Focus On...racing overalls

I hope everyone found our last Focus On... covering helmets and gloves interesting and useful. If you haven't caught it yet, please look here.
This month's Focus On... covers racing overalls. Firstly, a brief guide to what the terms often seen in descriptions and regulations mean.

Glossary

• "Fireproof" and "flameproof" are a bit misleading. I don't know anything that's "fireproof" short of solid steel! Most textiles will burn, it's how they react to that burning that matters


• "Flame retardant" (FR) is the correct term. Fabrics may burn while flame is applied, but to be termed "flame retardant" the fabric must extinguish the flame when the heat source is removed, and there is a limit to the amount of charring that occurs


• EN533, BS6249, ISO6940 etc are the national and international standards that regulate the FR properties


• FIA 8856-2000 is the latest standard that the governing body of circuit racing, rallying etc (the FIA) has decreed is suitable for car racing clothing. It refers not to the "flame retardancy" of the fabric, that's covered by the standards above, but how much heat the fabric transfers to the wearer. Broadly speaking, they apply flame to the outside of the material and measure the temperature on the inside, and there is a minimum time required to get to a specific interior temperature - roughly 12 seconds before serious burns occur. Note: This can be substantially reduced if the fabric is wet. For full details look here, but it's a dry old document!


• Multi-layer racesuits - to meet the FIA standards will require more than one layer of material. This doesn't make the suit more "fireproof" but more insulating, and the air gaps in between the layers help this as well. Either two or three layers of cloth are normally required, but the FIA has NOT made that compulsory because it recognises that there can be advances in cloth technology


• CIK/FIA kartsuits are tested for abrasion resistance if you fall off the kart. They have no flame retardant properties and are not suitable for car sport if there is a risk of fire


• CIK/FIA Level 1/Level 2 overalls are specifically designed for outdoor kart racing. Level 1 is the minimum required for National racing, Level 2 the most protection you can get and OK for International karting. Note: in the UK there is an older CIK/FMK standard that is also acceptable


• Proban (Trade Mark) - a well-known brand of FR workwear fabric. For our purposes it is a heavyweight cotton drill that is treated with an FR finish and exceeds en533 after 50 washes - this doesn't mean the FR properties wash out, it's just that the test is taken after 50 washes and it still passes!


• Nomex (Trade Mark) - possibly one of the best known FR brands in the world. Also passes world & European FR standards, it's much better at holding back heat for the weight of fabric used, and so is more comfortable in use and passes the FIA 8856-2000 test . There are other fabrics used that are cheaper and as good, but "Nomex" has become a generic rather like "Hoover"

What racesuits do I need?

This varies depending on the rules for your part of the sport, but I hope this guide will help with the minimum standards. Please remember this is only a guide and you should not rely on it as the definitive regulation for your racing class - please check if any doubt

Track days & indoor karting - Indoor karting overalls, Proban overalls, FIA overalls
Grass track - Indoor karting overalls, Level 2 karting overalls, Proban overalls, FIA overalls
Outdoor (MSA) karting - CIK/FIA Level 1 or 2 overalls, the "old" CIK standard overalls. Commercial operators normally allow any racing overall as long as it covers legs and arms and doesn't flap in the breeze
Oval racing - Proban overalls, FIA overalls
Hillclimbs/sprints - Proban overalls (until 31-12-11), FIA overalls both to the old Norme 86 and latest FIA 8856-2000
Rallying - FIA 8856-2000 overalls
Circuit racing - FIA 8856-2000 overalls

What should I look out for?

Quality, fit and comfort are the 3 major factors to take into account when buying a racing overall. Drivers of a larger build should consider a UK or German brand as they tend to bit a bit larger - some of the Italian manufacturers use slimmer models! If you're buying an FIA 8856-2000 or Level 1/2 suit, you can be sure that there are minimum manufacturing standards that have to be met.

I only do track days, do I need an overall at all?

Well, no, but responsible operators should ensure you have arms and legs covered and a clean pair of overalls will fulfil that and keep you smart and feeling the part. I've heard scary stories of people getting their clothing caught round the pedals, and overalls can prevent that. If you don't want FR overalls the Pole Position Indoor Karting overall is great and at under £50 suitable for working in too!

Why's there such a huge difference between prices in FIA 8856-2000 overalls? Surely if they pass the standard that's all I need?

Nomex 3-layer suits tend to be hot, hot, hot! Our Uvex rs1 and rs3 overalls are light, breathable and the ultimate in comfort. F1 quality! If you race in hot climes, or in a hot car, then these will keep you comfortable throughout a long race - the first time I wore one, I couldn't feel I had a suit on and I couldn't believe that I didn't have to hang it up to air after a sweaty race!

At a clubman level, the Sabelt Stratos suits are slighly lighter than the AWS Skyhawk, and slightly stretchy in use. This means they move with you and don't restrict you as you turn the wheel or reach for switches.

As with everything in life, there is a wide choice out there to suit most budgets! If you want any advice please contact us at racewear.co.uk or telephone 08452 604104 to chat through the options.

That brings us to the end of Focus On... for February. Bookmark this blog to keep up-to-date with the latest postings or sign up as a friend of our Facebook page which will carry a link when a new post appears.

See you on the grid!

Max Tyler
www.racewear.co.uk
08452 604104