History
The History of SIMPSON
From a Drag Chute to a Legacy of Safety and Innovation
The SIMPSON story began with the dangers hidden behind speed and the challenge taken on by a young racer who dared to face them.
SIMPSON founder Bill Simpson entered the world of racing at just sixteen. Captivated by drag racing, he chased speed across the wide open landscapes of America. But one day, that passion was pushed too far. His car failed to slow in time and slammed into a wall at the edge of the track, leaving him with both arms broken in a devastating crash.
For most people, such an accident would have been enough to walk away from racing. But Bill was different. The crash sparked a simple yet powerful question. How could drivers slow down more safely at high speed? That curiosity about safety would go on to become the foundation of the SIMPSON brand.
The following year, Bill Simpson set out to create a completely new way to slow a race car down. The result was what would become legendary: the drag chute, a parachute used to decelerate drag racing machines. The idea came from Bill’s uncle, who dealt in military surplus at the time and suggested using a military parachute.
With no real technology or facilities at the time, Bill borrowed an industrial sewing machine and began stitching together his first drag chute by hand. He and a friend then took it to the streets for a daring test, throwing the parachute from a car traveling at 100 miles per hour. The chute opened perfectly, but it was so powerful that it pulled down a nearby tree, earning them both an on-the-spot arrest by the police..
That wild experiment proved the drag chute’s effectiveness. Born from an obsession with safety, it became SIMPSON’s very first product and the first step in the brand’s history.
From this moment on, the SIMPSON story became more than just the development of racing gear. It became the story of one man, Bill Simpson, and his lifelong commitment to creating technology that saves lives.
“Racing Safely, Living Dangerously”
The Road to Helmet Development
Bill Simpson’s passion never slowed. Driven by a desire to protect everyone in motorsports, from drivers to mechanics, he continued to push forward with new product development. That determination to protect took shape in innovations such as fire-resistant racing suits and highly durable safety shoes.
At the time, the fire-resistant racing suit was a breakthrough in safety and quickly made headlines. Until then, most racing suits offered little protection against fire, and post-crash fires had claimed far too many lives. Against that backdrop, SIMPSON’s fire suit arrived as a true life-saving tool, sending shockwaves through the racing world.
As professional teams quickly adopted the suit and confidence in it grew, Bill Simpson took a bold and unforgettable step. At the product’s unveiling, he put on the fire suit and set himself on fire. Standing in the flames, Bill proved the suit’s extraordinary level of protection and showed the world his belief that safety must be demonstrated with absolute conviction. This legendary moment is still told as one of SIMPSON’s most iconic stories.
SIMPSON RX-1 HELMET
Then, in 1973, Bill’s mission to protect lives expanded into a new frontier: helmets.
The helmet project was originally planned with a partner company. But when that company was acquired, the project was suddenly shut down. Most people would have walked away. Bill Simpson did not. He continued development on his own, racing and testing the designs himself, refining them through real-world feedback. Just one year later, in 1974, he completed the very first SIMPSON helmet prototype.
This early model was dramatically lighter than traditional racing helmets while offering superior protection. Its level of performance took the industry by surprise.
Then in 1979, the landmark SIMPSON RX-1 was born. At that year’s Indy 500, 23 of the 33 qualified drivers chose SIMPSON helmets. It was more than the success of a single product. It was the moment SIMPSON became a true symbol of trust in the racing world.
SIMPSON helmets continued to evolve through constant refinement, and in 1991 the brand was named Car Accessory Manufacturer of the Year. Proven in the extreme world of racing and driven by an uncompromising pursuit of safety, SIMPSON earned the trust of drivers worldwide and secured its place in motorsports history.
〜Partners Since 1993〜
How the NORIX–SIMPSON Partnership Began
SIMPSON’s First Step in Asia
The bridge between SIMPSON and Japan was built by NORIX president, Nakayama. It all began when the president of another company asked him, “Could you bring SIMPSON to Japan?” Nakayama immediately contacted SIMPSON’s headquarters and was invited to visit California to meet founder Bill Simpson. At the time, however, he didn’t yet know who Bill Simpson was and replied, “Maybe someday,” before hanging up. As business slowly began and order volumes grew, Nakayama realized that in the contract-driven culture of the United States, a proper agreement was essential. He decided to meet Bill Simpson in person. At that meeting, Nakayama boldly requested exclusive distribution rights not only for Japan, but for all of Asia. “We’ve never given anyone exclusive rights before. What’s in it for us?” Bill asked. Nakayama replied, “You’d be hiring the world’s best salesman. He works for free and even pays you in advance. If I fail to meet the agreed conditions, I’ll give the rights back immediately.” Bill burst out laughing. “The world’s best salesman, huh? I like it. Let’s do it.” And with those words, SIMPSON’s full-scale expansion into Japan and Asia began.
SIMPSON SB5 HELMET
SIMPSON SB7 HELMET
Although SIMPSON helmets met the strict U.S. SNELL safety standards, they did not initially comply with Japan’s SG regulations. Many dealers and distributors said they could not sell helmets without SG certification, making sales difficult. To solve this, Nakayama redesigned the eyeport of the SB5 into a more drooped shape, allowing it to pass SG requirements. The updated model was released as the SB7, successfully opening the door to sales in Japan.
The revival of SIMPSON’s iconic M30 began with a single post on Nakayama’s blog, where he casually wrote, “I’m thinking about bringing back the M30.” That one line sparked an outpouring of passionate responses from riders, leading to the M30’s return. Today, it remains a favorite among riders around the world.
〜Highlights from the Old NORIX Blog〜
Stories about SIMPSON products, behind-the-scenes development, and the thoughts of our president, Nakayama, are shared on the former NORIX official blog. Filled with real, passionate insights, it covers everything from product backstories and a love for racing culture to the excitement surrounding revival models.
