GT Academy, the ground-breaking program made possible by PlayStation, Gran Turismo and Nissan, has made dreams come true for its winners and participants by taking the best Gran Turismo 5 players and turning them into professional race car drivers. And not only are the winners going on to be pro drivers, they are also developing into some of the best drivers around. The first European winner from 2008, Lucas Ordonez, just helped his Signatech Nissan team achieve second place in their car class (LMP2 Class) at the 2011 Le Mans 24 hour race, the world's premier racing event.

Ordonez entered the first ever GT Academy, held in Europe in 2008, and beat out 25,000 other participants to become the first GT Academy champion. In the following year he completed the Dubai 24 hour race, and went on to participate in the FIA GT4 European Cup where he achieved 2nd place in individual driver standings, and helped deliver a 1st place win for his team. In 2010, Ordonez stepped up to participate in the European endurance series, and debuted in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC). And this year, he finally attained his childhood dream of participating in the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hour race, held at Circuit de la Sarthe in France.

His car was the Signatech Nissan number 26, a top of the line LMP2 machine with an Oreca-made chassis. Under the hood was a Nissan VK45DE, an engine proven in Japan's Super GT series. The car marked the fastest lap time in its class during the qualifying, and started the final race from a good position. But plagued with frequent weather changes and repeated flat tires, the team was tense throughout the 24 hours of the Le Mans competition. Overcoming the challenges was only possible due to the steady performance of the car throughout the race and the strategic teamwork of the crew. The winner of the LMP2 Class was another car with the same model engine, and for Nissan this meant representation in both the 1st and 2nd places in the class.

Ordonez, standing on the podium with a Japanese flag along with his team mates, commented, "This is the greatest moment in my life. Three years ago I won an amazing prize but never in my wildest dreams did I think that it would take me all the way to the Le Mans podium. I have been on the biggest adventure you could ever imagine and I must thank Nissan and PlayStation for creating GT Academy! I also have to thank my two teachers, Franck and Soheil, from whom I have learnt so much, and of course the Signatech Nissan boss, Philippe Sinault. Finally I must thank my family and friends for putting up with me while I pursue my dream. It will take a while for this to sink in for me but so far it is the most amazing feeling."

The overall winner of the race across all classes was the Audi R18 car number 2. Drivers Andre Rotteler and Benoit Treluyer registered as "Japanese" drivers having spent much of their careers in Japan. Together with Marcel Fassler they overcame a close struggle against the Peugeot 908 for their victory.