owner, Eddie Jordan.

The first day of the GT Academy 2010 Silverstone Finals are complete! The participants saw little bit of everything: fitness tests, written tests, 370Z track time, and a karting endurance race. The France/Portugal team has done the best so far, winning the karting competition, with Spain and Benelux coming in 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Read through the first-hand reports in our new GT Academy 2010 forum, or keep reading to check out the complete gallery from Day 1.

[Via Facebook.]