Interview: Bill Simpson

In the history of motor-sport safety, few names are as universally recognized as that of Bill Simpson. Initially an active drag racer, Simpson went on to race in various road racing categories before moving on to USAC racing and eventually the Indianapolis 500. While Simpson often demonstrated great speed and competitiveness, his nearly worldwide name recognition would come from the eponymous business he started, manufacturing safety equipment for racers. Starting in the ’60s with drag racing parachutes, Simpson Safety Equipment went on to manufacture the first Nomex racing suits, helmets, fireproof clothing and safety harnesses, used in virtually every form of motor sport around the world.

However, in 2001, Simpson elected to resign from his namesake company as a result of the aftermath of Dale Earnhardt’s tragic death at Daytona. NASCAR officials attempted to lay some of the blame for Earnhardt’s death on allegedly faulty Simpson belts, which Simpson has always vehemently denied. But when he started receiving death threats and even gunshots fired into his home, he chose to walk away from the safety empire that he created. However, Simpson could only stay away for so long before he decided to form a new company, Impact! Racing, which finds him yet again developing safety equipment.