Race Boots & Underwear

[dreed]

I have been reading the Blue Book in particular Section K 9.1.8.  It says that wearing flame retardant underwear and boots are advisable only.

Due to the price, would it be allowed to wear cheaper Kart Boots with flame retardant socks.

Do others wear both top and leggings. Your advise please.

Dave

[Mark Stanton]

For sprinting: I think it may be advisable to wait until the new 2011 Blue Book is available   few changes are ahead  

Circuit Racing: You have to wear the correct spec clothing, karting specific is not permitted  

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

Dave,

You are right in your reading of the MSA Regs and these don't look like changing regarding boots and underwear.

It's worth having a look around the suppliers as there is very little difference in price        couldn't possibly suggest where to look  

There are a couple of ways of looking at Underwear, IMHO it adds an extra layer of protection, but also is much easier to wash than your race suit !!, which if you think about it you will have on for most of the day  

[mark.anson]

Dave

Speed Series sponsors can supply any stuff you need whether its race suits helmets or mechanical parts.

links to Speed series sponsors Here

[greenandmean]

Always have worn a 3 layer race suit with 2 layer carbon x under wear, flame proof boots, gloves and balaclava.  Not all mandatory and probably over kill but infinately better than 3 months in the local burns unit if it all goes wrong.

[dreed]

Many thanks for the replies, looking to buy as much as possible before the VAT rise in January. Need to save some pennies so I can buy a new set of tyres, trailer, some scheduled work at Northampton Motorsport.

Nick, have been looking at certain supplier to complement my gloves and helmet bought recently. Understand they will be getting a new line in soon!

Regards

Dave

[barney]

always found the nomex socks comfortable in race boots and i always use a balaclava,apart from the obvious,they keep your helmet clean    

at autosport theres usually a gut selling underwear and socks at knockdown prices...

i can thoroughly recommend the Playskool fireproof gloves,very comfortable,have used them all this year and are very happy with the feel and protection they provide.

raceboots i would recommend trying before buying,by nature they are quite a snug tightish fit,same withhelmets.

Autosport is a good place to go,ive always got some good deals and tried before buying..

and the Some of the Speed Series sponsors exhibit themselves there..    

barney

[davidgh]

Some of the Speed Series sponsors exhibit themselves there..    

Spirit of the Speed Series  --  a stella® statement  

[Blatman]

QUOTE

There are a couple of ways of looking at Underwear, IMHO it adds an extra layer of protection, but also is much easier to wash than your race suit !!,

How does the washing machine know the difference?

[Mid life crisis]

Totaly agree with Grean and mean

You know how it feels when you do something stupid as most of us have done. Like trying to light a barby with petrol    First reaction is S*** as you await the flames to die down, then panic when they don't. Headless chiken mode while searching for something to put the fire out    The total relief of finaly restoring some normality to the garden. Then horror did anyone see me do that.

Ok the sun is shining as it normally does at MIRA, car was washed and polished last night and put on the trailer in expectation of an early start this morning.

Signed on, bacon but and coffee consumed first two practice runs under your belt and first timed run completed. Pit banter is brilliant, with lots of help from fellow competitors.

You now know the pace of your fellow competitors in class, who are a bit quicker than you.  You decide you are going to give it the beans to compete for overall honours.

Sitting on the start line you shuffle in your seat to find the best possible seating position for a very quick 2nd timed run , you pull your gloves tight against your finger joints to have the maximum contact and feel of the stearing wheel.

You drop your visor in anticipation of the lights changing from red to green.

The lights change to green, you build the revs, drop the clutch and away. Into the first left hander you balance the power letting the rear of the car hang out while just maintaining control and anticipate the line for the next corner, now into the 2nd left hander, increasing the power to maximise your speed entering the main straight.

You are now fully commited, foot is on the floor and will stay there despite your brain telling you to feather the throttle through the main straight kink. you resist. keep it going, keep it going right up to the braking point for the tight right. Now doing 112mph (85 in a normal crossflow)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is at this point that the flexable fuel pipe lets go, engine on full tilt, fuel spraying everywhere, and vast amounts of air passing through the radaitor.

First you experience is the big big flames out of the bonnet, and through holes in the bulkhead you didn't know you had.

Your first reaction is to get the hell out but you can't, your strapped in!  2nd is get on the brakes! as you do slow the flames get bigger because you have forgotten to switch off the electrics. The fuel pump is still pumping petrol onto the fire.

Leave the rest to your imagination

I think you get the idea

Fire proof clothing? No brainer really.  

[barney]

well put...exactly        

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

Couldn't have summed it up better      

[erictharg]

In my short experience of circuit racing nobody checks under layers, socks or shoes. It's all "advisable". And whilst the emotive pieces on the horrors of burning to death on your first event are interesting, the risk is very small. As ever, you pay your money and you make your choice. But you don't need to have fireproof anything, other than overalls, for club racing events.

[erictharg]

Oh - maybe gloves too. I think they're mandatory now. But again, not checked.

[stephenh]

Oh - maybe gloves too. I think they're mandatory now. But again, not checked.

Yes, FIA spec gloves now needed, even for sprints/hillclimbs