page_title: Simpson Performance Products
section_title: Usage
hierarchical_section_title: Simpson Performance Products / Usage
caption_attribution_description: The Stig at the British International Motor Show taken on July 23, 2006.
context_page_description: Simpson Performance Products is an American motorsports parts supplier. It supplies gloves, helmets, harness systems, driver's suits, head restraints, shoes and more to racers at local tracks to international teams. It was started by Bill Simpson as Simpson Drag Chutes.
context_section_description: Simpson Performance Products racing safety products have been used in many motorsport genres, including IndyCars, NASCAR, and National Hot Rod Association. All International Race of Champions (IROC) cars were fitted with Simpson belts and window nets until the sanctioning body closed. Until 2006, Simpson Performance Products was the only company to supply all of the safety items used in NASCAR racing. NASCAR officials continue to trust Simpson products today. The modern Simpson Performance Products has grown to include a comprehensive line of racing safety products and manufactures some of their products in Texas, North Carolina and California, while other products are manufactured overseas. Simpson has 5 locations which include Indiana, North Carolina, Texas and California. The company was founded in 1959 by Bill Simpson. Simpson safety gear is sold all over the world.
  A line of Simpson helmets, nicknamed the "Star Wars" helmet has been in production since 1979. The original model was named the RX-1 (RXM-1 for motorcycle use), then renamed the Model 30 shortly thereafter. The basic design was revised with fewer air slots and renamed the "Bandit." A number of different Bandit versions have followed. The similarly designed "Diamondback" is notably worn by The Stig from the BBC TV Top Gear series.
  The current Bandit helmet lineup from Simpson includes a Carbon Fiber Bandit, introduced in 2012. The X-Bandit Pro is a full carbon Super Helmet, Snell 2010 and FIA 8860 approved. Simpson’s U.S. manufacturing facility is located New Braunfels, Texas.
  The similarly designed "Diamondback" is notably worn by The Stig from the BBC TV Top Gear series.
caption: A Simpson helmet, worn by "The Stig"
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