How to Pick an Auto Racing Suit

In the world of auto racing, whether you are an amateur, hobbyist or professional, your racing suit is vital to your safety and comfort. You will find many styles and colors from which to choose. Follow these steps to select the right racing suit for you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Personal identification data
• Tape measure
• Access to local race shop
• Internet and email access
• Racing apparel catalogs
• Racing budget

1. Determine the style of racing suit you are looking to purchase. Styles vary by manufacturer. Two of the best-known manufacturers are Simpson Race Products and Bell Motorsports.

2. Determine the level of protection that suits your safety needs and is within your racing budget. Be sure to choose a suit approved by SFI, the nonprofit entity that rates racing safety apparel.

3. Determine what style racing suit fits the type of racecar you drive, the type of track on which you race, the number of laps you normally race in a given night, and the level or division in which you race.

4. Choose a suit that fits you perfectly. Key areas that must be measured precisely are shoulder width, the rise from waist to shoulder blades, the width of the center of your back and sleeve length.

Tips & Warnings

• Cleaning and caring for your racing suit are important. Racing suits can be dry cleaned or hand washed. Hand washing is preferred, as the additives used in dry cleaning may harm the suit's protective qualities.
• Make sure you are comfortable with the level of protection your racing suit provides. Multilayer suits offer the most protection, single-layer suits the least.
• Proper fit is essential. Visit your local shop and enlist the help of experts.
• One-piece racing suits are more comfortable, but two-piece suits (jacket and pants) are less expensive.

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