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Product Profile
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3M™ Greptile™ Gripping Material
and Nascar
New Technology To Help Racers Get A Grip
Drivers and Crews Rapidly Adopting System To Reduce Fatigue,
Add Grip to Oily or Wet Surfaces
3M has added to its list of breakthroughs
that help
drivers and crew members in the racing industry perform at their
best. Using
microreplication technology, 3M™ Greptile™ Gripping
Material comprises thousands of
microscopic "fingers," which inter-connect with each
other, or with virtually any other
surface, to provide a better grip that's not locking. Schroeder
Steering applies 3M™ Greptile™ Gripping Material to
the steering wheel. Racing crew members also apply 3M™ Greptile™
Gripping Material to hydraulic jack handles and other tools used
during the race.
Joe Nemechek, driver of the NASCAR Winston
Cup, #25 UAW/Delphi Chevrolet, likes the
Greptile gripping material system from 3M so much that he is
personally working with
them on modifications and improvements. "This is great,"
said Nemechek. "I
never thought a grip like this would be possible without getting
"too much" grip. My
hands and arms get much less tired as the race goes on than ever
before. With all the
shifting we do and the grind of a 3 or 4 hour race, your hands
and forearms can really
get a workout."
Mike Dryman, Executive Director, Impact
Sports, sports performance trainers for pit crews
and drivers agrees and also sees many places in the pits and
garages for 3M™ Greptile™
Gripping Material and gloves. "This material is fantastic,"
says Dryman. "Even if
a tool gets wet or oily, you can maintain your grip. That can
save seconds off your pit
times. The crew can be much more confident that they'll be able
to work at a fast pace
without losing control of the jack or air wrench.
The Schroeder Steering wheel with 3M™
Greptile™ Gripping Material is gaining popularity in other
motorsports as well. Guy Cosmo, up and coming driver in the Star
Mazda Series for open-wheeled racers is also an enthusiastic
user. "I can see this product being used at every level
of racing, from go-karts to IRL as well as Winston Cup and Formula
1," said Cosmo, who recently used the Greptile gripping
material system in winning the Star Mazda Series, Grand Prix
of Sonoma at Sears Point Raceway. "You can keep your hand
more relaxed without losing your grip. That can definitely help
reduce fatigue from the start to the finish of a race."
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