Oakley announces revolutionary fire-safey innovation for Funny Car drivers
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., March 13, 2006 - Oakley, Inc. today announced the latest invention in its motor sports racing arsenal - the O-CarbonX boot - an all-in-one footwear design that virtually eliminates the need for the multi-layer fire-protection currently used by NHRA Funny Car drivers. The Oakley O-CarbonX boot combines a racing shoe and a fire-retardant boot into one state-of-the-art, safety feature ensuring ultimate protection and dexterity. Since Funny Car competition began in the 1970s, drivers have used a two-piece, cumbersome combination of a racing shoe worn underneath a knee-high protective boot. "Now, Funny Car pilots can slip on one layer of footwear and have the best fire safety available thanks to Oakley's revolutionary O-CarbonX material," Gary Scelzi, 2005 NHRA Funny Car Champion said. "The boots hug your calves and fit just like a comfortable shoe, not a bulky fire-retardant boot. It's no surprise that Oakley has re-invented the wheel again - it's an ingenious design that's simple and functional." O-CarbonX is a proprietary blend of fibers developed by Chapman Innovations specifically for Oakley. The fabric offers unsur-passed protection against heat and flame, yet can still be worn comfortably next to the skin. O-CarbonX flame-resistant material provides a persistent protective barrier when exposed to direct flame reaching temperatures in excess of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 seconds without shrinking, charring, or losing structural integrity. Oakley's O-CarbonX protective motor sports apparel is available in long-sleeve tops, bottoms and high performance racing gloves. The products are distributed by Speedware Motorsports, the largest distributor of motor sports apparel in North America. More information is available at http://oakley.com/racing. About Chapman Innovations Chapman Innovations develops and markets CarbonX(r) non-flammable fabrics. Everyday, people that work in extreme environments, including race car drivers and crews, firemen, and industrial workers depend on CarbonX(r) products to protect themselves from heat and flame. For more information, visit www.chapmaninnovations.com. About Oakley, Inc. Oakley, Inc. designs, manufactures and distributes high-performance sunglasses, prescription lenses and frames, goggles and technology-enabled eyewear that utilize the company's High Definition Optics(r) (HDO(r)), a collective platform of patented technologies that offer unbeatable optical performance. The company also produces technical and active apparel, footwear and accessories. For more information please visit www.oakley.com.