The Russian

I'm getting to the age when I'm starting to consider my own personal safety. Quite a few people are wearing racing suits on track days now. I used to think racing suits were a waste of money but now I'm wondering if wearing one would be a very sensible decision.

If I did buy a racing suit has anybody got any advice as to what I need, make + model, etc.

michael.s.under

I just use a suit I wore when I used to race street bikes, its an alpine stars. I figure if it will save me going physically down on the road, then it will work with the car around me!

mxdave74

you're wearing a LEATHER suit?!! hardcore! My road race suit is cut and curved to be hunched over on a race bike... can't imagine it being comfortable in the car. I'm a jeans and tee-shirt guy, but could imagine a nice race suit if I tracked more often.

mooty

i wear sparco driving suit.
budget permitting, buy the lightest and highest fire rating stuff. i have Xlight 3000, was the top of line sparco. very expensive but very light. and even then it's very very hot.... i can't imagine what it must be like for the heavier less breathable suits.

amaist

How many fires have you seen at track days? The suit is specifically for that.

If I start hearing of cars bursting in flames at amateur track events I will get a suit.

BTW over here they usually don't let you run in a t-shirt. Cotton long-sleve shirt is the minimum clothing standard.

I am not sure a bike suit is useful in a car. How is the fire protection on it?

The Russian

I was being a bit flippant about wearing a t-shirt, but I'm sure you can understand the sentiment.
I agree about car bursting into flames, that is why I asked the question. I guess it is comes down to your
risk assessment of all possible outcomes.

ltcjmramos

I use a single-layer Pyrotect suit similar to this http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo...-firesuit.html

It's called peace of mind. In my 15 years or so of DEs, I've seen 2 cars go up in flames. Will it ever happen to me? Who knows?

michael.s.under

Its not leather, mostly nylon with kevlar in certain key areas (for bikes). It is not very tight either. I bought it off of a friend. It is form fitting but doesnt restrict movement whatsoever. I use my bike gloves too, and they work perfect for me!

smlporsche

I wear a Sparco FIA approved suit, gloves and boots most of the time. Unfortunately it get very hot and humid here in the summer (was 95+ and very humid @ VIR last weekend) so I'm trying to fashion a cool suit to help because otherwise I think heatstroke is a real potential problem.

My suit is not as light as Mooty's but I'm also looking into the Stand 21 suits which are suppose to be the best made...i.e. most breathable.

LVDell

That's actually a quite ignorant stance to take. Why have any of the safety equipment you do have? There is NO SUCH THING as too much safety equipment. While the chances are remote, they are there and if you want to play roulette, go right ahead. The bullet may never hit the chamber for you, but wouldn't it be nice to have the protection if it does?

amaist

There is always a trade off.
My roll bar may cut the use of the rear space but I have seen and know of plenty of cases where it did do some work for the driver. It does not bother me when at speed.

The suit is a trade off. I'd be sweating like a pig and more likely to make a mistake that will involve other safety equipment including the suit. The chance of a fire in a reasonably new car is remote enough that the discomfort of the suit could outweigh the benefits of fire protection.

If I get a car that is much more heavily modified with crazy turbos, power, custom made bits, etc. I'd consider the suit safety/convenience trade off to have a different value.

LVDell

Andrei, you said you'd be seating like a pig. Not everybody does

I actually don't wear my suit during the late July to early Sept events as it is to flippin hot. Not that I don't want to sweat, but that I don't have the proper cooling in place (pumped air into helmet, cool suit, etc.). When I dont' wear it, I go out in a long sleeve LIGHT cotton shirt and a pair of chino's. Chino's are so much better than jeans...more flexible and much cooler.

Rob in VA

It's pretty heavy, but you can't put convenience or price on safety either.

LVDell

Thanks Rob! I needed a good chuckle this afternoon

85Gold

Sparco XL suit, gloves, Nomex shoes, full face helmet, Hans, all the time no matter how HOT. If something happens, I do not want to depend on just luck. Going into turn 17 @ Sebring @ 140 (slow car) all it takes is a little oil, antifreeze, etc to have a major incident. What is your life worth

Peter