EFI
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Is that with the OEM setup, or you need a separate 3 point system?
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Race suit for HPDE?
- Thread starter matthewr87
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rjcruise
Member
I have the Simpson Hybrid device through work and have used it both on a regular 3 point seatbelt and 5 point harness system in a race car. As other have mentioned, I would concentrate on the safety equipment first and then add to it as you see fit.
You could start off with the Hybrid hans and regular OEM restraint system and then perhaps upgrade to the Scroth harness system for these cars when budget allows. Though it works on a 3 point seatbelt system in theory (thankfully have never had to "test" it) nothing compares to a full 4/5/6 point restraint harness system.
You could start off with the Hybrid hans and regular OEM restraint system and then perhaps upgrade to the Scroth harness system for these cars when budget allows. Though it works on a 3 point seatbelt system in theory (thankfully have never had to "test" it) nothing compares to a full 4/5/6 point restraint harness system.
svttim
Well-Known Member
On the subject of gloves. More and more organizers are requiring gloves. Why? Because the skin that covers the hands and the tendons that make the hands work is extremely thin. If you cant use your hands, how do you get out?
As for a suit, for HPDE it is not required. But you can get fire retardant pants and jacket fairly cheap.
As for a suit, for HPDE it is not required. But you can get fire retardant pants and jacket fairly cheap.
Tomster
Beware of idiots
At my last HPDE, I was doing a demo lap in my student's car. We pulled into the pit area and I noticed smoke coming from under his hood. My first thought was a leaking oil pressure sensor (common occurance). To my surprise, there was a big ball of flames above the headers on the drivers side of the car. To get to the point, I was wearing gloves. While everyone was standing around screaming "fire", I ran over to the fire extinguisher station and punched out the "break glass in case of emergency" extinguisher housing. (thank god I was wearing gloves). I dumped about half the bottle of halon into the engine compartment and verified the fire went out. It did.
So to reinforce my point, safety equipment is very important. The level of safety equipment is entirely up to you (outside of club rules) and there is nothing wrong with a fire suit, gloves, cage, harness, fire suppression, etc. It ultimately comes down to you, the way you drive, the group you run in, and what you can afford.
So to reinforce my point, safety equipment is very important. The level of safety equipment is entirely up to you (outside of club rules) and there is nothing wrong with a fire suit, gloves, cage, harness, fire suppression, etc. It ultimately comes down to you, the way you drive, the group you run in, and what you can afford.
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svassh
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Just happened to get a link to a sale today, no affiliation but some good prices on clearance.
https://store.racerdirect.net/clear...ail&utm_term=0_051b0ec7b3-d7061a9451-33337117
https://store.racerdirect.net/clear...ail&utm_term=0_051b0ec7b3-d7061a9451-33337117
fpGT350
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A number of years ago I started writing a book on things I had learned from racing. Never published but very relevant to the subject discussed in this tread. Whether you are in a race group or an HPDE run group, fires can start very easily from mechanical misfunctions, for example, a power steering hose failure that leaks on your exhaust header. While the section below discusses fire suits, the primary protection is actually an in-car fire suppression system. It saved my teammate's life during a practice session at Road America. You have no idea how long it takes to safely bring a car going over 100 MPH to a complete stop and get the hell out of the car when you are blinded by a cockpit full of smoke and there are other cars at speed on the track. On this particular hot summer day, he was wearing a fashionable one-layer suit without nomex undwerwear. Without the fire suppression system he could have easily burned to death. Here is an excerpt from the book. Mind you, this was written nearly 20 years ago but I suspect it is still fairly accurate. Perhaps some of you current-day racers can update.
Fire Suits
One of the most basic fears of the racer should be fire. The primary means of protection is the driving suit. There are many things that influence the driver’s decision as to what kind of suit to purchase. Cost should not be one of them.
It is amazing how uninformed many racers are about the protection, or lack thereof, afforded by their driving suit. For example, the minimum SCCA requirement is a suit carrying an SFI designation of 3.2A/1. According to the SFI, this rating means the driver has a total of three seconds of exposure to a direct flame or radiant heat before he incurs second degree burns to his skin. Just three seconds!
Suits are available with SFI 3.2A/1, 3.2A/3, 3.2A/5, 3.2A/10, 3.2A/15, and 3.2A/20 ratings. These suits provide protection from second-degree burns to the skin of 3,7, 10, 19, 30, and 40 seconds, respectively. The common theme here is that the protection time in seconds is approximately double the final digit in the SFI rating.
SFI says the majority of racer burns occur as the result of radiant heat transfer rather than open flame. Using multiple layers of fabric helps keep the heat source away from the skin longer because each layer creates air gaps. Nomex underwear is another way to create air gaps, and it should be worn with every kind of fire suit, regardless of the suit’s SFI rating. It can add an additional three seconds of protection time. Even though it may not look stylish, wear a loose fitting suit to create more of an air gap.
In addition to fire retardant suits, you should wear similarly protective padded neck support, gloves, shoes, head socks, and foot socks. You should remove all of your street garments before putting on your Nomex. There is a story about a Phoenix racer who was wearing all the right stuff, but had his boxer shorts on beneath his Nomex underwear. Radiant heat melted the nylon waistband on his boxer shorts, which resulted in burns to his skin and several weeks in the hospital. Upon learning of this, my teammates and I immediately purchased Nomex boxer shorts to wear underneath our Nomex underwear.
A good fire suit of basic design with the highest available SFI rating, plus the Nomex underwear, padded neck support, gloves, shoes, head socks, and foot socks will cost approximately $1,500. Make sure the SFI certification label carries a current date.
Fire Suits
One of the most basic fears of the racer should be fire. The primary means of protection is the driving suit. There are many things that influence the driver’s decision as to what kind of suit to purchase. Cost should not be one of them.
It is amazing how uninformed many racers are about the protection, or lack thereof, afforded by their driving suit. For example, the minimum SCCA requirement is a suit carrying an SFI designation of 3.2A/1. According to the SFI, this rating means the driver has a total of three seconds of exposure to a direct flame or radiant heat before he incurs second degree burns to his skin. Just three seconds!
Suits are available with SFI 3.2A/1, 3.2A/3, 3.2A/5, 3.2A/10, 3.2A/15, and 3.2A/20 ratings. These suits provide protection from second-degree burns to the skin of 3,7, 10, 19, 30, and 40 seconds, respectively. The common theme here is that the protection time in seconds is approximately double the final digit in the SFI rating.
SFI says the majority of racer burns occur as the result of radiant heat transfer rather than open flame. Using multiple layers of fabric helps keep the heat source away from the skin longer because each layer creates air gaps. Nomex underwear is another way to create air gaps, and it should be worn with every kind of fire suit, regardless of the suit’s SFI rating. It can add an additional three seconds of protection time. Even though it may not look stylish, wear a loose fitting suit to create more of an air gap.
In addition to fire retardant suits, you should wear similarly protective padded neck support, gloves, shoes, head socks, and foot socks. You should remove all of your street garments before putting on your Nomex. There is a story about a Phoenix racer who was wearing all the right stuff, but had his boxer shorts on beneath his Nomex underwear. Radiant heat melted the nylon waistband on his boxer shorts, which resulted in burns to his skin and several weeks in the hospital. Upon learning of this, my teammates and I immediately purchased Nomex boxer shorts to wear underneath our Nomex underwear.
A good fire suit of basic design with the highest available SFI rating, plus the Nomex underwear, padded neck support, gloves, shoes, head socks, and foot socks will cost approximately $1,500. Make sure the SFI certification label carries a current date.
honeybadger
Just don't care
I'm one those douches that wears full gear for every HPDE. I'm sure my students think I'm nuts climbing into their with a fire suite gloves, shoes, etc.
For me, it's two part. The safety stuff everyone has already mentioned is there. Second, it's about routine. Every time I get in a car on a track, I went to be prepped and ready to go - full safety. Accidents happen when you least expect them and I never want to get caught unprepared. As @Tomster mentioned, his situation happened in the pits after a ride-a-long. This routine builds good habits...and honestly, you'll feel safer and more comfortable having all the gear on.
Besides, looking like a badass is half the fun. I mean, look at this douche (photo from Halloween last year). Badass!
For me, it's two part. The safety stuff everyone has already mentioned is there. Second, it's about routine. Every time I get in a car on a track, I went to be prepped and ready to go - full safety. Accidents happen when you least expect them and I never want to get caught unprepared. As @Tomster mentioned, his situation happened in the pits after a ride-a-long. This routine builds good habits...and honestly, you'll feel safer and more comfortable having all the gear on.
Besides, looking like a badass is half the fun. I mean, look at this douche (photo from Halloween last year). Badass!
Tonymustang302
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Am i the onLy one tHat does hpde events in one of these?
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matthewr87
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What's the SFI rating on that?Am i the onLy one tHat does hpde events in one of these?
Tonymustang302
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i lather myself in fire retardant gel so it’s super safe.
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