Impact Racing

[Swank911]

Does any one have any experience with Bill Simpson's new company Impact Racing?

[91C2wrencher]

No, but the name is creepy.

[ChrisBennet]

I notice their ads show computer generated helmets - not actual helmets. What's with that "detachable fin" anyway?
-Chris

[Quicksilver]

Bill sold a majority interest in Simpson a few years ago but they kept him on to develop product. My guess is they must of started to cut him out of the loop, started to cut corners on safety, or they just didn't want to push as hard on product development as he does. (and the non-compete clause timed out)

The man is just insanely anal about safety. If Impact Racing is where Bill is focusing his energy then that is going to be the company producing the best safety equipment hands down. He is basically personally incapable of screwing around with safety.

I'm not sure why the "Lil' Champ" has a fin. I would suspect he has a definite reason. There was some experimentation a few years ago with fins for aerodynamic reasons but I wouldn't guess that a child's helmet would need that. I have a pretty generically shaped helmet and I discovered that if you turn your head sideways at very high speeds in an open wheeled car that it requires major exertion to straighten your head again. It was pretty amazing.

I suspect that it is a recent startup but that the quality will be the best. It might take a while for the product line to broaden though. I would like to try the belts but I can't stomach the color.


Wayne.

[Swank911]

From what I have read, Bill left Simpson after some bad, incorrect press.

I am thinking of the belts, but like Quicksilver an held up on the color/logo.

If you can set yourself on fire to prove your nomex suits can cut it, I will by your products.

Jon

[SandyI]

I think the bad press you refer to was a story that blamed Dale Earnhardt's death on a "torn" Simpson seat belt during NASCAR's investigation after the fatal crash at Daytona.

[Swank911]

From the articles I have seen, There was some loop holes in the NASCAR regulations that were taken advantage of. When the investigation was being done Simpson got thrown under the bus!!!

It seems since the non-compete has expired, Bill is getting back into saftey devices full force!!

[Quicksilver]

Read that Bill had taken some heat over the Dale Earnheart wreck, including death threats! It shows an incredible lack of knowledge to blaim the single most important person involved with auto safety.

If "corporate" Simpson ran him out then they are dumber then rocks. I loved watching Dale drive but he was well known as being headstrong about ignoring some details about safety. Keeping his belts loose and using an openface helmet were at the top of the list.

I would assume that Bill was rather un-subtle (as a brick!) in his response to any detractors.

Has anyone called them? I really like the adjusters...

Wayne

[makaio]

The Bill Simpson Biography is great too! That man has been pivotal in motorsports safety.

[Quicksilver]

Well if you want to know then just go to the source. Gave them a call and started asking questions. Bill washed his hands of Simpson and started Impact in October and they started shipping in Febuary. The product guy I talked to (Jerome maybe?) happily described Bill as kind of a mad scientist.

The fin on the children's helmet is just because kids think it is cool. It is just glued with a heat adhesive and is easily removable.

There are other colors coming for the shoes, gloves and suits. Blue and red are scheduled for October. Other colors are coming for the belts but no date is set. He did say that it is easier to change the belts color so it will probably come with no notice.

The belt exchange program is incredible. $59 for the latch system.

Also they are still building a dealer network. There isn't a socal dealer yet.


Wayne

[Swank911]

Nice,

It is almost end of season up here, so I can wait until the colors come out.