GT Academy winner to race at Monza

It's been a year since Jann Mardenborough entered the PlayStation GT Academy. On Saturday, he'll be on the track at Monza, going wheel to wheel with Valentino Rossi in the opening round of the Blancpain Endurance Series.

Mardenborough won the GT Academy and drove in the 24 Hours of Dubai with fellow Academy winner Bryan Heitkotter in a race-prepped Nissan GT-R. The No. 35 GT Academy Team RJN car will be up against some tough competition this weekend, including teams of Ferraris, Jaguars and Lamborghinis.

“I've never even been to Monza before, let alone raced there,” Mardenborough said. “I've driven it on the PlayStation. so I know which way the corners go. and I can't wait to get out there for real. Monza has incredible history, and I really hope I can grab a moment to go and check out the old banking that the F1 cars raced on in years gone by.”

Mardenborough said he only knows Rossi through his reputation.

“I don't know too much about bikes but I know he is the guy to beat on them. Actually, I need to get his autograph for a friend of mine.”

As you would expect, the Blancpain Endurance Series isn't shown on television here. But you can check out the live streaming action at www.blancpain-endurance-series.com, along with live timing. The three-hour race starts at 8:15 a.m. on Sunday.

By Jake Lingeman