Gamer to professional racing driver in three years

Lucas Ordonez says 2008 was the year his life changed forever.

He's since become a cult figure among gamers as someone who managed to go from racing in his bedroom, to becoming a real life professional racing driver.

The 26-year-old, from Spain, had just been another guy, playing the Gran Turismo racing game on his console.

The GT Academy is a competition run by Sony PlayStation and Nissan. Gamers from across Europe start by competing online in a GT5 time trial.

Lucas, from Spain, says in the beginning he thought it was impossible to win.

"Around 25,000 people entered and I wasn't a big gamer, I just played like a normal guy," he said.

"I started training every day and I got good. Then I thought maybe I could actually win."

Silverstone

He managed to get down to the final 12. He then had to take part in a race camp at Silverstone where all the finalists are put through their paces, and get to race on the main track.

"The final at Silverstone was really tough," he revealed. "We had fitness tests, driving tests and media tests. It was hard work but a great experience for me."

Lucas came out on top. His prize was three months training to get an international licence, then, in January 2009, he took part in the Dubai 24-hour race.

Since then, Lucas has trained hard and just completed Le Mans where he finished second in his category.

"Sometimes I go to bed and I think am I really here...in Le Mans or Dubai.

"Three years ago I was a student and now I'm a professional racing driver, it's fantastic."

This year the competition has been held again, 90,000 entered. Two gamers from the UK are among the 12 finalists competing at the race camp at Silverstone.

"I've shown that a gamer can become a professional racing driver in just three years," he said.

"My life's completely changed. It's really tough but it's what I always dreamt about."