Speaker Jim Downing gives speaker presentation
Posted by Jon Yaeger
on Jul 02, 2015
Chamblee entrepreneur and racing enthusiast Jim Downing gave a presentation to the Rotary Club of North Atlanta (RCNA).
Jim, an Atlanta native and Georgia Tech graduate, is a five-time International Motor Sports Association champion. Amazingly, at 73 he continues to race in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA).
Downing, in addition to being a successful racer and sports car enthusiast, co-developed a very important racing safety mechanism called the HANS (Head and Neck Support) Device. As its name implies, the HANS Device protects those body parts the event of a serious auto accident. It has been called by some, “the most significant addition to motor racing safety since the introduction of the helmet.” It is now a compulsory accessory in many major racing venues, including NASCAR.
In his presentation, Jim detailed the history of the device’s development from its initial conception to its present, compact form.
On July 5 – just three days later – NASCAR driver Austin Dillon experienced a terrible crash at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Coke Zero 400 race. Dillon’s car left the track; became airborne; and hit the perimeter fence – and was demolished. Luckily, the driver escaped with only a bruised tailbone and forearm. The HANS Device protected him from a potentially fatal basilar skull fracture and other injuries.
Because of Jim Downing’s company, auto racing no longer means risking your neck.
Downing, in addition to being a successful racer and sports car enthusiast, co-developed a very important racing safety mechanism called the HANS (Head and Neck Support) Device. As its name implies, the HANS Device protects those body parts the event of a serious auto accident. It has been called by some, “the most significant addition to motor racing safety since the introduction of the helmet.” It is now a compulsory accessory in many major racing venues, including NASCAR.
In his presentation, Jim detailed the history of the device’s development from its initial conception to its present, compact form.
On July 5 – just three days later – NASCAR driver Austin Dillon experienced a terrible crash at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Coke Zero 400 race. Dillon’s car left the track; became airborne; and hit the perimeter fence – and was demolished. Luckily, the driver escaped with only a bruised tailbone and forearm. The HANS Device protected him from a potentially fatal basilar skull fracture and other injuries.
Because of Jim Downing’s company, auto racing no longer means risking your neck.