race suit

[coolerking]

i am just about to embark on a life time dream of motor racing, starting off in the MG Metro Drayton Manor Park Cup, however i have just purchased a single one ply nomex 3, omp race suit, can anyone tell me if this will be acceptable for club racing, thanks Dave.

[Chris Y]

Nice one! Another club racer The Drayton Manor championship is excellent racing..

As for the suit, is it FIA approved? Have a look at section Q in the blue book, chapter 9.1 describes the race suit you'll need:

"Flame resistant overalls may be manufactured from Nomex III, Proban, or equivalent materials."

"A standard of BS 6249 part 1 Index A or B (but not C), BSEN533, or pr EN533: 1995 INDEX 3, or FIA standard overalls are mandatory"

So if you have one of those BS numbers on the suit, you can use it. Where did you buy it, and was it recently? You can always ask the people you bought it from..

Good luck with the racing

[coolerking]

Cheers Chris, I got the suit from Germany, it has an OMP Nomex 111 , made in Italy label on the collar, and on the inside of the front zip its has another label which states that the suit complies with the FIA rules, but regarding BS numbers and cdes there s nothing.

[AndyF]

Good luck with your racing this season coolerking - please keep us up to date!

[Chris Y]

Generally, the FIA approved bit is on the collar, I've never seen that on the inside of the zip.. IT may be as well to get it checked out, before your first race, or go safe and get another one..

[Dan Friel]

Sounds like the suit will be fine. There won't be BS numbers, as it was made / purchased abroad. Perhaps phone your scruntineer to check though.

[Teletubby]

I believe the FIA label HAS to be on the back of the collar. Check the OMP website or DT catalogue?

[Maisie]

I had a look on the OMP website last night and also through the DT catalogue. Without knowing the model name of the suit, it's hard to guess which one it might be, and what approval it has.

[Dan Friel]

Blue Book says that it only needs to be in the collar for international events..

[coolerking]

Thanks for that Dan, its clearly says on the label in the collar NOMEX 111, however i have contacted OMP direct in Italy to get some verication and eligibilty on the suit, thanks for all your help and advice from you all , you ve been most helpful, cheers Dave.

[Peter Mallett]

Well Coolerking, I wish you luck in your first season. I raced in that Championship in its first year. Four of us had a great battle for the championship.

Have you built a new car or have you bought an existing one?

[coolerking]

Ok ive had a reply from OMP in Italy , after explaining the and descibing the suit at great length ,their answer was given in four words" is not most homologated". Now i m really confused, what does that mean ?Is it acceptable or not? I wanted something a bit different, than the modern suits, so i opted for the 70's sort of style, the Stewart,Clark and Mcqueen ( Le Mans )look .I m wondering if it was worth it . Thanks to everyone with advice and encouraging words Dave .

[JR Ewing]

last time I watched these, every driver drove round the circuit on a different line and none of them were on the right one. That could be why they couldn't get within 2 seconds of the record......

[coolerking]

Ooooooo now now, we ve all got to start somewhere.

[Chris Y]

Last time I saw the Metros - they put on a fine show - lots of close racing, and some great overtaking and defending maneouvres. JR - you must have been watching some other series ?

Anyway, coolerking - If I were you I would get a newer, FIA approved suit. I think OMP's answer is a touch on the negative side.. The only way to be sure though is to go along to a race meeting (any clubbie meeting), find a scrutineer, and ask about the validity of the OMP suit. You'd be best off doing this well in advance of your first race, just in case it doesn't check out.