{{Short description|Clothing worn in auto racing}} {{Other uses}} {{Use mdy dates |date=May 2017}} {{multiple image | align = right | direction = horizontal | image1 = Mono Fernando Alonso.jpg | image2 = NCSHF Earnhardt suit.JPG | width = 150 | footer = The 2007 racing suit of Formula One driver Fernando Alonso (left), and the 1990s suit of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt (right). | footer_align = left }}
A '''racing suit''' or '''racing overalls''', often referred to as a '''fire suit''' due to its fire retardant properties, is clothing such as overalls worn in various forms of auto racing by racing drivers, crew members who work on the vehicles during races, track safety workers or marshals, and in some series commentators at the event.
In the early days of racing, most racing series had no mandated uniforms. Beginning in the 1950s and 1960s, specialized racing suits were designed to optimize driver temperature via heat transfer, and later to protect drivers from fire.<ref name="NASCAR-AboutFireSuits-2015">{{cite news |last1=Norman |first1=Brad |title=About Fire Suits, Fuel Cells |url=http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-cup-series/nascar-nation/nascar-edu/mobil1-technology-hub/nascar-mobil1-technology-fire-suit-fuel-cell.html |accessdate=November 8, 2016 |website=NASCAR.com |date=January 5, 2015}}</ref> By 1967, the majority of competitors in Formula One, NASCAR, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), United States Auto Club (USAC), and Champ Car (the predecessor to modern IndyCar) began wearing specialized fire suits.<ref name="Jalopnik-FireWFire-2016">{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Alanis |title=How Motorsports Learned To Fight Fire With Fire (Suits) |url=http://blackflag.jalopnik.com/how-motorsports-learned-to-fight-fire-with-fire-suits-1780657515 |accessdate=November 8, 2016 |website=Jalopnik |date=June 5, 2016 |archive-date=April 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406221834/http://blackflag.jalopnik.com/how-motorsports-learned-to-fight-fire-with-fire-suits-1780657515 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="F1-Clothing">{{cite web |title=Clothing |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/inside-f1/safety/helmets-hans-clothing/Clothing.html |publisher=Formula One |accessdate=November 8, 2016 |date=January 13, 2015}}</ref><ref name="NHRA-FightingFires" /><ref name="ESPN-UniformStandards" /><ref name="F1Safety-50s60s">{{cite web |title=History of F1: 1950s and 1960s Safety |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/inside-f1/safety/history-of-F1-safety/1950s_and_1960s.html |publisher=Formula One |accessdate=November 13, 2016 |archive-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030064211/https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/inside-f1/safety/history-of-F1-safety/1950s_and_1960s.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="F1Safety-70s80s">{{cite web |title=History of F1 Safety: 1970s and 1980s |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/inside-f1/safety/history-of-F1-safety/1970s_and_1980s.html |publisher=Formula One |accessdate=November 13, 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Most modern suits use Nomex, a material developed in the 1960s around the time fire suits emerged.<ref name="Jalopnik-FireWFire-2016"/><ref name="F1-Clothing"/> The suits are also known for prominently displaying driver sponsors.
==Design and use== [[File:Hélio Castroneves in suit at Carb Day 2015 - Stierch.jpg|thumb|upright|IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves wearing a Shell-branded Nomex firesuit and head sock ]] A racing suit is designed to cover the entire body of a driver, crew member, or marshall, including long sleeves and long pants legs. Typical driver suits are one-piece overalls, similar in appearance to a boilersuit. Other fire suits are two piece, consisting of a "jacket" and pants.<ref name="SFI-DriverSuitSpecs-2013">{{cite web |title=SFI SPECIFICATION 3.2A; PRODUCT: Driver Suits |url=http://www.sfifoundation.com/wp-content/pdfs/specs/Spec_3.2A_032713.pdf |publisher=SFI Foundation, Inc. |accessdate=November 8, 2016 |date=March 27, 2013 |archive-date=February 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222050153/http://www.sfifoundation.com/wp-content/pdfs/specs/Spec_3.2A_032713.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The suits consist of a single or multiple layers of fire-retardant material.<ref name="F1-Clothing" /><ref name="SFI-DriverSuitSpecs-2013"/><ref name="NASCAR-HotUnderCollar">{{cite web |title=Hot under the collar? Not in a NASCAR fire suit |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQqF3_Pv4TE|via=YouTube |publisher=NASCAR |accessdate=November 8, 2016 |date=April 6, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Skirts&Skuffs-FireSuit-Oct2015"/><ref name="NASCAR-DressingThePart"/> The suits also have special epaulettes or yokes on the shoulder area that act as "handles" in order to lift a driver strapped to a racing seat out of a vehicle. This is mandated under Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) safety standards.<ref name="F1-Clothing" /><ref name="Impact-Suit-Tech">{{cite web |title=Impact Suit Technology |url=https://www.impactraceproducts.com/v/vspfiles/assets/downloads/pdfs/Impact_Driver_Suit_Technology.pdf |publisher=Impact! Racing |accessdate=November 9, 2016}}</ref>
Most suits use fabric made of Nomex, a synthetic material produced by DuPont that retains its fire-retardant properties with time and use. Other suits consist of cotton treated with Proban, a chemical manufactured by Rhodia, or other substances. These suits can lose their fire-resistant properties over time, particularly after washing. Other suits are made of Kevlar, polybenzimidazole fiber (PBI), or carbon fibers, but are less widely used due to lack of comfort and color variety.<ref name="Impact-Suit-Tech"/><ref name="NASCAR-HotUnderCollar"/><ref name="Skirts&Skuffs-FireSuit-Oct2015">{{cite news |title=Rookie Stripe: Fourteen Facts About NASCAR Fire Suits |url=http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2015/10/rookie-stripe-fourteen-facts-about.html |accessdate=November 8, 2016 |work=Skirts and Skuffs |date=October 28, 2015}}</ref><ref name="CNN-DuPont-NomexF1">{{cite news |title=The material keeping F1 drivers safe |url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/sports/2015/11/26/spc-the-circuit-f1-safety-nomex.cnn |access-date=November 8, 2016 |work=CNN, DuPont |date=November 26, 2015}}</ref><ref name="MotorSportMag-Nomex">{{cite news |title=Nomex |url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/april-2000/66/nomex |accessdate=November 8, 2016 |magazine=Motor Sport |date=April 2000}}</ref><ref name="Forst2008">{{cite book|first=Sarah |last=Forst |title=How to Build Performance Nissan Sport Compacts, 1991-2006 HP1541: Engine and Suspension Modifications for Nissan Sentra, NX, 200SX, and Infiniti G20. Covers engines GA16DE, SR20DE, QG18DE, and QR25DE. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rSjoF5gxPscC&pg=PT277 |accessdate=November 8, 2016 |date=November 4, 2008 |publisher=Penguin Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-4406-5797-9|pages=277–278}}</ref> Newer suits, such as those produced by Sparco, have inner liners treated with menthol to create a cooling sensation and fight odor.<ref name="NASCAR-HotUnderCollar" /><ref name="SportTechie-Kligerman">{{cite news|author1=Kligerman, Parker |title=A NASCAR Driver's Perspective On How Proper Technology Leads To A Competitive Edge |url=http://www.sporttechie.com/2016/02/16/sports/nascar/a-nascar-drivers-perspective-on-how-proper-technology-leads-to-a-competitive-edge/ |accessdate=November 13, 2016 |work=SportTechie |date=February 16, 2016|author1-link=Parker Kligerman}}</ref> Additional accessories, including fire-resistant long underwear, gloves, shoes, and balaclava-like face masks or "head socks" are also worn.<ref name="F1-Clothing" /><ref name="SFI-DriverSuitSpecs-2013"/><ref name="Skirts&Skuffs-FireSuit-Oct2015"/><ref name="NASCAR-DressingThePart"/><ref name="DragZine-InCaseOfFire"/><ref name=FIAStandards/>
When Nomex material is exposed to flame, instead of burning or melting it develops a carbon char. The char thickens the section of fiber exposed to the flame, preventing the spread of the fire to the rest of the suit and inhibiting the transfer of heat to the wearer of the garment.<ref name="NSF-Firesuites-2012">{{cite web |title=Firesuits -- The Science of Speed |url=https://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/mmg_disp.jsp?med_id=72001&from=<!--https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlB1HO115fQ&t=29s--> |publisher=National Science Foundation |accessdate=28 August 2018 |date=August 9, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Facts Behind the Performance of Nomex® when Exposed to Intense Heat |url=http://www.dupont.co.uk/products-and-services/personal-protective-equipment/thermal-protective-apparel-accessories/articles/time-of-essence.html |publisher=DuPont |accessdate=28 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="Leslie-Pelecky2008"/> CarbonX is a different fabric for fire suits made of oxidized polyacrylonitrile (a precursor to carbon fiber). It is created by heating material until it oxidizes and chars, with the finished product able to last for two minutes exposed to fire. It is frequently used for racing undergarments and gloves.<ref name="Leslie-Pelecky2008"/><ref name="C&E-ModernGladiator-Feb2009">{{cite journal |last1=Halford |first1=Bethany |title=Materials For The Modern Gladiator: Thanks to innovations in materials science and engineering, NASCAR drivers can crash at 200 mph and walk away from the wreckage |journal=Chemical & Engineering News |date=February 2, 2009 |volume=87 |issue=5 |pages=12–15 |url=https://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/87/8705cover.html |accessdate=28 August 2018|doi=10.1021/cen-v087n005.p012 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Nate |title=After the Infineon Raceway incident, Dale Earnhardt Jr. finds protective clothing underneath firesuit is a necessity |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/tribune-democrat-jul-29-2004-p-16/ |accessdate=28 August 2018 |newspaper=The Tribune-Democrat |date=July 29, 2004}}</ref> Using multiple layers of the material, and quilting of the fabric, meanwhile, create pockets of air which further insulate the wearer from heat.<ref name="NSF-Firesuites-2012"/><ref name="SFI-DriverSuits">{{cite web |last1=Faye |first1=Jennifer M. |title=SFI Foundation Specs Assure Quality Driver Suits |url=http://sfifoundation.com/article-1/ |publisher=SFI Foundation, Inc. |accessdate=28 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="Leslie-Pelecky2008">{{cite book|first=Diandra |last=Leslie-Pelecky |title=The Physics of Nascar: The Science Behind the Speed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kBrvuxy1jYMC&pg=PT231 |accessdate=28 August 2018 |date=14 February 2008 |publisher=Penguin Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-101-21394-0|pages=231–234}}</ref>
The suits are not entirely fireproof, but rather fire retardant for a period of time, allowing an individual to escape an incident or be rescued with minimal injury.<ref name="CNN-DuPont-NomexF1" /><ref name="ChiTribune-IndySafety-May1993"/><ref name="NASCAR-Safety-Feb2011"/> Bill Simpson, an innovator in racing safety, estimated in 1993 that a person has "20 to 30 seconds" before a fire suit begins to burn.<ref name="ChiTribune-IndySafety-May1993">{{cite news |last1=Markus |first1=Rober |title=Indy Safety Starts Before Engines Do: Fire Suits, Helmets Help Protect Drivers |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/05/25/indy-safety-starts-before-engines-do/ |access-date=November 8, 2016 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=May 25, 1993}}</ref> The mandated minimum level of protection for uniforms in different racing series varies, as does the minimum standard for drivers, crew members, and officials.<ref name="SFI-DriverSuitSpecs-2013" /> In the NHRA drag racing series, for example, suits are designed to last 30 to 40 seconds before the wearer suffers second degree burns. This is a higher benchmark than that of most other series, due to the high risk of fire from nitromethane and alcohol-fueled cars.<ref name="Impact-Suit-Tech"/><ref name="SFI-DriverSuitSpecs-2013" /><ref name="DragZine-InCaseOfFire">{{cite news |last1=Wolf |first1=Andrew |title=In Case Of Fire: Is Your Safety Gear Up To Snuff? |url=http://www.dragzine.com/tech-stories/chassis-safety/in-case-of-fire-is-your-safety-gear-up-to-snuff/ |accessdate=November 9, 2016 |work=DragZine |date=March 28, 2016}}</ref><ref name="NHRA-FightingFires"/> SFI Foundation, Inc., formerly part of SEMA, dictates the suit fire protection standards for numerous sanctioning bodies particularly in the United States, including NASCAR, IndyCar, the NHRA, the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), and the United States Auto Club (USAC). The FIA determines the standards for most of its series such as Formula One and the FIA World Endurance Championship, excluding the standards of its drag racing competition which are determined by SFI.<ref name="F1-Clothing" /><ref name="Impact-Suit-Tech" /><ref name="DragZine-InCaseOfFire"/><ref name=FIAStandards>{{cite web |url=http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/4C1C7A762BC27980C12575B700525253/$FILE/Annexe%20L_2009_15.05.09.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=June 24, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711002355/http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/4C1C7A762BC27980C12575B700525253/$FILE/Annexe%20L_2009_15.05.09.pdf |archivedate=July 11, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="SFI-Members">{{cite web |title=Members |url=http://sfifoundation.com/members/ |publisher=SFI Foundation, Inc. |accessdate=November 8, 2016}}</ref> SFI and FIA standards are used by other organizations outside their jurisdiction, such as the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS).<ref name="Cams-KartSuits-2014" /><ref name="Cams-Apparel-2014"/>
Both SFI and the FIA use the Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) test to measure the effectiveness of fire-retardant clothing.<ref name="ESPN-UniformStandards"/><ref name="OverallOverhaul"/> This test, created by DuPont in the 1970s, measures the amount of time in seconds before the wearer of a garment suffers second degree burns. For example, a garment that lasts three seconds before second degree burns occur receives a TPP value of 6. Under SFI standards, this would receive a rating of 3.2A/1, the lowest possible SFI rating.<ref name="Impact-Suit-Tech"/><ref name="SFI-DriverSuitSpecs-2013" /><ref name="DragZine-InCaseOfFire"/><ref name="OverallOverhaul" /><ref name="NHRA-FightingFires"/><ref name="SFI-DriverSuits"/>
===Non-fire retardant suits=== {{further|Motorcycle leathers}} Suits in several other classes of racing are similar in appearance to fire suits, but are not designed to be fire resistant. Suits used for kart racing are not typically fire retardant, but rather are made to be abrasion resistant using leather, nylon or cordura.<ref name="Cams-KartSuits-2014">{{cite journal|title=Kart Suits vs Race Suits|journal=Scrutineers News|date=October 2014|issue=5|page=5|url=http://docs.cams.com.au/Corporate/Media%20Documents/Scrutineers%20News/ScrutineersNews_Issue05_2014_16-10-14.pdf#page=5|accessdate=February 1, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Cams-Apparel-2014">{{cite web |title=2014 CAMS Manual of Motor Sport: General Requirements for Cars and Drivers; Schedule D - Apparel |url=http://docs.cams.com.au/Manual/GeneralRequirements/GQ05-Schedule-D-2014-1.pdf |publisher=Confederation of Australian Motor Sport |accessdate=February 1, 2017 |date=January 1, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327062802/http://docs.cams.com.au/Manual/GeneralRequirements/GQ05-Schedule-D-2014-1.pdf|archivedate=March 27, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Suits used for motorcycle racing, called motorcycle leathers, are also designed to be abrasion resistant. They consist of leather or a similarly strong material, with nylon and spandex fabrics prohibited.<ref name="FIM-TrackRules-2014">{{cite web |title=Technical Rules for Track Racing (Including Rules for Motoball): 2014 |url=https://www.pzm.pl/pliki/zg/zuzel/2014/regulamin/2014_ccp_technical_rules__final.pdf |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme |accessdate=February 11, 2017 |date=2014}}</ref> Fire-resistant undergarments are optional to provide fire protection.<ref name="FIM-TrackRules-2014"/> The Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK) and FIA regulate specifications for karting suits.<ref name="Cams-KartSuits-2014" /><ref name="Cams-Apparel-2014"/> The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) regulates suits for numerous racing series such as MotoGP and the AMA Supercross Championship.<ref name="FIM-TrackRules-2014"/>
===Branding=== [[File:Brad Keselowski Denny Hamlin (cropped).jpg|thumb|NASCAR drivers Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, Denny Hamlin, and Brad Keselowski in their firesuits.]] Since the 1980s,<ref name="NASCAR-AboutFireSuits-2015"/><ref name="ESPN-UniformStandards" /><ref name="Skirts&Skuffs-FireSuit-Oct2015" /> racing suits have been customized to prominently feature the sponsors of drivers and teams, leading to designs similar to those of the race cars.<ref name="NASCAR-AboutFireSuits-2015"/><ref name="ESPN-UniformStandards" /><ref name="Skirts&Skuffs-FireSuit-Oct2015" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Papaserge |first1=Ryan |title=NASCAR: The 20 Most Ridiculous Fire Suits in History |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/728303-nascar-the-20-most-ridiculous-fire-suits-in-history |access-date=December 5, 2016 |work=Bleacher Report |date=June 9, 2011}}</ref> For fire suits, the material used to make the sponsor patches must also be fire proof, adding additional weight to the suit.<ref name="ESPN-UniformStandards" /><ref name="F1-Clothing"/> Many modern suits, however, use printed logos in order to reduce weight.<ref name="F1-Clothing"/>
==History== {{multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | image1 = F1 2011 Barcelona test - Vettel.jpg | image2 = US Navy 050813-N-0962S-262 Fuel spills from the gas tank as pit crew members rush to get the No. 14 Navy Accelerate Your Life Dodge Charger back on the track.jpg | width = 250 | footer = Formula One mechanics (top) and a NASCAR pit crew (bottom) perform pit stops in fire-retardant suits. | footer_align = left }} Prior to the advent of fire-retardant racing suits, there were no mandated driving uniforms in most racing series.<ref name="NASCAR-AboutFireSuits-2015" /><ref name="Jalopnik-FireWFire-2016" /><ref name="Autoweek-WhatWeWoreThen">{{cite news |last1=McCluggage |first1=Denise |title=What We Wore Then |url=http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/what-we-wore-then |accessdate=November 8, 2016 |magazine=Autoweek |date=July 10, 2008}}</ref><ref name="OverallOverhaul"/> In NASCAR competition, for example, many drivers and crew members would wear jeans and other typical street clothes.<ref name="NASCAR-AboutFireSuits-2015" /><ref name="Jalopnik-FireWFire-2016" /><ref name="PressDem-200mph-TomatoCan"/><ref name="NASCAR-DressingThePart"/> American firm Hinchman had manufactured specialized racing suits since the mid-1920s, worn by drivers Babe Stapp and Pete DePaolo.<ref name="OverallOverhaul" /><ref name="Hinchman-About">{{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.hinchmanracewear.com/about/ |publisher=Hinchman Racing Uniforms |accessdate=February 11, 2017}}</ref> In the 1950s, NASCAR Grand National (NASCAR Cup Series) driver Tim Flock began wearing a specialized racing suit, which became popular in the 1960s. At this time, the suits were designed with an inner liner meant to keep drivers cool.<ref name="NASCAR-AboutFireSuits-2015" /><ref name="Jalopnik-FireWFire-2016" /> Soon afterwards, in several series racing suits or any driver clothing used in competition were soaked in chemical solutions to make them fire-retardant long enough for a driver to escape an incident. In NASCAR, a baking soda solution was typically used, while the SCCA mandated racing suits treated in boric acid or borax.<ref name="NASCAR-AboutFireSuits-2015" /><ref name="Jalopnik-FireWFire-2016" /><ref name="Autoweek-WhatWeWoreThen"/><ref name="PressDem-200mph-TomatoCan">{{cite news |last1=Padecky |first1=Bob |title=PADECKY: Going 200 mph in a tomato can |url=http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/2316872-181/padecky-going-200-mph-in?gallery=2354390&artslide=0 |accessdate=November 8, 2016 |newspaper=The Press Democrat |date=June 21, 2012|location=San Francisco}}</ref><ref name="NASCAR-DressingThePart"/><ref name="Parks2011">{{cite book|author=Lew; Jeff; Carla; Chad Parks |title=Win from the Back: Memoirs of a Racecar Mechanic |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AH4zncMFA8QC&pg=PA266 |accessdate=November 8, 2016 |date=November 8, 2011 |publisher=AuthorHouse|isbn=978-1-4634-5249-0}}</ref> Boraxo, a brand of powdered soap largely composed of borax, was often used as treatment.<ref name="CrashCourse">{{cite journal |last1=Miller |first1=Robin |title=Crash Course: When NASCAR Blamed Bill Simpson, auto racing's foremost safety pioneer, for the death of driving great Dale Earnhardt, the Indianapolis business owner bumped back|journal=Indianapolis Monthly |date=August 2002|pages=48–56 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7OkCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48 |accessdate=February 11, 2017|issn=0899-0328}}</ref><ref name="OrlandoSent-Fireball">{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Roger |title='Fireball' -- Racing Star's Death Spurred Changes |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2001/05/28/fireball-racing-stars-death-spurred-changes/ |access-date=February 11, 2017 |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=May 28, 2001|location=Daytona Beach, Florida}}</ref>
The catalyst for developing racing suits that could effectively resist fire came in the late 1950s and 1960s, when several fiery crashes occurred in the motorsport world. In 1959, Jerry Unser died from burns suffered in a crash practicing for the Indianapolis 500.<ref name="ESPN-DeathsInF1">{{cite news |last1=Williamson |first1=Martin |title=Deaths in Formula One |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/story/3838.html |accessdate=December 5, 2016 |website=ESPN.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407012625/http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/story/3838.html |archive-date=April 7, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Motorsport-Indy500Timeline">{{cite news |author1=Indianapolis Motor Speedway |title=IRL: Indianapolis Motor Speedway safety innovations |url=http://www.motorsport.com/automotive/news/irl-indianapolis-motor-speedway-safety-innovations/ |accessdate=December 5, 2016 |website=Motorsport.com |date=May 3, 2002 |author1-link=Indianapolis Motor Speedway |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615004656/https://www.motorsport.com/automotive/news/irl-indianapolis-motor-speedway-safety-innovations/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1963, NHRA Top Fuel driver and Division 7 Tech Director Chuck Branham died after suffering burns in a crash.<ref name="ChiTribune-IndySafety-May1993" /><ref name="NHRA-FightingFires">{{cite news |last1=Burgess |first1=Phil |title=Fighting Fires |url=http://nhra.com/blog/dragster-insider/2012/06/12/fighting-fires/ |accessdate=November 13, 2016 |work=Dragster Insider |date=June 12, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218154403/http://nhra.com/blog/dragster-insider/2012/06/12/fighting-fires|archivedate=February 18, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> During NASCAR's 1964 World 600 (today's Coca-Cola 600), Fireball Roberts was involved in a crash on lap seven while avoiding two other cars, dying five weeks later. Roberts had asthmatic reactions to the clothing treatment used by NASCAR, and had received a waver against using it.<ref name="NASCAR-AboutFireSuits-2015" /><ref name="Jalopnik-FireWFire-2016" /><ref name="NASCAR-DressingThePart">{{cite web |url=http://www.nascar.com/news/121009/ups-game-changer-uniforms/index.html |title=Dressing the part |last=Houston |first=Rick |work=NASCAR |date=October 9, 2012 |accessdate=October 25, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011234900/http://www.nascar.com/news/121009/ups-game-changer-uniforms/index.html|archivedate=October 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="LATimes-WhatPriceSafety">{{cite news|author1=Hinton, Ed |title=What Price Safety? Deaths in Auto Racing Appear to Be Preventable With New Features, but NASCAR Seems Unwilling to Change Its Attitude |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-feb-11-sp-24177-story.html |access-date=November 8, 2016 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=February 11, 2001|author1-link=Ed Hinton (sportswriter)}}</ref><ref name="RajtarRajtar2014">{{cite book|first1=Steve|last1=Rajtar|first2=Gayle |last2=Rajtar |title=Gone Pro: Florida: Gator Athletes Who Became Pros |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gCNUCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA356 |accessdate=November 8, 2016 |date=September 9, 2014 |publisher=Clerisy Press|isbn=978-1-57860-542-2|page=356}}</ref> One week later during the 1964 Indianapolis 500, drivers Dave MacDonald and Eddie Sachs were killed in a seven-car crash on the second lap of the race.<ref name="LATimes-WhatPriceSafety"/><ref name="8WPart2">{{cite news |url=http://8w.forix.com/indy64-before.html |title=The Indy 1964 second-lap disaster – Closing in on the truth; Part 2: Before May 30, 1964 |publisher=8W |first=Henri |last=Greuter |date=December 8, 2011 |accessdate=March 14, 2014}}</ref><ref name="NASCAR-Safety-Feb2011"/><ref name="OrlandoSent-Fireball" />
Following the incidents, Jim Deist and Bill Simpson, who developed some of the first drag parachutes, released the first racing suits designed to be fire-retardant. Both suits were "aluminized" in order to be flame resistant. Simpson's suit consisted of a modified cotton boilersuit.<ref name="Jalopnik-FireWFire-2016"/><ref name="ChiTribune-IndySafety-May1993" /><ref name="MotorSportMag-Nomex"/><ref name="NHRA-FightingFires"/><ref name="Simpson-Past-Present"/> In 1959 after the death of Unser, all Indy 500 competitors were required to wear fire-retardant clothing.<ref name="ESPN-DeathsInF1"/><ref name="Motorsport-Indy500Timeline"/><ref name="OverallOverhaul">{{cite journal |title=Overall Overhaul|journal=Institute Quarterly |date=January 10, 2012|issue=3|pages=67–71 |url=http://www.stand21.ch/pages/0/iq.pdf <!--https://web.archive.org/web/20130328025634/http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2012/1/12917.html--> |accessdate=February 11, 2017|publisher=FIA Institute}}</ref> In 1963, the FIA assumed responsibility for driver safety in its series, and mandated fire-retardant suits for Formula One drivers.<ref name="F1Safety-50s60s" /> In 1964, the NHRA mandated fire suits for its competitors.<ref name="NHRA-FightingFires"/> By the fall of that year after Roberts' crash, nearly all NASCAR competitors began wearing fire suits,<ref name="NASCAR-AboutFireSuits-2015" /> although no official rule was in place.<ref name="ESPN-UniformStandards"/>
In 1966, Simpson met NASA astronaut Pete Conrad, who introduced Simpson to the Nomex material used in spacesuits for the Apollo program.<ref name="ChiTribune-IndySafety-May1993" /><ref name="MotorSportMag-Nomex"/> Around the same time, DuPont also approached the Hinchman company about producing Nomex racing suits.<ref name="OverallOverhaul" /><ref name="Hinchman-About"/> In that year's Indianapolis 500, driver Mel Kenyon wore a Nomex fire suit produced by Hinchman.<ref name="OverallOverhaul" /> Later that year, several drivers began testing experimental Nomex suits for Simpson, including F1 drivers Walt Hansgen and Masten Gregory, NASCAR driver Marvin Panch, and SCCA Trans-Am Series driver Bob Tullius.<ref name="NASCAR-Safety-Feb2011">{{cite news |last1=Aumann |first1=Mark |title=SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, CHANGES DEFINE RACING ERAS |url=http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2011/02/16/nascar-safety-history.html |accessdate=November 9, 2016 |website=NASCAR.com |date=February 16, 2011}}</ref> Simpson's company Simpson Performance Products released the first commercial Nomex racing suit, called the "Heat Shield Firesuit", in 1967. The suits were worn by 30 of 33 competitors in the 1967 Indianapolis 500.<ref name="Jalopnik-FireWFire-2016"/><ref name="MotorSportMag-Nomex"/><ref name="Simpson-Past-Present">{{cite web |title=Simpson Past & Present |url=https://simpsonraceproducts.com/simpson-past-present#1968 |publisher=Simpson Performance Products |access-date=April 1, 2018 |archive-date=March 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318225258/https://simpsonraceproducts.com/simpson-past-present#1968 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:ShannonSpake2009Milwaukee.jpg|thumb|upright|ESPN reporter Shannon Spake wearing a fire suit in 2009 ]] By 1970, the NHRA along with SEMA began developing specifications for fire suits, using the Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) standard developed by DuPont. These specifications are now used by SFI.<ref name="NHRA-FightingFires"/> During the 1970s, racewear manufacturer Stand 21 partnered with Leconte, French producer of firemen's suits to create single-layer racing uniforms.<ref name="OverallOverhaul" /> Actor Steve McQueen was believed to have worn asbestos suits when performing stunts for films, which may have contributed to his contraction of mesothelioma.<ref name=dneir>{{cite book|last=McQueen Toffel|first=Neile|title=My Husband, My Friend|publisher=Penguin Group|year=1986|page=[https://archive.org/details/myhusbandmyfrien00toff/page/4 4]|isbn=978-0-451-14735-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/myhusbandmyfrien00toff/page/4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/mcqueenuntoldsto0000spie |url-access=registration |quote=JULIA ann. |title=McQueen: The Untold Story of a Bad Boy in Hollywood - Penina Spiegel|publisher=Berkley Books |via=Internet Archive |accessdate=January 15, 2012|isbn=9780425104866 |last1=Spiegel |first1=Penina|year=1987}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Sandford |first= Christopher |title= McQueen: The Biography |publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing |location=New York |year=2003 |pages=42, 126, 213, 324, 391, 410}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rong |first1=Blake Z. |title=Why Steve McQueen canceled a $3 million life insurance policy |url=http://autoweek.com/article/car-life/why-steve-mcqueen-canceled-3-million-life-insurance-policy |accessdate=February 11, 2017 |magazine=Autoweek |date=April 24, 2014}}</ref> In 1975, the FIA introduced its current standard for fire-retardant suits.<ref name="F1-Clothing" /><ref name="F1Safety-70s80s" /><ref name="OverallOverhaul" /> At this time, DuPont created a new Nomex blend using Kevlar to prevent tearing and increase the longevity of suits.<ref name="MotorSportMag-Nomex" /> In 1979, several F1 drivers including Niki Lauda, Mario Andretti, and Carlos Reutemann began competing in bulky five-layer suits constructed to NASA specifications.<ref name="F1-Clothing" /><ref name="F1Safety-70s80s" /><ref name="OverallOverhaul" />
In the mid-1980s, companies began designing fire suits to prominently display team sponsors.<ref name="NASCAR-AboutFireSuits-2015"/><ref name="ESPN-UniformStandards"/><ref name="Skirts&Skuffs-FireSuit-Oct2015" /> In 1986, the FIA introduced new specifications for fire suits, known as "FIA 1986" certification.<ref name="OverallOverhaul" /> At the 1989 Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 NASCAR event, ESPN/ABC broadcaster Dr. Jerry Punch was reporting from the pit stall of Richard Petty when a fire broke out, injuring two crew members who Punch proceeded to treat on the spot. Following the incident, in which several items of Punch's clothing were singed or melted, ESPN mandated that its pit reporters wear fire-retardant suits. Other networks have since adopted the practice.<ref name="ESPN-UniformStandards"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Andy |title=Punch's near miss led to safety gear for ESPN's NASCAR pit reporters |url=http://www.espnfrontrow.com/2012/04/punchs-near-miss-led-to-safety-gear-for-espns-nascar-pit-reporters/ |accessdate=November 8, 2016 |website=ESPN Front Row |date=April 10, 2012}}</ref>
In 1994, the FIA mandated fire suits for F1 pit crew members, coinciding with refueling being allowed (until 2009) during pit stops.<ref name="F1Safety-1990s">{{cite web |title=History of F1: 1990s |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/inside-f1/safety/history-of-F1-safety/1990s.html |publisher=Formula One |accessdate=November 13, 2016 |archive-date=December 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224213737/https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/inside-f1/safety/history-of-F1-safety/1990s.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> By this time, crews in IndyCar were also required to wear fire suits.<ref name="OrlandoSent-NASCARBehindSafety"/> In 2002, NASCAR officially mandated fire suits for both drivers and crew members servicing the car during pit stops. This was in response to non-fire-related incidents in the previous season, including the death of Dale Earnhardt at the beginning of 2001, and a pit road accident at the Pennzoil Freedom 400 near the end of the season. NASCAR was one of the last major sanctioning bodies to mandate fire suits for crew members.<ref name="ESPN-UniformStandards">{{cite news |last1=Siska |first1=Ellen |title=Uniform standards aim to protect drivers, crewmembers |url=http://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?id=2904167&series=2 |accessdate=November 13, 2016 |website=ESPN.com |date=April 5, 2008}}</ref><ref name="OrlandoSent-NASCARBehindSafety">{{cite news |last1=Berry |first1=Steve |title=Nascar Is Behind In Safety: Compared With Indycar And Formula One, Stock-car Racing Is Not A Leader In Safety Or Research |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1994/10/02/nascar-is-behind-in-safety/ |access-date=November 9, 2016 |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=October 2, 1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Hinton, Ed |title=Pit-crew Safety A High Priority: Nascar Said It Is Considering Requiring Helmets And Fire-retardant Uniforms |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2001/11/17/pit-crew-safety-a-high-priority/ |access-date=November 9, 2016 |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=November 17, 2001|author1-link=Ed Hinton (sportswriter)}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pockrass |first1=Bob |title=Not wearing gloves draws potential fine from NASCAR |url=http://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/17457085/nascar-ryan-blaney-get-slap-bare-wrist |accessdate=December 5, 2016 |website=ESPN.com |date=September 3, 2016|location=Darlington, South Carolina}}</ref>
===In other media=== {{see also|List of auto racing films}}
The members of the Red Star crew in the 2000 film ''Charlie's Angels'' wore black Momo Corse Torino firesuits.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/red-star-momo-corse-racing-firesuit-127394429|title=RED STAR MOMO CORSE RACING FIRESUIT CHARLIE'S ANGELS|last= |first= |date= |website=Worthpoint|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}</ref> The racing suits in ''Charlie's Angels'' were designed by Joseph G. Aulisi.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://booksofjobe.com/2014/05/28/a-boj-field-tripresearch-project/|title=A BoJ Field Trip/Research Project|last=Jobe|first=Kenneth|date=May 28, 2014|website=BooksofJobe.com|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}</ref>
==List of racing suit manufacturers== {{col-begin|width=40%}}{{col-break}} *Adidas *Alpinestars *Stand 21 *FervoGear *Impact! Racing *Dainese *Oakley, Inc. *Moto Speeds {{col-break|}} *OMP Racing *Puma SE *Sabelt *Simpson Performance Products *Sparco *K1 RaceGear *Racechick {{col-end}}
==See also== *Safety in NASCAR *Racing helmet
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{commons category-inline|Racing suits}} {{clear}}
Category:Suits (clothing) Category:Auto racing equipment Category:Safety clothing Category:Fire protective clothing Category:Safety in auto racing