SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1533430
COOL AND FLEXIBLE The New Standard For Off-Road Racing Safety Garments By Mike Vieira Photos by Jack Wright nMedia3 Protective off-road race apparel, including undergarments, socks, shoes, and gloves, greatly reduce the risks to racers and crew members in fire and heat-related scenarios. The flame-resistant properties of Nomex that last for the life of these types of garments, have allowed it to become the standard for fire and heat protection, much better than fabrics treated with heat-resistant chemicals that can wash out or wear away over time. The growing need for proper ventilation, cooling, flexibility, and comfortable movement, makes things a bit more complicated than simply protecting against fire and radiant heat. Continued evolution in newer Nomex fabrics with lighter weight, more breathability, better fit, and improved protective capabilities, has allowed manufacturers to create new racing garments that provide excellent comfort and durability, along with added fire safety. In desert racing, dealing with excessive heat is the biggest problem for racers, and the continued development of modern multi-layer Nomex suits and undergarments plays an important role in balancing the equation of protection and comfort. Kelli Willmore, Director of Sourcing/Research and Development at K1 RaceGear, stresses the importance of managing heat. “Hydration is step one, but staying cool and well-ventilated during the race is just as critical,” she says. “Heat exhaustion can lead to poor decision-making, and in desert racing, one mistake can cost you the race, or worse. Our two-layer suits are designed to be as light and cool as possible, while still providing the highest level of fire safety.” Along the same lines, Max Ries at Alpinestars says airflow is critical for off-road racers. “The biggest thing that our designers and developers are moving towards is the ability to flow as much air as possible in our suits. Most fire suit manufacturers have reached the point where we can’t make things additionally lighter than what they are now. First, you’ve got to have the material, whether it’s a two or three-layer suit, you can only take the material so far before it becomes too thin and too frail. So we are focusing on the breathability of our racing suits. That goes for everything we make, including shoes, gloves, even the base layers.” Marc Shear, Director of Marketing at O’Neal USA, echoes much of the same in their focus on the safety of motorcyclists. “Through innovative materials, enhanced impact protection, and ergonomic designs, we’ve made our gear lighter, more breathable, and more durable than ever.” Brian Applegate, Senior Vice President of Safety and Racing for Holley Performance Brands says of the companies under their umbrella, Simpson and Racequip Brands, “We’re always looking for ways to push the boundaries of safety and performance. Our Safety Division continues to lead the charge by combining advanced materials with real-world testing to meet the evolving demands of racers. In off-road racing, having the right gear can make all the difference.” Pit crews must also be protected from fire when re-fueling, touching hot vehicle parts, and other possible injuries. Wearing sturdy, fire-resistant shoes that provide support and good traction, well-fitting gloves that provide fire and heat protection, along with a minimum of SFI-rated base layers, if not full suits, should be part of everyone’s wardrobe who is involved with touching race vehicles during competition. Racing is a dangerous sport, and safety concerns are not to be taken lightly. As Kelli Willmore reminds us, “No matter how many times we’ve ‘gotten away with it’, at some point those near misses run out. In the end, it’s not just about winning, it’s about making sure everyone comes home.” SJ