FIA fire suit and helmet for pit lane access

[lsarcher]

As some guys have been so helpful and i am a newbie as far as high class motorsport photography goes i thought about asking this question here.

The ACO wants photographers to wear a helmet and a (at least single layer) fire suit in the pit lane. So the requirements are less strict as for the drivers - i think "mechanics specifications" seems to be the specs if have to fulfill.

Would my Motorbike Helmet be sufficient for that?
Anyone any ideas where to lend or cheaply buy a fire suit? As i will not be attending F1 or similar within the next 2 years i can't afford to spend much money on protection gear i'll just be using for 24 hours.

Best regards from Berlin

Florian

PS: And to finally show some pictures too: http://www.px-photo.de/portfolio-sports.pdf and http://www.px-photo.de/portfolio-news-und-feature....

[lsarcher]

If forgot: The Helmet is ECE 22-05 certified

[t1grm]

Try here for a race suit:

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/race-suit...

I would imagine a motorbike crash helmet would be fine. They are used on track days after all.

[rsox87]

Demon Tweeks or Grand Prix Racewear are the 2 main UK based suppliers, I'm not sure where to go in Germany, sorry! I would avoid buying second hand from ebay as you really want to know the complete history of safety kit.

I would check with the ACO about what standard the fire suit needs to meet - you'll find that the cheaper suits are 2 layer, but not every organiser accepts these. Don't worry about using a brand you haven't heard of (eg Lico), as long as it has the certification on it and you buy it from a seller with a good reputation you'll be OK.

I would ask the same question about your helmet - motorbike helmets don't have a fireproof lining so might not be acceptable. You wouldn't want to be caught up in a pit fire and have the plastic lining of the helmet melt and stick to the skin on your face!

[deanodinosaur]

wont wearing a lid make taking the photos somewhat more difficult?

[t1grm]

deanodinosaur said:

wont wearing a lid make taking the photos somewhat more difficult?

I was thinking that too...

[lsarcher]

Thanks for the tips on the fire suits.

Single layer suit is sufficient according to the ACO and i do not need a baclava.

My helmet is, i don't know how it is named in english, "convertible". I can pop up the front part and the camera fits exactly into the free area. Not perfect for shooting, but for bike races, which i accompany by motorbike, it works.

I just hate to think that i can shoot le mans, and can't get into the pit lane because of a lack of gear ;-)

If none of my collegues which shoot F1 have a suit, i'll go with ordering a mechanics suite.

[t1grm]

lsarcher said:

My helmet is, i don't know how it is named in english, "convertible". I can pop up the front part and the camera fits exactly into the free area. Not perfect for shooting, but for bike races, which i accompany by motorbike, it works.

Sounds like an open face helmet. Better check with the ACO that they don't require a full face helmet. Taking photos with a full face helmet on would be impossible I would have thought.

[Munter]

t1grm said:

Sounds like an open face helmet. Better check with the ACO that they don't require a full face helmet. Taking photos with a full face helmet on would be impossible I would have thought.

I think it might be a "flip front". Where the chin bar is on a hinge. The police riders use them.

Op is it like this? : http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0053XV0IU/ref=asc_df_B...

Eitherway I'd think the ACO are looking for a fireproof layer in the helmet. E.g. a car racing helmet. (Seems silly to protect the body with nomex but allow you to have a crispy head)

[rsox87]

It seems that you might not need a full face helmet after all! Allan McNish just posted a couple of pictures of photographers on twitter - one is wearing a cycling helmet, the other a skateboarding helmet. Not sexy, but much more practical for taking photos!

[rdjohn]

Bike helmets do not have the Nomex lining, so I would not expect them to be acceptable if FIA standard is required.

[rdjohn]

Bike helmets do not have the Nomex lining, so I would not expect them to be acceptable if FIA standard is required.

[andymcmanus]

Need a bigger lens

[lsarcher]

Yes i have something like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0053XV0IU/ref=asc_df_B...

Unfortunately the email response by ACO can be pretty confusing as i've already received a variety of opposing answers :-( I know, that i do not have to fulfil the drivers specs, but no one is really shure which specifications apply to the photographers.

i hope the ACO gives me some straigt answers within the next days

[Red Firecracker]

There were some photographers in the pitlane on Sunday in cycling helmets, so I don't think the rules are too stringent.

[lsarcher]

And i already thought of myself as a risk taker :-)

[lowdrag]

Having been there for years I won't do it any more now since I'm ageing and my reactions aren't quick enough. Last year a mechanic was upended by a car and broke a collar bone, and a fellow photographer was hit by the Aston and the mirror ripped off. I appreciate that the OP is going to do it regardless, but this is just a little warning to be very careful. As has always been said "motor racing is dangerous". As well as the pit lane, might I recommend the chicanes and Indianapolis as great photographing points?

[Luca Brazzi]

Having done this before at Le Mans....it's the first time I heard you needed a helmet to photograph in the pitlane.

You can also buy the fireproof overalls, which look like a beige jumpsuit, from the media office in the infield....in one of the portacabins. Cost me 100 euros in 2010.

Having since lost that, I was lucky enough to be given one of Tom Kristensen's ex-Lamborghini racesuits to wear at Silverstone last weekend. Very cool to have the suit....but he is slightly smaller than me....so VERY snug lol.

[lsarcher]

today - the final word and press info came from the ACO, which also explains the cycling helmets

...Fire proof overalls (single layer) are mandatory for anyone who has been granted a pitlane pass (in addition with your tabard). Two layer overalls and fireproof balaclavas are recommended but are not mandatory...

...Helmet use is mandatory in the pitlane at the first white line of pit exit (directly above the tank), line also called'' line of 2.50 m”. (Extreme sports helmet, ski or mountain bike recommended, NF or CE standard)...

But i think i'll go with my motorbike helmet, rather than my bmx helmet :-)

[eps]

At the risk of playing devil's advocate is this not going to cause more accidents? If you're wearing a helmet you are going to be less aware of noises behind you and also your peripheral vision will be limited as well.

A good idea in theory, but not that great in practice.