Q:race suit repair

[SimoN138]

hi,

i have a very small (i.e. smaller than 5p coin) tear in my race suit (alpinestars gp pro). it's new so i'm a bit loathed to just bin it.

the tear is on the front, sort of mid way down - pretty obvious. the damage seems to go all the way through (not sure how it happened - don't remember being stabbed in the paddock!).

so, two questions ...

1. is this a scrutineering failure? assume yes if it's ever noticed (they normally just check the label for standards, date, etc.).
2. is there anyone who can do an 'official' repair ... or should i just get a tailor to do it.

anyone had this issue? any advice appreciated. i don't really want to spring for another suit when this one is brand new.

cheers

si

[HustleRussell]

Belt chafing was wearing through mine and a scrutineer picked up on it before it had even holed the outer layer. He insisted they were replaced for the next event but when I pleaded poverty and asked if they could be repaired, he said I could so long as I used a Nomex patch with Nomex thread and stitched only through the outer layer.
A helpful company called 'hotstitch' sent me a repair kit inc. thread and needle for less than £15 and I spent the entire duration of the Monaco GP teaching myself to sew.
Final result was actually pretty presentable and the overalls should be good for another season.

[tapkaJohnD]

Nomex thread:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nomex-thread-fire-resist...

Nomex cloth to use at patches is never easy to find or cheap. You might want a patch of the same colour. Demon Tweeks sell small panels as "badges" in four colours:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Demon-Tweeks-Nomex-Badge...

Or you might find ex-service itmes that are suitable.

John

[SimoN138]

thanks guys ... very helpful.

[MarshalRay]

AWS do suit repairs, I dont know if they would repair a suit they did not sell, but it is worth asking, they can repair suits to a proper standard, and even if it is more expensive because it is not one of their suits, it has to be cheaper than a new suit. They do repairs and made to measure suits, quite a lot of marshals wear their overalls, and they seem quite well designed (pockets belts fit etc.)

http://www.advanced-wear.co.uk/whybuyaws.html

[Shaun_E]

Another thumbs up for AWS - they replaced the broken zip on my Sparco suit for £26 + VAT + postage. I am sure they could repair your suit for you.

[SimoN138]

great stuff ... called aws and they said no problem. sorted.

thanks guys

[SimoN138]

suit is back. very neat patch sewn across the tear. all sorted.

one final question - they have sewn right through to the inside of the suit - i thought that patches needed to only go through the outer layer - or is that just badges?

can't find any mention of race suit repairs in the blue book online. any thoughts?

[spyderman8]

SimoN138 said:

one final question - they have sewn right through to the inside of the suit - i thought that patches needed to only go through the outer layer - or is that just badges?

I'd be interested in that. I had a suit embroidered by a company using Nomex thread and the idiots stitched through both layers. The consensus of various officials was that its rendered the suit un-approved and I'd be lucky to get it through scrutineering how. I've relegated it to track days now, just to give people the pleasure of calling me a Nomex Numpty.

[midgetmax]

spyderman8 said:

I'd be interested in that. I had a suit embroidered by a company using Nomex thread and the idiots stitched through both layers. The consensus of various officials was that its rendered the suit un-approved and I'd be lucky to get it through scrutineering how. I've relegated it to track days now, just to give people the pleasure of calling me a Nomex Numpty.

If your suit is the old Norme 86 it won't matter. If its FIA 8856-2000 you're right it does invalidate the homologation.

Regarding the OP's repair, I suggest you carry AWS's receipt with you in case you are questioned. I'm sure Nick will give you a letter confirming this was a repair carried out by a professional company, not your granny on her sewing machine!

[spyderman8]

midgetmax said:

If your suit is the old Norme 86 it won't matter. If its FIA 8856-2000 you're right it does invalidate the homologation.

Thanks for confirmation - yes, it was FIA! Have already bought a replacement.

[SimoN138]

midgetmax said:

Regarding the OP's repair, I suggest you carry AWS's receipt with you in case you are questioned. I'm sure Nick will give you a letter confirming this was a repair carried out by a professional company, not your granny on her sewing machine!

yes - nick has given me a letter explaining what has been done which will hopefully head off any potential issues. i still have an older suit which is also FIA standard so have a fall back if there are issues - it's just not quite as light so might be a bit hot this weekend!

also, the back up is an old OMP which is FIA 8856-2000 compliant, manufactured in 2005 i think - do suits also have an age limit? can't find any mention of such in the blue book but remember someone mentioned it to me once.

[MaxRacewear]

At the moment there is no life dating on race suits. Although there is a manufactured date on the label this does not refer to any expiry. There is also no intention to bring it in.

I was talking to the MSA and they said any changes would be issued via the MSA web site first of all then there is normally a 3 year notification period. So even if the rules were to change tomorrow (which i was assured they are not going to) you'll get quite a bit of warning.

[BertBert]

I'd be astonished if the scrutes picked up a patch and told you it didn't conform. In my experience they give it a cursory once over and look at the badges on the neck - especially if you are wearing it at the time.
Bert

[Trev450]

They have been known to check the armpits and crotch for rips, but not when you're wearing it.

[SimoN138]

all was well in the end. took along the letter from AWS but they didn't even mention the patch at scrutineering - it does look very professionally done and the colour match is pretty good so i will not expect too many problems in future (i'll keep Nick's letter handy just in case though!).

@maxracewear, thanks for the advice about expiry dates also - good to know.

cheers guys.

si

[SimoN138]

Trev450 said:

They have been known to check the armpits and crotch for rips, but not when you're wearing it.

they would not have wanted to go there after we'd raced yesterday! - was like an oven in the car and 30c in the shade trackside. think i might give it a bit of extra molecule cleaner in the wash this time round!