The GT Academy is a project that turns skilled Gran Turismo users into real racing drivers. In 2012 the qualifying round in each country began with the release of the limited time game title, GT Academy 2012.

The final selection was carried out at UK's Silverstone Circuit, where four champions emerged from Europe and the U.S. Right now they are camped at Silverstone, fiercely training for the 24 Hours of Dubai in January. The four drivers are currently undergoing daily driving, physical and mental training as well as racing every weekend. Here are their profiles:

Wolfgang Reip (European Champion)

Rising to the top of 830 thousand participants including 6 regions and 12 European countries, is Wolfgang Reip.

In the last race of the final selection that went on for 8 days, he achieved a pole-to-win despite the difficult wet course conditions. He even had Bas Leinders, a racing driver from his home country declare that "He is top notch and can really do it. In the deliberation I put my reputation on the line arguing his case".

Reip has always had a love for motorsports since he was a child, and was a fan of Ayrton Senna. He hopes to someday compete at the famed circuit Spa Francorchamps in his native Belgium and even to win a race there.

Peter Pyzera (German Champion)

This year, Germany held their own independent competition separate from the rest of Europe. Out of 95 thousand participants emerged Peter Pyzera as the first German GT Academy winner.

This year, Germany held their own independent competition separate from the rest of Europe. Out of 95 thousand participants emerged Peter Pyzera as the first German GT Academy winner.

Though he has had no race experience, you can tell he really loves cars, having already owned about 16 cars to the present.He is now taking the first steps in his new career as a racing driver, and hopes to one day become a driver in the WRC.

Mark Shulzhitskiy (Russia GT Academy Champion)

In the search for more racing talent, Russia has been newly added to the stages of GT Academy. This year, the first Russian Competition was held, and Mark Shulzhitskiy emerged on top of 32 thousand participants.

Mark who hails from Vladivostok located in eastern Russia, is 23 years old. While most of his friends were getting into Ice Hockey, his father's influence had him interested in motorsports, and he has more than a few go Kart racing trophys under his belt.

But unlike the other champions of the Academy, Shulzhitskiy didn't have much experience playing Gran Turismo. His first exposure to the game came in 2011 when he bought a PlayStation® 3 just to play Gran Turismo 5, and it completely changed his life.

Steve Doherty (U.S. GT Academy Champion)

Across the ocean from Europe in the United States, the GT Academy competition started last year. The one who rose to the top of this year's competition with 400 thousand entrants, was a guy who missed entering the finals last year by just 0.6 seconds; Steve Doherty.

Steve turned 29 this year, and is from San Hose, California. He has always been a motorsports fan and had been entering low-cost compact car races for fun. Playing 'Gran Turismo' had deepened his interest in cars, and he became a mechanic after graduating from an automotive school.

Now well on his way in his new career, he dreams of racing in the 24 hours of Daytona.

The qualifying round of next year's Dubai 24 Hour Race held in the UAE starts on Thursday, January 10, 2013. Watch the action of the two Nissan 370Z GT4s driven by the four GT academy champions!