SAFETY PIONEER PASSES
AT 80
Jim Deist 1928-2009
Auto racing in general and drag
racing in particular lost one of its best on March 9,2009 when
safety pioneer Jim Deist passed away at his home in Glendale,
CA surrounded by family and friends. Deist is credited with designing
and implementing the first "drag chute" for safely
stopping cars at speed. He also developed the first generation
of fire suits and masks that allowed countless drivers to survive
fires that so often plague race cars. It is fair to say Jim saved
more lives than any man in the history of motorsports and he
continued his trade to his dying day. His familiar face, sage
advise and unique demeanor will be surely missed by all. Rest
in peace and godspeed my friend.
Many of us have memories of Jim,
like this one, the day he brought Jeep the custom built new/old
Diest Silver Suit that Jeep had ordered. He delivered it just
prior to one of our very first pushdown Cacklefests at Pomona.
A ton of people in the stands--my motorsports hero Jumpin' Jeep
Hampshire is about to receive a surprise from Jim Diest and I'm
feelin' like the kid in the stands--like I usually do.
Here, Louie Senter and Jim hang
out for a picture with Old Gold. Do you think it was worth it
to restore that old fueler? Look at what it brought.
Rest in Peace Jim.
I am so happy to have known you.
Bill Pitts
He was truly a pioneer of our
sport and believed in making racing as safe as possible.
While he was at the leading edge
of firesuit development, there was a period of time where he
favored safety over style and Simpson's 2-piece Nomex became
the racer's favorite.
Today, though, his philosophy proved correct.
Back in the late '60s John Guedel
and I bought his speed shop on Victory Blvd., next door to Deist
Drag Chutes, and moved it to Canoga Park, where we ran our cars
out of until selling out in 1971.
In addition to being one of the
first to adapt parachutes to race cars (he worked for Irving
Air Chute in Glendale prior to going out on his own), he developed
many safety innovations.
He was a founding member of SEMA, and helped establish the "Meets
SFI Specs" programs. He's been inducted into the SEMA Hall
of Fame, the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame, been a Bonneville 200
MPH Club honoree, and joined the CHRR Hall of Fame. Quite a
career.
RIP "Salt Bear"
Bill Holland
"The Trackers Racing Team
had a garage at the corner of Victory and Western in Glendale
from 1960 to 1968. Jim came by frequently to see what was going
on. In the early 60's he had a well worn Mercury station wagon
with an engine that needed attention and several team members
gave it an overhaul in return for a drag chute for the club car.
Jim also worked with another member, Earl Lynch, on a paraglide
project. They would go out to the Sepulveda Dam Basin a try out
parachutes. Jim would tow the paraglider behind his station wagon.
Another club member, Ken Ruffner, held the inboard flat bottom
gas record with a Keith Black engined Sanger SK. Jim and Earl
decided to go to Marine Stadium in Long Beach and demonstrate
the paraglide being towed by a boat. They corralled someone with
an outboard to give Earl a tow. It all started out well, but
as soon as Earl was in the air and caught a good gust of air
the outboard started to falter as it was too much for it to handle.
Earl came down from about 30-40 feet up and went into the drink.
It should be mentioned here that Earl was of fairly large girth
and could not swim. Fortunately he was wearing a life jacket
and after some trouble they got him in the boat. Soon after this
Jim's business picked up and he lost interest in the paraglide
project."
Dave W.
OH! I am heart broken.
We became close over the last couple years. In fact at the CHRR
Jim & his grand daughter came to our booth and had some of
our lentil soup I made, they had a couple of helpings finished
it and licked the bowl clean. I had a cuban cigar for him, for
the next time I saw him. I was hoping at Prietos Taco party or
at the March Meet.
God speed, my friend
say hi to dad.
Love Robin & Orah Mae Millar |