Gloves and boots are a testament to this.
Cheap race gear drivers#
While lighter, more breathable overalls might cost more, they could prove a crucial investment in the middle of a two-hour stint.Ī common misconception from would-be drivers is that buying the most expensive item means it will naturally be the best, which is not always the case. T's also important to consider the car being raced and format of the event when making these decisions, as endurance races - especially in hotter conditions - will have different requirements from the short, sharp burst of a hillclimb. It's not only helmets that Cheshire insists customers should try before buying, as wearing a piece of equipment can give drivers a vital understanding of how comfortable - or not - any prospective purchase is and allow them to weigh up the merits of spending more.
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"I know that sounds an odd thing to say - you'd say a helmet is a helmet - but until you have tried on the various helmet brands and the different sizes, you can't really tell what it's going to be like."
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"It's really important to see what fits best because the different helmets really fit people differently," says Cheshire. Regardless of which helmet you choose, it's imperative that your first step should be to try on a selection. The FIA 8859-standard helmets vary between lighter carbonfibre and composite helmets, which are heavier, but will still have passed multiple safety tests, with some models also homologated to the Snell SA2015 standard. Made primarily from carbon, they are lighter and stronger than entry-level helmets but cost far more - in excess of £1500. There are two different specifications of FIA approved helmets, 88, with the latter - updated last year - intended predominantly for drivers looking to take part in international racing or FIA-accredited championships. "In terms of prioritising what you would spend your budget on, you've only got one head and it's the most important part of your body, so we would suggest that you focus the budget on protecting your head as a priority." "Where is best to spend the money? Is it best to spend it on a new paint job on your car or is it best to spend it on a helmet that might just save your life? "Motorsport is a significant investment whichever way you look at it, so why would you not do your research? Why would you not come and talk to people?" he says. Providing you're doing that, then it comes down to adjusting your product range to your budget and working it through from there."īefore parting with your money, Cheshire advises doing extensive research and speaking directly to experts in-store to ensure the equipment is right for you. "If you're buying it from a reputable source and it is an FIA standard approved for motorsport, then that standard will protect in the requirements needed to go racing. "Everything adheres to the FIA safety standards - that's the important thing to understand," explains Cheshire.
![cheap race gear cheap race gear](https://flowracers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img-16.jpg)
With over 25 years' experience in the industry, Cheshire is well placed to offer expert advice on the key things to consider when buying safety equipment. In 2019 Anthony Cheshire, founder of trackday and car preparation specialist FF Corse, acquired Grand Prix Racewear, which supplies motorsport equipment from its base at Silverstone. All must have been certified by the FIA, motorsport's governing body, having been put through rigorous safety tests and met specific criteria, whether it be an impact test for a crash helmet or how fire retardant a set of overalls are. National governing body Motorsport UK dictates that all drivers competing in one of its sanctioned events must have an approved helmet, frontal head restraint (FHR), overalls, underwear, boots and gloves. So what does an enthusiastic amateur starting out need to go club racing, and how do you make sure you get the best equipment for your budget?
Cheap race gear plus#
With various top-name brands on the market such as Alpinestars, OMP and Sparco, plus helmet manufacturers including Bell, Schuberth and Arai offering a plethora of items at a range of prices, it can be difficult to know exactly what you need. But before you do there remains one daunting, but necessary, final hurdle - buy your racing equipment.
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You've passed your ARDS test, got your new machine ready for your first race and, after months of waiting, you're almost ready to hit the track.