A Visit to Impact Racing Products
Lightning
Strikes for a Second Time as Safety Pioneer Bill Simpson Launches Impact
Racing—An Exclusive Visit to His New Company
The slogan reads,
“Bill Simpson is Back, New Company, New Logo, New Products—The same Bill
Simpson you trust for safety.” I recently had the opportunity to visit
Simpson’s new venture, Impact Racing Products. After visiting with the
staff and looking at their new products, I am sure that Impact Racing
Products will quickly become the standard that the rest of the industry
aspires towards. |
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Our visit to Impact Racing Products started
in their showroom where all of there products are on display. |
It is hard to find
anyone connected to racing that is not familiar with Simpson Racing
Products, the safety giant that Bill Simpson built over the past several
decades. What people may not know is that a few short years ago Bill
Simpson sold his interest in the company and resigned to a position on the
board. As is the case for many owners who sell their companies, Simpson’s
position distanced him from the part of the business he loved
most—developing and innovating cutting edge safety products with the
interest of the driver at the forefront. I am confident that ‘love’ is the
right word here. Don’t forget that it was Simpson who in the early years of
Simpson Racing Products set himself on fire in the infield of the
Indianapolis Speedway to prove the worth of his driver’s suits.
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The Gloves are Off
“The gloves are off”—Words spoken early in my conversation with Impact
Racing Products’ Director of Marketing, John Dambros seemed to be the best
way to describe the attitude at Impact Racing Products. Dambros went on to
explain, “We are in a position where we have experience but not history.”
Dambros, also a veteran of service at Simpson Racing, explained that they
had a large investment in molds, forms and patterns. In many cases this
investment drove decisions around what a product would be, rather than
simply starting from scratch and building the product that was best suited
to the racer’s need. “At Impact Racing we are in the enviable position of
being able to approach product design solely from the stand point of
function—what is it that the driver needs and wants” explained Dambros. |
Impact Racing Products has in-house testing
equipment that lets them test how their helmets perform in an accident. |
Not your Typical
Start-Up
Yes, Impact Racing Products is a start-up with the ability to leverage all
of the advantages of being a start-up including the ability to quickly
change direction and make decisions in the best interest of their customer.
However, Impact Racing is also very different than your typical start-up.
They have an extreme wealth of knowledge. Aside from having Simpson, one of
the most recognized pioneers in motorsports safety, there are additional
players on the staff, like John Dambros and Mike Guglielmucci who have years
of experience at Simpson Racing. Simpson’s previous success also means that
he has the pockets to do things right. One of the best examples of this is
the testing lab that Impact Racing has
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in-house. This lab
features a computerized helmet testing device that allows the result of
direct impacts to be analyzed. Dambros commented, “its one thing to be able
to theorize about what will happen, it’s quite another to actually test it
out.” Dambros was quick to point out that lab testing is just one part of
the equation. “We are also at the track. That’s were you really find out
what happens in an accident.”
A Comprehensive Mix
of Safety Products
In the beginning Impact Racing was
solely focused on producing safety restraints. However, as is the case when
you produce a quality product, requests for additional products appear. As
a result the Impact Racing line now includes not only restraints, but
helmets, shoes, gloves and soon driving suits. The goal on the development
of each product has been to design from the standpoint of the driver.
Although safety is paramount, comfort is also an important concern. This is
evident throughout the entire product line. Impact Racing helmets are light
and durable, making use of proprietary materials in the helmet shell and
liner. During a test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Helio Castro Neves,
commented that the guys at Impact Racing really do listen to the driver.
Not only was the helmet he tested light, but the aerodynamic ridges on the
top kept it from buffeting around in the wind. Their shoes are also
designed around safety and comfort. Dambros related the story of Bobby
Hamilton Jr.’s first exposure to a pair of Impact Racing’s shoes. “During
the Busch Series visit to Indianapolis Raceway Park, Hamilton Jr. approached
us excited about our shoe. He claimed that our shoe was just as comfortable
as the tennis shoes he wears around everyday.” Impact’s safety restraints
(belts) are also designed around function. Impact’s extensive testing led
to a ribbed webbing that features a polyester blend, providing superior
strength and elongation properties. Additionally the ribbing provides
almost a racheting action when it comes to tightening the belts. Although
our conversations centered on form and function, don’t think that Impact has
sacrificed on appearance. “Although you hate to say it, many of our
customers have purchased an Impact product just because of the way it
looks”, commented Dambros. |
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On the Shelf, Ready to Ship
The staff at Impact is working hard to get product
on the shelf and ready to ship. Dambros was very forthcoming in his
explanation of inventory. “We have a strong inventory of almost all of our
products right now. There are a few items that we are still building
inventory on like the Charger model helmet. But, we are very close.”
Impact has chosen to make use of local/domestic manufacturers for their
products. “Since many of our products are manufactured to military
specifications and the majority of military manufacturing takes place
domestically, it just makes sense that our products are manufactured in the
U.S.”, commented Dambros. Wondering back into their warehouse revealed rows
of boxes emblazoned with the Impact Racing’s Lightning Bolt, ready to be
shipped.
The Welterweight Market
Impact Racing’s products have been designed for
use by racers in all divisions and forms of motorsports, including one of
the fastest growing, welterweight racing. Dambros commented, “We are happy
to have Speed Partz on board as a dealer. We know that safety is every bit
as important to amateur racers as it is to the pros, if not more so—they’ve
got to be able to make it back to work or school on Monday morning. Speed
Partz desire to help and support amateur racers with quality products makes
them a logical fit for our product.”
Stay tuned over the winter months as
additional articles provide insight into the entire Impact Racing product
line.
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Impact Racing Products staff has been hard
at work creating inventory to support your racing program.
We've carry the
entire line of Impact Racing Products--Just in time for the holiday--Impact
Racing helmets at new low prices. |
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