News, Press Releases, Blogs
Check out our random comments, race results, guest writers, etc. here in the blog and news section of our site.
We can’t promise it’s always going to be breath-taking literary works of art, but you can count on some info, updates
and off-the-wall wise cracks every now and again.
02.08.10
We at Vicci are deeply saddened with the news of Window World CEO Todd Whitworth’s unexpected death. We extend our sincere condolences to the Whitworth family and the entire Window World community.
Window World, Inc. has been one of Vicci's corporate partners since early '09 when they sponsored Vicci team Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the Indy 500. As well, the company is the title sponsor on this week's Daytona 500 team entry driven by John Andretti of Front Row Motorsports (NASCAR).
Donations can be made to a charity close to Mr. Whitworth's heart at http://www.windowworld.com/opening-windows/. Please feel free to contact us for more information on the Window World/ St. Jude efforts.
01.05.10
2010 is here and the racing season is just around the corner! The '10 Vicci collection includes new styles, new fabrics, new patterns and some great new creativity. Give us a call for a quote on your new team or corporate apparel needs. Whether you are outfitting a race team, promotional models, trade show staff or your retail merchandise program, we can help you look and feel your best at all times. Give us a call today and let our knowledgeable staff show you how we can make a difference in your program!
12.30.09
As we charge into the next season of racing, we're excited to jump back into what we do best. Those of us in the motorsport industry know that the "off-season" is anything but quiet. As our clients plan every detail of the upcoming season from deciding on paint jobs to securing sponsors, we work diligently to create the best looking team and corporate apparel in the industry.
The individuals that make up the Vicci machine are a talented team of designers, account managers and more who all take their jobs very seriously. Additionally, we're all extremely passionate about what we do... you can't work at Vicci if you don't love your job, it's as simple as that! Our artists are creative, detail-oriented designers who understand the unique requirements of the motorsport industry. Keeping ahead of technology is an ongoing requirement, and having the ability to go back and forth 10 times on one little logo is an absolute must! Attention to detail is the difference.
Our Account Managers are the lifeline of the Vicci machine. These are the people our clients depend on and trust to ensure that everything turns out exactly as they imagine. Eager to please and happy to have such an exciting career, our AM's put in tireless hours during this busy season to ensure that each of our customers are pleased with their new custom apparel.
"Every job is a reflection of the person who did it. Sign your work with excellence."
We're proud to put our stamp on everything we do and we're so excited to enter into this new season with all of our amazing clients. For those of you in your first year with Vicci, we're honored to welcome you to our family. For those of you returning, we're just so thankful for your continued business and look forward to many years ahead.
Happy New Year from team Vicci. Be well, be safe and thank you for a wonderful '09.
12.02.09
Website under construction!
Please excuse the mess while our website is under construction! Check back soon for a more comprehensive look at the Vicci apparel and merchandise lines. Need a better look now? Contact us for a copy of our new Fall ’09 catalog.
12.01.09 Visit us at the PRI Show! Dec. 10-12, 2009. Booth #1191
Check out our product line, meet our knowledgeable staff and see all the new styles first hand. Contact your Vicci representative to schedule a meeting at the show, or just stop by and say hello!
09.11.09
New catalog available now!
Vicci’s Spring '10 catalog is now available. Please contact a representative for access to the online catalog or to obtain a hard copy for your viewing pleasure.
ARCHIVE
Kalitta Presents Herbert with Check for BRAKES - $50,000 Donation Given in the Name of Scott Kalitta - September 14 , 2008
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 14, 2008) – Before the third round of qualifying on Saturday at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C., Connie Kalitta presented Doug Herbert a $50,000 check for his charity organization BRAKES.
“For Connie to do this to help BRAKES is really awesome,” said Herbert. “Scott and I were friends and he was good friends with Jon and James from the time they were little. Scott would have wanted to do something to help people so it’s really neat that he did that. The money they donated will help us save some kids lives.”
After the tragic death of Scott Kalitta in a racing crash at Englishtown the Kalitta family decided to have half of the proceeds from sales of Scott Kalitta tribute merchandise be given to BRAKES. The team also sold BRAKES merchandise from their souvenir trailer and donated all proceeds to Herbert’s charity organization. Sales of Scott Kalitta tribute merchandise are ongoing and more donations to BRAKES are forthcoming.
“First of all I want to thank all the great racing fans and all the NHRA drivers and teams for all of their tremendous support for me and Scott’s family and Kalitta Motorsports,” said Connie Kalitta. “Needless to say, this has been a very trying time for all of us, but we would not have been able to get through it without everyone’s help.”
As the NHRA visits Charlotte, N.C., for the first time this weekend, Doug Herbert, whose shop is located in nearby Lincolnton, is receiving an outpouring of support for his charity organization BRAKES from fans, the NHRA community and fellow drivers.
“Doug and Scott were close friends, and I know it hit Scott really hard when Jon and James were killed just like it hit Doug hard when we lost Scott,” said Kalitta. “By donating the money to BRAKES, we know that Scott would have wanted that to help Doug and his efforts and this was the best way to make something positive from such tragic losses.”
About BRAKES
BRAKES, which stands for Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe, is a non-profit organization founded by NHRA Top Fuel drag racer Doug Herbert in memory of his two sons who were killed in a car accident. By training and educating teenage drivers and their parents, the foundation aims to promote safe driving in an attempt to prevent injuries and save lives. For more information, visit www.putonthebrakes.com.
Vicci Remembers a Champion - Scott Kalitta - June 22, 2008
We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our friend Scott Kalitta. In one tragic pass, the Kalitta family lost a son, husband, cousin, dad. The Kalitta Racing team lost their driver, champion, friend and brother. The world has lost a hero and a great man.
We at Vicci consider our customers to be family. Through the process of conducting our business, we've had the pleasure of getting to know our clients and forming friendships that will last a lifetime. Some of our closest racing friends come from within the walls of NHRA's Kalitta Racing team. All members of the Kalitta team and family will remain in our hearts and prayers.
I met Scott Kalitta a few years ago. I hadn't worked directly with him on any of the Team Kalitta projects so the first time he came up and introduced himself to me, I remember being surprised that he knew who I was. He was friendly, open and laid back. Since that day, he has always gone out of his way to say hello and give me a friendly hug whenever I see him at a race. Sadly, I didn't see Scott last week when I was at the Joliet race as he had already left for the evening by the time I made it to the Kalitta pit area. I remember thinking, "I'll be sure to catch him next race."
We'll keep our memories of Scott Kalitta near to our hearts, as we keep his family and friends in our prayers. Scott, we'll catch you next race.
-Lisa Vanbeek
Remembering a Champion - Scott Kalitta - June 21, 2008
Courtesy: Kalitta Motorsports
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. --
(June 21, 2008) - Scott Kalitta, a two-time former NHRA Top Fuel champion and one of just 14 drivers to have won in both of NHRA's nitro categories, died June 21, 2008, as the result of injuries suffered in a qualifying accident at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J., during the running of the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals. He was 46.
Kalitta, the son of legendary Top Fuel and Funny Car racer Connie Kalitta, began his career in Alcohol Dragsters and reached his first final round at the 1982 Southern Nationals. He scored his first of what would be 18 career Professional victories six year later, in Funny Car, at the 1989 event in Houston. He later switched to Top Fuel, and joined the dual-fuel club with his first nitro dragster victory, in Topeka, in 1993. At that event, he also recorded the then-fastest speed in NHRA history (308.64 mph) at Topeka. Earlier that year, he had become the fourth member of the Slick 50 300-mph Club at Gainesville.
His great 1993 season set the stage for a championship run in 1994, during which he won five events, including four consecutive -- Columbus, Topeka, Denver and Sonoma - becoming the first Top Fuel driver to do so. Incredibly, he one-upped that season in 1995, where he won six events and a career-best 45 rounds of eliminations en route to his second straight championship.
He finished second in the standings in 1996, but had a fine season nonetheless, scoring a $100,000 victory in the Budweiser Shootout at the season finale in Pomona and set top speed at a category-best eight races.
After winning the Topeka event in 1997 - his fourth straight at the race - he announced his retirement from the sport and sat out until an abbreviated 10-race campaign in 1999. He returned after a three-year hiatus - joining his cousin, Doug, who was now driving for Connie and quickly showed he still had the skills to win, reaching two final rounds and clocking the fastest speed in history at 333.95 mph.
He finally returned to the winner's circle in 2004 with a breakthrough win in Denver and his fourth-place finished marked his sixth top-five points finish in the NHRA POWERade Series. He earned the final two wins of his career in 2005, when he scored in Top Fuel at the season-opening Winternationals in Pomona and in Chicago and finished the season eighth in points.
Kalitta returned to his Funny Car roots in 2006 and reached the semifinals in Denver that year. In 2007, he also reached one semifinal, but this year made his first final-round appearance in three years, and the 26th of his career, with a runner-up in Chicago two weeks ago.
Kalitta is survived by his wife, Kathy; sons Corey, 15, and Colin, 8; and his father, Connie.
Further details will be provided as they become available.
In light of today's tragic events, Kalitta Motorsports' race cars driven by Doug Kalitta, Dave Grubnic and Hillary Will will not compete in tomorrow's final eliminations of the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals.
A meaningful “Best Appearing Crew” and 2 more victories in St Louis
Vicci athletes Tim Wilkerson and Rod Fuller charged their teams to victory in Sunday’s NHRA race in St. Louis. Wilkerson topped another low-qualifier with his 2nd Funny Car win of the year. An emotional Rod Fuller celebrated his first win of the 2008 season in his David Powers Caterpillar dragster, dedicating the victory to his parents and to the great Darrell Russell.
Alan Bradshaw was also able to dedicate a trophy to the family of Darrell Russell- Best Appearing Crew. The team wore commemorative uniforms, donated by Vicci, to honor their longtime friend Russell who was killed in a drag racing accident in 2004. In the coming weeks, these award-winning uniforms will be auctioned on Ebay with all proceeds going to Racers For Christ, in Darrell Russell’s name.
"What a tremendous event,” recalled Darrell’s brother Chris Russell. “My family also wants to thank all the companies that helped make this tribute a reality. I appreciate everyone who bought a book or bid on eBay, we raised money for both DRAW and Racers for Christ this weekend and that was important, giving back to the people who helped us."
The honorary firesuit and helmet are available for auction now. The uniforms will be auctioned in the next few weeks upon completion of promotional use for imagery, etc. Please help support this wonderful cause and place your bids today.
St. Louis NHRA - Remembering Darrell Russell, 1968-2004 - April 30, 2008 
In remembrance of NHRA great Darrell Russell, we are honored to be a part of this weekend’s commemorative celebration. Darrell’s life was cut short in a tragic racing accident in 2004, and this week would mark his 40th birthday. Alan Bradshaw, driver of the Vis Viva Top Fuel dragster and longtime Russell family friend, will unveil a special commemorative paint scheme and crew uniforms for this weekend’s NHRA event. Upon completion of the St. Louis event, the uniforms, firesuit and helmet will be auctioned on Ebay, with all proceeds benefiting Racers For Christ and DRAW (Drag Racing Association of Women).
“We’re honored to be a part of this celebration of life,” stated Lisa Vanbeek, Executive Vice-President of Vicci. “When we heard of the team’s plans for Darrell’s 40th birthday, we were more than willing to particpate by donating the team uniforms. The Ebay sale will benefit two amazing organizations and we just feel blessed to be a part of something so important to so many people.”
This weekend’s event can be seen on Saturday & Sunday on ESPN2. Check back with us after the event for a link to the Ebay auction and help support this wonderful cause.
Visit the site for more information.
B.R.A.K.E.S. website coming soon - February 29, 2008
B.R.A.K.E.S. is an organization sparked out of tragedy, but aimed at safety. On January 26th, 2008, Doug Herbert's two sons, Jon and James Herbert, lost their lives in a car accident in Cornelius, North Carolina. This horrible loss pushed the boys' father Doug Herbert and Jon's friends from their school to pull together and make a difference in the way teens think about driving. B.R.A.K.E.S.' goal is to encourage young drivers to be more careful driving on the street, and that racing should be done on the race track, not the street. The name B.R.A.K.E.S. contains the message that they want to get across. Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe. Together we can put the BRAKES on wreckless driving.
In Remembrance
James Herbert, age 12
Jon Herbert, age 17
It is with heavy hearts that we ask you to keep Doug Herbert and his family in your prayers. Doug has been a client and friend for many years and we’ve been blessed to spend time with his family on and off the track. We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss.
For additional information and to find out more about contributions, please visit the Doug Herbert Web Site: www.dougherbertracing.com.
Vicci Appointed New Official Crew and Merchandise Apparel Supplier by NOPI
Petaluma, CA – February 2, 2008 – Vicci Fashion Group, LLC (Vicci) is proud to announce its role as Official Crew Apparel and Merchandise Apparel Supplier for 2008 NOPI (Number One Parts Incorporated) events. NOPI officials will be outfitted with Vicci’s custom crew apparel at all events in 2008, and the Company will also work with the NOPI teams to supply crew apparel from Vicci.
“We’re very pleased to announce this alliance with the NOPI series,” stated Lisa Vanbeek, Vice President of Vicci. “The recent decision of the NHRA to sanction NOPI sport compact drag racing events makes it all the more appealing. We’re excited to be a part of both of these progressive organizations.”
“Vicci’s team has been a great group to work with and their product line is first rate,” said Michael Myers, President NOPI Motorsports. “This alliance will be a great benefit to our teams, sponsors and fans. As part of their series sponsorship, Vicci’s offerings will help to create a more professional look for the NOPI organization as a whole.”
Vicci has developed a custom apparel line specific to the needs of professional motorsports teams and enthusiasts that focuses on fashionable and effective solutions to the three most important aspects of the racing personality - business, hobby, lifestyle. Business executives will be focused on the brand messaging for individual teams and corporate sponsors that Vicci provides.
About Vicci
Vicci is a leader in fashion and apparel technology for motorsports teams and businesses in such series as NASCAR, NHRA, Formula 1, AMA Super Bike, ALMS, IRL, OSS, NOPI and many more. Vicci manufactures custom tops, bottoms, pants, fanwear, outerwear, hats, and more to choose from for retail merchandise programs. Vicci also provides gear to the motorsports lifestyle enthusiasts – from comfortable, technical travel gear to fashionable styles that state your affinity outside the track. Hobbyists will appreciate competitive pricing to keep their team looking good.
About NOPI
Founded in 1966, NOPI (Number One Parts, Incorporated) is one of the country’s leading parts distributors in the $2.3 billion market for sport-compact automobile accessories. With six stores in Georgia, NOPI has more than 300,000 parts and accessories in stock for its worldwide customer base. For more information log onto www.nopi.com.
Vicci Appointed Official Apparel Supplier by OSS
Petaluma, CA – January 30, 2008 – Vicci Fashion Group, LLC (Vicci) is proud to announce its role as Official Apparel Supplier for 2008 OSS (Offshore Super Series). Vicci will work closely with the OSS to supply custom crew and retail apparel for teams and sponsors in the series.
“We’re very excited to take this next step with the Offshore Super Series”, noted Lisa Vanbeek, Vice President of Vicci. “We see the energy and passion in this sport and we’re looking forward to becoming an integral part of the series.
“Maintaining a professional and fashionable look is an important part image development in any kind of racing. Our company is proud to outfit some of the biggest teams and sponsors in the world and we look forward to building similar alliances in the OSS.”
Vicci has developed a custom apparel line specific to the unique needs of professional motorsports teams and enthusiasts. The line focuses on fashionable and effective solutions for team and retail apparel programs.
“The OSS is excited to build this relationship with Vicci,” stated Ron Polli, President of OSS. “Vicci makes a high-quality product and I am confident that the OSS teams will be very pleased with their crew and retail apparel lines.”
About Vicci
Vicci is a leader in fashion and apparel technology for motorsports teams and businesses in such series as NASCAR, NHRA, Formula 1, AMA Super Bike, ALMS, IRL, OSS, NOPI and many more. Vicci manufactures custom tops, bottoms, pants, fanwear, outerwear, hats, and more to choose from for retail merchandise programs. Vicci also provides gear to the motorsports lifestyle enthusiasts – from comfortable, technical travel gear to fashionable styles that state your affinity outside the track. Hobbyists will appreciate competitive pricing to keep their team looking good.
About OSS
The Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association (OSS) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the further development and growth of offshore powerboat racing in North America. www.OffshoreSuperSeries.com.
