Karting overalls

[mat777]

I'm seriously getting into my third year of the Uni Motorsport and also getting seriously pissed off with the selection of too small or too large, smelly, dirty and ripped race suits at the local track we always go to. However, I dont want to look like a total nob and turn up in a full nomex race suit (plus I dont really want to spend more than 50 or 60 quid at the very max). Does anyone have any recommendations? I did see some very nice Wulf MX/off road buggy race suits but they only seem to be available in kids sizes

[sam919]

Dont worry about anyone else, get a set for your 60 quid and get on with the experience.......they dont have to be nomex either:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CIK-FIA-Level-2-KART-Sui...

Edited by sam919 on Friday 12th October 18:38

[mat777]

thanks for the link Sam

Whilst looking at related stuff to that suit, I stumbled across this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221116762795?var=5201068...

which of the 2 do you reckon is better?

thanks,

matt

[sam919]

No worries, depends what size you are as those ones seemed to be limited. Im 6ft and 34" waist i go for a 58 sparco size but a lot of them are different. There are load about, if your going to Autosport or there's somewhere you can try one on to get a gauge of what size you are it may be better, you'll probably always be able to pick up a decently priced suit but getting the size is the most important bit.......depends on how much of a rush your in to get one.

[SmartVenom]

Hi,

Kart suits should be made of cordura as this protects you from abrasion, nomex is designed to protect you in the event of fire.

Nasty sweatiness aside I can see advantages in wearing the suits that the circuit provide. I have worn my own kit to arrive n drives before and you are effectively painting a massive target on your back! Sometimes this is fine other times less so. Just be aware that you have to win!

Definitely recommend getting a set of gloves though cant abide the gardening gloves that a lot of tracks give you.

[mat777]

Thanks for the advice. I'm about 5'8" and a 30-32 waist so I'll see if I can go and try out some different sizes at a shop (before ultimately buying online where its cheaper ). I am in Bristol City Cetnre, so I'm not sure where the nearest race suit shop will be - does anyone know?

As for having to win - if a personal helmet with lightning bolts down the side and a big winged skull and crossbones on the back doesnt shout "target" then I'm not sure some plain coloured overalls will make much difference!!
I also cant abide the crappy gloves so when Dad finished the motorbike phase of his midlife crisis a few years ago I pinched his red leather and carbonfibre riding gloves which are very comfy

This is my setup, and you can see from the suits we get given (I have a strong feeling they are actually elastic-cuffed mechanics boiler suits not not even cheap A&D kart suits) why I want to get my own!

[mat777]

Bump - anyone know of a nearby place? Or what suit size would fit my measurements?

[midgetmax]

When you have openly said you are just going to visit a shop to use them as a fitting room with no intention of buying, then I doubt very much anyone will welcome you with open arms and wont be advertising themselves on here ;-)

Make a bit of an effort to sort out all your measurements and you'll find plenty of size charts online. But you need to put yourself out, no-one will do it for you, especially if you don't intend to buy from them!

Edited by midgetmax on Tuesday 16th October 22:05

[sam919]

midgetmax said:

When you have openly said you are just going to visit a shop to use them as a fitting room with no intention of buying, then I doubt very much anyone will welcome you with open arms and wont be advertising themselves on here ;-)

Make a bit of an effort to sort out all your measurements and you'll find plenty of size charts online. But you need to put yourself out, no-one will do it for you, especially if you don't intend to buy from them!

Edited by midgetmax on Tuesday 16th October 22:05

Whats wrong with that, i doubt anyone would reply saying come and buy a suit from us as we saw your post on pistonheads! So whats the alternative? measure yourself get one online that can be returned if it doesn't fit send it back for a smaller or bigger one if it doesnt.

Good to see a student using his savy for once to save a few quid, rather than the usual dross the uni's are churning out these days who are 15 grand in debt and still cant get a job!

[fiatpower]

Out of interest where abouts do you go karting?

[midgetmax]

What's wrong with that?

Imagine walking into a pub you don't know, seeing some new beers an saying "Do you mind if I have a taster?" most pubs will pour you a small glass to try FOC, then you say "Cheers mate, I'm off down the supermarket to buy it" and see what the landlord's reaction would be.

Actually,apart from buying 2nd hand I doubt that online prices are cheaper these days for the bigger brands. If OP tries eBay he will find loads of cheap overalls, but they're Far Eastern imports and exclusive to the seller so there won't be anywhere to try them on anyway and sizes aren't consistent with say Sparco, OMP etc. I'm all for discount but to do some work for it in return seems fair.

BTW there are motor sports shops in easy reach of Bristol, Google be thy friend :-)

Edited by midgetmax on Wednesday 17th October 21:27

[mat777]

Well obviously I wouldnt be quite so brazen, but I really dont want to shell out for a top end new suit. I dont see the difference to trying on clothes in a shop, then going away without buying anything because you want to shop around instead of buying the first thing you see. Plus, if I know my szie I might be able to find a bargain used buy on ebay rather than having to buy new.

I mostly go karting with the uni motorsport soc to the Teamsport in Avonmouth with its completely fking frictionless floor that drives me mad, but we occasionally go over to Llandow for some proper outdoor karting and this year I want to enter the BUKC now I have less timetable hours

[MocMocaMoc]

I just bought a Sparco £100 job off the Internet.

Medium fit - I'm 5'11, slim build' around a 32 waist, and it fits really well.

If that helps...

[midgetmax]

Sparco Rookie? Really nice suit for the money, just about the best value you'll find in the UK. Thoroughly recommended, well worth spending the extra money compared to the cheap Far Eastern imports on eBay. Better made, will last longer and the back up of a major brand.

[sam919]

midgetmax said:

What's wrong with that? Imagine walking into a pub you don't know, seeing some new beers an saying "Do you mind if I have a taster?" most pubs will pour you a small glass to try FOC, then you say "Cheers mate, I'm off down the supermarket to buy it" and see what the landlord's reaction would be

Slightly poor example..... there is quite a bit of cost difference in 'investment'.

Edited by sam919 on Thursday 25th October 14:43

[midgetmax]

Really? You been into Tweeks or GPR lately? Bigger investment in stock there than in any pub.

[sam919]

midgetmax said:

Really? You been into Tweeks or GPR lately? Bigger investment in stock there than in any pub.

Eh!

[MocMocaMoc]

midgetmax said:

Sparco Rookie? Really nice suit for the money, just about the best value you'll find in the UK. Thoroughly recommended, well worth spending the extra money compared to the cheap Far Eastern imports on eBay. Better made, will last longer and the back up of a major brand.

Yeah that's the one. We had our race last night, in the bitter cold and slightly wet. The suit was awesome - kept me toasty warm despite it being near freezing!!!

Very well made, too. I'm really surprised at how tough it feels for only £100.

[mat777]

Update - having taken lots of measurements and held up a karting colleague's suit to me, I think I am a euro 56 (I'm a 32" waist, 42" chest and 70" tall, then am adding an inch here or there to allow for a comfy fit). I want something cordura as I know these are abrasion resistant for karting, and have seen the OMP/Sparco suits at £120.

I cant stretch to £120, and would quite like something a lot cheaper. I have seen these which are certified to the same level as brand name suits, but a lot cheaper:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170884332084?var=4701817...

and

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221114436874?ssPageName=...

These are very tempting but I cant help to be suspicious of why they are so cheap? A case of YGWYPF?

[mat777]

anyone?