930man

sometimes its just the track.... VIR let us do it for the first time this year

mrbill_fl

I was not aware the level of car prep, was considered when determining the safety equipment required at a DE.

personally, I think any driver on a race track, at race speeds, should have full safety equipment...

But,I also feel it should be strictly a personal decision. -Just like wearing a PFD on a boat.

It should be up to the driver to determine what level of safety they feel is needed for themselves. Whether that is 6pts, H&N, rollbars, or a fire system, it should remain up to the participant.

Otherwise you get lawyers arguing the organization was at fault when something bad happens...

RedlineMan

I think you'd be surprised;

I've seen burn photos. It's a bit surprising what even a thin cotton layer will do for you. Having said that, there is a tipping point between protection, and driver comfort. Being on fire really sucks, so I am told, but there is a point where comfort begins to weigh on concentration. I HATE hot weather. I'd never make it down South. I try real hard to stay in longs, but some days.... it sure is nice to go short.

Veloce Raptor

Given the miniscule risk of fire in a DE, in generally street cars, versus the very real risk of heat stroke in out of shape non-racers learning track driving for the first time, driver comfort becomes (IMO) a much greater safetty issue.







Professional Racing and Driving Coach

NVRANUF

well said!!

George from MD

"Given the miniscule risk of fire in a DE, in generally street cars, versus the very real risk of heat stroke in out of shape non-racers learning track driving for the first time, driver comfort becomes (IMO) a much greater safetty issue."

+100.

VERBOTN

I concur with VR but I am a big proponent of PPE and therefore always wear the bunny suit. Another consideration is working on the car in the pits. In several cases my long pants and/or sleaves have protected me from burns while changing pads/rotors, or otherwise crawling under or around the car.

Ultimately fitness and hydration solve many of the heat related issues. Besides if it wasn't for the heat I couldn't grind down my weak opposition.....

Veloce Raptor

I find it nearly impossible to wear Nomex in a DE setting, whereas I generally wear Nomex when I coach, regardless of the type of car.









Professional Racing and Driving Coach

renntech

Lets do it Bob

Crazy Canuck

The option of short sleeves =

shiners780

For those who think an extra few inches of fabric from their elbow to their wrist will cause them to pass out and crash, there's always...

Kidding aside, I think it should be a personal choice for each driver as long as they understand the ramifications of their decision (which all new drivers might not).

Flying Finn

+1

I wore long sleeve shirt and long pants in DE's for that above reason, just regular cotton does offer some fire protection.

I now have decided to wear a suit and will wear that no matter how hot it is, even the hottest Florida day is nowhere near the temps of a fire.

Heatstroke risk getting that much higher between wearing a short sleeve or a long sleeve cotton shirt?

Please, if that's the deciding factor, a person suffering a heatstroke from a 30 min. DE session wearing a long sleeve cotton shirt in a car with open windows should stay home in air conditioned climate and have her wife get the beer from the fridge.

TedA

Good choice...I hear you kind of have a reputation...

Gary R.

I have an inexpensive one-layer Sparco suit that is actually cooler than jeans and a LS cotton shirt, I should wear that at DE's but usually don't..

Veloce Raptor

Unpossible! Chicks dig me because I rarely wear underwear.









Professional Racing and Driving Coach