Real Nissan GT-R/C races around Silverstone using PS4 controller

Fancy yourself as a bit of a bedroom racecar driver? Even though you still can’t get the knack of setting off in a real car without it kangerooing across the carpark, there is hope for you to make your dreams come true yet.

Driving a high-performance car around a race track takes plenty of skill and practice. It usually also involves you working through lower classes of vehicle before you get to the real big guns. Furthermore, there’s usually a decent budget involved.

But, what happens if your wheel-skills are outgunned by your skills with a gaming controller?

Well, you might fancy taking Nissan’s modified GT-R/C for a spin.

This special performance grand tourer can actually be driven using a PlayStation 4 controller. You may have already guessed that it was created for the release of Gran Turismo Sport.

Nissan GT-R/C at Silverstone

This modified car was thrashed around Silverstone’s National Circuit, with driver Jann Mardenborough steering the GT-R from a helicopter above the circuit.

You can imagine the amount of clever tech that went into making this awesome radio-controlled car a reality.

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The racing drone has four robots which operate the steering, transmission, brakes and throttle. There are also six computers at the back of the car looking after the controls.

The Dualshock PS4 controller used for the GT-R/C is unmodified, but has a range of one kilometre.

Fastest radio-controlled car?

On its fastest lap of 1:17:47, the Nissan GT-R/C averaged 76 mph (122 kph) and reached a top speed of 131 mph (211 kph). Not bad.

For safety, there’s a Racelogic VBOX Motorsport sensor that sends speed data to an LCD screen in the helicopter.

There’s also two independent safety systems on separate radio frequencies, which will allow two different operators to brake or cut the engine if required.

Following the demo run, the Nissan GT-R/C will be toured around to schools in the UK to promote STEM education.

That’s a great and noble cause, but when can I have a go?