Driving Suits?

[Viper X]

I'm shopping for a driving suit for the Nevada Open Road Challenge. Whose driving suits do you guys like? What type of ratings? One piece or two? Features? Driving shoes? Underwear?

Any other Vipers considering this event?

Dan

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I've got Sparco shoes. They're the most comfortable.

 

[Janni]

The latest Sparco three layer suit is extremely light, yet offers great protection. About $1200, but you'll appreciate it in a warm car. We've been pleased with the entire Sparco line.

 

[Viper X]

Hey Janni,

Where did you get it? I'm also looking at the lightweight Sparco but finding $1399 list price and no one is discounting out here. Maybe online?

 

[steve911]

I have used Leaf Racewear for years, 2 layer, 1 piece suit excellent quality but wont cost an arm and a leg. Lots of color choices.

 

[Paul Hawker]

Dan.

If you are only going to use it for this event, you could borrow mine. It's a Stand21. Good quality, and safe. It's a one piece, and XL.

If you will be going to Victory Vipers for Tech Day in San Juan Capistrano this Sat, I could bring it up for you to try it on.

Paul Hawker
call me tonight if you want to hook up there. (858) 451-8791

 

[Fast Freddy]

simpson racing has come out with a new line called impact racing. the material in this new suit is supposed to supress heat and fire better than any other on the market today.

 

[KaiPL]

For open road racing, you may want to consider a suit that meets the sfi 10 standard, rather than the typical sfi 5 standard.
In an open road race, it can take quite a while for help to arrive when compared with racing at a track. Having a bit of extra protection is not a bad idea.
You may want to look into a CarbonX suit. CarbonX is significantly more heat resistant than Nomex. CarbonX is difficult to find in a suit, but Simpson and several other companies make CarbonX underwear, headsocks, socks, and gloves.
I went with the full CarbonX suit option. I had a suit custom made by Design 500. Three layers, with an outer Nomex layer and two inner CarbonX layers. It is a terrific suit. I had them put some custom pockets on the inside to put cooling packs into to keep me cool on hot days.

I like both Oakley and Puma racing shoes. The Oakleys fit a little bit narrower than the Pumas.

Here are a few links you might find useful:

Speedware Motor Sports: (good source for many different racing suits, gloves, Oakley shoes, etc.)

http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/clothing/

Homepage for the manufacturers of CarbonX cloth:

http://www.chapmaninnovations.com/products/carbonx.html

Homepage for Design 500 (the only place I know of to get a CarbonX driving suit.)

http://www.design500.com/

Ringer's Gloves homepage. Their double layer DriverX gloves (made from CarbonX are terrific. Comfortable, great dexterity.) They also make CarbonX underwear.

http://www.ringersgloves.com/driverx.asp

http://www.ringersgloves.com/underx_motor.asp

Safety supply south:
Cheapest place I've found for CarbonX underwear.

http://www.safetysupplysouth.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SSS&Category_Code=CX


Simpson also makes CarbonX underwear:

http://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/products/product_detail.aspx?cat_id=275&prod_id=3888


PS: I think you will like open road racing. I did Sandhills last year, and am headed for Big Bend in 3 weeks. Also signed up for Sandhills again this year, and may go back to Big Bend in October. A real rush.

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

Helmet City Offers VCA members a discount = Lowest prices and a selection.

 

[MAVERICK]

Piloti makes the top of the line racing shoe. www.piloti.com

"The DTM is the mid-cut style from our Race Performance line of shoes. As in all our Race Performance shoes, it has our patented Roll Control™ heel, fire resistant DuPont NOMEX® lining, and it’s reinforced on the lateral side of the right shoe for essential heel-&-toe downshifting feel needed for smooth braking and acceleration in the turns. The DTM is worn by drivers Scott Pruett, winner of the 24 Hours of LeMans GTS Class in 2001, and by Robby Gordon during his wins in NASCAR in 2002. The DTM is also the choice of automotive journalists, auto company executives and car enthusiasts around the world. The DTM is available in suede in Racing Blue/Racing Yellow/ Black and Black/ Piloti Red/ Racing Blue and in suede/leather in Black/Silver/Smoke colorways."

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

I would get ahold of Bob Archer, at Bobby Archer Motorsports, as he has a huge selection of Sparco and other suits, plus he supports Viper Days. Tell him you are a VCA member and I am confident he will do his best for you.

1-817-877-1772

 

[KaiPL]

Piloti makes the top of the line racing shoe. www.piloti.com

No.

Piloti makes nice driving shoes. I own three pair.

They are not racing shoes, however. In spite of their nomex lining, they do not have SFI approval, even their high-top model.

 

[Viper X]

Hey Kai,

Thanks. Great info. The Nevada Open Road Challenge is just that, an open road race. There's a 90 mile road couse, a one mile and one-half mile drag race.

Send me some info on Big Bend and Sandhills when you get a chance.

Sure looks like the safety supply store is selling the same stuff Simpson is for a bunch less money.

Regards,

Dan

 

[KaiPL]

Hey Kai,

Send me some info on Big Bend and Sandhills when you get a chance.

The Sand Hills race takes place in Nebraska in August. It's on a very very twisty and complex road. The unlimited class cars run at about a 130mph average, if that gives you some idea about how technical the courese is. There are lots of blind hills and corners, and pavement changes. It's an easy road to get in trouble on if you aren't careful. Last year, two cars had "off-road excursions." One of the biggest challenges for a Viper is that the road is pretty rough in places, but supposedly it is getting resurfaced before this year's race. There is a 1 mile/ or 1/2 mile drag race on Friday, followed by the road race on Saturday. It's a fun event, and the local populace turns out in force, sort of like a three day car festival.

Here is their web site:

http://www.sorcrace.com/


This year will be my first year at Big Bend, so I know less about it than I do about Sand Hills.

Big Bend takes place in Texas in April and October.
From what I understand, the road is less twisty, than Sandhills, but is more technical than some of the Nevada races. The pavement is supposed to be quite smooth. Folks who have done the Big Bend race say it is a lot of fun. There is not 1 mile drag race, but the course is significantly longer than the Sandhills course (almost 120 miles in total.) I'm heading to Big Bend in three weeks.

http://www.bborr.com/

I enjoyed my Sandhills experience so much, I bought lifetime numbers to both Sandhills and Big Bend. I'm going to make it a tradition.

 

[CitySnake]

Here's a fellow I've know for many years. He does custom tailored suits for VERY good prices. You might want to check him out.

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