Focus On...Losing weight and choosing racewear!

Every driver knows how being lighter generally means you can go faster - according to Karting Magazine, an added 10kg made driving a Rotax Max around 1% slower - take a peek at the full article it makes interesting reading:

Page 1 Page 2

There's no doubt that the more expensive racing suits help because they are not only better quality but also lighter. Recently we were sending out a couple to Europe and after weighing them for postage we noticed that the Puma Future Cat was about a kilo lighter than one of our entry-level FIA products - who wants to carry around an extra bag of sugar?

Modern, hi-tech racing overalls, boots and gloves are much lighter than traditional designs and while we can't promise to save you half-a-second per lap, if you're racing for long periods then the reduction in vibration, temperature and general stress can be considerable.

But weight saving isn't the only important factor, consideration should be given to the end use. For instance, a pair of Speed Racewear boots weighs in at just 750g compared to the Sabelt Base at 1050g but while racers can change out of their boots regularly, rally drivers and navigators can't so will appreciate the stronger sole of the rally-bred Base. Likewise with gloves, if you compete in an area where gloves continuously get dirty then price becomes important when you're replacing them regularly!

With racing overalls, the choice is even wider with prices ranging from under £100 to over £1000! We've covered this in an earlier blog, Focus on...racing overalls, which I hope will help you decide which overalls you need for your branch of the sport, and given below are some pointers to design features that may be useful:

• Stretch panels on sleeves - the Speed Racewear Level 2 kart suit and the Sabelt Stratos FIA race suit both have stretch panels between the shoulders and the back of the sleeves which allow a bit more movement than the traditional "set in" style. By doing this they remove the need for pleats running from shoulder to waist, meaning there's less material, a reduction in suit weight and extra comfort for the wearer as you're not sitting back on folds of material
• Fully floating sleeves -  an option on the AWS Skyhawk and standard  on the Sabelt SK1 kart suit. Here the sleeves are attached to the body by stretch fabric making 360 degree arm movement easier. This is a very popular choice
• Lumbar stretch panels - the Puma Trionfo takes this to a new level, with the bottom part of the suit at the back being a stretch panel for extreme movement. Look out for anatomical cut, carefully-positioned seams and breathable fabric when making your choice

Bewildering isn't it? There's no substitute for advice - if you're the slightest bit concerned then please ring us on 08452 604104 and we can give you some unbiased help. Please give us as much information about you, your racing and your budget as you can, so that we can help you make the best choice. That's why we're "the specialists"!

See you on the grid!

Max Tyler
racewear.co.uk
08452 604104

Focus On...Puma Racewear

racewear.co.uk is proud to have been appointed an agent for PUMA racewear, and I thought it a great idea to give some background as to why it deserves a place in your wardrobe.

PUMA was founded in Herzeogenaurach, Germany in 1948 and is one of the world's largest suppliers of athletic footwear, clothing and accessories. PUMA claims its "four cornerstones" are heritage, sports performance, technological innovation and challenge and has kept true to those principles as it has diversified its brand image and products to become an "alternative" sports brand drawing on influences from sports, lifestyle and fashion. PUMA performance racing shoes were first used in the 1970s and 1980s, and the brand has grown through association with teams such as Ferrari and, latterly, Red Bull.

But enough of the marketing speak...what's special about PUMA for the racing driver?

"Trionfo" is the name used by PUMA for their top-of-the-range products and none more so than the Trionfo race suit.

• 
  
  Lightweight &; breathable satin Nomex 3 layer design offers better weight reduction, breathability, protection and durability than traditional 3-layer lightweight designs
• 
  
  Features Puma's "Extended Movement System" (EMS):

Stretch panels at the back of the arms replacing the soft knit gussets

Reduced weight of the upper arms/chest area

Further reduced bulk of Nomex around the critical shoulder/harness/HANS device

Increased air flow to the chest area

• Strategically placed knit Nomex stretch panels located at the knees, calves, and kidney/lumbar areas improve both mobility and breathability
• Forward seams for enhanced comfort in the car
• Super flat grabstrap design for the ultimate HANS compatibility
• Soft knit internal collar with satin outer stops migration under the HANS chest plate allowing safe and comfortable use of the HANS device

This is pro-quality racewear, with a price to reflect it! But if you want the best, then it costs. Further down the range the Future Cat and the Race Cat represent superb value for money for competitors racing in closed cars and/or hot climes.

For the very best in the PUMA range look for the name Trionfo, and that's true of the Trionfo Mid Pro II Race Boot as well! PUMA, with over 35 years of race footwear development, produces the most technically advanced state-of-the-art racing footwear and the PUMA Trionfo Mid Pro II is the most technologically advanced racing shoe ever produced for the professional driver:

• Constructed of Schoeller canvas, soft suede, and Nomex lining
• Superior transpiration, weight reduction, and increased fire protection (TPP40)
• Asymmetrical lacing improves blood circulation, decreases lactic acid build-up (muscle fatigue), and improves heat dissipation within the foot
• ‘Tongue-less’ body design reduces weight while improving conformation to shape and movement of the driver’s foot
• Carbon fibre heel stabiliser provides balance for heel-and-toe combined with a split heel design reduces weight, heat transfer, and vibration
• FIA 8856-2000 and SFI 3.3/5 approved

Take a look round an F1 paddock, and you'll see many drivers wearing boots branded with other manufacturers' logos that look "surprisingly" like the Trinofo!

PUMA are also moving into karting clothing too! Drawing on their extensive experience, they have produced the PUMA Kart Cat, a Cordura/cotton 2-layer CIK/FIA Level 2 homologated suit  combining high technical featurs with a fresh an cool design:

• Full Movement System (FMS)
• Knit panels on elbow and knee
• Soft knit collar

Wherever you see the leaping cat, you know that PUMA will have given you an exceptional garment, so why not give them a try?

That's all for now - see you on the grid?

Max Tyler
racewear.co.uk
08452 604104

Focus On...Speed Racewear

Bit of a change this month, focussing on a brand rather than a collection of products - but we think Speed Racewear is worth it!

Introduced as a karting brand, the Speed Racewear range carries some great "crossover" products at wallet-friendly prices. We've sold plenty of this great quality racewear to circuit racers, rally drivers, speed eventers and even just for leisure wear...it's all about looking good, feeling great and not breaking the bank.

Speed Racewear karting boots are perfect for the club racer on a budget. Comfortable, practical and stylish, you can choose from the high style (left) or a mid-height version. There's even an FIA-homologated boot for those that venture into Europe! Check out the attention to detail such as the wrap-around heel and the velcro fixing straps.

If you don't need flame retardant overalls, Speed Racewear hits the spot again! Grass track, track days, powerboat racing and of course karting are all suitable places to wear the 1-layer and 2-layer Speed Racewear overalls. With the 2-layer carrying FIA/CIK homologation, we've got most options covered. Red, blue and black are available off-the-shelf and other colours/designs can be supplied to special order. These are particularly popular with indoor karting centres, and we can make to order with velcro fastenings instead of a zip. Details include stretch panels in the sleeves of the 2-layer version and contrast grab straps/belts - oh and there's kids' sizes as well.

New into stock is the Special Neck Protector. This is constructed of hi-impact expanded foam covered in a washable Cordura outer. Especially designed for karting, we can see this being of use to grass track and powerboat racers where the shock of the bumps on the helmet will be absorbed by the protector for a smooth ride.



So why not see what Speed Racewear can do to help you out? Don't forget items like rib protectors, racing gloves, and ECE helmets - and if there's something you think is missing from this "Crossover" brand, why not let us know? If you run a kart centre or retail outlet and would like to sell Speed Racewear, we'd love to hear from you - we've attractive discounts on all these products and more!

See you on the grid?

Max Tyler
racewear.co.uk
08452 604104