Where can I buy cheap / second hand race suits?

Sodemo · 21 Jul 2003, 10:52 (Ref:666940)

Does anyone know where I can buy a cheap or second hand race suit just for basic karting use.

I used to visit the Grand Prix Racewear shop in south west London now and again, but now ive moved back to Bham so cannot visit anymore. They used to have second hand race suits (I think) with sponsers on etc.

Does anyone know where I can buy one from?

Cheers.

Ben.

JR Ewing · 21 Jul 2003, 11:03 (Ref:666953)

Do you want a karting suit or a racesuit.

Karting = scuffproof
Racing = fireproof

Sodemo · 21 Jul 2003, 11:47 (Ref:666999)

Fireproof please!

woodyracing · 21 Jul 2003, 12:25 (Ref:667049)

Demon Tweeks used to sell used racesuits, not sure if they still do.

simon drabble · 21 Jul 2003, 12:45 (Ref:667068)

Dont know what you want it for but FIA label expires at the end of this season. So if you are looking to compete you will need to find one that is under a year old so it has the new label on it.

Sodemo · 21 Jul 2003, 20:50 (Ref:667627)

Quote:

Originally posted by simon drabble
Dont know what you want it for but FIA label expires at the end of this season. So if you are looking to compete you will need to find one that is under a year old so it has the new label on it.

What does this mean? You have to buy a new suit each year?

I have Sparco nomex racing gloves from 2000, are they "out of use"?

simon drabble · 22 Jul 2003, 06:41 (Ref:667955)

look in the Blue book for the expiry dates, gloves are not covered nor are boots and underwear but suits and helmets have a code which has a shelf life. The end of this year sees a lot of suits become redundant

**Peter Mallett** · 22 Jul 2003, 06:45 (Ref:667958)

Its about once every five years TM. The good news is that the cost af a race suit seems to have been pegged at 2000 prices. Even helmets are getting cheaper.

zefarelly · 22 Jul 2003, 08:11 (Ref:668017)

good timing for me then as all my stuffs on this years xmas list! Demon tweaks are based in Brum arent they, so cant be too hard to nip over there, maybe even get a bargain on ex display stuff?

**Peter Mallett** · 22 Jul 2003, 08:20 (Ref:668026)

DT are in Wrexham

zefarelly · 22 Jul 2003, 08:30 (Ref:668034)

ahh . . . .close ! well, relative to Sussex anyway, its seems the same distance on the phone!

midgetman · 22 Jul 2003, 08:48 (Ref:668042)

Chinese whispers strike again!

Don't panic! The FIA suits do NOT expire this year even at International level. (Blue Book Q 9.1)

Norme 1986 (the old standard) has been replaced with 8856-2000 for International use. However, the MSA has no plans to ban Norme 1986 "for the foreseeable future, and even if we did there would be a 3-year lead in". (Source: MSA technical department)

For racing only, non-FIA suits will be banned from 1/1/2005 (i.e. Proban, 1-layer Nomex etc) but both Norme 1986 and 8856-2000 will be acceptable. Proban still OK for speed events, rallies etc.

Hope that clears up any misconceptions.

**Peter Mallett** · 22 Jul 2003, 08:50 (Ref:668045)

Thanks for that. I'm about two thousand miles from my blue book. Curiously enough that's about the same distance by phone from Demon Tweeks! Spooky!

**Peter Mallett** · 22 Jul 2003, 08:51 (Ref:668047)

Quote:

Originally posted by zefarelly
ahh . . . .close ! well, relative to Sussex anyway, its seems the same distance on the phone!

What about that outfit at Brands Hatch?

josvandeperre · 22 Jul 2003, 08:54 (Ref:668049)

Secondhand suits are sometimes on Ebay

simon drabble · 22 Jul 2003, 09:08 (Ref:668066)

are you sure about that Midgetman? I was under the impression that I had to replace my racesuit at the end of this year to comply with International FIA rules, Grand Prix racewear told me that but then they are in the business of selling them ..!! Actually that is not fair as I have always found them and Demon Tweeks extremely helpful

JR Ewing · 22 Jul 2003, 09:18 (Ref:668071)

It's a bit like the LED rainlight idea that went round last year - utter boll*cks!

**Peter Mallett** · 22 Jul 2003, 09:25 (Ref:668080)

Quote:

Originally posted by JR Ewing
It's a bit like the LED rainlight idea that went round last year - utter boll*cks!

Hmm,

Bit too much coffee this morning JR?

midgetman · 22 Jul 2003, 12:29 (Ref:668231)

Yes Simon, totally sure. I'm in the industry myself as manufacturer/retailer.

www.fia.com has the regs: "End of validity of FIA Norme 1986 is 31/12/2004" Importantly, gloves and shoes are only homologated to FIA1986 and they are exempt from this date, so the chap with the gloves needn't worry.

So you've got a year and a bit at International level, plus at least 3 years at National/Club level with an "old" FIA suit - although if it's like mine, it'll need replacing before then anyway.

They don't have a shelf life, although homologation has to be renewed by the manufacturer - that's a different point.

Like I said, Chinese whispers. I'm not in it to promote my company - it's not one of the "majors" listed above - I just hate seeing people ripped off by others who pretend to know better.

HTH

**Peter Mallett** · 22 Jul 2003, 12:30 (Ref:668232)

BTW. Welcome to the forum Midgetman.

midgetman · 22 Jul 2003, 12:32 (Ref:668235)

Cheers Peter - got a link from an MG forum hence the "Midget" moniker.

simon drabble · 22 Jul 2003, 12:38 (Ref:668242)

I stand corrected! Thanks for the clarification does your shop have a website and discounts for 10/10thers??!!?
As an aside I was a bit peeved to have to replace some gloves (1 year old) last week as the stitching between the leather and the nonex had come undone on a finger. This is the third pair of gloves in 4 years!

**Peter Mallett** · 22 Jul 2003, 12:38 (Ref:668243)

'Car' or 'Owner's' Club?

**Peter Mallett** · 22 Jul 2003, 12:40 (Ref:668248)

Quote:

Originally posted by simon drabble
.......As an aside I was a bit peeved to have to replace some gloves (1 year old) last week as the stitching between the leather and the nonex had come undone on a finger. This is the third pair of gloves in 4 years!

For me its about five races! I think the quality is dropping dramatically.

Ntrprise · 22 Jul 2003, 12:50 (Ref:668262)

I purchased a load of Nomex long shorts and long sleeved vests from the Arrows F1 auction last month. I've got some on e-bay to see what they are worth. Any offers?

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