ScoobyForLife27

iTrader: (14)

Hi Guys.*
I have a Sparco Level 2 kart suit and was wondering if I could use it on the track ? Would it be better than wearing normal clothes or I'll look stupid wearing kart suit on car track ? I'm not talking about using it all the time, I was thinking if this would be a good idea till I will buy a proper track/racing suit because I'm planning to start racing soon.*
What do you guys think ?

ScoobyForLife27

iTrader: (14)

I know that kart suit won't be good for racing, I was thinking of using it for track days.

urban

iTrader: (1)

I think wearing any kind of racing suit will make you look stupid - unless you're a professional.

JdcTypeR

iTrader: (19)

I wear this most of the time


No one seems to take much notice

Alan Jeffery

Interesting one!
On the one hand you may look "conspicuous" compared to those wearing shell suits, trackie trainers or the odd chap in Gucci.
On the other hand, you'll be the one who did the right thing when the car is upside down on fire, and you have the benefit of the handles on the suit they can drag you out with.
Some people think a track day is like a jolly on the road, which it is or isn't depending what hat you've got on. Are you a "Brake" representative or a nutter?
We have a Cosworth track day car which has a welded in roll cage, full harness belts, bucket seats and a plumbed in extinguisher. When I drive it I'm inclined to go for it. It feels completely natural to wear a race suit.
On the other hand, I occasionally test Imprezas with over 500 bhp. When I turn up I wear jeans and a jumper.
Why? I should wear the suit, but I fear being labelled a ****. In other words I fear being labelled a **** more than dying in flames.
Funny old world, isn't it?

stuwoac

ha agree with alan

Its up to you personally you would be safer in the suit and then in a full race suit later on but some people could think your weird, I had this while hill climbing years ago, we would go to a open pit trackday and get funny looks by the guys who have turned up in their daily drives as I was walking around with my fireproof on but I didnt care as if you saw where the carbs were and we did have something fail on the shakedown I would definitely be on fire so it was best to be safe and look like a tool

so as long as you do a proper trackday not a **** action day I feel many wont notice

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

If your a good driver you can get away with little **** take if you wear the suit but if your bad I expect you will be the subject of a lot of jokes.

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

Im of the same veiw as the two posts above. I have a proper msa approved racesuit that i use for sprinting.
If a turned up for a trackday i dont think id feel comftable in it. A track day after all isnt a race or competition

apac

iTrader: (2)

You often see the kit car drivers in suits which nobody blinks an eye at as it goes with the look, but i personally would not wear one in a scooby, not unless it was underneath my clothes where no one would see it

Long sleeves, trousers, sensible shoes and helmet is all you need unless you are a totl **** on the track that is more likely than not to cause a crash by thinking he has got a bigger **** than everyone else.

ScoobyForLife27

iTrader: (14)

Sorry for late reply guys, battery on my mobile died so...

Thanks for all replies and really apriciate your opinions. As above, it's really hard to decide in matter - to wear it or not ?
I believe that if I'll turn up for a track day wearing a suit, especially a kart suit, most of other people will laugh and make jokes about me but as mentioned above, if I had a crash and car turns into fire, all them people will probably saying "...he was very lucky wearing that suit..."

I think I'll give up doing track day in a race/kart suit but when I will start racing I'll definitely wear one. Hmm, I will have no choice really because that's the regulations.

Once again, Thank You.

JdcTypeR

iTrader: (19)

Where the suit Pawel mate, don't worry about what other people think, your safety comes first!

ScoobyForLife27

iTrader: (14)

I'm gutted now :-(
I think I'm a good driver even not doing any track days yet. I've done some go karting events here and abroad and I did really well by winning few. I know, I know, go karting it's not the same etc. but I own my Impreza for over 3 years now and every time I drive it, I'm pushing it a bit further and further. Last time I've pushed it to far and ended doing 180 spin and hitting a tree :-(
We were (my mate and me) VERY lucky not getting any injuries at the time...
I'm trying to say, that when it's safe to do, I always trying to get most of the car and learn (especially after accident) how to be a better driver. That's why I decided to build a track car and start racing instead of doing silly things on the roads.

So, in other words saying, I would like to do things in most safety way because you never know what can happen.
I'm not saying that I'll be the best on day one on the track, but because I haven't done it before, if I won't try, I'll never know.
Perhaps If I'll have a race suit not a kart one, it would be a different story. At the end of a day, I wouldn't really mind hearing people joking about it but to wear a kart suit in the car ?
Oh, ...

ScoobyForLife27

iTrader: (14)

Thank You James :-)
Did you get your car back ?

Robocop

Years ago when I used to race karts, the suits were approved by the CIK, but they were of a thicker material, more than likely to protect against abrasions etc. They were not flame/fire proof. IIRC, a proper race suit would have been lined with Nomex, and a lot thinner.
As I said this was in to 80s and 90s, so it's may well have changed.

JdcTypeR

iTrader: (19)

I'm afraid not mate

Alan Jeffery

Do they do Nomex in pink?

Seriously, the only thing that can go badly wrong on a trackday involves a car hitting a solid object. I've seen plenty that have come unstuck.
Road cars can be very wayward on track, and probably much less safe than a full blown race car, built for the purpose.
Learn the limits of the car gradually. Take up the offers from the instructors, who know MUCH more than you do. If you're driving a turbo car, turn the boost DOWN until you've learnt to drive the damn thing, and only turn it up when you can't possibly go any faster. It's what track driving is all about.

ScoobyForLife27

iTrader: (14)

Ok, Will pass on suit for track days :-)
Thanks a lot guys.

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

As far as I know kart suits are not fireproof , you cannot use them for rallying for this reason

markb_s1

I woquld argue that if you're a bad driver you have greater liklihood fo needing the suit!

Spec'c'57

iTrader: (1)

i always wear a suit, but then that is in the radical, most of the time i wear a hans device too. why? well because its safety equipment for myself, sod what anyone else thinks.

stuwoac

this is why your first track car should be a cheap hatch so you can learn the trade first then prgress in to faster cars

also if you F up you havent ruined a expensive bit of kit

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

I'm not stating wether he needs the suit or not I'm just saying the amount of jibes he will get will depend on his skills. I have a Sparco suit, gloves, boots and helmet all FIA approved but I wouldn't wear that lot on a track day

I think I would get loads of stick if I wore mine as its the white sparco suit and white helmet with black visor, luckily my boots and gloves are black