Hi,

My name is Josh Muggleton and I am the 2014 Australian Nissan GT Academy Champion and International Runner-up.

For those of you who don't know what Nissan's GT Academy is, you can find out more information here http://www.gran-turismo.com/au/academy/about/

Since I was a young boy I have been obsessed with cars and my dream has always been to become a racing driver. Unfortunately Motorsport is an expensive passion to pursue and after realising I didn't have that sort of money, I turned to gaming and racing simulators to get my fix.

When I discovered the GT Academy competition, I dedicated all of my effort and time into preparing for it, making many sacrifices along the way. I lost over 10kg and was the fittest I have ever been, even after playing representative sport for many many years. I qualified 1st in Australia and 5th in the World - something which impressed the creator of Gran Turismo so much that he wanted to personally meet me at Race Camp!

During the competition I worked my way through the challenges and ended up in the final 2 from Australia. Our next challenge was the buggy challenge, the winning team would earn pole position for the final race at Race Camp, and have a massive advantage for winning the entire competition. I started the race and got our team a 15 second lead at the driver change, where I handed over to my teammate Marcello Rivera. Unfortunately, he was pushing unnecessarily hard and crashed, rolling the buggy. My lead, and our advantage for the final race was gone.

I survived the final elimination and became the Australian winner, which I am extremely proud of. However, it also meant that I had to start from the rear of the grid for the Final Race and at a huge disadvantage. Nevertheless I was determined and focused on doing the very best that I could.

I started in last and finished in 2nd by 0.6 seconds. I passed the most cars of anyone, and set the 3 fastest laps of the race chasing down the leader Ricardo Sanchez. The judges then deliberated for over an hour, debating who should win the competition and the professional racing contract with Nissan worth $1 million. The judges were deadlocked and it was up to head Judge Rob Barff to make the decision. Devastatingly for me he chose Ricardo Sanchez from Mexico.

There isn't a day that goes past that I don't think about what happened and how my life could have changed, including countless hours lying awake at night. I can't help but think what would have happened if Marcello didn't roll the buggy, and I started from pole position.

I was so close to my dream that I could touch it, and now it has been made so much harder.

I vowed to never give up, and I have been chasing my dream as hard as I can, doing whatever possible to one day make it a reality.

My first race was in Production Sports cars and within 10 laps, I was faster than the car's owner in a car that I have never driven, and at a track I had never been to.

I tested a current spec Lamborghini GT3 race car, and within 5 laps I was within a second of the cars owner and regular driver, again, in a car and at a track that was completely new to me.

On the same day I also drove a current spec Porsche 991 Carrera Cup car, and with only 4 laps behind the wheel, I was catching a seasoned regular who was also on track with me.

I drove for Tunehouse at World Time Attack Challenge in the their Toyota 86. I finished 8th in class out of 33 entrants (2nd Rear Wheel Drive and behind some big horsepower All wheel drive cars). I set a new Australian Record at WTAC for fastest Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ in Australia, which still stands today.

I then raced in the NSW Production Touring cars in a B2 class car which is 14 years old. Over the course of the weekend I was able to race amongst and beat more powerful cars in the class above, which are also much newer and more advanced.

However, the next part of my journey requires funds that I just don't have. I have been working tirelessly to try and get sponsorship to no avail and have exhausted all other options.

So this is where I need your help.

There are 3 things that I would like to do with the funds raised which I believe will help raise my profile, and with the results I know I can achieve, help me in gaining future sponsors to continue my racing career and my dream.

1) 2016 Bathurst 12 hour
This international event continues to grow. It is attracting some of the biggest names in international motorsport and receives worldwide exposure every year. Competing in this race will be a big boost for my profile and also earn me some invaluable exposure. With a good performance here, there is potential for me to be noticed for a co-drivers seat in the Australian GT Championship in 2016.

2) 2016 Aussie Racing Cars Series
The Aussie Racing car series is known for its close, action packed racing, and also as a great place to learn some serious race craft. Being on the V8Supercars calendar also means that every minute of each session is broadcast live on Foxtel with some great exposure to not only the V8Supercar paddock, but also to some of the other feeder categories which I would like to make my next racing step.

3) 2016 Bathurst 6 hour
I would like to do this race with the team I am currently racing for in the NSW Production Touring Car Championship, TLA Racing. They have purchased a new car which would give us a very real chance of winning the event outright, not just in our class. Once again, this event will receive some great exposure in a category that is receiving recognition as providing some of the best racing in the country.

Thank you for taking the time to have a look at my campaign and thank you for any contribution that you can make, I am truly grateful.

Alternatively, I have sponsorship opportunities available which I can send you a sponsorship proposal, or, if you have an opportunity of a drive for me, please get in contact with me through www.joshmuggleton.com

Thank you for helping me live my dream. I hope to see you on the track

Josh Muggleton

Here's the campaign that needs your help

Uh oh!

Delete media item?

Set as ?

Reset ?

Edit description

Delete update

Delete milestone

Edit Story update

Share

Email your friends

Share a link

QR code