Light weight race suits - are they worth it?

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my question, if not I'd be grateful to be redirected.

I live in Korea and race here. In the summer it's very hot and humid so when racing I sweat buckets - it's hard to maintain concentration and after a 45m race I'm quite dehydrated. Next year I will be moving to Malaysia (where it's even hotter) and am planning on entering events at Sepang.

I know I need to improve my fitness (working on that) and take on a lot of fluid before the race (do that too), but I wonder if a lighter race suit will make a difference. Does anyone have any experience of using these or have any other advice to offer?

At the moment I'm using an old Sparco Sprint which has been fantastic, but needs replacement as it's out of FIA date. It's very well made but quite heavy.

Looking at the Demon Tweeks catalogue, I'm considering the Sparco X Light HC which makes various claims about keeping the driver cool, but is very, very expensive at GBP 659 + VAT + delivery.

To be honest, if I was just wearing a T shirt I would still be sweating buckets so is it worth the extra expense? I am minded to go for another basic level FIA suit at around GBP 200 + VAT.

Any advice appreciated.

Many thanks


Matthew Smith

Perhaps a cool suit? Don't know the prices of them though.

Hi,

I would say that you will definitely feel a difference with a lightweight suit.

I should mention first though that Race suits do not date as such. As long as you have 8856-2000 stamped on the back then it will be ok for years. It is important to change it if it is very worn as this will probably mean that the nomex fire resistant lining won't be as effective but they do not have a specific lifespan in the way helmets and harnesses do.

We are just about to start selling Alpinestars Race suits as we think these are the best available, although these might be out of your price range....

The Alpinestars GP Tech Race suit is inspired by Alpinestars' F1 experience. Lightweight and highly breathable 300gram per metre square, 3 layer 100% Nomex III suit construction. The underarm and side panels are breathable through the use of AC fabric, increasing the airflow, freedom of movement and reducing perspiration.

AC fabric is used on the sides of the GP Tech suit, underarm, lower back and just below the collar. This material allows more moisture to escape in these areas, keeping the driver cooler and helping concentration levels.

the price is £699.95 Incl. VAT. If you can afford it, i would definitely say you will notice the difference.

Let me know if you need anymore advice

Hey if this is a free-for-all advertising thread can I mention my new Uvex lightweight, breathable range? It's on my web site but you'll have to look on Google to get the URL.........Uvex racewear should do it......or see my profile........oh and the base model is cheaper than the Sparco, but I'm still in the act of listing it.

But to answer the question, yes the expensive lightweight suits ARE light years ahead of the entry level models, Matthew. You actually DO get what you pay for here both in terms of fit and fabric. Uvex use anatomically designed patterns and make extensive use of stretch panels to work with your body, as well as using a unique Climatec fabric that is fireproof AND breathable. If you're racing anywhere that heat is a problem, you need something designed to cope with it and the more expensive suits come into their own.

Hope this helps. As Jen-MSAR says, any further advice etc etc

Hi,

It is important to change it if it is very worn as this will probably mean that the nomex fire resistant lining won't be as effective

Hmm, jury's out on that, I haven't seen any tests on the comparative properties of old & new Nomex but it'd be unlikely to deteriorate due to wear. More likely it'll support flame because contaminated with dirt or to pass heat because stained in sweat.

Which is a good point to pass on to Matthew - a wet suit gives less protection than a dry one, because the water (sweat) transmits heat so that's where a suit that keeps you cooler becomes worth the money. Mind you, in the UK one that keeps rain off may be more use :rofl:

I actually have advertising status...so am allowed to promote my products, if in a useful way, which i thought this was!! :)

Thanks for comments guys.

As it is my suit is perfectly servicable, it's just that it didn't pass scrutineering at an event recently, as the scrutineer said it's 'too old'. This was a round of the RCN Cup - a German time trial series that seems to insist on FIA everything (including undies). I bought my suit in 1999 and it has an FIA 1986 homologation label, wheras the latest suits seem to be a newer standard (2000?).

The old suit even still fits me OK, the only reason I'm getting a new one is so that I can enter the next round of this event. It's a 2 driver thing with a break in between sessions. I was in session 1 so had to wear my friend's suit (he's much bigger than me so I had the Jacques Villeneuve baggy look). I handed it to him completely soaked for his turn in the car - that's true friendship for you!

Buy the lightest wt 3 layer suit that you can afford.

Plus a Cool Suit system is a must. Makes a world of differenc for your concntration in keeping your body cool.
I have two Cool Suit shirts, one is cotton the other is Carbon-X.

I have two suits. A two layer dark color Sparco which is good and I like this in colder weather and a 3 layer light wt custom made silver Impact suit.

Get a white, silver or light gray suit. Dark color suits absorbe heat in the hot sun.

Thanks - I guess I have to hit the credit card and get one of the light suits...

By the way, I've wondered how the cool suit shirts work - where do the tubes come out of your race suit? I guess you need to cut a hole somewhere?

Judging by your other posts I guess you are a GT racer in N America?

Regards

Matt

Matthew, suit needs to say FIA 8856-2000.

Jen-MSAR - didn't know about "advertiser" status, I advertised here once and never got told I could do that. Apologies, no offence intended.

Please don't take the **** with the adverts fellas, thanks.

Matt, I don't know what suits are best suited for your climate but if it's any consolation you shouldn't be paying VAT if you get it shipped directly to the country you live in.

I'm with Jen on this one although I certainly did not pay anything like the figure quoted for my Alpinstar,it is far cooler to wear than my Sparco.

Thanks - I guess I have to hit the credit card and get one of the light suits...

By the way, I've wondered how the cool suit shirts work - where do the tubes come out of your race suit? I guess you need to cut a hole somewhere?

Judging by your other posts I guess you are a GT racer in N America?

Regards

Matt
Matt

I race NASA ( National Auto Sports Assoc ) semi pro. and Yes I race a Corvette in our Super Touring Classes.

My Cool shirt tubes come out the lower end of my Zipper. ( can be embarising if just standing there ) then the tubes go over into the passangers seat where the Cool Suite Box or cooler is located.

Some ppl cut holes in the right pant pocket. But my seat is wrapped up tight against my body so Impact sure has not side pockets.

Take a look at the latest Sparco F1 suit. I have just got one and from a normal 3 layer it is so fdifferent it is hard to tell you. It is like you are wearing nothing compared to having a puffa jacket on. Well worth every penny.

Thanks for the advice everyone, I thought it would end up this way! I have decided to go for a light suit - based on the advice of those that have used them.

Cheers and safe racing.

Matt

Alpinestar Supertech Suit, ok it's £850, but after slipping in to it you won't regret the purchase!

I personally use Aplinestar everything, I love their suits, gloves, boots, underwear... all fit me perfectly, are light and comfortable.

Nice light wallet too ;)

You will notice a big benifit of a lightweight suit over the £200+Vat suit and these are quite abit heavier and also thicker material because they use a 2 layer fabric instead of the 3 layer fabric which is used in the Lightweight suits. Either the Sparco X-Light suit or the Alpinestars Supertech suit

PM me if you need any more information