What kind of safety equipment do you have
 

I'll start...

Snell SA2000 Bell M3 racing helmet (white)
Sparco Helmet Balaclava (single eyeport)
Sparo Grand Prix Racing Gloves (red)
Sparco Racing Shoes (red)
Schroth 4-point, 3-point attachment harnesses dr/passgr
M2 strut brace/harness bar
Nady Instructor/Student Communicator

8 point cage, NASCAR bars on the drivers side, X bars on the pass side.
M&R window net
Simpson 5 point harnesses
Kirkey Aluminum seat with seat back brace
Snell SA95 Bell M2 helmet
Simpson Gloves
Simpson shoes

Soon:
10lb Halon firesystem
Electrical cutoff switch
Some kind of SFI race suit :)

PaulC

SleepR1, what do you think of the M2 harness bar? I am going to add a harness soon and am honestly planning to fab my own copy of the M2. I can laser cut the steel end plates and fab the tube while a friend welds it. Does the M2 have tubes welded inside the harness attach points to reinforce the bar? I am just convinced I can duplicate the M2 for under $250.

-100 feet of trick rollcage that meets just about any roadracing specifications in North America
-SA1995 Bell Vortex full face with various visors
- Alpinestars gloves and boots
- Merit master battery switch with altenator protect
- Momo 1000 Lakes (?) fiberglass seat
- 5-point camlock Sabelt/Sparco harness
- some window net
- 5 lb. handheld extinguisher, hopefully being replaced soon with a 2 nozzle halon system soon
- other goodies :D

Did I mention how much I love this new Racing area of the forum?

Simpson drivers gear: 2 layer driver's suit, LX helmet, two layer gloves, socks, balaclave, shoes, and single layer underwear.

Pyrotech 6 point camlock harness, drivers window net

Corbeau race seat

custom built 8 point cage, reinforced seat mount.

Damon,

Yes, I LOVE the M2 rear strut/harness bar...the car actually feels slightly stiffer in back if that's possible! The rear attachment point for my Schroth Rally-3 harnesses goes STRAIGHT BACK, instead of cocked at an angle. The M2's threaded inserts make attaching harnesses a snap.

The M2 rear strut brace/harness bar is a very, very strong attachment support for the harnesses...certainly MUCH sturdier than using the flimsy stock rear strut brace as an attachment point...Everytime I see that setup, I cringe at how UNSAFE it is to use the flimsy stock rear strut brace as a harness attach point!

Before the M2 harness bar, my rear attachement point was one of the rear strut bolts. This was sturdy, but the rear rear strap went back at an angle (always hated that!!).

simpson nomex
sparco suit (great...great...great suit)
simpson boots, gloves
simpson bandit
schroth 6 point cam lock...would never use a buckle system
10# halon
handheld ext.
sparco seats
hutchens device

Simpson
 

Bill Simpson was an oval racer...

We road racers should be wearing stuff the grand prix drivers wear;)

Sparco, Bell, Arai, Beiffe, OMP...leave that Simpson stuff with the dirt track racers;)

I don't like the rap they got for #3's accident (and I'm NOT a NASCAR fan), so I'm using them as a protest.

:)

PaulC

I wish I had your budget for safety gear sleepr1. I have had Simpson products in alot of race cars and have never had a problem. I was using simpson belts last year and I survived my big wreck without a bruise. 120mph near tee bone of a pro7. if installed correctly all of these manufacturers products work great. I like my new pyrotech belts because they are easier to tighten while strapped in and I can see through the mesh window net. the simpson suit is functional, but it looses points on fit and style. like other racing parts the custom tailored suit is the way to go if you can afford it.

This is the first year for using a Bell M3 helmet...it fits so comfortably, compared with my old Simpson Super Voyager! The Bell Tri-Weave carbon kevlar shell is so light, once you try it, you'll never go back to a Simpson helmet again:) The Sparco gloves are just fantastic, not loosey-goosey like the old Simpson gloves. My only criticism for the Sparco shoes is that they're narrower than the old Simpson low-top shoe...

Aesthetics aside, the gear has to do what it's advertised to do...SAVE YOUR SKIN:)

its not my rx-7 , but my rally car has:
Typical rally cage
sabelt harness'
corbeau forza's
lots of fire extinguishers
triangles
first aid kit
sparco2 suit
beffie helmet
teratrip rally intercom

Josh, talk about that rally intercom...it's gotta be better than the POS Nady motorcycle communicator I use as a drivers ed instructor...I've had to replace a headset already from the weak wire connections!

sleepr1 you are right you need your gear to fit right so you can be comfortable and safe. sometimes certain clothing manufactures gear just doesn't fit well on some people. I have a pair of very expensive OMP gloves that I hate because they don't fit well, and a carbon fiber helmet would be nice to have. I am looking at a new full face carbon or extra light fiberglass helmet with the fresh air hookup as my next racing upgrade. we have a good connection at Bell Motorsports so I can almost guarantee it will be a Bell model.

my turn
 

Bell M2 helmet
G-Force SFI-5 suit
G-Force SFI gloves
G-Force SFI Shoes
Nomex understuff
Wife has same as above except Simpson Voyager Kevlar helmet
M2 4 point rollbar with harness bar and cross brace
Amperex 10B:C extinguisher with custom AL mount to front of passenger seat
Willans 3" 6-Point 4x4 saloon harnesses (2)
Willans 3" harness pads
Pyrotect SFI 3.3 arm restraints

Gene

Bell Helmets
 

You see...Gene has a Bell Helmet!:)

Seriously, the Bells fit my head perfectly, and the comfort is just so amazing compared with the Simpson Voyager...to be fair...the Simpson Voyager is a '97 M95 helmet. I could no longer use it when I started instructing for PCA, as they require Snell SA95 or newer...so I sprung for a brand new Bell M3 Snell SA2000...did I say this was an outstanding helmet;) You can tell the new Bells from the old Bells, as the new Bells have dark grey interiors, while the old Snell SA95 Bells had tan interiors.

The Simpson stuff got "demoted" to karting, autocrossing, and drag racing use:)

Re: Bell Helmets
 

Yeah- I've a funny shaped head too :)

Seriously, I tried damn near every helmt on. The Bell fit perfectly...reminded me of my old Bell football helmet from college days.

Gene

Re: Re: Bell Helmets
 

Hmmm...didn't know Bell made football helmets!

Current helmet is a Bell Sport II. Soon to be relegated to test days and open track events and will be replaced by a Bell M2 Forced Air. I compared it to the Bell Vortex, which is Kevlar, but the difference in weight is about 6 ozs. Not worth the extra $275 for my tastes.

Just replaced my Bell Pro Euro suit with a Sparco Sponsor II and I LOVE IT. Seems a bit lighter and still carries the necessary SFI 3.2A/5 rating. Feels much cooler on the track.

Gloves are Sparco Gran Prix 2 for races, and Simpson Talon Grips for test days. Sparcos fit just a hair better, but not a fair comparison since the Simpsons have served me well for the last 5 years.

Shoes are Sparco Racecats (by Puma). Absolutely love the look, and they are comfortable as well. They have an interesting feature that my Simpson HiTops don't. They are cut away at the back to allow your foot to pivot forward with no resistance. Takes a bit of getting used to but I am extremely happy with them.

I agree with Silk, the Simpson deal was raw. NASCAR needed a scapegoat and they found one. Point blank, end of story. That said, I have had zero complaints about any of my Simpson products. I went with the Sparco items because they look a bit more up to date, and the cost was not much more (wholesale either way). I guess the proof is when I buy my next set of harnesses. I have had Sabelts and my last set was Simpson Camlocks. I like the Simpson cams because of the billet hub vs. the cast unit from Sabelt. I just haven't decided yet. Stay tuned.

And we wonder why circle track racers think we're arrogant.:rolleyes:

Re: Re: Re: Bell Helmets
 

Brain fart- it was a Bike helmet.

Gene

Pics or design docs?
 

I wa shoping one or all of you may share the designs of your roll cages. I would like to put one in my 86 for SCCA ITS. Many thanks!

Ahh the good ole terrortrip, just kidding. it is very cool, even has an audible tack like the wrc cars! i dont know why people havnt picked up on these things for track days, they are cheap, work good, and are very tough, i mean they are made for rally. i think mine was like 200 bucks, it comes with a line out and an output for a ham or satalite phone ect. the line out is nice because you can run it to your video camera and hear what you are talking about. these things got a bad wrap in the past, they are british, but now they are very good, do a google search for teratrip, or peltor, the peltor's are what the wrc teams use, and they come at a wrc price, but are very nice.

Cage pics here:

http://www.lcaf.com/silk/RX-7/RX-7_P...-7_part_2.html

PaulC

Biffe SA 2000 Predator helmet - composite, very light
NASA Pro I SFI5 vented suit
Sparco 5 suit(new this year)
Sparco gloves
Worth undies
Worth shoes(velcro closure, suede soles, kevlar lined, very comfy)
Kirkey seat
Custon cage
Simpson belts
Icom 2 way with Comet ear microphone
normal kill switch and fire system with correct decals
Pro Sport cell

db

G-Force SA 2000 helmet
hand held extinguisher
3 point stock belt set-up
hey I only auto-X

I need to get a helmet for autox, future road racing, and drag racing. Do you guys know what specs would work for all sanctions???

What does scca require out of a helmet??? If I go to a motorcycle shop and get a helmet will most all DOT approved helmets be ok???

Also, what are some good brands to check out???

Thanks,
STEPHEN

Snell SA2000 (SA stands for special applications--such as sports car racing) will satisfy all the road racing sanctioning bodies. My personal favorite is the Bell M3, but some folks like Simpson, Bieffe, Arai. It really depends on which helmet fits you best!

A DOT or Snell M-rated helmet won't meet most racing racing sanctioning bodies. Porsche Club for example will NOT accept Motorcycle helmets at any of their drivers' ed events...

Snell (SA) Certification for use expires after the sticker turns ten years old. Hence helmets with 95 stickers arre discounted currently (if they're are any left at all) as the 2000 is the latest standard. So a cheap 1995 might be attractive but remember its only valid (for most organized events) until the end of 2005. The 2000 until 2010 if the planet is still around by then.

Why wont the Porsche Club accept motorcycle helmets.....I looked at some mototcycle helmets that were SA2000, what is wrong with them???

They're made differently, and don't have fire-retardant interiors. This is a must if you plan to go all the way with sports car racing...

If the helmet you looked at was truly a motorcycle helmet, then it would have been an M2000 (M for motorcycle)...

Some motorcycle shops sell all kinds of helmets (not necessarily limited to motorcycle helmets I guess).

OK, that might be. It was at a bike shop but I guess it doesnt HAVE to be bike only. It was like $400 and the name was Shoei. It was SA2000 and somethine else as well but I cant remember the letters/numbers.

Anyway, basically as long as its SA2000 I'm good no matter if its sold at a bike shop or not. Is that right for the most part???

Thanks,
STEPHEN

Yes be sure that's a SNELL SA2000, in addition to the DOT rating...Shoei's are also decent helmets (forgot to mention that one in my list)...I've seen a few sports car guys use the Shoeis...$400 is about the going rate for a really good Snell SA2000 sports car racing helmet irrespective of the helmet manufacturer...I'd recommend a closed-face helmet so that you can ride in open-topped cars...you can't do open cockpit cars with open-faced helmets...

in order to go racing
 

what is the necessary clothing you h ave to wear? For an IT car in scca or the cooresponding class in NASA?

Thanks

Rob

What I mean is I know helmets are sa2000. What do the gloves and shoes and suit have to classified as?

Thanks

Bell Sport2 helmet
Sparco 2 suit
Sparco Grand Prix gloves
Sparco balaclava
Sparco socks
OMP Clubman shoes (for club racing)
Simpson low top shoes (for HPDE, autox)
Sparco 5 point camlock harness
Momo Rookie seat
Autopower 6 point cage
Safequip 3 nozzle Halon system
Autopower window net
generic master kill switch

Re: in order to go racing
 

Three layer or equivalent driver suit
Non-flamable shoes
Nomex socks
Nomex gloves
balaclava if you have facial hair (recommended for all)

There is an SFI rating for the suit, but I cannot remember the number. Any racing supply store should know. There are also FIA ratings that Sparco and other European companies use.

Gloves might use the same rating, I'm not sure.

I don't think shoes are not required to be rated (but not 100% sure), but should be natural fiber or Nomex (not nylon or anything that will melt).