smitham32803 Posted August 23, 2019 Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 This may have been discussed in the past, but I could not find it in the search function. My question is in regards to drivers suits/fire suits and the ratings. The rules are very clear regarding the SFI ratings for single and multi layer suits. When I bought my first suit a couple years ago I went the safe route and made sure it has the SFI cert but now I would like something a little bit lighter and cooler (I mean I live in FL I don’t need a shipping blanket over me in a hot car in Sept). The rules state : “If using a single-layer SFI 3.2/A1 or 3.2/A3 suit, the driver must also wear fire-retardant SFI- or FIA- certified undergarments. Multilayer suits rated SFI 3.2/A5 or higher are highly recommended and may be worn without undergarments” There are no mentions of FIA approved suits in the official rules. I have found that some of the more expensive suits OMP for example make no mention of SFI ratings and only state that they are FIA approved. So, is FIA more stringent that SFI 3.2/A5? If I show up to the race with an FIA suit will I be approved to race? I just don’t want to spend a bunch of money on a suit and realize I can not use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wink Posted August 23, 2019 Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 I'm pretty sure FIA certs have similar grades as SFI. ie Single to Single Multi to Multi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cagedruss Posted August 23, 2019 Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 I run an FIA suit from Pyrotect. Really nice in the summer here in Oregon. My car is really hot inside because the mufflers/exhaust run close to me. The suit works quite well. Also went with a forced air helmet system. Really helps with keeping my head cool. We have the FIA suits on sale starting at $675. Black/white and red/white. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimS Posted August 23, 2019 Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 You don’t have to buy an FIA certified suit to get a better made and cooler suit. Pyrotect(great value and quality. Probably get a custom fit model for half the cost of OMP and Sparco) others make quality suits that are SFI rated and cooler than the budget models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smitham32803 Posted August 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 2 hours ago, smitham32803 said: Multilayer suits rated SFI 3.2/A5 or higher are highly recommended and may be worn without undergarments” My question is a little more simple. per the rules... it states that multilayer suits rated SFI 3.2/5 or higher can be work without undergarments. So is a multilayer FIA Nomex suit acceptable? The rules do not state this, all they state is SFI, so my question stands is the FIA a higher standard than SFI 3.2/5? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Infiniti Posted August 23, 2019 Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 Consider a used nascar suit from raceimage.com, the more expensive suits are decently light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smitham32803 Posted August 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 I was looking at some of the IMSA suits from Raceimage.com. This is why i asked the question some of these suits are FIA rated and not SfI rated. I would assume if they were good enough for IMSA they would be good enough for Champcar but i don't want to assume. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cagedruss Posted August 23, 2019 Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 what suit are you using now? Is it a Proban suit or an actual Nomex suit? Proban is a chemically treated and is heavier. A true SFI 5 Nomex suit is lighter and breathes better. I have a couple of good deals on 2 layer Nomex suits from Pyrotect in stock. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimS Posted August 23, 2019 Report Share Posted August 23, 2019 (edited) Helpful info I found. I do not know this supplier or endorse them. Good info https://www.northstarmotorsports.com/tech.tips Edited August 23, 2019 by TimS 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEE DEE Posted August 24, 2019 Report Share Posted August 24, 2019 (edited) 12 hours ago, smitham32803 said: This may have been discussed in the past, but I could not find it in the search function. My question is in regards to drivers suits/fire suits and the ratings. The rules are very clear regarding the SFI ratings for single and multi layer suits. When I bought my first suit a couple years ago I went the safe route and made sure it has the SFI cert but now I would like something a little bit lighter and cooler (I mean I live in FL I don’t need a shipping blanket over me in a hot car in Sept). The rules state : “If using a single-layer SFI 3.2/A1 or 3.2/A3 suit, the driver must also wear fire-retardant SFI- or FIA- certified undergarments. Multilayer suits rated SFI 3.2/A5 or higher are highly recommended and may be worn without undergarments” There are no mentions of FIA approved suits in the official rules. I have found that some of the more expensive suits OMP for example make no mention of SFI ratings and only state that they are FIA approved. So, is FIA more stringent that SFI 3.2/A5? If I show up to the race with an FIA suit will I be approved to race? I just don’t want to spend a bunch of money on a suit and realize I can not use it. You'll be safe with a FIA rated suit it's accepted world wide. The better suits start at $1k and there is a big difference. I bought an Alpinestar GP Tech this year and what a huge difference in fit, light weight, and comfort. Super cool at Indy & VIR with the inside car temps 130 degrees. It was always tempting to spend less money but the quality is better with the high end suits I realized. Edited August 24, 2019 by DEE DEE 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cagedruss Posted August 24, 2019 Report Share Posted August 24, 2019 14 hours ago, DEE DEE said: You'll be safe with a FIA rated suit it's accepted world wide. The better suits start at $1k and there is a big difference. I bought an Alpinestar GP Tech this year and what a huge difference in fit, light weight, and comfort. Super cool at Indy & VIR with the inside car temps 130 degrees. It was always tempting to spend less money but the quality is better with the high end suits I realized. I have to disagree with your statement. I have an expensive OMP custom suit and a $799 Pyrotect FIA suit. I could purchase 2 suits for the price of one and there is very little difference of quality and comfort between the two. I also have a couple of sfi Pyrotect Pyrolite II 2 layer nomex suits here for sale that are really nice. Light weight and comfortable. Seems are tight. Fit is good and has all the same features as the higher end suit. And for under $600 I prefer it over my OMP suit. Wearing a 3 layer Proban suit like an OMP Sport, Sparco Jade and even some Alpinestars compared to an actual Nomex IIIA suit is night and day difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ETR Posted February 7, 2022 Report Share Posted February 7, 2022 Necropost, been searching and this thread seems to apply. A new driver has a suit with the following certs- FIA Standard 8856-2000, Year of manufacture 2007 SFI 3-2A/5 FIA seems to have applied 10 year expirations to newer FIA standards, so earlier standards don't expire? Yes it's an old suit. He's shopping for a new one anyways, but with availability challenges right now it's good to know if this one's legal with a race coming up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakks Posted February 7, 2022 Report Share Posted February 7, 2022 3.12. FIRE RETARDANT CLOTHING3.12.1. Condition3.12.1.1. Any clothing which is worn, frayed, torn, has holes, grease/oil stains or any otherconditions that reduce or negate the item’s designed effectiveness shall NOT be usedduring a ChampCar event..3.12.2. Suit and Undergarments3.12.2.1. An FIA and/or SFI Certified racing suit is required.3.12.2.2. All drivers suits possessing a valid FIA and/or SFI certification shall be allowed,regardless of date of certification or manufacture. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ETR Posted February 7, 2022 Report Share Posted February 7, 2022 Oh, duh, thanks. So used to looking for specifics I skimmed over that. Read it a million times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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