Michael Caruso’s Number 23 NISMO Nissan Altima V8 Supercar will run at this weekend’s Castrol Townsville 400 in GT Academy colours.

TO CELEBRATE THE FINALS of the Australian round of the Nissan PlayStation GT Academy at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast in two weeks’ time, Michael Caruso’s Altima V8 will feature a special ‘black chrome’ GT Academy livery.

“This is easily the best-looking V8 Supercar I will have the privilege of driving,” said Michael Caruso.

“We see lots of different colour schemes and special designs from time to time, but this GT Academy livery is going to stick in people’s minds for a long time.

“And even if people don’t like it as much as I do, they won’t be able to miss it – it’s very shiny!

“The Nissan PlayStation® GT Academy is a great concept and I hope our new design can ensure that more and more people get down to Movie World and try and qualify for the final – there’s still 10 spots up for grabs!”

Nissan says that with online qualifying concluded, the only way to now earn a place in the Australian Final is via ‘live events’ to be held at Warner Bros. Movie World in the week leading into the final.

Two contestants will be selected each day via live events held from Wednesday 15 July to Friday 17 July at 11:00am to 3:00pm, with a further four selected on Saturday 18 July from 10:00am to 12:00pm (noon).

The 20 contestants in the Australian Final will compete on Gran Turismo6 on PlayStation3, fitness tests, media sessions and on-track driving challenges in Nissan sportscars. The Australian Final will be overseen by a group of experts led by Nissan Motorsport V8 Supercars driver and Australian GT Academy judge and mentor Rick Kelly.

The six best contestants from the Australian Final will then join Kelly in flying to the Silverstone F1 circuit in the United Kingdom for the 2015 GT Academy International Race Camp in August, where Australian hopefuls will compete against finalists from Mexico, Turkey, northern Africa and the United States for the chance to become a professional racing driver for Nissan and NISMO.