GAMER-TURNED racer Jann Mardenborough smashed the supercar record for the Goodwood Hillclimb in a Nissan GT-R NISMO ‘Time Attack’ in Saturday afternoon’s Michelin Supercar run at the Festival of Speed.
GT Academy winner Mardenborough, whose only race experience until winning the Nissan competition in 2011 had been gaming online, assaulted the 1.16-mile Hillclimb in a staggering 49.27 seconds, his run edging out the Noble M600, driven by touring car legend Anthony Reid.
Lexus, Ferrari, Lotus, Porsche, McLaren, Audi, Jaguar, Pagani, Bentley, Maserati, BMW, Rolls-Royce, Sin, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo and Ginetta were all represented with ex-Formula 1 racers Bruno Senna and Rupert Keegan and sportscar legend Derek Bell all taking a turn behind the drivers’ seat.
The Nissan GT-R Nismo ‘Time Attack’ was the only one to top 100mph during the Supercar Shoot Out, reaching 106mph whilst the Noble M600 topped out at just 94mph.
In the Sunday Shoot Out Mardenborough was fourth fastest up the hill, beaten only by Sebastien Loeb in the Peugeot 208, Michael Bartels in the Maserati MC12 and Kenny Brack in the McLaren F1 GTR.