Trackday clothing - race suits ??
Discussion
Does anybody on here actually do trackdays in a race suit?
I suspect that most will use racing boots as this aids control of the pedals but what is the general concensus about the other gear?
I have done a handful of sprints over the years and have had to wear the necessary FIA approved clothing. It surprises me that its not mandatory on trackdays as the same risk must be present.
I have done a few trackdays but only ever in my race boots and gloves (steering wheel grip) and never in my full flame proof suit. I always felt that it looked kind of 'wannabe' but am of the opinion that maybe I'll go fully kitted next time I visit the track.
What are your opinions?
I suspect that most will use racing boots as this aids control of the pedals but what is the general concensus about the other gear?
I have done a handful of sprints over the years and have had to wear the necessary FIA approved clothing. It surprises me that its not mandatory on trackdays as the same risk must be present.
I have done a few trackdays but only ever in my race boots and gloves (steering wheel grip) and never in my full flame proof suit. I always felt that it looked kind of 'wannabe' but am of the opinion that maybe I'll go fully kitted next time I visit the track.
What are your opinions?
in my opinion you dont really need a full suit unless theres a risk of fire in the car. so it depends on what you're driving really, if it's a non standard stripped out track car/race car i might consider wearing one but if you're just tracking a road car i would prefer to not wear one and be more comfortable during the day as i find my race suit can get very hot and sweaty.
matt
matt
SamHH said:
Is a "non standard stripped out track car/race car" more likely to catch on fire than a road car?
Not necessrily, but given the fact that you are obliged to wear a f/proof suit whilst racing, I'm not sure how a t/day is a lot less potentially dangerous? As an aside, if you have a complicated cage, combining this with nomex covered seats, it is often easier to wear a one piece suit to assist getting in and out. I think if you are driving a road car, then it probably is a bit OTT. Each to their own though.
Putting a suit on, does get you in the mood to keep trying to stuff it up the inside under braking, trying to get past the point and squirt merchants (i.e. people in powerful cars, who aren't confident to corner hard) but this will often result in a black flag
It looks nice, it's comfortable and best of all... your nads are fireproofed.
That seems like a win/win situation to me.
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
That seems like a win/win situation to me.
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
Don't forget that race suits are tested for tear- and puncture-resistance, which is going to be of use if the worst should happen. I can understand that it might feel a bit 'try-hard', but you'd feel more stupid if you own a racesuit and weren't wearing it if/when you actually needed it.
No-brainer in my opinion.
No-brainer in my opinion.
Gruffy said:
Don't forget that race suits are tested for tear- and puncture-resistance, which is going to be of use if the worst should happen. I can understand that it might feel a bit 'try-hard', but you'd feel more stupid if you own a racesuit and weren't wearing it if/when you actually needed it.
My thoughts exactly. I feel a bit of a t
t though as my suit is very shiny and very red. 
Having said that, I don't wear it at airfield days.
Just wondering about this myself, as I replace the standard seat in my road car with a bucket seat (I've got a skinny arse) with full harness on track-days and its getting a bit uncomfortable in jeans/jumper etc... think I'll go for it anyway since the boost is higher than spec and theres a lot more to catch fire as it isn't stripped out!
fergus said:
YI8TVR said:
Mike Caine told me once to keep well clear of anybody in a race suit
All the gear and no idea...
Usually spot on.
All the gear and no idea...
Usually spot on.
Yes, but you've got a TVR....
Im flattered you feel a TVR is all the gear,
I guess the car has to come first to learn unless you put the Full FIA race gear on then jump on your X Box.
I remember a track day at Castle Coomb a few years back. It was mostly TVR's, but the odd Lotus was also present.
Anyway, mid-morning this huge jet black artic rolls in and some Japanese chaps get out and unload their two Ferrari 355's with more kit than the F1 team use. All decked out in racing suits, boots..... looked proper professional!
They were slower than everything else, so decided to go play on the local roads.
Constabulary turned up at the track afterwards and felt their flameproof collars
Anyway, mid-morning this huge jet black artic rolls in and some Japanese chaps get out and unload their two Ferrari 355's with more kit than the F1 team use. All decked out in racing suits, boots..... looked proper professional!
They were slower than everything else, so decided to go play on the local roads.
Constabulary turned up at the track afterwards and felt their flameproof collars
richb said:
I guess it's whatever makes you happy but personally I think it's a bit OTT. Mind you I think 'racing boots' are a rip-off too, nothing wrong with a pair of HiTec squash shoes, £19.99 and the softest grippiest sole you could want for. 
Now there's a coincidence... I gave up the Sparco race boots and went back to HiTec squash shoes (because I had some). Much more comfortable, and I think better to drive in, also.
BTW, when I did the RMA day at Silverstone a couple of years ago, they advised people at the briefing that if they owned a race suit, to wear it, and if they didn't, get one. Yes, I feel like a bit of a dick wearing racing gear at a track day, but it's better than looking stylish while you're hanging upside down in the belts, burning to death.
(I have noticed people at track days wearing casual clothes with Nomex underwear. I guess the "feel like a dick" thing is pretty common!)
Although the likelyhood of spinning off and crashing or having a mechanical fault cause a fire is maybe about the same, I still think there's less chance of a fire on a trackday than a race simply because there's far less chance of car-to-car contact which would be a significant contributor to the amount of fires occuring in races.
Having said that, do I wear one in my Locost BEC for trackdays, apart from anything else, virtually all Locaterfields have fairly exposed fuel tanks right at the back of the chassis so if you had a crash that involved the rear of the car then it's quite possible the tank could either get punctured or moved enough to tear the pipes away from their unions, which wouldn't be good!
Having said that, do I wear one in my Locost BEC for trackdays, apart from anything else, virtually all Locaterfields have fairly exposed fuel tanks right at the back of the chassis so if you had a crash that involved the rear of the car then it's quite possible the tank could either get punctured or moved enough to tear the pipes away from their unions, which wouldn't be good!
If I already had a race suit then I think I wuld wear it as no matter how silly I felt wearing it I am certain that I would feel a lot more silly if my car was to catch fire and the suit was nicely hanging up in my wardrobe.
I wouldn't, however, just go and get one for trackdays. I already have gloves and boots but justify there as they are my two points of contact with the car and they improve the driving feel.
I wouldn't, however, just go and get one for trackdays. I already have gloves and boots but justify there as they are my two points of contact with the car and they improve the driving feel.
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