Reborn

Felt so good to be back in a full season of competition. Racing the new Ford Mustang GT3 had its challenges being the newest car in GT3 but throughout the season with Haupt Racing Team the results got more nearer the front. Nurburgring for GTWC where we still finished 3rd in my eyes, and the Nordschleife for NLS where I was hunting down the leader in the final stint to cross the line 2nd to Max Verstappen’s team. I've recorded a lot of footage which in time will be edited to show the highs or racing and the lows and behind the scenes of me. It’s a format I can agree with, so look forward to that.

Hustling group C and historic racing with the Masters Series, including F1 from the 70’s. Racing a William’s FW03 and March 741 including the Toyota TOM’S 86C. Also racing at Yas Marina F1 in the March 741.

Speaking at events, sim racing and corporate events which there’s value cross over. Moved to a new area of the world, explored more countries and life with people I love.

I mentioned the Nordschleife above however there was more to it this year. It’s been 10 years since my accident there. Ive always wanted to return to race there but life hasn’t led me back there, until this year. I redid my ring permit in silence myself and managed to secure with Haupt Racing Team a later NLS race. The timing of it being Max’s first NLS race and my 10 year return was cosmic and mentioned by a close friend perfect. Could finally finish my lap there in a GT3 car.

Let’s see, I want to do the 24hr of Nurburgring in 2026, will aim for that. Working on next seasons direction, have a good base to start from this year.

Ciao for now.

Press tour

Looking at my calendar there’s 16 days to the LA premiere and a few more days after that the release of the movie Aug 11th.

Speaking a lot, my voice has gained a rasp to it, as if I’m smoked a cigar or two, I kinda like it. For those not in the know there’s a strike going on the movie world with writers and now actors. Meant planning things for the promo has been difficult so I’ve been told. I understand a limited amount from each side, but we move forward with the tools we have. Personally I’ve enjoyed the promo and I’m sure I’ll enjoy the forthcoming stuff even if it’ll be different from normal due to the strikes.

Many countries coming up. I’ve bought a few suits and some for free for the tour. This is only ever going to happen once, probably. More footage getting released on the GranTurismoMovie social pages and some behind the scenes 35mm film shots I took while on set.

While nobodies looking, I’ll share a few below. :P

Ciao for now.

Jann Mardenborough to compete in the 2023 Super Taikyu 24 hours of Fuji

Jann Mardenborough's partnership with HELM Motorsports for Supertaikyu 24 Hours of Fuji following Gran Turismo Movie Trailer release.

Jann Mardenborough, is set to compete at the Supertaikyu 24 Hours of Fuji on May 25-28, 2023, alongside the winning team from last year, HELM Motorsports. Mardenborough's participation in the race is generating buzz in the world of motorsports, following the release of the Gran Turismo movie trailer, which is based on his gamer-to-racer true story.

Mardenborough, who won the Nissan GT Academy in 2011, has already race several times at Fuji in a range of racing series, including the Japanese F3, Super Formula and GT300/500. He will team up with HELM Motorsports, the defending champions of last year's Supertaikyu 24 Hours of Fuji, in what promises to be an exciting race.

“I am honored and excited to join HELM Motorsports for the Supertaikyu 24 Hours of Fuji. I want to thank Yuya and Reiji Hiraki for this opportunity and look forward to working with the team to achieve great results” said Mardenborough. “It has been an incredible journey so far, and I also hope that my story being brought to life on the big screen with the Gran Turismo Movie will inspire others to chase their dreams”.

Mardenborough's journey from gamer to racing driver has been an inspiration to many, and the Gran Turismo movie is set to bring his story to a wider audience. The trailer, which was released on May 2, 2023, has already received widespread praise for its gripping portrayal of Mardenborough's rise to fame.

HELM Motorsports won last year's Supertaikyu 24 Hours of Fuji, and their partnership with Mardenborough is expected to be a strong contender for the top spot. The race promises to be fiercely competitive, with a field of experienced drivers vying for the championship title.

"We are very excited to have Jann, who has achieved a number of successes in Japan” said Yuya Hiraki from HELM Motorsports.”We are also looking forward to working with the NISSAN Nismo GTR, which will give us maximum performance. We will do our best with Jann for the best result of 24-hours race.”

The Supertaikyu 24 Hours of Fuji promises to be an exciting event, with Mardenborough joining a strong field of drivers in the ST-X (GT3) class. Fans of Mardenborough and the Gran Turismo franchise will be eagerly watching to see the outcome of this race.

gran turismo trailer

It’s here. The Gran Turismo trailer of my true story.

Pleased with it, the right amount of content without showing too much.

More will be revealed in the cinemas Aug 11th.

Ciao for now.

Gran Turismo Movie

My desire for this movie would to be a catalyst for anybody young or old to have the courage to seek out there passions and purposes. If that be motorsport, cool. If something else also cool.

J

Archie Madekwe playing me in Gran Turismo. First day meeting at silverstone before heading out to the Gran Turismo set.

Mardenborough returns for fifth Super GT season in Japan

• Former gamer continues with Nissan in the GT500 class

• Now one of only two international drivers on Nissan roster

• Returns with Kondo Racing in 2020

TOKYO, JAPAN, (Friday, January 10, 2020) – British racer Jann Mardenborough will contest his fifth consecutive full-time season in Japan in 2020 after being announced as part of Nissan’s driver roster for the Super GT sportscar championship.

After winning the GT Academy competition in 2011, the former British gamer has excelled in international sports car competition and become a leading star on Nissan’s race roster.

Mardenborough debuted in Japan in 2016 in the GT300 class and quickly graduated to the faster GT500 category the following year.

For 2020, Mardenborough will enter the season with the same team/co-driver combination for the first time. After two years with Team IMPUL, Mardenborough debuted with Kondo Racing last year with Japanese racer Mitsunori Takaboshi as his teammate.

After having different teammates in his first three years in the GT500, Mardenborough will again teammate up with Takaboshi in 2020.

The Nissan Super GT line-up was announced today at the Tokyo Auto Salon event in Japan.

In addition to his on-track commitments for Nissan in 2019, Mardenborouogh also went “back to his roots” last year when he became a judge for the World’s Fastest Gamer competition – coaching young gamers who were looking to follow in his footsteps from virtual to reality.

JANN MARDENBOROUGH Q&A
 
Q: HOW MUCH ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO RETURNING TO THE SUPER GT CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2020?

A: “I have a tremendous opportunity ahead this year with continuity in my program with Kondo Racing and Mitsunori (Takaboshi) coming back as my teammate.
“We showed some great pace towards the end of 2019 - especially at the Super GT / DTM Dream Race - but now I can’t wait to get stuck into 2020.
“I still have to pinch myself at the opportunities I’ve had here in Japan, and I’m incredibly grateful to Nissan and Kondo-san to be back this year.
“Including 2011 when I won the competition, I'm now about to start my tenth season and if somebody had told me back then that I would have the chance to live in Japan and race in one of the most competitive sports car championships I would have thought they were crazy.”

Q: HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO RETURN WITH THE SAME TEAM AND CO-DRIVER IN 2020?

A: “It is a great opportunity. One of the first things I’ve had to go through each year is building a new relationship with the team and my teammate.
“My Japanese has improved a lot in the past five years, but it is still far from perfect, and that has undoubtedly been a challenge as well.
“I now head into 2020 knowing my team, knowing my teammate – as soon as we get back in the car for testing, there will be no ‘getting to know you’ period.
“Both Mitsu and I are both very excited about that – we can’t wait to get started.”

Q: AFTER GROWING UP IN WALES, HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO LIVE AND RACE IN JAPAN?

A: “Japan certainly feels like home now, and the fans here have been incredibly welcoming to me ever since my first race in Super GT.
“It is a fantastic country and a brilliant championship to race in. I’ve loved competing against some of the best drivers in the world in the GT 500 class.
“It has been pretty amazing to get too race wheel to wheel with guys like Jenson Button over the past few years, but this series is full of talented guys with just as much speed.
“It looks like I’ll be the only British driver in the GT500 class this year – that is a great honor, and I’m looking forward to flying the flag for the UK fans.”

Q: HOW MUCH DID YOU ENJOY THE SUPER GT / DTM “DREAM RACE” AT THE END OF LAST YEAR?

A: “That was an excellent opportunity to bring together two amazing championships and combine more brilliant brands on track at the same time.
“The competition was tough, but I managed to top the timesheets in testing before the weekend – my race didn’t go to plan, but I’d love to get more opportunities to do battle with the DTM guys again.
“We only have eight race weekends in Super GT, so any I’d grab any opportunity with both hands to compete in these combined races, head back to Le Mans or race in other big sports car races around the world.”

Q: HOW REWARDING WAS IT TO TAKE ON THE ROLE OF A JUDGE AND HAVE A COACHING ROLE FOR WORLD’S FASTEST GAMER LAST YEAR?

A: “That was amazing! I'm entering my tenth year as a professional driver, I feel like a racer now, rather than just a gamer who goes racing.
“But I will never forget where I came from. There are a lot of skills that transfer perfectly from virtual racing to real-world competition, but it was amazing to be able to pass on what I’ve learned to the next batch of virtual racers looking to follow in my footsteps.
“When I won GT Academy, a lot of these guys were just getting their first game console. I saw some amazing raw talent on the World’s Fastest Gamer finals tour, and I won’t be surprised to see a number of these guys make the same transition I did.”