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Indian Achieves Podium At Nissan GT Academy International Camp
Nissan India had selected a few Indians for its GT Academy, which would take place in Silverstone. Among them was Bangalore's Abhinay Bikkani, who secured a podium finish in the final race organised by Nissan GT Academy International Race Camp 2014.
Abhinay Bikkani stood third overall and was close to John Muggleton of Australia. The winner in first place was Ricardo Sanchez from Mexico. The Indian contenders were mentored by Karun Chandhok, former Formula One driver and current Formula E racer.
Kenichiro Yomura, President Nissan India Operations expressed, "I congratulate Abhinay on behalf of Nissan India for his admirable performance in the GT Academy International 2014 Race Camp."
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He further added, "His achievement is even more special as India won a spot on the podium in the final race despite having participated for the first time ever in our coveted driver discovery and development program."
The finalists of Nissan GT Academy had the rare opportunity of practicing in the Japanese manufacturer's popular vehicles. They had to drive the Nissan GT-R, 370Z Nismo along with the 370Z race prepped vehicle.
We asked Abhinay Bikkani a few questions regarding his triumphant podium finish and this is what he had to say.
Q.
We
hear
the
bootcamp
is
a
difficult
challenge,
how
did
you
cope
with
it?
A.
For
2014
Nissan
shortened
the
bootcamp,
however,
it
was
still
the
hardest
thing
done
in
my
life.
It
tests
you
mentally
as
well
as
physically
and
surprisingly
I
finished
last.
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Q.
Do
you
prefer
Formula
One
or
Endurance
racing
and
who
would
you
like
to
race?
A.
I
am
a
big
Formula
One
fan
and
have
been
following
it
since
my
childhood.
My
idol
is
Aryton
Senna,
however,
from
the
modern
era
I
personally
like
Lewis
Hamilton
and
would
like
racing
with
him
in
the
old
V8
machinery.
Q.
How
much
did
you
learn
from
your
mentor
Karun
Chandhok?
A.
Karun
is
an
amazing
individual,
when
you
get
to
meet
him
personally
it
is
an
altogether
different
experience.
He
had
important
points
for
me
as
it
was
my
first
time
around
the
Silverstone
circuit.
Q.
What
is
your
advice
for
participants
of
the
next
Nissan
GT
Academy
in
India?
A.
Start
playing
more
on
the
Playstation
with
Gran
Turismo
6.
The
transition
from
virtual
to
reality
is
a
bit
difficult,
however,
you
can
learn
a
lot
from
the
game.
Also
start
training
for
physical
activities
as
the
camp
will
test
you
both
mentally
as
well
as
physically.
Being
fit
is
very
important.
Q.
What
after
this,
what's
the
future
plan?
A.
As
of
now
nothing
is
sure,
currently
will
be
heading
back
to
Bangalore
to
compete
in
a
local
championship.
Will
have
to
wait
and
see
if
Nissan
has
anything
planned.
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