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What Racing Suits?

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blkcorvair

Jedi Knight
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Next year I plan to move from Time Trialing to racing. I was using my 2 layer jacket for time trialing but its not very comfortable. I looking to ove to a nicer lighter 1 pc. suit. Any advice? Are guys running 1 layer suits with fire proof under garmets to obtain two layers or simply 2 layer suits. If I grab a 2 layer suit shouls I get it larger to wear pants underneath? Or just wear some real thin clothing under it?

Ive been eye balling those Sparco 2 layer Nomex suits but dunno.
 
Scott, I run a 3 layer OMP suit plus I wear the nomex underwear for 4 layers. I don't skimp on safety, and it's my butt that gets burned if something happens. I bought my suit a little long so that when seated in the Spridget it would still cover my ankles and tops of my boots. The OMG breathes real well so when you're racing you really don't feel the heat of the day too badly. Not until you stop at the end of the race anyway.
 
I have the one piece ~G-Force suit~ .

It has decent specs: TPP rating of approximately 26 and a SFI-5 rating.

I don't really like the way it looks, but it's fairly cheap :laugh: (about $260).

I have Nomex underwear that I also have under it.

Just bought new shoes.....wore a hole in the right toe of my old ones from heel-and-toe motion.
 
I'd get a fire rating of /5 or better.
(FIA 8856-2000)

Then you're good for solo II, vintage or SCCA/NASA
 
The FIA 2000 is equivalent to a SFI /5

Personally, I'd only buy FIA belts and SFI suits.

(The previous FIA minimum standard was FIA 1986 which is now superseded)

And yes...There is a possibility that FIA ratings could expire.
(although I believe it will last as long as the /5)
 
Scott--

All the race groups I know of require three layers and I think SFI-5 is the standard. I use a two-layer suit with nomex underwear.

Predictably the expensive suits claim increased breathability and comfort--I once used a Stand 21 top-of-the line loaner for an afternoon and really did not think it was any cooler than what I normally use.
 
Scott,
Ditto on getting the most you can. I wear a 3 layer suit and nomex underwear for 4 layers..it is hot, but not too bad if you get out of it soon after the race. The suit is better than the 2 pc outfit as well.

Also, make sure you get a HANS device as well. I was racing with VSCDA in the race at Grattan this summer when Jack Drews wrecked...as the chief steward said the next day..."if you have a medical emergency during the race...and do not survive the wreck...we cannot help you" I bought one before the next race..took some getting used to but I did get used to it and now it is second nature to put on at the false grid.
 
Dave's link (above) was to the new sliding tether that can be fitted to older HANS devices.

All newer HANS devices already come with that sliding tether as standard. I bought my HANS Sport ($699) last Spring and it had the sliding tether.

By the way, Scott, at the Comp Board meeting yesterday, the officers agreed to wait on requiring the HANS device until the SCCA comment period ends in Spring '09. It is likely that the SCCA will require some sort of HANS-type device by '10. As you probably know, NASA already requires them...that's why I have one.
If SCCA requires them, EMRA may follow suit (although the vintage guys are still not requiring them).

On a personal basis, I have mixed feeling about the HANS device. If shoulder belts aren't <span style="text-decoration: underline">super</span> tight, it may not be effective. And they MUST be installed correctly or they might actually reduce safety. And they do not help in sideways impacts. There have been a few incidents where A HANS has slowed egress from a crashed (and possibly burning) car. Dale Jr's HANS got caught on the door net while they got him out of that burning Corvette.

One of the guys has an R3 Device (similar to HANS and about $1100) that he likes much better (he says).
Also, there are folks who like the Hutchins Device due to the increased sideways protection, reduced cost and lighter weight.
 
I started racing two years ago and used a HANS device from the outset so did not have to get used to it, though I did find the fixed tethers somewhat restrictive.

This summer I had the sliding tether system retrofitted while I was at an SVRA event at NJMP--it is a great improvement. I also recently added a set of shoulder harnesses made by SAFECO that taper down to 2" and have a sternum latch--the straps are a better fit for the top of the HANS device and the sternum latch will hopefully keep them from slipping off my shoulders in case of a frontal impact.

BTW a notice just went up on the SVRA website saying that as of this coming August they will be requiring an approved Head and Neck Restraint System, prewar cars exempt.
 
Michael Oritt said:
I also recently added a set of shoulder harnesses made by SAFECO that taper down to 2" and have a sternum latch--the straps are a better fit for the top of the HANS device and the sternum latch will hopefully keep them from slipping off my shoulders in case of a frontal impact.
Click to expand...
I really like the 2" tapers for staying on the HANS...
I've been using the Schroth SFI 16.5 Hybrid II.

https://www.schrothracing.com/products/Competition/nascar/16.5-hybrid
 
I've also tried the sternum latch and liked it.
And I know they use it in circle track racing (where rules are different than road racing).
But I thought it was not allowed due to the fact that there had to be one point of release.
 
Persoanlly I think H$N devices should be your decison, in vintage I see alot of roll cages that are a joke, hardly any side bars, drivers sitting too high for their given roll cage. I'm old school I guess, I fiquire I'm taking chance when I get into race car, and I'm OK with that. I think heart attacks problaby kill more vintage racers than anyhting else, lots of AARP members out there.
Issac is working on a good HN device, they have a good design already, but are working a low cost unit, I'm talking like a 100 bucks. Not many of the HN devices do much for lateral hits. The problem is that alot of grups are only honoring SFI specs, and SFI is governed by it's exclusive members, meaning the very folks that sell this stuff, so if you and I come with better patented idea, the curerent SFI member will shut us down by not allowing us to get SFI rating, ti all a joke, they are trying to make amatur racers feel this stuff isn't dangourous, guess what it is, and you can killed doing this just like you can in your street car, probably easier in your street car. Everytime I get on a airplane after being on flight that almost went down many years ago, I tell myself, i could die doing this, but I takethe chance to go and see the palces I wont to, I think the same way in a race car, I have no illusions this is totally safe sport and that a HN will be my savior, I'm willing to take the risk to do what I love.

The groups are going to price us ouf racing before it's over, and following the idiots that run SCCA (nothing more than a bunch of church deacons), far form professionals with real knowledge is kinda funny. The whole deal on the belts was nothing more tha to sell more belts there was no evidence tha proves our belt were falling apart, just the SFI members wanting to sell more belts. I see it this way, you want to wear a HN device more power to you, but don't fool yourself that it will save you though, racers have died from head neck injuries wearing them, so while it may increase your chances, great, just be assured, you can still get kiiled doing this, and ask yourself are you OK with that, for me the answer has always been yes.
 
aeronca65t said:
But I thought it was not allowed due to the fact that there had to be one point of release.
Click to expand...
Just got my new GCR...
It looks like 9.3.18.C implies just that.

"The shoulder harness shall be an over the shoulder type. There shall be a single release common to the seat belt and shoulder harness."

Still no mention of any head & neck restraint.
 
Nial I saw theres a new requirement on fuel cells for nasa now too.

15.4 Fuel Cell / Tank
As of January 1, 2009 no new logbooks will be issued for vehicles with a fuel cell, unless the fuel cell is FIA FT3 (or higher) certified.
[This means no more newly built cars with rotary molded cells. However existing rotary molded cells with an FIA FT 3 bladder will be grandfathered.]
 
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