Here’s sad news from the world of racing, as we have learned that avid racer and the inventor of the Cool Shirt, Rich Schafer was killed in as accident while participating in a hill climb event in Jackson County, Alabama.
According to a news story in the Daily Sentinel newspaper, Schafer’s car left the course during his second run at the 5th annual Crow Mountain Hill Climb. Schafer was a multi-time SCCA regional champ and has a long history of racing everything from drag cars to all out road race iron.
Schafer’s invention, the “Cool Shirt” was initially intended to be used by surgeons while performing long operations. It is essentially a vest with piping attached to it that circulates water which, in turn keeps the body temperature at a comfortable level. Racers were quick to see the benefit in this technology and the shirts can be found frequently on race drivers at all levels.
By all accounts Schafer was a talented driver, good competitor, and very smart man. He’ll surely be missed by his racing bretheren and of course, his family.
