Kurt R

Just an FYI SCCA Pro has revised their driver's suit specs. I don't know if any amateur series will follow suit but some of them have in the past. I'd pay special attention to the last section.

http://www.world-challenge.com/files...s/WCTB5-07.pdf

Article 1.4.5.5, p.11: Change section to read as follows; “Only one-piece driving suits made of fire-resistant
material and certified to SFI spec 3.2A/5, or greater, or FIA spec 8856-2000, which effectively covers the body,
including neck, ankles and wrists, will be accepted. Only multi-layer driving suits will be permitted. Single-layer
suits are prohibited.”

Article 1.4.5.6, p.12: Change section to read as follows; “Fire-resistant underwear is required with all FIA spec
8856-2000 suits, and all suits with an SFI rating of less than 3.2A/10. Only fire-resistant underwear consisting of a
long sleeve top and long pants are allowed. Fire-resistant short sleeve tops and short pants are prohibited.”

Note: We have recently verified that the FIA requires long underwear to be used with all of their suits.
Therefore, the only suits eligible to be used without long underwear are suits rated to SFI 3.2A/10.

924RACR

Wow...

Good thing I already am used to wearing such.

OTOH, if Club Racing followed every lead that Pro set, I know we would ALL be wearing HANS's now...

Bryan Watts

We are all wearing a SFI approved H&N Restraint in BMW CCA Club Racing. I think would be an excellent idea for all Club racing organizations to follow suit, along with a mandatory center net which is likely coming next year to BMW CCA.

Now, as to whether SFI requirements are the way to go, it's debatable, but it's the only standard out there for a club racing organization to be able to hand it's hat on.

Ed Newman

LOL, PCA still doesn't even require a roll cage in a lot of cars! Most of you already know my thoughts on this subject matter... SAFETY is not an option, it is mandatory!

Veloce Raptor

Yup.

I agree with you & Bryan on this.

Bill935K3

UGGG makes for an interesting balancing act, heat stress on driver all the time Vs a few more seconds of protection in the event of a fire. IMHO if you can't get out under your own power quickly (think Dale Jr in the Am LaMans Corvette your screwed. Now if you really want to be protected here is what to wear

smlporsche

It would be a little tough to H&T with those turnout boots on !

Nordschleife

If Earnheart had been wearing longjohns and full length sleeve/roll neck vest, his burns would have been less severe.

Earnheart was not fatigued.

R+C

924RACR

Training training training. This is a matter of physical endurance and proper preparation.

You are effectively going to be working out in a sauna. Why only do it once a month?? Don't go play gerbil in an air-conditioned gym! I go and run after work, mid-summer, in the absolute crap heat. OK, so I don't live in AZ - but I train where I race, and I take it seriously.

As a result, in spite of wearing 3 (is it 4 now? Got a new Sparco suit, can't remember) layers of nomex, I recover VERY quickly when I get out of the car after the race. It's all cardio, plus heat-soak. Can't stress it enough.

IMO, if you're not working out and trying your best to continually improve your fitness level, improving your tolerance to heat stress... you may be putting yourself and your competitors at risk on-track, if you're so beat that you're no longer your sharpest, and making bad decisions out there.

If I felt I could get away with jogging in my suit and helmet, I would...

Premier Motorsp

Shouldn't that be a personal choice?

IMHO, the risk of fire is hugely overrated.

mrbill_fl

Having flagged races for 10+ years, and having seen a few big fuel fed fires, there is nothing I am more concerned about than a fuel fire.

my gas tank is in the nose on my 911... and I have a fuel line running to the fuel pump in the back.

maybe you have to see a fuel fire to respect it... I have a 3 nozzle fire system, and a 10# bottle. and wish I had a cel.

-don't confuse a oil or brake fire with a fuel fire...
go watch little E's fire in ALMS... thats what they look like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGR0KWLs51c

its the only reason I still wear my full gear at every DE... even as shorts and short sleves are sometimes allowed...

Professor Helmüt Tester

On a 95 degree day, yes. On a 1200 degree day, no.