Shockdoctor Bags

 

Here's a preview of the direction Shockdoctor is taking with their 2009 motorsports bags. The new streamlined designs still feature all of the nifty separators for all of your gear. And as an added bonus, these new bags are LIGHT! You'll have to feel it to believe it, but they are the lightest weight gear bags I've ever seen.

Hans Device Sliding Quick Release Tethers and other News

The biggest news from Hans for 2009 are the new Quick Disconnect Sliding Tether Set. Ever since the Sliding Tethers were released by Hans early 2008, customers have been asking for a Quick Disconnect option. A year later and it's ready! In an ingenious piece of simplicity (in my opinion) the Quick Disconnect unit is connect directly to the helmet - you might remember that the fixed quick disconnect unit used a "broken" tether that attached midway on the tether assembly. The add-on kit was available for trial at PRI and it works as simply as it should. I apparently was too tired to take pictures (9 hours of wandering a trade show will do that to you), but here is the press photo from Hans:



In other news, Hans is also introducing a new, less-expensive tether option for all new Hans Devices. Called the "fixed" tether, this style does away with all quick release tethers and anchor sets and permanently attaches the Device to the helmet. When asked about the awkwardness of this, I was told that a good percentage of device users NEVER separate the two (please 'fess up - does this describe you?) Devices with this option will start around $645 for a Sport model. Again, some press photos:



Both options and retrofit kits should be available January 2009.

Sparco Pro ADV Super Carbon

 

Priced at over $5k, we probably won't see too many of these hit the U.S. market. But the technology behind it is still pretty amazing. Yes, it is a full Carbon Fiber shelled Pro ADV racing seat. But it also weighs in at over 40lbs. So what gives? Well, the Super Carbon was manufactured specifically to the FIA's new World Rally specifications; needs to NOT fail when a car cartwheels off a dirt road into a stand of trees at 100mph). So far, this is the ONLY seat that has surpassed these requirements without the need for a back brace.

How does it pass? The weight tells of this seat's overbuilt engineering. It also uses massive mounting bolts (8mm).

Want one? Turn around time is 5-6 weeks. Payment up front, of course ;)

Say Goodbye to Bell's Detend Shield!

 

Owners of older Bell helmets with the clunky detent style shields rejoice! Bell is introducing a Shield adapter that allows the use of the newer, SRV style shields with the older Detent style helmets. Installation is direct and does away with the often fragile older pivot kits that Bell used for so many years. Now you can get the same, smooth SRV performance on your older Bell helmet! (And we no longer need to stock 2 trillion different Bell Replacement Shields!!)

The retrofit kit will run $20-30, plus the cost of a replacement Bell SRV Shield. Look for it on our website early 2009!

...and one more Piloti Shoe

 

Almost forgot about the new Avus model from Piloti. We probably won't see it until later next year, but I like the clean styling and look. These will probably be priced similarly to the current Prototipos.

More new shoes from Piloti!

 

Motowerks - This was a very lightweight (surprisingly so) steel toe boot. We think it would make a great crew shoe. Sugg. Retail $150

 

New luxury model! The name and price are still up in the air (this was very much a prototype model on display). However, I liked the laceless, slip-on design. The sole also takes a departure from the more traditional Piloti sole. It still has the concepts we've all grown to love (rolled heel, etc.), however, it looks much less clunky making the shoe, in its entirety, look much more high-end.

 

Piloti Women's line on the way!

 

And kid's shoes - aren't they "cute"?

We should see the boots early next year. I'd expect arrival of the others by the late spring. Also of note is that, due to driver demand, Piloti is working on a thinner sole for their line of Race Professional shoes. This should bring those models more in line with racing shoes from Sparco, Simpson, etc.

Racing at Summit...In Orlando??

 

Here's our very own Jeff Werth racing a Radical at Summit Point. And I quote, "That was the first time I ever flipped a car!"

Another Head and Neck Restraint?

 

 

One of the biggest news bites of this year's PRI show was the introduction of the defNder (let's just call it Defender) Head and Neck Restraint. Similar in design to other Head and Neck Restraints on the market (really, how many ways is there to redesign such a simple device??), the Defender has the added benefit of increased side impact protection. How? You might not be able to see from my great photo skills, but the helmet tether not only secures to the rear of the device, but they also travel vertically to the overbuilt "legs" of the device.

Initial pricing is set at $595 for the basic device (as pictured). The device passes and carries the current SFI 38.1 Head and Neck Restraint rating.

Are those Stoptech Brakes peeking out from under your wheels? Or are you just happy to see me?

 

 

 

Yes, OG Racing has signed on as a Stoptech distributor. We're feverishly working on getting the billions of part numbers into our system, but we are welcoming any and all orders!

For those of you not familiar with Stoptech, Stoptech is one of the best manufacturers of aftermarket brake kits. All of their systems are nearly plug-n-play, and fully tuned with manufacturer brake bias tuning in mind (yes, unlike many of the other big brake kits out there!) Systems are available for nearly every make and model of car out there - Stoptech's parent company is Centrix, one of the largest automotive part manufacturer/distributors in the U.S. As such, they have access to a wealth of information - if you don't see it for your car, that just means it'll take a little bit longer to build it.

Stay tuned for details on our website; I'm also working on a much improved brake and brake pad ordering system!

But is it sustainable?

 

 

Yep, those are the newest in high-tech racing seats - Wicker!

Lico...by Sparco

 

 

 

One of the biggest developments for next year is the introduction of Lico by parent company Sparco. A little history - Lico was first started by the Brazilian importer of Sparco. Sparco saw the opportunity in the brand and purchased it. Offered in Europe for the past several years, Lico manufactures suits, gloves, shoes, and underwear using Sparco's high quality principals and offers it at a much more budget oriented price.

How budget? Lico mid-top shoes begin at $69.00. SFI 3.2A/5 suits begin at $265.00. The top end, box quilted, light-weight Lico suit will retail for only $699.00.

We should start seeing the product early January 2009.

MSD Racepak Data Acquisition

Yes, those sensor connectors are "stackable." Talk about clean wiring!!

This is the first thing that caught our eye at the show - and we're quite smitten. To the point where we're already adding part numbers! Per Racepak's description:

The IQ3 data logger dash is designed to be a complete data center. Contained inside the fully programmable dash is a 32 channel data logger, 512 MB microSD memory card, GPS board and 3 axis G meter. The programmable shift lights are protected from sunlight by a molded shield above the lights, while the low glare LCD display is well recessed in the housing in order to provide viewing in all light conditions.

The rear of the dash contains the connectors for the external GPS antenna, Vnet sensor cable and the Power / Ground / Engine RPM / External Programming Button harness. All sensors transmit their data through a single cable (Vnet) which is routed to the rear of the dash. This eliminates the need for a sensor harness, greatly reducing installation time, complexity and overall weight.

All data is stored in a 512 MB MicroSD memory card, located in the front of the dash between the programmable shift lights. This design insures easy access to the memory card for data download.

Prices start right around $1400 for a basic unit (comes standard with GPS lap tracking, dash, programming, and expandability for up to 32 external sensor inputs.) And all of the top-notch tech support that MSD has to offer!! Available from OG Racing now!

21st Performance Racing Industry Trade Show

The PRI Trade show (one of the more major motorsports shows of the year) starts tomorrow in Orlando, FL. I'll be down there seeing all the new products and meeting all the new faces. And of course, taking lots of pictures!

So stay tuned for all the latest product news and what to expect for the 2009 season. As always, comments are welcome - how else can we decide what our customers want!