SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1342270
A RETAILER PeRSPECTIVE ON SAFETY GEAR Safety gear manufacturers will undoubtedly give you all of the features and benefits of their products, but listening to racers and weekend warriors can also offer some insight into what products and brands are popular, as well as bring some concerns to the surface. Jeff Furrier, owner of UPR.com Racing Supply, sells all major brands to everyone from SCORE Trophy Truck teams to Sportsman racers and weekend UTV enthusiasts. From his perspective, UPR sells everything from racing suits, gloves, and specializes in seats and harnesses, but they sell more helmets as these expire and most everyone uses one. Furrier says that the UTV market added large numbers of people who are needing safety equipment and warns that some racers and enthusiasts are shopping for price, instead of safety. “We take safety very seriously and see people often find equipment at a very low price online, but it may not be exactly what’s best for the type of racing or use they are looking for. These sellers don’t give the racer or consumer any information on what the product is recommended for. I have seen people buy safety gear that’s rated for go-karting that they are trying to use in a SCORE race.” To that end, retailers like UPR, PCI Race Radios, and others guide customers to the proper rated products required for the type of racing or recreation they are doing. “One of the problems adding to this, is that the rules vary in different racing sanctioning bodies, especially in off-road motorsports,” says Furrier. “It would be great for all sanctioning bodies to agree on standards for various classes, that way everyone would know what type of gear to get, as well as rule enforcement.” SJ