GT Academy 2015 not allowing previous European finalists to progress

In this seventh year of the NISMO PlayStation GT Academy, it seems that a new and important rule change was implemented in the “terms and conditions“.

The updated rules state that contestants who have competed in the 2013 and/or 2014 GT Academy Territory Finals will not be allowed to progress past the online part of the 2015 GT Academy competition.

---

1.3 – To enter this Competition, each Entrant must:
(j) not have competed at a GT Academy Territory Finals (or equivalent or similar stages in any jurisdiction) in the 2013 and/or 2014 GT Academy competition

---

Many of the previous territory finalists from 2013 and 2014 will be gutted to hear that after coming so close to their goal, they will not be allowed a new chance to compete in this years contest. However, due to European data protection legislation, 2008 to 2012 finalists will be treated as new participants, making the new ruling somewhat controversial.

The new GT Academy 2015 terms and conditions change and its restrictions only apply to the European GT Academy.

The popular GTPlanet community website has reached out for an explanation and has received an official statement from the GT Academy officials justifying the new terms. In essence, the officials are explaining that they want to make sure that as many as possible new entrants will have a shot at the GT Academy finals.

---

GT Academy is constantly trying to evolve its program and in doing so offer the opportunity to new talent. As a result, we have taken the very difficult decision to no longer include 2013 and 2014 National European finalists beyond the online competition as we were seeing a number of the same faces at the national final stage.

---

As GTPlanet also commented, this will be a massive blow to many previous GT Academy contenders out there. Some even changed their entire lifestyle in preparation of  the current Academy, and will now realise it was all in vain.

The past few years the NISMO PlayStation GT Academy has realized a dream for many out there. This year they may have shattered a few…

Official Webpage – http://www.gran-turismo.com/gb/academy/news/