Inside Line Promotions - LAKE STEVENS, Wash. (April 30, 2013) - Austen Wheatley opened up his closet and the light bulb turned on, at least figuratively.
In that moment amidst the Northwest heat last summer, Downforce Designs morphed into a full-blown plan to provide unique and affordable apparel for racing teams across the country.
"I started DFD as an idea in 2009," Wheatley said. "It was initially about websites because I've always been into design. Last summer we called it a year in June as far as racing went. I was sitting at home with a pretty boring life. I had the name, just not the purpose for it. I was thinking of how I could grow DFD and what I could morph it into."
Then came the idea to focus on apparel in a market that he was familiar with.
"The shirts had kind of gotten out of hand for the everyday racer," said Wheatley, who has raced sprint cars for the last five years. "I knew I could create catchy artwork at a better price and at the same quality."
Wheatley taught himself how to draw the cars and he developed his designing skills. The business recently purchased a 10-color, 12-station, fully-automatic textile printer and moved into a larger facility in a suburb of Seattle.
"We're just always trying to be innovative," Wheatley said. "I've seen how it's progressed over the years and what people are looking for. I can add a fresh perspective to it."
Downforce Designs can print on t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, beanies, hats and a variety of other apparel.
The company has started off with World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series driver Chad Kemenah on board along with Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour racer Seth Bergman, J.J. Hickle and a host of others.
Wheatley is taking the next couple of weeks off from racing to focus on Downforce Designs as it is rapidly evolving.
MEDIA LINKS -
Website: www.DownforceDesigns.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DownforceDesign
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DownForceDesigns?fref=ts
DOWNFORCE DESIGNS -
Downforce Designs is an apparel company established and operated by Austen Wheatley. For information on apparel options, prices, clientele and more, visit www.DownforceDesigns.com.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS -
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations, media management and merchandising services for sprint car teams. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and your sponsors' return on investment.
To meet the media relations needs of your team, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or sprintcarreporter@yahoo.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit www.insidelinepromotions.com.