Cheap Racewear; are these any good?

[dpbird90]

So, I've been trawling eBay looking for cheap race suits/boots/gloves etc mostly for karting, but might go on a couple of trackdays, but I don't have much money, so am looking on eBay for some bargains. I have found the following:

suit: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am... not FIA standard I know, but it's not like I'm doing professional racing, so this won't bother me too much.

boots: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KART-MOTORSPORT-K3-BOOTS-SIZ...

gloves: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Junior-Adult-KART-RACING-GLO...

helmet: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Simpson-Outlaw-Bandit-Kart-H...

I know that the bids will go up, I just wanted to know what you guys think i.e. should I bid on them? I really have no idea what to buy and of course I don't want to spend ots of money on something that later turns out to be rubbish. I'm not bothered about some bits being second hand, because, especially with a helmet, I cannot afford brand new.

Cheers,

Dan

[steve y]

simple answer is how much do value your life, dodgy gear on ebay is something I would steer clear of as you have no idea of how the suit etc has been looked after get your self a new one

[intrepid44]

That race suit is not suitable for karting either. In karting you need abrasion resistant type suits that absorb impacts. Kind of like leather for motorbikes, as you are more likely to have that kind of an off.

And generaly speaking don't buy second hand helmets, as you don't know the history or how it's been used in the past.

If you want a cheapish helmet that meets the regs then buy this: http://www.v2sport.com/

[anonymous-user]

what car will you be "trackdaying" and what sort of karting is it because you could, unnecessarily, end up paying a forune more than you need to. you are best getting two suits, a single layer proban suit for trackdays and a karting specific suit.

trackday suit:
http://www.jaysracewear.co.uk/text/drivers_suits.h...
kart suit: http://rallynuts.com/motorsport/SPARCO_Kart_Suits_...

a proban suit should be fine for trackdays. because its not racing and because there should be a non-competitive ethos to the day, the chance of an accident resulting in a fire is reduced, that you are driving a road legal car and not a modified race car (ie no fuel lines in the car etc) reduces the chacne of fire further. Sure there are fewer marshals on the track so if there is a fire they might be longer getting to you but believe me, nothing makes a marshal run faster like the thought of actually getting to do something!!!!

i have raced 100cc 2 strokes for a few years and never needed more than a regualar karting suit with padding for the back and hips like the one shown. again it depends on the class but unless its a really competitive class and you will be, or subject to, making do or die manoeuvres, you should only need a suit like that shown if its regular clubbie or arrive and drive stuff. they are surprisingly think (and warm) and do a good job in an accident.

naturally people will say get the best you can afford and how much is your life worth etc etc but the two suits shown are more than adequate for what i believe you intend to do.

[anonymous-user]

www.karting.co.uk as an excellent classifed section and i really would step away from a second hand helmet from ebay. one from a reputable source like the above would be worth considering however.

new karting gloves can be found for less than a tenner and boots can be had for under £30. try merlin motorsport as they used to do some karting stuff.

[dpbird90]

Cheers for the advice, will save up for a better helmet definitely.

I'll be trackdaying some sort of small Fiat I think, after having a Seicento it feels like what it could do with is the interior completely gutting and a motorbike engine in the back. Might not be for a while though, as again money problems...