5 replies to this topic

[RJ-19]

I'm looking to get started in wheel to wheel racing next season (2013) and so to avoid the huge bill all in one year I've been getting a few things in advance that can be used now for HPDE and racing later. Picked up my helmet last year and and I'm going to get the rest of my safety gear this summer including a drivers suit. This is one area I don't want to skimp, but like all of us I do have a budget so spending $1500 to get a high end suit isn't realistic.

I came across a web site selling used driver and crew suits from NASCAR and the prices seemed really reasonable compared to buying something brand new. Some even were brand new and being sold for $300 simply because they changed sponsors. I'm not sure if I can post the company's name/link here but they had about 500 used suits for sale so I'm sure some of you know who I'm talking about. Other than the ego issue of having to wear someone else's name or a suit loaded with sponsors I could care less about, are there safety issues with doing this since they may have been used 40-50 times in a year? What questions should I be asking? Since some of them are only a year old I would think they can't be any worse than something used 4-5 years for club racing and they would have the latest technology at a fraction of the price.

So is this a deal for entry level racers who don't care what they look like, or simply a big mistake to even consider something like this from a safety stand point?

Ryan J

[Cy Peake]

My 3-layer Sparco was a closeout item at Saferacer that I snagged for $600 (down from $1300).

[Caveman-kwebb99]

I have purchases 3 used racing suits in the past off Ebay, all 3 were FIA suits and were in great shape, 2 of suits were used in Indy Car racing series, I payed roughly $250.00 each for those two, and still use one of them to this day. These suits are not the latest tech in body cooling and the suits, the suits are a bit hotter and a bit heavier than the new high end suits. Nothing the matter with a good used suit.

[Nsparks]

I have 3 suits from Ebay as well. They were crew suits (No name) so the knee's were a tiny bit scuffed but other than that great shape! They came from the Saleen ALMS team.

[davew]

I bought my suit new. But has been a used suit for the past 10 years !!!!!!

Just make sure it is either multilayer or you will need to purchase undies. I would do those new :->

dave

[RJ-19]

I was actually thinking of going with a good quality multi-layer suit and some NEW undies. From what I've read, having both essentially adds another air gap and gives you a few more seconds if you were ever to unfortunate enough to need it. I was also warned to avoid the used ones with the "rookie stripes" in them so I agree with your advice. ;-)

Thanks for everyone's input.

Ryan J