Chaz Holland. Photo / New Zealand Esports Federation.
Chaz Holland. Photo / New Zealand Esports Federation.
Chaz Holland has been a gamer for nearly 20 years but he never expected to play on live TV.
The 25-year-old, who describes himself as a casual gamer, is one of eight finalists that will lineup in the GT Sport NZ LPL Grand Finale at the SKYCITY Theatre on Tuesday night.
The event will be broadcast live on SKY TV and marks another breakthrough in LPL's development of esports in New Zealand.
Holland started gaming as a kid on his Sega Mega Drive before moving to PlayStation where he played the earlier editions of Gran Turismo.
He'd given it a break in recent years but with the launch of GT Sport, he gave it a crack on his PlayStation 4.
Holland recorded the fastest lap time in the GT Sport competition at the Armageddon Expo in Auckland recently, which indicated his ability.
He took that form into last Saturday's qualifying event at the SKYCITY Foyer Precinct where he booked one of six available spots in the final from that tournament.
"I kind of liked my chances but I didn't want to get too confident," Holland said.
Two online qualifiers - Matthew Brown and Simon Bishop - joined the six qualifiers from last Saturday - Holland, Matt Smith, Faine Kahia, Josh Ritchie, David Fisher and Johann Ward - to round out the finalists.
Holland's virtual vehicle. Photo / New Zealand Esports Federation.
Holland works as a visual effects artist helping with TV shows and commercials but he never envisioned he'd be on centre stage.
"There's going to be a little bit of nerves," he said. "I'll try and control them and as soon as I get into the game - a couple of laps in - I'm going to just be in the zone. I won't let anything distract me.
"It's quite a cool experience, to be honest."
The eight racers will compete against each other in a 25-lap race around Mt Panorama with a celebrity contest featuring athletes from the Mystics, Breakers and Warriors on tap for the curtain-raiser.
There will be $5000 on offer for the winner and a limited edition GT Sport Decal PS4. Second place will receive $2000, a PlayStation VR and a limited edition GT Sport Decal PS4. Third prize is $2000 and a limited edition GT Sport Decal PS4.
The live broadcast for the Grand Finale starts at 7pm on SKY Sport 2.
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