A bit random, but...

[kelvin88]

If the EVCup takes off, will the drivers still have to wear fireproof race gear?

[MGDavid]

sorry to appear a pedant but it isn't fireproof, only fire resistant - and only for about 50 seconds at that. Wouldn't want to encourage the perception of pulling on a race suit and feeling immortal

[midgetman]

Tch tch David, before you quote you really should PM me first.

Sorry to be ultra pedantic. The material is flame retardant, it doesn't support flame or melt and is self-extinguishing and doesn't char when heat removed but as you rightly say it isn't "fireproof".

The "50 seconds" you refer to is the heat transfer test, broadly speaking the time taken for the inside temperature to rise sufficiently to give 2nd degree burns, only it's quoted a lot more technically these days. And sorry to really, really disappoint you but the FIA standard is 12 seconds...........our own brand suits some years back passed the test at 25 seconds, but even that's well short of 50.

As for electric cars, well I reckon that FR suits would be a great idea given the heat built up in my little telephone battery when I use it! The risk of electric discharge is quite high, but so is the risk of overheating and bursting into flames. Some say that's what happened to Heidfeld's Renault in Hungary when the side blew out.

Alternatively, protect against shock and wear an all-rubber suit. Hmm, perhaps that's why Max Mosley championed the cause of EVs!

[Tim Falce]

To comment the original question, I would think 99% of car fires are caused by electrical problems so why wouldn't you need fireproof overalls?

[JohnD]

I recently served as a marshal at an electric vehicle event. We were given special antishock gloves and advice on handling the vehicles, and told that fire was just as much a risk, so don't forget to bring the extinguishers!

John