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Lucas to Take on the Blancpain GT and Jann to Step Up to the Japanese Super GT500: the 2017 Season of Two GT Academy Graduates!

Every year, GT Academy graduates are active in every major race around the world. Let's focus on Lucas Ordóñez and Jann Mardenborough's participations in this 2017 season!

The 2008 European GT Academy champion Lucas Ordóñez will continue his participation in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup from his old nest at Team RJN Nissan. The car will be the well-developed GT-R NISMO GT3 and his teammates will be his old friends since his debut: Alex Buncombe and Japanese driver Katsumasa Chiyo.

Last season they were held down by strong competition from the likes of McLaren and Audi, ending at 7th place in team ranking. We can expect them to turn up the heat from the start of the season, aiming for the upper ranks in the competition. The opening round will be at Monza (Italy) on 22-23 April.

The 2011 European GT Academy champion Jann Mardenborough will continue to compete in Japan. He will now take a step up in the Super GT to the GT500 class, driving for the legendary IMPUL team lead by team director Kazuyoshi Hoshino. He will be driving the Calsonic IMPUL GT-R (Car 12 with Bridgestone tyres) together with Hironobu Yasuda.

Jann will also be entering in Formula car racing in Japan, stepping up from the All-Nippon F3 to the top Super Formula category. He will be racing the season with the SF14 (Car 20 with the Toyota RI4A engine) in the Itochu Enex Team IMPUL.

The opening round of the Super GT season will be at the Okayama International Circuit on 8-9 April, while the Super Formula will open at the Suzuka Circuit on 22-23 April.
These two drivers have proven the value of the GT Academy project over the years, competing in a variety of races as GT Academy champions. Let’s keep an eye on their progress throughout the year!