Used Nissans in New York could start attracting more attention when racing enthusiasts learn the manufacturer has entered into an interesting partnership with Sony.

Nissan and Sony want to let racing simulation fans get behind the wheel of a real sports car and take on the Silverstone Circuit in England, according to CNET.com. Individuals participating in the GT Academy competition will first have to post record times in four stages of Gran Turismo 5, Sony’s racing simulator for PlayStation 3.

The fastest 20 entrants of each country competing will then race each other to win stage two, says the news source. In stage three, these national winners will battle it out amongst themselves to make it to the final round, in which they’ll go to Silverstone.

Polyphony Digital is expected to release Gran Turismo 5 to the U.S. public on February 2, according to VGReleases.com. The most recent installment in the series is Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, which became available in April of 2008. The GT Academy competition could generate interest that might benefit sales of used Nissans in New York and elsewhere.