THE ELEMENTS OF SAFETY GEAR THAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR TRACK DAY

Carrie Willhoff of Racechick.com dives into what elements of safety gear are imperative for your next track day and what to look for when shopping for each of these elements. 

Some key takeaways:

• All helmets are not created equal. While a motorcycle helmet is created for abrasion and impact, it doesn't have the fire protection of a Snell rated helmet. 
• A well fitting racing suit is one of the most important safety gear decisions you can make. Make sure that you are comfortable in the suit and steer clear of a suit that has excess air pockets and an improper fit, especially around neck, cuffs and any other pathway to the body. You also want to make sure that there isn't any excess material to get caught on a pedal of anything else if trying to exit the car in a hurry. Additionally, you can choose FR under layers that offer another layer of protection inside the suit. 
• A driving shoe should have a thin sole and be SFI rated. For added protection, you can pair with a FR sock. 
• A proper fitting glove should give you protection and help you feel the steering wheel. 

Another element to think about is a neck restraint. There are many on the market and each driver has their own preference. For women, we recommend the NecksGen Rev system as there is no frontal yoke to come down too far on the chest putting excess pressure on the collarbone. When shopping for a neck restraint, take into consideration the size of your belts to ensure that they will work together.