What's the news?
This week, Nismo has released a video designed to show off the ability of not just its cars, but of its Nismo Athletes as well.
The film is almost something you'd see on an episode of Top Gear; featuring a Nismo driver in a 370Z powering down a mountain road in an attempt to beat two wingsuit-wearing skydivers to the bottom. We're not going to tell you who won - you'll have to watch the footage for that - but we will tell you that it wasn't simply filmed for publicity.
Throughout the race, the driver behind the wheel of the 370Z, 2012 GT Academy Champion Peter Pyzera, was wearing a biometric harness. This special piece of equipment measures various parameters of Peter's body and mind, which can then be analysed in order for him to improve his skills.
"Looking at the data, I could see when I was totally focussed," commented Pyzera. "While this is fun, it is serious business. It improves my performance and is invaluable in helping me prepare for my next race."
The training process to become a Nismo Athlete certainly isn't an easy one. As well as driving skill, Nismo taps into your mind and body in order to have you racing with the best of the best after just a three-month intensive course. State-of-the-art equipment is used throughout Nismo's training programme, including an In-Body machine to measure body composition, a Brainwave Monitor to train the mind to be focussed and relaxed at the same time and a Batak console that improves reaction times.
All of Nismo's efforts are clear when you watch the Pyzera take on base jumper David Barlia; as he hits more than 210km/h during his descent in the wingsuit, and at times comes within six metres of the rocky surface of Switzerland's Susten Pass below.
Anything else?
The competition that discovered Peter Pyzera, GT Academy, is now in its fifth season; and had more applicants than ever before in its most recent series.
The footage of Pyzera vs. Barlia, or Nismo vs. Wingsuit, can be seen here.