Racing suit
A racing suit or racing overalls, often referred to as a fire suit due to its
In the early days of racing, most racing series had no mandated uniforms. Beginning in the 1950s and 1960s, specialized racing suits were designed to optimize driver temperature via
Design and use
A racing suit is designed to cover the entire body of a driver, crew member, or marshall, including long sleeves and long pants legs. Typical driver suits are one-piece
Most suits use fabric made of
When Nomex material is exposed to flame, instead of burning or melting it develops a carbon char. The char thickens the section of fiber exposed to the flame, preventing the spread of the fire to the rest of the suit and inhibiting the transfer of heat to the wearer of the garment.[19][20][21] CarbonX is a different fabric for fire suits made of oxidized polyacrylonitrile (a precursor to carbon fiber). It is created by heating material until it oxidizes and chars, with the finished product able to last for two minutes exposed to fire. It is frequently used for racing undergarments and gloves.[21][22][23] Using multiple layers of the material, and quilting of the fabric, meanwhile, create pockets of air which further insulate the wearer from heat.[19][24][21]
The suits are not entirely fireproof, but rather fire retardant for a period of time, allowing an individual to escape an incident or be rescued with minimal injury.
Both SFI and the FIA use the Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) test to measure the effectiveness of fire-retardant clothing.[citation needed] This test, created by DuPont in the 1970s, measures the amount of time in seconds before the wearer of a garment suffers second degree burns. For example, a garment that lasts three seconds before second degree burns occur receives a TPP value of 6. Under SFI standards, this would receive a rating of 3.2A/1, the lowest possible SFI rating.[12][8][17][30][4][24]
Non-fire retardant suits
Suits in several other classes of racing are similar in appearance to fire suits, but are not designed to be fire resistant. Suits used for
Branding
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Brad_Keselowski_Denny_Hamlin_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-Brad_Keselowski_Denny_Hamlin_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Since the 1980s,[1][5][10] racing suits have been customized to prominently feature the sponsors of drivers and teams, leading to designs similar to those of the race cars.[1][5][10][32] For fire suits, the material used to make the sponsor patches must also be fire proof, adding additional weight to the suit.[5][3] Many modern suits, however, use printed logos in order to reduce weight.[3]
History
Prior to the advent of fire-retardant racing suits, there were no mandated driving uniforms in most racing series.
The catalyst for developing racing suits that could effectively resist fire came in the late 1950s and 1960s, when several fiery crashes occurred in the motorsport world. In 1959,
Following the incidents, Jim Deist and Bill Simpson, who developed some of the first
In 1966, Simpson met NASA astronaut Pete Conrad, who introduced Simpson to the Nomex material used in spacesuits for the Apollo program.[25][14] Around the same time, DuPont also approached the Hinchman company about producing Nomex racing suits.[30][35] In that year's Indianapolis 500, driver Mel Kenyon wore a Nomex fire suit produced by Hinchman.[30] Later that year, several drivers began testing experimental Nomex suits for Simpson, including F1 drivers Walt Hansgen and Masten Gregory, NASCAR driver Marvin Panch, and SCCA Trans-Am Series driver Bob Tullius.[26] Simpson's company Simpson Performance Products released the first commercial Nomex racing suit, called the "Heat Shield Firesuit", in 1967. The suits were worn by 30 of 33 competitors in the 1967 Indianapolis 500.[2][14][44]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/ShannonSpake2009Milwaukee.jpg/170px-ShannonSpake2009Milwaukee.jpg)
By 1970, the NHRA along with SEMA began developing specifications for fire suits, using the Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) standard developed by DuPont. These specifications are now used by SFI.[4] During the 1970s, racewear manufacturer Stand 21 partnered with brake manufacturer Ferodo and a french producer of firemen's suits to create single-layer asbestos racing uniforms. These suits never became popular, as the dangers of asbestos exposure became more well-known.[30] Actor Steve McQueen was believed to have worn asbestos suits when performing stunts for films, which may have contributed to his contraction of mesothelioma.[45][46][47][48] In 1975, the FIA introduced its current standard for fire-retardant suits.[3][7][30] At this time, DuPont created a new Nomex blend using Kevlar to prevent tearing and increase the longevity of suits.[14] In 1979, several F1 drivers including Niki Lauda, Mario Andretti, and Carlos Reutemann began competing in bulky five-layer suits constructed to NASA specifications.[3][7][30]
In the mid-1980s, companies began designing fire suits to prominently display team sponsors.
In 1994, the FIA mandated fire suits for F1 pit crew members, coinciding with refueling being allowed (until 2009) during pit stops.[50] By this time, crews in IndyCar were also required to wear fire suits.[51] In 2002, NASCAR officially mandated fire suits for both drivers and crew members servicing the car during pit stops. This was in response to non-fire-related incidents in the previous season, including the death of Dale Earnhardt at the beginning of 2001, and a pit road accident at the Pennzoil Freedom 400 near the end of the season. NASCAR was one of the last major sanctioning bodies to mandate fire suits for crew members.[5][51][52][53]
In other media
The members of the Red Star crew in the 2000 film Charlie's Angels wore black Momo Corse Torino firesuits.[54] The racing suits in Charlie's Angels were designed by Joseph G. Aulisi.[55]
List of racing suit manufacturers
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See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Norman, Brad (January 5, 2015). "About Fire Suits, Fuel Cells". NASCAR.com. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ Jalopnik. Archived from the originalon April 6, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Clothing". Formula One. January 13, 2015. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g Burgess, Phil (June 12, 2012). "Fighting Fires". Dragster Insider. Archived from the original on February 18, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Siska, Ellen (April 5, 2008). "Uniform standards aim to protect drivers, crewmembers". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
- ^ a b "History of F1: 1950s and 1960s Safety". Formula One. Archived from the original on October 30, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
- ^ a b c "History of F1 Safety: 1970s and 1980s". Formula One. Retrieved November 13, 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d e f "SFI SPECIFICATION 3.2A; PRODUCT: Driver Suits" (PDF). SFI Foundation, Inc. March 27, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Hot under the collar? Not in a NASCAR fire suit". YouTube. NASCAR. April 6, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f "Rookie Stripe: Fourteen Facts About NASCAR Fire Suits". Skirts and Skuffs. October 28, 2015. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Houston, Rick (October 9, 2012). "Dressing the part". NASCAR. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e "Impact Suit Technology" (PDF). Impact! Racing. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
- ^ a b "The material keeping F1 drivers safe". CNN, DuPont. November 26, 2015. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "Nomex". Motor Sport. April 2000. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ISBN 978-1-4406-5797-9. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ Kligerman, Parker (February 16, 2016). "A NASCAR Driver's Perspective On How Proper Technology Leads To A Competitive Edge". SportTechie. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Wolf, Andrew (March 28, 2016). "In Case Of Fire: Is Your Safety Gear Up To Snuff?". DragZine. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
- ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b "Firesuits -- The Science of Speed". National Science Foundation. August 9, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ^ "The Facts Behind the Performance of Nomex® when Exposed to Intense Heat". DuPont. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-101-21394-0. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
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- ^ Ryan, Nate (July 29, 2004). "After the Infineon Raceway incident, Dale Earnhardt Jr. finds protective clothing underneath firesuit is a necessity". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ^ a b Faye, Jennifer M. "SFI Foundation Specs Assure Quality Driver Suits". SFI Foundation, Inc. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Markus, Rober (May 25, 1993). "Indy Safety Starts Before Engines Do: Fire Suits, Helmets Help Protect Drivers". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ a b c Aumann, Mark (February 16, 2011). "SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, CHANGES DEFINE RACING ERAS". NASCAR.com. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
- ^ "Members". SFI Foundation, Inc. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Kart Suits vs Race Suits" (PDF). Scrutineers News (5): 5. October 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Confederation of Australian Motor Sport. January 1, 2014. Archived from the original(PDF) on March 27, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Overall Overhaul" (PDF). Institute Quarterly (3): 67–71. January 10, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Technical Rules for Track Racing (Including Rules for Motoball): 2014" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme. 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
- ^ Papaserge, Ryan (June 9, 2011). "NASCAR: The 20 Most Ridiculous Fire Suits in History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
- ^ a b McCluggage, Denise (July 10, 2008). "What We Wore Then". Autoweek. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ a b Padecky, Bob (June 21, 2012). "PADECKY: Going 200 mph in a tomato can". The Press Democrat. San Francisco. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ a b "About Us". Hinchman Racing Uniforms. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
- ISBN 978-1-4634-5249-0. Retrieved November 8, 2016.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ISSN 0899-0328. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
- ^ a b Roy, Roger (May 28, 2001). "'Fireball' -- Racing Star's Death Spurred Changes". Orlando Sentinel. Daytona Beach, Florida. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
- ^ a b Williamson, Martin. "Deaths in Formula One". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
- ^ a b Indianapolis Motor Speedway (May 3, 2002). "IRL: Indianapolis Motor Speedway safety innovations". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
- ^ a b Hinton, Ed (February 11, 2001). "What Price Safety? Deaths in Auto Racing Appear to Be Preventable With New Features, but NASCAR Seems Unwilling to Change Its Attitude". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ISBN 978-1-57860-542-2. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ Greuter, Henri (December 8, 2011). "The Indy 1964 second-lap disaster – Closing in on the truth; Part 2: Before May 30, 1964". 8W. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
- ^ a b "Simpson Past & Present". Simpson Performance Products. Archived from the original on March 18, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ISBN 978-0-451-14735-6.
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JULIA ann.
- ^ Sandford, Christopher (2003), McQueen: The Biography, New York: Taylor Trade Publishing, pp. 42, 126, 213, 324, 391, 410
- ^ Rong, Blake Z. (April 24, 2014). "Why Steve McQueen canceled a $3 million life insurance policy". Autoweek. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
- ^ Hall, Andy (April 10, 2012). "Punch's near miss led to safety gear for ESPN's NASCAR pit reporters". ESPN Front Row. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ "History of F1: 1990s". Formula One. Archived from the original on December 24, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
- ^ a b Berry, Steve (October 2, 1994). "Nascar Is Behind In Safety: Compared With Indycar And Formula One, Stock-car Racing Is Not A Leader In Safety Or Research". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
- ^ Hinton, Ed (November 17, 2001). "Pit-crew Safety A High Priority: Nascar Said It Is Considering Requiring Helmets And Fire-retardant Uniforms". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
- ^ Pockrass, Bob (September 3, 2016). "Not wearing gloves draws potential fine from NASCAR". ESPN.com. Darlington, South Carolina. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
- ^ "RED STAR MOMO CORSE RACING FIRESUIT CHARLIE'S ANGELS". Worthpoint.
- ^ Jobe, Kenneth (May 28, 2014). "A BoJ Field Trip/Research Project". BooksofJobe.com.
External links
Media related to Racing suits at Wikimedia Commons