Tuesday, December 22, 2009

NASA Nationals - OG Racing/Racepak Contingency Winners

(Our apologies for the delay in this announcement. We had some "technical" issues getting the final list of names)

Congratulations to all of the OG Racing/Racepak Contingency prize winners at the NASA National event this past October!


  • Dan Goodman - GTS2 (Erie, CO)

  • Vali Predescu - GTS3 (Corona, CA)

  • Robert Stout - PTA (Brownsburg, IN)

  • Andrew Rushing - SM (Austin, TX)

  • Ken Smith - ST2 (Plymoth, MI)

  • Joe Ippolito - TTE (Cumming, GA)

  • Dan Gardner - PTC (Redondo Beach, CA)



All winners had impressive First Place finishes in their classes while using Racepak Data Acquisition Systems. Thank you for using Racepak products, and showing your support for OG Racing. And a thanks to Racepak for partnering with us on the Contingency plan!

Racepak Data Acquisition Systems

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Piloti, Piloti, Piloti...

Piloti Driving Shoes

OG Racing has decided to once again remove Piloti from our line-up. To those of us who have been with us for the past 10 years, you might remember that this is the second time we've decided to stop selling Piloti. The first time, we had major problems with their accounting and customer service - product was never available, shipments were always months late, and their customer service was pretty non-existent.

The second time around has pretty much been the same. We were hoping for better; Piloti had strengthened as a company and was creating a major market for themselves not just in the motorsports industry, but in the shoe industry as a whole. Unfortunately, the latter part of that statement seemed to cause the same type of service issues, especially since we aren't as big as, say, Ross. It's also pretty tough to compete when the same product is available down the street at the shopping-mall.

So, Bon-Voyage Piloti, and best of luck in creating a brand out there in the shoe world!

(BTW - you may begin seeing discount prices on everything we have left in stock.)

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

2009 Motorsports Holiday Gift Guide

It's a pretty well known fact that car geeks are hard to shop for. Sure, we might have thrown obvious hints throughout the year about all the toys and gadgets we've been craving. But I know that as soon as the conversation slides towards rubber and track-times your ears are trained to close.

With this in mind, I present OG Racing's contribution this holiday season: Our First Annual Gift Guide. The guide will be separated into 3 parts for all levels of budget/love. Next year, you might want to listen to our driving stories just long enough to catch some hints!

Part 1: It's the little things that count ($100 and under)

Part 2: Just what every racer needs ($100-$500)

Part 3: Saving the best for last ($500 and up)

Monday, December 7, 2009

2009 Motorsports Holiday Gift Guide - Part 3

Saving the best for last ($500 and up):

Hans Device:

By now we should all be pretty fluent with what a Head and Neck Restraint is and how it is a key (if not the most important) piece of motorsports safety equipment. If your loved one still is not using one, they should. If YOU are not using one, then buy yourself a gift this holiday season. We still like the Hans Device for its simplicity and ease of use. We also like that it's still the most popular device on the market meaning there is lots of support when you need it, and that it starts at only $695.

Hans Device Head and Neck Restraint

Data Acquisition System:

Data acquisition systems were all the rage this past year, with a countless number of companies popping out of the woodwork. As it should! The quickest way to improve lap-times is not by buying thousands of dollars worth of equipment to make the car faster. Rather, the key to faster times is attacking the source - the driver. Data Acquisition systems allow the driver to see which exact skill-set needs to be improved. We like the Racepak line of systems due to their seemingly infinite expandability and top-notch customer support (see our write-up here).

Racepak IQ3 Data Acquisition System

Video Camera:

A good video camera guarantees that your loved one brings back all of their racing adventures so you can watch them together for days/weeks/years to come. Make sure to do some research before purchasing - not all cameras are suited for harsh race-car environments (Read here for a guide on what to look for in a Motorsports Camera). We still like the VIO camera systems for their ease of use and overbuilt, bomb-proof construction:

VIO Motorsports Video Camera

Driver Cooling System:

As much fun as we have, racing can be a grueling sport. We're suited up in a thick insulated suit, with a helmet that doesn't let air in. Then we're strapped into a car without any AC, and drive around on 100°+ days on melting asphalt! A good Cool Suit system will make any racer happy. These devices pump cooling water through a shirt that is worn under the driver's fireproof suit. After all, a happy driver is a safe driver!

FAST Cool Suit System

Driving Suit:

Take a look at the suit your loved one is using. Chances are they've been wearing the same suit for the past 10, 15, even 20 years! Maybe now is the time to treat them (or yourself) to a fresh outfit. Even though no rules govern it in the states, even Nomex suits lose some of their protective ability as they are used over time. Not only that, but the newer styles are much lighter (not to mention look much better.) We still like Sparco suits for their quality, design, and fit.

Sparco Driving Suits

Click here to view the entire Gift Guide

Friday, December 4, 2009

JUST IN - Sparco Storm ADV Gloves

Sparco released a redesign of the popular Sparco Storm Gloves for 2010. Contrary to typical Sparco fashion, the gloves actually arrived at our shores AHEAD of schedule!

Sparco Storm ADV Racing Gloves

Now called the Sparco Storm ADV Gloves, the redesign offers a few visual changes from the original Storm gloves (seen here). The flat sticky palm, coincidentally named "Flat-HTX Treatment", has been revised with a more prolific cut that's supposed to aid in grip. It definitely looks like it'll be more comfortable around the steering wheel.

What really caught my eye, though, were the odd gill-like webbing on the back of the glove:

Sparco Storm ADV Visor Squeegee

At first glance, I thought this was some odd-ball Italian design treatment initiated due to an excess of HTX material. Upon seeing the catalog preview, I discovered a surprising explanation:

...the Storm ADV now has a visor squeegee strategically incorporated into the forefinger.


Granted, most open-wheel racers will run tear-offs - but it's still a very creative concept and to the best of my knowledge, a design first. What do you think?

More Details Here

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

2009 Motorsports Holiday Gift Guide - Part 2

Just what every racer needs ($100-$500):

Helmet Dryer:

Remember what I said about helmet stink? It's an unfortunate consequence of hanging out in stuffy cars on 100 degree days. It's even worse when the helmet is stored sopping wet for months on end - that's right...EWWW! Help the racer in your heart with a good helmet drier. We like the design of the counter-top Shockdoctor unit for its ease of use and quick drying times:

Shockdoctor Power Dry Helmet Dryer

Lap Timers:

Every car enthusiast wants to know there lap times, may it be at the local go-kart track, or just running around the kitchen table. Why? Because we're ultra competitive and have to win (2nd is the first loser)! Plus, we need something to brag about come Monday morning. A simple lap timer records this information and provides a quick an inexpensive form of data acquisition. The AIM Mychron Light TG is simple to use, inexpensive, and has a pretty display:

AIM Mychron Light TG

Race Ramps:

If your loved one is still using the jack that came with the car to complete simple tasks like changing the oil, do them a favor a get them something a little safer. After-all, there's a reason we call them "suicide-jacks"! Race Ramps are a super light weight and easy to store ramp system that gets the car high enough in the air for most simple car repair tasks. The 56" system (shown below) allows even the lowest race car to drive up with ease.

Race Ramps 56 inch Ramps

Air Tank:

As we've discussed, Tire Pressure is EXTREMELY important to the automotive enthusiast. Especially when said enthusiast is at a race/track-day/autocross. We'll adjust the pressure constantly (something about pressure changes based on temperature). Now what tends to happen is that a large line will develop at the only air compressor at the event. And inevitably, we'll end up late to grid trying to adjust our pressures. A portable Air Tank lets us quickly adjust our tire pressures and make grid before everyone else.

Longacre Air Tank

Digital Tire Pyrometer:

I suggested a less-expensive Laser Pyrometer on the previous holiday guide. What makes a Tire Pyrometer different? It's for tires, silly! And if we don't know the temperature of our tires, how are we supposed to know what pressure to keep them at?

Fire System:

A good, properly installed Fire Suppression System is a must have for every enthusiast driving or racing a highly modified car. The concept is simple: Push a large red button and fire suppressing chemicals erupt all around the car. In all seriousness, fires occur very quickly - often quicker then many drivers can get a car stopped, and climb out of and away from the flames. This simple safety device offers, in the least, a few precious life saving moments.

Halon Manual Fire System

And most importantly...Pit Impact Gun:

Your loved one will think they belong on a Nascar Pit Team. Need I say more?

Longacre Pit Impact Gun

Click here to view the entire Gift Guide

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

2009 Motorsports Holiday Gift Guide - Part 1

It's a pretty well known fact that car geeks are hard to shop for. Sure, we might have thrown obvious hints throughout the year about all the toys and gadgets we've been craving. But I know that as soon as the conversation slides towards rubber and track-times your ears are trained to close.

With this in mind, I present OG Racing's contribution this holiday season: Our First Annual Gift Guide. The guide will be separated into 3 parts for all levels of budget/love. Next year, you might want to listen to our driving stories just long enough to catch some hints! Part 1 follows:

It's the little things that count ($100 and under):

Tire Gauge:

Remember how we're always talking about how important tire pressure is? How the difference in temperature can effect the tire pressure resulting in significant handl...la-la-la. Here's all you need to know - we can never have enough tire gauges. If we have 5, that means there will be that much less of a chance we'll be at the track wondering where our tire gauge is. And being a car geek, it is absolutely, positively against the rules to borrow a gauge from your competitor! Don't worry, we'll find something to do with it, even if it means keeping one in YOUR car!

Pyrometer:

Just as tire pressure is the most important thing to the car geek, temperature is an easy second. We'll point this thing at the engine and list varying temperature fluctuations based on different oil weights. Then we'll shine it at the brake rotors to prove just how hard we're braking into corners. We'll even point the laser at competitors eyes for that extra edge (don't try this at home kids)! And if all else fails, the pointer makes a fantastic toy for the cats.

Mechanics Gloves:

Ever find black hand-prints all over the house? Here's a hint: If your shade-tree mechanic of a car geek had some gloves to work with, their hands would stay clean! Not only that, but you'll save tons of cash on frivolous things like bandages and tetanus shots. Just don't let your loved one know - we're quick to "disappear" extra funds into the racing budget.

Helmet Bag:

Ever have a helmet roll off the top shelf and land on your head? Ouch! Start your resident racer on the right track of organization with a nice helmet bag. Not only will it help protect their prized possession from dings and scratches, it can potentially increase the safety and life of the helmet. As an added bonus, helmet bags keep that stench from permeating into everything else in your closet!

Driving Gloves:

As brave as we seem, our palms get sweaty while going around in circles at 200 mph (actually, we're usually well below 100 - but you'll never hear it from us). Help us maintain our grip and keep us out of the tire wall!

Driving Shoes:

Ever hear us talk about "dancing on the pedals"? No, we're not grooving to the latest track from Beyonce while aimlessly driving around at reckless speeds. We're working hard here - you know: clutch, brake, gas, brake, more gas. Help us treat our poor feet to the comfort they deserve with a pair of dedicated track shoes!

Racers Tape:

We use this stuff to cover up the front end of the track car. It helps protect the car from track debris (gravel, nuts/bolts, random wheels). That way you never know we had your new car at the track. Shhh...don't let on that you know our dirty little secret. Instead, say that the colorful tape matches their eyes.

And finally....Stopwatch:

This is really more of something to help keep you occupied when you are duped into coming to the track with us. A fun toy that can help you join in your loved one's hobby? Excellent! "Hon...you were 3 seconds faster that time around!! You're doing great!" Just don't let on that you never touched the thing and were reading a book. Trust me - they'll be so elated, they'll never check!

Click here to view the entire Gift Guide