I am going to be starting racing this year at WRP in a tough truck and I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on some good affordable racing gear. Suit, shoes, helmets etc.... thank you in advance and cant wait until opening night
Safety Gear
Started by KO_23, Feb 03 2012 08:36 PM
9 replies to this topic
#1
Posted 03 February 2012 - 08:36 PM
#2
Posted 03 February 2012 - 09:08 PM
First let me say welcome to the racing family.
Now to your question...... Don't get suckered by "it cost more, it has to be better". Every company has to pass the same tests to be able to sell their products legally. So find something you like that you are comfortable in. There isn't anything special about shoes, but some companies have tags that get stamped/punched to show when they were purchased so make sure you don't get "new" shoes from 2009. Suits can be tricky. One piece or two piece in single layer or double layer. A one piece is usually more form fitting but a two piece is a jacket and pant set which allows you to take jacket off when not racing. Drivers with one piece usually unzip and roll down top half. A single layer suit offers 4 seconds of direct flame contact before burning and a double layer offers seven seconds of protection. I know that doesn't sound like much but really think about what those three seconds will give you. A double layer suit is thinker/heavier, but I feel its worth the extra protection. Helmets HAVE TO be Snell SA 2010. If you have an M rated helmet (motorcycle) it isn't fire retardant. Some drivers like to have a fresh air pump helmet. Recommended if you are a mouth breather, wear glasses, or are usually hot. Just adds that extra comfort level.
I hope that gets you going in the right direction. Best of luck this year. Be safe and have fun.
Jeremy
#3
Posted 04 February 2012 - 09:21 AM
www.pitstopusa.com
They have just about every brand of everything and you can do a lot of side-by-side comparison. Prices aren't bad either....
#4
Posted 04 February 2012 - 11:33 AM
Want to talk to you like a Father because I am one. Don't skimp on saftey equipment. Get a good helment a head injury can effect you for the rest of your life. Get at least a SFI 3.2A/5 rated fire suit, the guys that buy the SFI 3.2A/1 suits are just kidding if they think it will protect them from a fire. A 1 rated suit gives 3 sec. protection from 2nd degree burns, not enough time to get a truck stopped let alone to get out. A 5 rated is 10 sec. which a least gives you a chance. Keep your seat belts up to date you never know when you will need them. Go to Limalands site and look up photos 2006 in the arcive go to Aug. 4th look at (not a good day) that picture is after he bounced off the posts with the fire extinguster in the air. seat belts worked he was very bruised but stayed in place. also shows a couple of flips in the trucks.
Not trying to scare anyone. My saying is (I don't want anyone to get hurt doing something they enjoy if it can be helped.) 
Good fire suit $179- $295
Good helment $300-400
Seat belts $69- $179
Trip to the ER $1000-$5000
Not getting hurt because you have good saftey equipment PRICELESS
You do the math.
Also check on Racingjunk.com some times you can get some nice stuff there
Good fire suit $179- $295
Good helment $300-400
Seat belts $69- $179
Trip to the ER $1000-$5000
Not getting hurt because you have good saftey equipment PRICELESS
You do the math.
Also check on Racingjunk.com some times you can get some nice stuff there
Don Noffsinger
#5
Posted 04 February 2012 - 03:49 PM
Awesome! What division will you be running? Double checkered, some of this info isn't quite accurate. Let me address them individually.
A lot of it IS better. The manufacturers certify their products themselves. Don't buy ANYTHING proban. This is cotton sprayed with crap. It wears off.
New is new is new. Unless it's proban that washes off, stuff like shoes and gloves are fine. I've used the same gloves and shoes since 1997 and 1998. They finally fell apart.
A double layer suit is absolutely worth it, and in my opinion should be mandatory. Not sure where your specs come from, but the timing sounds close to what I remember. However, this is in something like an 1800 degree inferno - you're getting burnt the whole time, the 3-7 seconds are before you have third degree burns. Do NOT skimp out on fire safety!
Now to your question...... Don't get suckered by "it cost more, it has to be better". Every company has to pass the same tests to be able to sell their products legally. So find something you like that you are comfortable in.
A lot of it IS better. The manufacturers certify their products themselves. Don't buy ANYTHING proban. This is cotton sprayed with crap. It wears off.
There isn't anything special about shoes, but some companies have tags that get stamped/punched to show when they were purchased so make sure you don't get "new" shoes from 2009.
New is new is new. Unless it's proban that washes off, stuff like shoes and gloves are fine. I've used the same gloves and shoes since 1997 and 1998. They finally fell apart.
A single layer suit offers 4 seconds of direct flame contact before burning and a double layer offers seven seconds of protection. I know that doesn't sound like much but really think about what those three seconds will give you. A double layer suit is thinker/heavier, but I feel its worth the extra protection.
A double layer suit is absolutely worth it, and in my opinion should be mandatory. Not sure where your specs come from, but the timing sounds close to what I remember. However, this is in something like an 1800 degree inferno - you're getting burnt the whole time, the 3-7 seconds are before you have third degree burns. Do NOT skimp out on fire safety!
Absolutely incorrect.Helmets HAVE TO be Snell SA 2010.
Correct, the M rating is motorcycle, SA is a fire retardant liner. I've seen vids of a M helmet burning, it is an inferno and BAD. The number is the year of snell spec it was rated, in 5 year increments. As long as the helmet hasn't been hit, it doesn't just suddenly go bad. Don't confuse the SA rating with production date. My carbon fiber simpson helmet last season was manufactured 2/2011 and carried the SA2005 cert. I just ordered a top of the line helmet which was custom built last month. I wanted the previous style, so it too came in a SA2005 cert. Is it not legal or somehow unsafe? The current rules (which REALLY need updated) state a snell M85 is recommended. That's terrible advice on all fronts. I wouldn't go less than 2000, and make sure the helmet hasn't been used. Wear your helmet, don't "use" your helmet.If you have an M rated helmet (motorcycle) it isn't fire retardant.
I just got one of these deals. Also helps keep dust/debris out of the eyeport, and reduces fogging. I will let you know how it works out on the comfort level...unless you tell me my helmet isn't safe or legal LOL.Some drivers like to have a fresh air pump helmet. Recommended if you are a mouth breather, wear glasses, or are usually hot. Just adds that extra comfort level.
Edited by Dirtracer48, 04 February 2012 - 03:52 PM.
#6
Posted 04 February 2012 - 04:59 PM
Thank you all for the advice I am currently reading up a lot about the safety equipment, cuz i have a 5 year old son and a wife that need me at home. My dad use to be a racer when i was little up at attica and fremont and he is my idol. He is definitely making sure that my safety gear is very good. I really cant wait for racing season to start and to start meeting people in the pits and learning like crazy.
Thank you all for the advice
P.S Anyone know where i could get a cheap trailer that is my next priority
#7
Posted 04 February 2012 - 05:36 PM
Sorry if my statement referring to helmets "have to" be 2010 led to any confusion. I wasn't implying that was any rule. Tim is right, the ratings get renewed every 5 years so the latest year available is 2010. I was only trying to make note not to buy a new helmet with a 2005 or older date. Some tracks and sanctions do check the dates and only allow you to run with a 10 year window. If that is the case, you lose 5 years on your brand new helmet.
#8
Posted 04 February 2012 - 07:38 PM
Sorry if my statement referring to helmets "have to" be 2010 led to any confusion. I wasn't implying that was any rule. Tim is right, the ratings get renewed every 5 years so the latest year available is 2010. I was only trying to make note not to buy a new helmet with a 2005 or older date. Some tracks and sanctions do check the dates and only allow you to run with a 10 year window. If that is the case, you lose 5 years on your brand new helmet.
Great to have fun by going racing.
I agree with racer50.
How MUCH is your continued well-being worth?
Please, please don't skimp on the safety equipment!!! (regardless of what division you race in!!!!!)
Edited by injunear, 04 February 2012 - 07:41 PM.
The WildWon
#9
Posted 05 February 2012 - 07:52 PM
Good you're asking about safety equipment but check and double check that truck! When I bought my truck I needed to put 2 bars to protect me better by a drivers side hit. one is hard to explain and may not apply to you, the other I added to protect in front of my door bars to protect my feet better. Check all the welds, my cage had some tubes only welded on one side. Look forward to racing with you this year.
2nd is the first loser
#10
Posted 06 February 2012 - 05:45 PM
i have a brand new,hutchinson device,never used,size medium,for a $100.anyone interested call 419-739-7264
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