GT Academy 2014 now open, online qualifiers available in Gran Turismo 6

Gran Turismo 6 players are invited to compete in this year's GT Academy, with Sony and Nissan offering the chance to become a professional race driver.

Now in its sixth incarnation, GT Academy is a driver discovery and development program started in 2008.

Hopefuls are whittled down via a series of online qualifying events within Gran Turismo 6, which lead into national finals and a Race Camp. The final winner undergoes an intensive Driver Development Programme designed by Nissan, and will participate in races around the world as a professional driver, kicking off at the Dubai 24 Hour race in January 2015.

Gamers from Australia, India, Mexico, Middle East and Thailand are invited to participate. Online qualifiers kick off today; for details, check the Gran Turismo website for your region.

"Every GT6 gamer will have the chance to develop their skills in a series of stunning Nissan NISMO vehicles and compare lap times with their friends while competing for a coveted spot at the next stage of the competition," Polyphony Digital boss Kazunori Yamauchi said,

Previous GT Academy alumni have gone on to racing careers, including Lucas Ordoñez, Wolfgang Reip and Jann Mardenborough.