Track Night Etiquette

Is wearing an inexpensive Fire Suit too "Boy Racer" for Track Night?

Gloves , Shoes and a Helmet make sense.

In the motorcycle world, it is All the Gear, All the Time

However ..........................

Thanks

As long as your wearing it for safety reasons and not vanity, I say have at it.

I don't think anyone will even notice.

I wear full gear almost every time I go on track in any capacity. When I autocross in a street car, I don't wear a suit but still wear my Hybrid.

I figure I've got the stuff and I'm on track a lot--might as well increase my odds as much as possible. 

Cars don't know it's not a race.  They catch on fire just fine while at a track day.

I have had my car and my buddies car both catch on fire during track days.  

In other words, wear it.  If you have it, there is almost no reason not too.

Imagine criticizing anyone ever for being safe on a racetrack.  That's the most backwards logic ever.  The tnia at pocono tuesday a car caught fire to the point the crews used two extinguishers on it.  Someone ever gives you crap, say you value your life more than their opinion.

No one will care, and if you got the gear, might as well use it.

Also depends on your car. Nearly new, nearly stock daily driver with all the latest modern OEM safety equipment? You probably don't need much. Caged and gutted track rat with a custom components? Better safe than sorry.

maschinenbau said:

Also depends on your car. Nearly new, nearly stock daily driver with all the latest modern OEM safety equipment? You probably don't need much. Caged and gutted track rat with a custom components? Better safe than sorry.

This is the deciding factor for me.

Yeah chances are nobody will bat an eye, especially if it's a caged car. Try that at an autocross on the other hand, and you'll get some looks

In reply to GameboyRMH :

Mind your own biscuits and life will be gravy

I'm reasonably certain you're asking because you plan to attend the track night in America on the 28th at Charlotte. You will not be the only person in a fire suit there as I will be wearing mine as well. I have had second degree burns on my balls twice and refuse to get a third time. I have the fire suit I have the fire shoes I'm going to wear them.

Thanks

Suit is a relatively late left over from my days at the track with NASCAB.

Appreciate the follow up

frenchyd said:

The reason for track night is to attack newbies.  

lol 

attack sounds kind of like attract

In reply to GameboyRMH :

I corrected it several times as It spell checked me back to attacked.   
  While my fat fingers often do get things wrong.  Spell check is my own personal Heii 

I'm also signed up for the track day on the 28th. It'll be my first time, and I promise I won't think poorly of either of you for your fashion decisions :)

In reply to AMiataCalledSteve : if you are coming solo, you're welcome to pit next to me as I will be coming pretty well equipped to deal with most things. Been a long time since I've been to a track day, so I'm not the guy to educate you on track days, but I can help otherwise. And it'd be nice to hang out with a fellow Grassroots Motorsports guy. I'll be in the V6 Miata Towing it with my black Silverado on Billet Centerline Wheels. Racing computers the same offer goes for you. I'll even make sure to throw extra sandwich fixings in the cooler for y'all

If I remember right, it was the Charlotte corvette club that all signed up for the track night at VIR I went to, about 40 of them. Felt great to get a point by from a couple in the miata. If you jump out in full gear they'll probably be mumbling to themselves about who the professional driver is.

As long as I can get my car and truck fixed in time, I'll keep a lookout for you when I get there! I'll have a white Miata with red stripes and a stupidly tall roll bar lol

frenchyd said:

I'm just playing the devils advocate here.  The reason for track night is to attack newbies.  If they show up and feel underprepared most  simply  won't come back. 
      I suspect if it's just a few  guys wearing fire suits etc driving track rats. They won't feel ostracized and keep coming.  Hopefully join SCCA and then really get addicted. 

I remember my first track day...it wasnt that long ago. I was already anxious when I got there and then I saw a few dudes in firesuits and thought, "ok"

Just kidding, I thought nothing of it. Focus was, and is, on the track and being safe. 

Get your suit, go have fun. 

Thanks for the kind offer

We will also have an extra samwich.

When we were NASCAB racing we didn't run the well but we had great food sponsors, Swans, Mrs Smith's Pies, Little Debbie, Busch Baked Beans , Bubba Burgers and Johnsonville

Good food was always a plus

Thanks

I was at an instructors meeting at a charity event/track day.  One of the attendees had a fast Italian exotic with a matching outfit.  The lead instructor told us that there were a fair number of newbies there with expensive hardware - and specifically mentioned the guy with the matching suit as someone we needed to help protect from himself.  His wife was sitting in the back of the room and they were really insulted.

Aside from wearing a yellow Lamborghini firesuit I don't think you'll raise any eyebrows.

BTW, the aforementioned guy turned out to be an experienced track driver.

Wait, I wear my yellow Lamborghini track suit to shop at WalMart all the time...is this wrong??

In all seriousness I'm following this topic with great interest.  I've just had the Mustang gone through with the express purpose to get it into a track day before year end.  I had been wondering about the suit vs. no suit question myself.

My first track day was in the last century but the etiquette I remember was newbies not giving timely wave by signals and going off road at corner exits kicking all sort of mud and dirt on the track.