Track day apparel. Is it lame to wear fire suit.

[steveespo]

I am a long time drag racer but only a 1 time novice road racer who is going to Lime Rock Park with the SCDA for a track day on Monday. I am a novice of course but just got a set of Sparco 2 layer overalls and Alpine stars Nomex gloves. Is it lame to wear this level of protection at a DE event? They are actually very comfortable but I don't want to be a total dweeb if no one else suits up at these events. Please advise.
Steve

 

[ArizonaBOSS]

While you will probably be in the minority, I personally feel that safety is not obnoxious. I have a suit I bought for competition use, I wear it during HPDEs as well. Might as well use it since it's paid for!

I'm not running HPDE1 though. lol

 

[VoodooBoss]

I'm not running HPDE1 though. lol

So you're saying I shouldn't wear my Simpson Kart suit with my name on the back running the beginner class?

 

[cloud9]

My wife keeps threatening to buy me the Wonder Bread fire suit for Christmas. If you have it, wear it. Nothing wrong with added safety, especially if you have it.

 

[steveespo]

Thanks guys, since I have a pretend Boss I might as well dress as a pretend racer. I really like the comfort of the coverall vs wearing jeans. I'll keep the bacalava at home though
Steve

 

[Dean#4AI]

Don’t forget your tighty whiteys so you strip off your suit, run around and pretend your on fire! ;D

 

[cloud9]

ROFL! That movie is slowly moving ahead of Caddyshack in my book.

 

[PJWANNABE]

Thanks guys, since I have a pretend Boss I might as well dress as a pretend racer. I really like the comfort of the coverall vs wearing jeans. I'll keep the bacalava at home though
Steve

I wear the head sock (which I affectionately call my sperm hat) mainly to keep my helmet padding from getting all sweaty and smelly. I only use my gloves now when it is cold.

 

[steveespo]

Wanted to share my track day update with you all.
First I did wear my firesuit, secondly, the Boss 302 is going to be the star of the show at all Racing/shows/events etc. My car was approached by at least 100 people yesterday and was photographed many times. Had to of course explain that it wasn't a genuine Boss but that I have and am outfitting it with all the correct parts and using it as they should be used. Parked with a 2010 GT 500 owner and 2 of the instructors who were just head over heels about the car. Ian Prout and his dad who run the SCDA stopped me at the head of the line up to come check it out and were hugely impressed. As far as driving the car at speed at Lime Rock it was incredible!!! I am no expert and was in the Novice class with about 24 cars including 2 E39 M5s, a C6 Z06, Miata spec racer, Audi RS5 V8, Audi RS6 V10, VW Jetta, 2 Lotus Elises', a Mitsubishi Evo 9 and others that I can't recall. My instructor Dennis was awesome and on the first session got me comfortable with the line, turn in and braking points and general do's and don'ts peculiar to Lime Rock. Got the car going and ran 15 laps at about a 1:25-1:30 pace with my last lap at speed being a 1:19. After a 2nd classroom session went out again for another 20 minute stint and got a little more aggressive and was coming out of the corners with a little more power and started to develop the rhythm of braking/turn in/exit. Really fun and got into the 1:15s when I had open track. Dennis who drove his 2004 Porsche GT3 was impressed with the handling and power of my car and said it was no doubt better than his careven on the PZeros vs. his Michelin Sport Cups. After a last class session we went out again and this time I was at the front of the line to get clear track and was just out there putting in lap after lap pushing myself and the car trying to get closer to the limits or at least my limit as the car definitely had more to give grip wise. Caught up to the Z06 and we went around 5 or 6 laps where he let me pass on the main straight and we stuck together, I was pulling 3-4 car lengths at the esses as I just loved that sequence leading up to the uphill. Dennis suggested I let the Vette back ahead and I was running right with him all the way around again making up big time in the esses. In those 16 laps I was 1:13s and under with a best of 1:12.3. Last session I was whipped but pounded out another 16 laps, was trying different lines and different braking points. Times were a little erratic but when I came in my daughter had me at 1:11.056 so I was pretty excited. Definitely the best day I've had with a car and I am now hooked and will be doing at least 3 more days this summer. Want to thank my wife and 2 daughters who are the backbone of the Esposito Racing Team and who drove the Subaru support vehicle, took the photos and provided race day catering :-* and also my instructor Dennis Cohan 8) who really got me on pace and confident in the car and myself.
Thanks also to you guys here at BossMustangs and the guys at AllFordMustangs.com for the encouragement and support that we all share.
Steve

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[Dean#4AI]

Glad you had so much fun. It is an addictive and expensive hobby but it is worth it. Then when you get a group of friends involved and you can go play out on the track, it goes to a whole new level.

Man, it has been a long long winter............