Team Australia on pole for GT Academy final

he penultimate day of the competition saw one of the three Australian competitors knocked out from the competition, Nick Dalton sent packing after a monster truck drag racing event.

The remaining two competitors from each country then took part in a Nissan Micra stock car race, with some excellent strategy work helping Team Australia’s Elliott Schutte and Matthew Simmons bag victory.

The win means they’ll start today’s final race – to be run in Nissan 370z racecars – from pole position, giving one of the Aussies a huge chance of winning the competition.

“It was the first opportunity for us to go up against the other countries, and it was really nerve-wracking standing up on the pit-wall,” said Australia’s judge and mentor Rick Kelly.

“The boys did an outstanding job. We took advantage of the early safety car while the others stayed out and from that point on we were in a really good position.

“We put Matthew in with more than three quarters of the race to go and he handled it really well and managed his times consistently, getting us to the flag in first place.

“Last year we were the strongest team in a number of disciplines but being at the back of the grid for the final race cost us – this time we’re at the front so let’s see what happens.”

The final race will be broadcast live via NISMO.tv (starting midnight AEST).