Bridgnorth computer gamer wins national Gran Turismo competition
A computer gamer from Shropshire has taken the motorsport world by storm after winning a national competition.
Shane Ward, from Bridgnorth, entered 2013 Nissan Gran Turismo Academy, which sees players of the popular racing game battle to show they can be as fast on the track as they are on their consoles.
More than 150,000 of the nation's most talented bedroom racers tried their hand at the real thing, which was whittled down to a select few to take part in a final competition at home of motorsport racing, Silverstone.
The competition included a two-lap time trial at the Laguna Seca track on the Gran Turismo arcade machines, while the final 12 fought it out in Nissans for the top six international qualifying spots.
Mr Ward, 21, who went to Bridgnorth Endowed School, made the final six and could now have the chance of forging a professional career as a racing driver.
He said: "I picked up a copy of Gran Turismo 5 and with each version it mentions to enter the GT Academy.
"I didn't apply for a few years because I didn't think I was good enough but someone at my college said I should give it a go.
"I entered online and was eventually invited to Silverstone.
"Initially we just played the game but by day two things turned serious.
"We were given fitness tests and then got put in a Nissan Juke Nismo 1.6 turbo, which I scored a pretty decent time in. It was amazing when my name was called out."
Mr Ward, who is currently studying Human Resources and Management in International Business at Keele University, said he had an inkling he might be good at racing when he took part in a go-karting track day – and nearly broke the lap record.
He said: "The person running the race said I should may be look into following racing up, but it's a tribute to the game how well people can progress.
"If you play a shooting game it doesn't mean you'll be good in the Army, but the idea with this academy is eventually we'll be given more complex machinery to deal with."
Mr Ward will compete in the final later this year, where the UK winner will go on to challenge for the European title.
