WILLOW SPRINGS, Calif. – Nissan GT Academy winner Ricardo Sánchez recently showed Jay Leno just how well the racing game Gran Turismo translates to on-track skill in an appearance on Jay Leno’s Garage.
In 2014, the Mexican driver beat out 100,000 of his fellow countrymen, as well as hopefuls from five other regions, to become the Nissan PlayStation GT Academy International Winner. As a NISMO athlete, Sánchez has since gone on to compete at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and in the Pirelli World Challenge series in the U.S.
Despite having never been to Willow Springs track in California, Sánchez was on pace immediately in the Nissan GT-R thanks to practice laps on Gran Turismo.
Leno was initially doubtful of how well the virtual track driving would translate to real life. However, his fears were quickly appeased as Sánchez hit his marks perfectly and didn’t put a wheel wrong over during the run.
🎬 Watch @GTAcademy ace @RSanchezGP take @jayleno for a ride on the wild side tonight on @LenosGarage on @CNBC tonight at 10:00pm (US Eastern) #JayLenosGarage pic.twitter.com/TrWYOG8fJa
— Nissan NISMO (@NISMO) February 1, 2018
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📸 Did you catch @GTAcademy ace @RSanchezGP on @LenosGarage this week? Ricardo took @jayleno for laps around Willow Springs Raceway aboard the #OMGTR. See the shots at: https://t.co/PHm41sm40E pic.twitter.com/N36hXVJG4M
— Nissan NISMO (@NISMO) February 3, 2018
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