Looking for a new reasonably priced fire suit. I have recently checked out the K1 Race Gear Suits wich are very cool looking and decent price, I have looked at the Bell Racing suits. Anyone know anything on these suits, or some other brands that are not going to cost a arm and a leg and my first born? Thanks.

Call Nancy at Hinchman Racing 1 317 634 6268.

Give Jim Bob Lubbert a call at Speedway Teamwear they are located right across from the Main gate of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.They have been making suits for 30 years. And made my suit for me.

Speedway Teamwear

(317) 247-0505

4601 W 16th St
Indianapolis, IN 46222

Bill

A firesuit protects you from the heat of a fire not the fire itself and only for a few seconds depending on what type of suit you get. 2 things to consider, protection & comfort. What’s the TPP (thermal protection penetration) how long before a 2nd degree burn on your skin. So if your suit has a 25 rating you have about 12 seconds before that happens, TPP is about ½ of the rating. Ask the maker of the suit what type of stitching they use a 3 or a 5 thread surging, you want the 5. Your firesuit should be a loose fit but not to the point you like you have a full load in your pants but you’re not getting a tuxedo either. You want to be able to put your hands up without “hurting” yourself ok? Impact Racing has a fire retardant material. Bill Simpson had his bare hand holding it while it was on fire and was talking away as material didn’t even burn or char. He burned it for at least 5min. Dave Despain (Wind Tunnel) finally got nervous and asked him to stop. Carbon X material for underwear better protection. Underwear will pull moisture away from your body thus reducing the chance of a burn and is more comfortable than a t-shirt I’ve seen so many drivers wear. Most burns occur through heat transfer causing the sweat on body to boil, good underwear will absorb sweat reduce risk of burn from this steam or hot water. The underwear can add as much as 6-7 seconds of protection in a fire. Use a 1pc suit, 2piece has a tendency to ride up in back exposing the body to fire and if your upside down with a fuel leak you don’t want that chance the alcohol will run inside your suit. Also had a driver win his 1st race wearing a 2 pc & while he’s jumping up down his pants were falling down. The SFI patch tells how long suit protects you from 2nd degree burns in a gas fire. Suit is torn send to the manufacturer for repair, single layer just throw it away even if it’s new they don’t give much protection or use them as coveralls in the garage. Do not use anti-persperant, the body sweats to cool its self you can use it after races or ride back home in the racecar because you'll stink. Do not wear jewelry metal stays hot after heat source gone and can also cause a bad cut. Remove dentures or partials keep them in a plastic bag in the pocket of your fire suit in case you win and you're interviewed. Use coveralls if you work on your car if you get the suit too greasy and it will burn like a wick in oil lamp. Make 2 copies of measuring chart and use a cloth tape measure to get driver measurements. After a while you may forget some measurements get the copy out and re-measure driver any differences should be resolved. Either try on a suit at a racing show or call the manufacturer and ask how they measure for a suit, you will need a cloth tape as the ¼ X 10 foot tape is not flexible for this job. If your uncomfortable measuring yourself go to a tailor and explain what you want and let them measure you, be sure to tell them to leave extra room. If you try on a suit wear it for a while, go through the motions of driving sitting, getting in and out of the car. Don’t buy a used suit unless it’s only been worn a few times. Suit should be a little baggy, as air will help insulate driver from fire. Suit should have fire proof sewing thread. Be sure there are no sharp or abrasive edges to damage your suit. Also the US ARMY will not allow personal to wear Under Armor it will either shrink or melt to your skin if exposed to extreme heat my friend’s son told me this. I was wearing some and grinding I ended up with a nasty burn on my arm and that stuff stuck to my skin.

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More of my ramblings

Only thing I can add to this is" How much does new skin cost?" Spend the extra $$$$ for the BEST. We almost lost a guy locally in a sprint fire . It took another driver(he had time to stop his car and pull the guy out of his inverted,flame engulfed car)to extricate the guy. Don't assume the firemen and the extinguishers are adequate. They may not be properly trained,or they may panic. !!!!!!!!! You only have one skin!
Yes,I have been on fire;I know what it's like! John S.

When I was young I saw something I hope I'll never see again, a burn victim 60 to 70% of his body was 3rd degree burns. He looked like one of those chicken you see in the grocery deli. And stink burnt skin smells terrible & this man suffered for years afterward. So if you race on a 1/4 mile w/ walls or a big 1/2 mile w/ no walls you have to ask yourself, will my safety equipment standup till help arrives. I see drivers wearing suits I wouldn't wear in the garage. Remember the driver I saw last year w/big hole in the knee. Ignorance means you didn't know, stupid means you knew but did it anyways.

YOU PAY FOR SAFETY!!! i wear a Oakley fire suit and its very comfy. They are sized like 52, 54 ect. so u can get about as close to custom fit as possible. Contact Brent Haley @ Haley's boutique in bloomington indiana he carrries a full oakley line.

nick johnson

We get Austins from Speed Sport Uniform lots of options, fair price, great service.
they are on the web - check 'em out.