1973 Bill Simpson Original Race Used Simpson Racing Products IndyCar Suit
E. J. "Bill" Simpson was an American race car driver, who was best known as a pioneer in the racing safety business with his company Simpson Performance Products. He left Simpson Performance in a controversy surrounding Dale Earnhardt's death and started Impact! Racing in 2002.
In 1958, the 18-year-old Simpson broke both arms in a drag racing crash. Simpson later said, "Until then, I was like most drivers. The only time I thought about safety was after I'd been hurt. This time, I was hurt bad enough to do a lot of thinking." As a result Simpson would go on the develop the first prototype cross-form parachute for drag racing. The first person to inquire about and use his parachute was "Big Daddy" Don Garlits. He evolved his business into a number of other safety items, such as gloves, helmets, restraints and shoes. Later when Simpson was introduced to DuPont and their Nomex product in 1967, Simpson would use the product to create the first fire suit to be used in racing. He took the suit to the 1967 Indianapolis 500 where it was worn by 30 of 33 drivers. Simpson went on to develop over 200 racing safety products, including three generations of fire suits, and was eventually inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2003
This beige Simpson IndyCar suit was race-used by Bill during the 1973 season. His name is embroidered on the right chest zipper pocket and the back of the suit has the Firestone branding logo stitched across the shoulders. The arms and legs are accented by yellow stripes edged in blue with the Simpson branding logo patch stitched on the left shoulder.
The suit comes with a Certificate Of Authenticity.
In 1958, the 18-year-old Simpson broke both arms in a drag racing crash. Simpson later said, "Until then, I was like most drivers. The only time I thought about safety was after I'd been hurt. This time, I was hurt bad enough to do a lot of thinking." As a result Simpson would go on the develop the first prototype cross-form parachute for drag racing. The first person to inquire about and use his parachute was "Big Daddy" Don Garlits. He evolved his business into a number of other safety items, such as gloves, helmets, restraints and shoes. Later when Simpson was introduced to DuPont and their Nomex product in 1967, Simpson would use the product to create the first fire suit to be used in racing. He took the suit to the 1967 Indianapolis 500 where it was worn by 30 of 33 drivers. Simpson went on to develop over 200 racing safety products, including three generations of fire suits, and was eventually inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2003
This beige Simpson IndyCar suit was race-used by Bill during the 1973 season. His name is embroidered on the right chest zipper pocket and the back of the suit has the Firestone branding logo stitched across the shoulders. The arms and legs are accented by yellow stripes edged in blue with the Simpson branding logo patch stitched on the left shoulder.
The suit comes with a Certificate Of Authenticity.