So who's going to be the first ever Filipino Race Car Driver?

This is the main buzz last May 29 when Nissan Philippines, Inc. holds a Media Cup at the Valkyrie BGC. It's an opportunity for media members to try out the virtual tracks and see if they too, can become a motoring sensation. 

But it is the Filipino GT players who will have this opportunity as Nissan Philippines revs up its search for the first Filipino race car driver who'll take it to the podium finish at Silverstone as the first Nissan GT Academy Philippines draws closer to its National Finals this July.

"Ever since we launched the program last May 25, we at Nissan are overwhelmed to see Filipino GT players rose to our call, and answered the challenge of making good time on the virtual tracks on their quest to become real race car driver." Antonio Zara, NPI President and Managing Director, said: "This can be seen in the number of players who've signed up in all our Live Events, with nearly 20,000 trials made in the 13 Live Events we've held to date." he later added.

For now, there has been 20 excellent players who have led the charge in the leaderboards. But they shouldn't rest on their laurels as Nissan Philippines holds succeeding Live Events scheduled in June along with provincial run for potential talents in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Filipino Race Car driver Marlon Stockinger, who has raced for Status Grand Prix, will be the mentor and guest-judge of the finalist. Mr. Zara was hopeful that following Stockinger footsteps, "a Filipino will emerge as the next International Motorsports Sensation."

The Nissan GT Academy Philippines will be holding the National Finals for the top 20 finalists from the Live Events in July. The top finalists are expected to hurdle a series of challenges that will tax their driving skills, mental and physical agility as well as tactical ability, in order to qualify for the Race Camp Week in Silverstone, UK this August.

Currently, the top 5, which may be subject to change after the June Live Events, are: Terence P. Lallave, Cameron Jordan Padillo, Jan Millard lacuna, Paolo Vittorio Alcance and Rafael Miru Lesaguis.

For more details on the Nissan GT Academy and the June schedule of Live Events, visit their Facebook page at https:www.facebook.com/NissanPhilippinesInc or their official website. www.nissan.ph

Thanks to the invite of Mars Callo and the adspin.com.ph,we had a blast that night as we sample Valkyrie's party experience, their food buffet and my most favorite part of the night - trying out the Nissan GT Virtual tracks.