Flipping through an early copy of Drag Racing Action magazine I came across an article on Jim Deist, in which he was awarded the High Performance Award.
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| (13 Oct 1928 - 9 Mar 2009) |
Jim fell in love with racing whilst assembling engines and building cars in the back room of his father's gasoline station. In the beginning his racing involvement revolved around trips to the Muroc dry lake in California where many hot rodders let it all hang out. However, after putting the pedal to the metal they needed to stop as well, and this is where Jim excelled. Having worked since the late 1940's at Irvin Air Chute Co he learned the parachute business well.
Funny how things work out, because his employer (later renamed Irvin Aerospace) had no interest in making parachutes for hot rodders, leaving the door open for Jim.
Drawing from his past experience at Irvin, Jim founded Deist Safety in 1958 and mostly by trial and error, he learned the correct sizing, towline length and mounting position to properly slow a high speed car to aid in braking. He quickly realized as well that the surplus seat belts used at the time were of little use in case of accidents. So he began adding custom-made seat belts to his growing product line. As as they say, the rest is history. Finally, having been there since the beginning of drag racing meant having close ties with many of the technical arms of all major sanctioning bodies and thus helped to ensure the administration of many safety standards used.
Over the years Jim received numerous honors because of his contributions and dedication to safety of others. Deist Safety products are still made where it was founded, in Glendale, California.
For more information visit their website: www.deist.com
For Immediate Release: Marion Deist , widow and business partner of Jim Deist, passed away in the early morning hours Friday May 31, 2013. There will be a public memorial held June 29th, 2013 at 2pm, at the NHRA museum for all of those who wish to come and pay tribute. Marion lived a long and fruitful life and lived the last several weeks since her illness with her family. There is a page up in honor of her, and for people to pay their respects at http://deistmemorial.com as well as information for the public memorial. She is survived by one aunt, two siblings, one child, two children in law, five cousins, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. While Marion has passed on to the next great adventure, she leaves behind the passion both she and Jim instilled in the business they had created in 1958. Deist Safety continues on under the supervision of her grandchildren.
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