Gran Turismo fans have a chance to become a real racer in this year's GT Academy

Gran Turismo 6 fans will be able to put their skills to the test for the chance to become a real-life racer with the Australian 2014 season launch of the Nissan PlayStation GT Academy competition.

Participants will need a copy of Gran Turismo 6 and a PlayStation 3 to partake in the event, which has just opened its qualifying rounds. GT Academy features separate competitions for Europe (France, Italy, UK, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Russia, Sweden, Poland and Czech Republic), Germany, USA, and a newly introduced International group (Australia, India, Middle East, Mexico and Thailand). Information for each region can be found on the Gran Turismo site.

The GT Academy qualification round launched with the recently released Gran Turismo 6 update. Fans who clock the fastest times in each region will be granted access to the National Final Event. Leading competitors at this event will then qualify for a week-long International Race Camp, which will test racers both off and on the Silverstone Circuit in the UK.

The overall international winner will go on to receive three months training to prepare to compete on the track at the Dubai 24 Hour race in January 2015.

Previous GT Academy winners are competing in this season's Blancpain Endurance Series, and Lucas Ordoñez (2008 champion) will be racing alongside Wolfgang Reip (2012 champion) at the Le Mans 24 Hours.