GT Academy Winner Lucas Ordonez Shines at Sebring.

By Charles Oladeji.

25 year old GT Driver Lucas Ordonez claimed 2^nd place at the 59^th 12 hours of Sebring  in the LMP2 class, driving a Oreca Prototype by Signatech-Nissan.  Alongside experienced team mates Sohiel Ayari and Franck Mailleux, the nr 26 Oreca 03 Signatech-Nissan team car overcame electronic and gear box problems to gain what must be regarded as an encouraging pole position leading into the rest of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup series.

This accomplishment stands out as another poignant moment in Ordonez’s rapid rise within the ranks of prominent motorsports Drivers. It goes against the grain in regards to how professional Motor Racers gain prominence, which usually entails a plethora of junior feeder series and a scramble for individual sponsorship.  

Back in 2008 not many could have predicted that a contestant on an experimental reality show aimed at a video gaming audience could have come this far; but, to the surprise of many, Ordonez has continued to show credible potential and promise in the aftermath of winning the inaugural Nissan-Playstation GT Academy.  Since then, he’s continued to progress within the GT racing fraternity.  He’s gone through intensive training programs, gained a professional Drivers Licence, actively participated in GT4 competitions, and recently had a good showing at the 2010 International 24 hours of Dubai GT2 class.

Having continued to show good form, Ordonez was recruited in February to drive in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) with Signatech.  The participation of Signatech in the ILMC signifies a small but major step by Nissan back into international motorsports. The decision by Nissan to provide Signatech with its  VR45 V8 3.4L engine  (on a two year contract)  through its motorsports branch Nismo has raised optimism  that other  Japanese auto makers may return to international motorsports following the withdraw of high profile manufacturers like  Subaru and Toyota in recent years.

The historic significance of 12 hours of Sebring in motor racing should give Ordonez added credibility and high profile experience before proceeding with the Signatech-Nissan team to the 6 hours of Spa, and that 24 hour motor race held at Circuit de la Sarthe in June in the ILMC.