Mahler9th

For various DE events I have attended through the years, I have usually worn a suit, but not always. I have not always worn a suit while instructing at DE events.

Interesting to note that my PCA region required a driver's suit for DE/Time Trial after your first two events. This rule when already in place when I arrived circa 1991. So for those events I always wore a suit.

Last year, for the first time, I tried a fire retardant undergarment-- a Traqgear lightweight shirt. Lasted two events then ripped to shreds. Too flimsy. Quite disappointing.

I will probably buy a Sparco, Freem or similar undershirt this year.

I think there are many more suits with lighter materials now than when I started, so folks have more choices if they want to buy a suit that can be tolerable in hotter weather.

I have seen a lot of interesting outfits at DE's and even in light duty races. The strangest one I saw was a guy wearing a 70's era polyester/ or whatever track warm up suit. I think he was an Eastern European.

Have not seen too many fires in my 30 years of track driving and racing, but as McQueen said... it can happen to ya. Last June I saw one at Sears Point-- we all were sure the driver was burned alive. Luckily he was out before we caught sight of the incident. He was trying to make it into the pit lane, going slowly with a disabled car. Got rear ended. I was told the issue was a fuel leak and he knew about it. Lots of damage to the car and the track. Sobering.

Years ago, a racer I know had a fire sparked by static electricity when he was fueling his 356 race car. Apparently he was using the ubiquitous plastic funnel and ubiquitous fuel bottle... when they touched flames erupted. Luckily no one was hurt and the car wasn't too badly damaged. My friend/engine builder had an alum. funnel made as a result of his customer's experience... I am always reminded when I see it.

I weigh my canopy down with 5 gallon buckets of water-- I figure it might be handy if I have an issue in the paddock.

Matt Romanowski

I always wear my suit nown. I even just ordered a made to measure OMP.

Besides the safety part, for.menits part of my performance switch to be mentally ready to drive.

stownsen914

You don't have to look too hard to find videos of worst-case scenarios involving fire. They don't happen often, but man, when they do the results can be devastating. Someone posted a video here a few years ago of a car running (in NASA maybe?) that caught fire while on track. The guy stopped quickly and dove out of the car in like 10 seconds from the time the fire started. He was wearing full gear but wound up with third degree burns over a substantial portion of his body. Imagine if that had happened during a DE, and he had jeans and a t shirt on ...

Scott

sbelles

A couple of years ago, PCA issued a warning that they were going to start checking for holes in fire walls. I haven't actually seen anybody checked but you really wouldn't think they would have to.

rlm328

It use to be a common practice to run the fuel and oil lines through the driver's compartment. That is something I would really think needs to be checked.

Fumes

I only wear my suit when it’s required for racing. DE with a race suit is just too embarassing.

redmonkey928

Good thing issues only come up in racing.

Lots of veterans posting stories in this thread, great resource!

Fumes

Look, to each their own. I don't DE much and in my opinion modern cars are very safe regarding fire. If i was in an old car I may feel differently, but I'd rather not deal with changing clothes. I'm lazy. It's a personal choice

LuigiVampa

You are still young and invincible is the issue. I realize I am neither anymore and want to save my skin (both literally and figuratively.)

User 52121

Jim Child

Fire doesn't know its only a DE.

TraqGear

Hey, just saw this. Thank you! And big thanks for bringing this thread back. Some good info on here and a lot by DE/Race veterans. There will always be the guys that aren't fans of wearing a suit in a DE. But, street cars can go up in flames just like a race car. Perhaps not as likely, (that is debatable) but certainly catch fire and burn quite often. The difference I see is that street cars still have a full interior with much of it being plastic. Plastic doesn't come from rubber trees anymore as they are primarily made from petroleum, which is why you see street cars become infernos rather quickly when they do catch fire.

My suggestion: Wear a suit. If you don't want to wear a suit, then at least wear something FR. Lots of stuff out there that you can wear that looks like normal clothes and is flame resistant. Cotton and poly does not qualify.

alexaqui

I had an accident 2 years ago at a DE and the only thing I could think of as I heard dripping fluids was "why didn't I wear a suit!" as I had all of the other safety gear on (harnesses, cage, hans, etc.). At a DE this weekend I wore my suit and while people looked at me a bit strange since I am "just an intermediate driver" I don't really care. A few bucks to be safer is a no-brainer to me, even if it is a little hot. At the same time I don't try to judge the guys with GT3s and Turbos with full Hoosiers and PSM on missing every apex and claiming how fast they are (when they are probably 10 seconds a lap slower than what their car can do.. but I digress...)

ProCoach

LuigiVampa

If it is cool weather out, and I am lazy, I wear my race suit to the track and back home.

I stopped for gas just a few weeks ago near Lime Rock and some old guy says, in a very mocking way, "what do you think you are some kind of race car driver?" and goes vroom vroom. I just laughed and said, "Actually I am a race car driver." I smiled, got back in my truck and pulled off.

Who cares what people think? I saved about ten minutes by not having to suit up twice in one morning! I'd consider driving to the track in my underwear in warmer weather if my wife didn't stop me. IDGAF!