SleepR1

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

Silkworm

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

DamonB

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.

RacerJason

iTrader: (5)

-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

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

tims

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.

SleepR1

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!!).

bermuda20b

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

SleepR1

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

Silkworm

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

tims

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.

SleepR1

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

787josh

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

SleepR1

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!

tims

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.

gfelber

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

SleepR1

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

gfelber

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

SleepR1

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

TeamWireRacing

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.

gfelber

Brain fart- it was a Bike helmet.

Gene

86natheway

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!

787josh

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.

Silkworm

Cage pics here:

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

PaulC

DaveB

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

finky

iTrader: (2)

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