AIM's New (Sort of) SmartyCam

Although AIM's SmartyCam has been floating around for a little over a year, we're finally going to start seeing more of them at the track. The nifty camera system/data acquisition system has been available in Europe for quite sometime, and a few models have been floating around stateside. However, AIM has been admittedly working out some firmware kinks, but are finally ready to increase distribution in the U.S. market.



We should be seeing our first shipment of these by the end of next month (February). If you haven't seen them in person yet, the SmartyCam is pretty neat. The device - which fits in the palm of your hand - handles both Data Acquisition and video duties. But don't be fooled - that little space is enough to record a nearly HD quality 720x400px resolution, while processing a GPS track-map, 3D accelerometer data, and lap-timing data.

At $999.00, the device isn't exactly cheap. But when considering the price of a video camera AND separate data acquisition hardware, it may be the perfect solution for the up and coming racer.

Click here for more details

OG Racing welcomes Mark Francis!

A welcome addition for the New Year - we're proud to announce that Mark Francis has joined the OG Racing team. With years of experience in the Motorsports Industry, Mark is also a long-time PCA instructor and club racer, and a certified NASA instructor. As our newest Sales & Marketing Representative, Mark will be traveling to various events throughout the year as both a participant and to provide trackside assistance. Be sure to say Hi the next time you see him in the paddocks!

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!

Piloti, Piloti, Piloti...

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.)

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)

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.



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).



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:



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!



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.



Click here to view the entire Gift Guide

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!



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:



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