Vests and Protective Clothing

[Mike_G]

I have another questions about racing equipment

Racing Vests

rule 205.06

.... "The vest shall be at least 70% orange or yellow, have lifting straps at the front or on the shoulders and have impact protection material covering the back...."

What kind of impact protection material should it be??
I'm trying to find something on polish market and don't know what to looking for??

Protective Clothing

205.13

"All crew members whilst racing must wear suitable protective clothing that covers the torso and all limbs to the wrists and ankles.

Protective clothing used must be durable enough to provide bodily protection and it is recommended to be fire retardant"

I know that for my safety I should buy racing suit like Sparco or Alpinestars and I will do that in the future but if it is recommended to be fire retardant it don't need to be. My question is what other clothing I can wear while racing not be disqualified??
I know, I know those rules are for my protection but after rebuilding my boat I don't have much money now to buy some high-end protection and I would like to start in a race this year. Can you tell me what clothing I can buy to take part in one race not spending 200 pounds on suit?
Do I need some racing shoes?? Or can I use my own training shoes??

Thanks for help

[scottyboy]

As for the vests the Life jackets (grabner,hutchwilco etc etc) normally cover all that info and for the suits anything as cheap as mechanic's overalls are admitted i think? Shoes you can wear trainers if ya want aslong as they cover ya feet.

[Matt]

I've always thought the fire retardent bit was bollix. You're floating on a huge fire extinguisher.
Following the word of the law, you don't need a race suit at all.
Mechanics suits all look crap.
Kart suits represent reasonable value for money

[Mike_G]

Thanks

[TimB-C]

I always remember at scruitineering at Poole in the '80's being asked if the fire extinguisers worked.
I replied "no idea Ron if it is needed I'm gone, bugger being captain"

["Old beardy"]

Originally Posted by Matt

I've always thought the fire retardent bit was bollix.

I can see your point Matt but after witnessing Geoff Lococks Ring 18 turn into a fireball in the OCR race at Weymouth in 1991, I think Geoff would certainly disagree!! It certainly saved him, he lost his eyebrows and the hairs off the back of his hands but that was all. Burning fuel takes a lot of putting out! They had to totally sink the boat to eventually extinguish it, by then all that was left was a keel, a transom and a totally sealed XR2 bolted to it. The cowl had melted to the extent that it was like shrink wrap all around the engine. Guts of the motor were fine.
I know it is probably the exception to the rule but I always wear mine and if I was strapped into a canopy boat I think I might even go for the nomex underwear to go with my suspenders and stockings!

[Pennpromo]

I have to say that I agree with Old Beardy. Many moons ago, must have been about 1981 when I raced with "Old" John Moore we burnt a Phantom 16 down to the waterline in Poole. We were going along there was a dirty great "WOOF" and we were surrounded by burning petrol, thank god for my Sparco Overalls. We think that the tank split, the trim pump sparked and up it all went. Pulled the kill switch and bundled John overboard pretty quickly, we had no time to do anything else. I would always recommend Nomex if you can possibly afford it. They tend to last really well if looked after too.