Racing safety legend Bill Simpson presented with The Justice Brothers-Shav Glick Award

Bill Simpson was presented with The Justice Brothers-Shav Glick Award at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday.

Named in honor of former Los Angeles Times sports writer Shav Glick, the award is presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to motorsports in California. Simpson, who was both a driver and safety innovator during his motorsports career, will be remembered for over 50 years of safety contributions in all forms of racing. Today Simpson is focused on his new company, SG Helmets, which has taken racing technology and incorporated it into football helmets.

Simpson said: “It’s an honor to be the recipient of the 2014 Shav Glick Award, joining some of my good friends from California who have won this award in the past. “For more than 50 years I’ve enjoyed working to make auto racing safer for its participants around the world, designing better helmets, firesuits, restraint systems, and more, through innovative uses of technology. Just recently, I’ve begun to take what I’ve learned in making racing helmets and moved that technology to my new company, SG Helmets, which manufactures high-tech football helmets at the youth, varsity, and professional levels. It’s a product and company I am very proud of.

“Again, thanks to all the voters and all involved in The Justice Brothers-Shav Glick Award. I appreciate your support!”

For more than 50 years, Bill Simpson-owned companies designed and produced a multitude of safety related devices. In 2010, after witnessing two players leave an NFL game after suffering concussions, he felt there was an immediate need for a better way to protect players’ heads than the same basic helmets that had been used for decades. He went to work in his Brownsburg, Ind., development center, designing a football helmet to significantly reduce the chances of head and neck injuries to players of all ages. After months of research and testing, Simpson and his new company, SG Helmets, emerged with a helmet made with space-age materials that was twice as light – and 50 to 100 percent better at attenuating forces reaching the head.

Previous recipients of The Justice Brothers-Shav Glick Award

2013 – Mickey Thompson              

2012 – Jeff Gordon
 
2011 – Robert E. Peterson 

2010 – Kenny Roberts                    

2009 – Frank Kurtis
 
2008 – John Force               

2007 – Don Prudomme                  

2006 – Phil Hill & Carrol Shelby
 
2005 – J.C. Agajanian          

2004 – Les Richter                           

2003 – Rick Mears
 
2002 – Parnelli Jones          

2001 – Wally Parks                         

2000 – Dan Gurney

About the Justice Brothers-Shav Glick Award
For the 15th year, The Justice Brothers-Shav Glick Award recognizes motorsports personalities who have made distinguished contributions to motorsports in California. The award is named after the famed sports writer Shav Glick, who delivered countless stories on auto racing during his 45 years at the Los Angeles Times. Glick, who passed away in 2007, was a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame. The award is presented annually by Ed Justice, Jr., president and CEO of Justice Brothers, during pre-race ceremonies at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 race in Fontana, Calif.