Longsleeves required... might as well go fireproof

[ganzdachhaus]

This year I wound up hitting more trackdays where the longsleeves requirement is being pretty well enforced. After realizing that my nice high-tech baselayer would permanently fuse to me with only marginal heat, I swapped over to a knit cotton that's been OK enough (though warm of course), but figure if I might as well grab something that will help keep my skin less-charred if my car decided it would prefer to be a BBQ. If I got to wear something, it might as well provide a little protection.

Just going by materials, it looks like traditional Nomex is probably less comfortable + hotter than average, CarbonX is/was popular for it's comfort but maybe dropped out of favor as no one seems to advertise it for their Motorsports gear anymore (durability?), & Lenzing FR is something between Nomex & CarbonX. Does that sounds like a fair assessment? Any materials I'm missing?

Anybody out there have any fireproof underwear they particular like & would recommend? Main desire would be not too hot & generally comfortable.

[CedricN]

I bought a black omp shirt/underwear whatever you should call it. Same reason as you, its not that expensive and it won't melt on my skin if the car burns. It's actually very soft and comfy, although it can get pretty hot in my car. But it dries pretty quickly between the sessions. Go to your local race shop and try them out as they can feel quite different in the fabric.

[C70R]

I presume you'll be wearing it on your commute too, in case the car catches fire? And on the school run?
Alternatively, you could just buy a long-sleeved cotton t-shirt and not pretend to be a racing driver... So much of trackdays seems to be people justifying spending money to play 'let's pretend racing'.

[xr287]

https://www.walero.uk/temperature-regulating-flame...

Is what you want.

I race but if I take the race car out on a trackday I unashamedly wear my full race gear. One its comfier but anything could happen on track and I never want to regret not putting it on.

[CrutyRammers]

C70R said:

I presume you'll be wearing it on your commute too, in case the car catches fire? And on the school run?
Alternatively, you could just buy a long-sleeved cotton t-shirt and not pretend to be a racing driver... So much of trackdays seems to be people justifying spending money to play 'let's pretend racing'.

Right, right, they'll be wearing helmets next. Stupid wannabes.

[4.7]

[Vimes]

I suspect any of the underwear/tops will do the job much the same as the next one. However it’s worth noting that sizing is not what you might expect... I wear medium t-shirts but have an XL alpinestar top like this:

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/alpinestars-zx-evo...

If you can get along by to a shop to try one on it may be a good idea.

[964Cup]

A racing instructor of my acquaintance once said that he always wore full nomex and race overalls on trackdays as you were in reality far more likely to have a crash than you would testing or racing.

[C70R]

964Cup said:

A racing instructor of my acquaintance once said that he always wore full nomex and race overalls on trackdays as you were in reality far more likely to have a crash than you would testing or racing.

Really? You're saying that you think a crash on a trackday is MORE likely than in a competitive race?

[Fury556]

C70R said:

Really? You're saying that you think a crash on a trackday is MORE likely than in a competitive race?

Inexperienced drivers hooning around a circuit? Chances are probably not as high as a race, but still higher than normal. Besides, what does it matter if people want to spend money on a hobby?

[HustleRussell]

C70R said:

964Cup said:

A racing instructor of my acquaintance once said that he always wore full nomex and race overalls on trackdays as you were in reality far more likely to have a crash than you would testing or racing.

Really? You're saying that you think a crash on a trackday is MORE likely than in a competitive race?

A race weekend might involve a total of an hour of active track time. You are likely to spend at least double that on a trackday or test day.

I wore my gear even on trackdays mostly because if you've got it, it doesn't make sense not to- you're going to want to change out of your sweaty trackday clothes before you leave the circuit anyway.

[ganzdachhaus]

Walero looks like it could hit all the checkboxes I'm looking for, plus I found a shop that I'll be able to stop by to try it on while on my way to my next track day. The same shop has a good variety, so I'll check out the Alpinestars shirt as well (was highly recommended elsewhere). I'll drop on a note on here with whatever I decide on in case others are interested.

Traqgear in the US looks like they make gear aimed exactly at what I was looking for, but no EU sales channel. I'm not a fan of dealing with UPS customs brokerage extortion fees, so I'll pass on going for them for the time being.

[RichieG1]

I did this last year. Biggest learning is buy white for the hot days when you want to wear it on its own!

[veehexx]

cant really add much value to the fire resistant clothing, but i decided against it down to cost. A quick search at the time found that most was around £100 for each garment which i just couldn't justify.
i'm quite happy with regular jeans and a long sleeved black lycra top that was a discounted £10 at sports direct. It doubles up for cycling duty. Probably works quite well as a vest in winter too.

i figured on a tin-top road car with fuel lines entirely on the outside, no harness or rollcage to obstruct exit/entry, fire-rated clothing didn't give any benefit.

[Jmracing66]

I don't really see why people wouldn't want to make themselves as safe as possible.

You can buy a sparco nomex top for £60...seems ok to me.

[CedricN]

Jmracing66 said:

I don't really see why people wouldn't want to make themselves as safe as possible.

You can buy a sparco nomex top for £60...seems ok to me.

+1, very little money compared to everything else in the budget. Ive seen nasty things happen to street cars aswell, a guy went unconscious after a crash in the barrier and the car started burning. Gladly the safety people got there in time, but its good to remember you cant maybe just step out of the car by yourself, then its at least nice to not have synthetic clothes on because they melts into the skin. But of course its a matter of judging the risks in everything you do, my track car is 40 years old, and of course worse than a modern, regardless of equipment.

[towelie]

C70R said:

I presume you'll be wearing it on your commute too, in case the car catches fire? And on the school run?
Alternatively, you could just buy a long-sleeved cotton t-shirt and not pretend to be a racing driver... So much of trackdays seems to be people justifying spending money to play 'let's pretend racing'.

I always wear my HANS device on the commute to work, safety first!!

Obviously I have a HANS because I’m pretending to be a racing driver

[GC8]

C70R said:

964Cup said:

A racing instructor of my acquaintance once said that he always wore full nomex and race overalls on trackdays as you were in reality far more likely to have a crash than you would testing or racing.

Really? You're saying that you think a crash on a trackday is MORE likely than in a competitive race?

Do you find that being a forum-prick helps you to manage your personailty problem?

[StreetDragster]

I have a Hans type device for my track day adventures (actually a Simpson FHR)

I'm not pretending to be a racing driver and i don't care if people in the paddock think thats what i'm trying to do.

Accidents happen, and its cheap insurance again a neck injury. Trackdaying is about the highest risk thing i do regularly, so i'm going to pretect myself again damage best i can. Same with having really good motorcycle gear for the limited amount of mileage i do per year ont wo wheels.

Matt

[chutley]

I think it depends what you drive.

A road-legal production car...probably safe enough to drive in everyday clothes.

A Caterham with full roll-cage - exposed to the elements, but in a car that is difficult to get out of, with your back is about 10mm away from the fuel tank? Probably wise move to wear Nomex suit.

Each to their own, everyone has a different idea of what constitutes risk and what mitigation to put in place to deal with it.