If you found this topic, you probably want to participate at an event and need to know what personal safety gear you need
This guide is primarily for road racing. Other forms of motor sport have similar rules.
My first suggestion is to go to a racing event where vendors are selling driver’s safety equipment and try on the gear before you buy it. Many of the items below are size specific. Most large races have vendors selling stuff, look in the paddock area. Usually the vendors are very friendly and helpful.
If you wish to drive on track, you will need the following:
Driver:
Driver suit
A driving suit is basically coveralls made of flame retardant material. The sleeves extend to the wrist and the legs extend to the ankle. Both typically have elastic cuffs. There is a collar at the neck as well, usually a flap fixed with velcro or a snap. Prices range from a few hundred bucks up to thousands. The main difference in price comes down to comfort. A cheaper suit will be heavy, thicker and hot on hot days.
All suits shall bear an SFI 3.2A/1, SFI 3.4 or higher certification label or FIA 1986 Standard or FIA Standard 8856-2000 homologation label.
Helmet
No explanation needed here, we all know what a helmet is. Same price range as a driving suit above. Good helmets that pass the spec are a few hundred dollars all the way up to thousands. The difference in price is down to almost the same thing, comfort, but in a different way. The more expensive a helmet is, most likely, the less it weighs. This may sound unimportant but when driving, enormous G forces are acting on your body. The more a helmet weighs, the more physical strength is required to hold your head up.
Crash helmets approved by the Snell Foundation with Snell sticker 2015 or later Special Application SA2015/SAH2015, or by the SFI with a SFI Sticker SFI 31.1/2015 or newer, or by the FIA standard 8859-2015 or FIA 8860-2010 or newer.
Head and Neck Restraint System
A head and neck restraint system is a device that generally lays on your shoulders and the seat belts pass over the top of it. The device has tether straps that connect between your helmet and the device. In a frontal collision, the device restrains your head from moving violently forward, breaking your neck.
Wearing a head and neck restraint device is almost unnoticeable when driving on the race track but it does restrict your ability to look from side to side. Good rear view mirrors are really helpful to allow seeing other cars around you.
SFI 38.1 or FIA 8858-2002 or 8858-2010 is required
Gloves
leather and/or accepted fire-resistant material containing no holes
A good pair of gloves is going to run from about $100 up to $300
Socks
made of accepted fire-resistant material
Socks will be $50 - $80
Shoes
uppers of leather and/or nonflammable material
Shoes vary quite a bit in price. $170 gets a certified pair, prices go up from there all the way over a thousand bucks.
Face coverings (balaclavas)
A balaclavas is the cloth hood drivers wear under their helmet. It covers the portion of you neck and face not covered by the helmet or driving suit. You must wear one if you have a mustache or beard or any hair protrudes from your helmet. I personally wear one despite usually being clean shaven and with a short hair cut.
Balaclavas run from about $60 up to about $180
Total cost
All in, you could probably get everything you need for $1500 - $2000 dollars, maybe even a little cheaper. And if this is your first time, that may not be a bad option. Our team is based in Florida USA so it gets hot. A nice driving suit will keep you cooler and be more comfortable.
Pit crew
If you are volunteering to crew, at minimum, you will need to wear closed toe shoes, long pants and a short sleeve shirt. (no sleeveless tees)
If you wish to work in hot pit or go over the wall, you may be required to have a helmet or balaclava and either a one layer suit or long sleeve shirt. Gloves may also be required. Requirements vary for different events and it is best to confirm with the team what will be required. If you are volunteering, the team may provide you with or lend you safety equipment.
Feel free to ask questions in this topic
Check the product review category for equipment our team uses and recommends