IF Nissan’s victory in Sunday’s Bathurst 12 Hour can teach you anything it is that your dreams are often within your grasp.

Two of the winning drivers from the team, Florian Strauss and Wolfgang Reip, graduated from the manufacturer’s GT Academy program based on skills shown through video game racing.

Both watched on as remaining driver Katsumasa Chiyo flew past two cars on the penultimate lap to secure the victory at Mount Panorama.

The victory for the two drivers, who only boast real-life racing experience over the past few years, is evidence of the opportunities online racing can provide.

Strauss was Germany’s 2013 winner under the program and the following year managed to take a class victory at the Dubai 24 Hours.

He now boasts his first outright endurance victory just two years after starting his career.

Strauss’ spot in the team was originally owned by Alex Buncombe who chose to stay home for the birth of his son Austin.

The German certainly made the most of the lucky break.

His transition from the screen success to glory on the road has happened in such a short space of time it’s hard to believe.

“I won (the GT Academy competition) in 2013 and then went for three months to the UK to start some club racing and get my international license for January in 2014 for my race in Dubai. That’s where, for me, it really started. And that was just one year ago,” he said.

“It’s an amazing journey that its taken me on and I’m grateful that I was given this opportunity. I’m still living the dream and it’s just incredible and I’m just speechless.

“It’s my first visit to Australia. I was always a big fan of Mount Panorama. To come here and go home with a big trophy and victory is unbelievable. I’m not sure. I’m a bit scared to come back next year and having to defend it, so maybe I should stay away and let Alex come here.

“For sure I’d like to come back though and maybe explore Australia for a couple of weeks. For me, racing here is racing on one of the most exciting tracks in the world. It’s close to the Nordschleife, maybe even more exciting.”

Strauss has enjoyed his time so far with the Nissan family, surrounded by both the longer-term professionals and fellow academy winners.

“With all the GT Academy winners, doesn’t matter whether it’s Alex or Wolfy (Reip), we’re kind of like a small family,” he said.

“Sometimes before a race we’ll have training camps and it’s just so much fun together with the guys. We’re always writing to each other about what’s going on. 

“Chiyo-san is kind of like a professional who supports the GT Academy and helps to share his experience with us. He proved that there’s a lot we can learn from him.”