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      08-18-2007, 12:40 PM   #1
panzer948
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Newbie ? concerning track attire

Hi, have my first track event in Mid-Sept at VIR with BMWCCA - with my first BMW. After reviewing the posts here, I think I have some ideas on where to look for a helmet and what type. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg for my first event. Will buy a better model after I see how much of this I may start to do per year.

Just a couple of questions about what people wear at these events:
Recommends Nomex driving shoes, but that non-skid soled shoes are okay - are these like your typical tennis shoes (sneakers)? I'm not much into shoes so forgive me if this is a dumb question.

Also, they say to wear long sleeved shirts and pants (natural, not synthetic fibers). Are jeans with maybe a long sleeved t-shirt material the typical attire worn by the drivers?

Thanks,
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      08-18-2007, 12:48 PM   #2
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If you are just starting out...just wear jeans, long sleeve cotton t-shirt, and sneakers. Dont spend money on expensive shoes. Dont wear lycra or anything like it...in a fire it will melt onto you. The first thing you should buy if you think you are gonna do this a bunch is some decent driving gloves...because your hands will sweat on the summer drives..and on colder days when you have to have your windows open..and your hands get cold.

Another suggestion, put a fabric softener sheet or two in your helmet after using it at an event..it helps freshen up the helmet and mask some of the odors that can accumulate.

Have fun.
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      08-18-2007, 01:02 PM   #3
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Thanks, sounds like good advice. I just found a local racing supply store in my area and will check it out over the next week. Gloves sound like a good idea cause my hands sweat when driving it on the street!
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      08-18-2007, 01:05 PM   #4
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Any suggestions on gloves?
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      08-18-2007, 05:06 PM   #5
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I have had Sparco (blue) and Momo(red) gloves...make sure to try them on..dont just buy them via the web. They usually run a bit small. I am sportin Momo gloves right this second. BTW, I also have a set of mechanix gloves for when I am working on the car at the track..and only use the driving gloves when I actually driving
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      08-19-2007, 05:42 AM   #6
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Sparco Speeds are pretty comfy and decently priced. I would take S4's recommendation and go to your local track safety shop and try them all on. If you want to upgrade later, they have pretty nifty outside seam gloves, Stand21 Outside Seam being the most comfortable.

I just wear my Puma Speedcats for DEs, the low profile sole helps with pedal feel, but not required at all.

Some people like to wear a balaclava, so they can have clean contact each time they wear their helmets. I actually might get one soon.
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      08-19-2007, 10:53 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by panzer948 View Post
Hi, have my first track event in Mid-Sept at VIR with BMWCCA - with my first BMW. After reviewing the posts here, I think I have some ideas on where to look for a helmet and what type. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg for my first event. Will buy a better model after I see how much of this I may start to do per year.

Just a couple of questions about what people wear at these events:
Recommends Nomex driving shoes, but that non-skid soled shoes are okay - are these like your typical tennis shoes (sneakers)? I'm not much into shoes so forgive me if this is a dumb question.

Also, they say to wear long sleeved shirts and pants (natural, not synthetic fibers). Are jeans with maybe a long sleeved t-shirt material the typical attire worn by the drivers?

Thanks,
I've did a couple of HPDEs this year at Road Atlanta with the BMWCCA. Most people wore jeans, tennis shoes (generic term), and short sleeve shirts. The club recommends long sleeves, but doesn't completely require them, and given the heat, most opted out. I just threw a long sleeve shirt in the car just in case they insisted. One thing I thought was kind of odd is that quite a few drivers wore shorts, then put pajama bottoms on over them when it came time to drive. I guess they were in technical compliance with the rules...

I'm not recommending any of the above, just wanted to lend my observations so you might know what to expect. Good luck! It's awesome.
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      08-19-2007, 09:23 PM   #8
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Did they sleep in their cars too? I thought MC Hammer pants were out of style now..boy, was I wrong.
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      08-19-2007, 10:01 PM   #9
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I need to find my shorts with lower half extensions with zippers for hot DE days...in case they waive the long requirement.
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      08-20-2007, 02:11 PM   #10
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I prefer long pants around the paddock no matter the temperature. It helps when I need to lie on the ground to fix something, or kneel down to look at a tire, or whatever else is required. With shorts you can get scratched up, sunburned, burned by the heat of the ground in the paddock (on hot days where track surface temps can be 120-130), etc.
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      08-20-2007, 09:48 PM   #11
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I carry an old blanket in trunk...also makes a handy picnic blanket (once you get passed the oil smudges

I did not use gloves...but recommend them...in the sun the steering wheel can get HOT so it helps there also.
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      08-21-2007, 10:04 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S4to335 View Post
Did they sleep in their cars too? I thought MC Hammer pants were out of style now..boy, was I wrong.
Yea, I'm not exactly the type that worries about fashion, but I just couldn't bring myself to do PJ bottoms. I was thinking MC Hammer also!

It was kind of funny when they would call a run group and you'd see a bunch of folks trying to pull PJ's on over their shoes and shorts in a hurry.
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      09-04-2007, 11:50 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by panzer948 View Post
Hi, have my first track event in Mid-Sept at VIR with BMWCCA - with my first BMW. After reviewing the posts here, I think I have some ideas on where to look for a helmet and what type. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg for my first event. Will buy a better model after I see how much of this I may start to do per year.

Just a couple of questions about what people wear at these events:
Recommends Nomex driving shoes, but that non-skid soled shoes are okay - are these like your typical tennis shoes (sneakers)? I'm not much into shoes so forgive me if this is a dumb question.

Also, they say to wear long sleeved shirts and pants (natural, not synthetic fibers). Are jeans with maybe a long sleeved t-shirt material the typical attire worn by the drivers?

Thanks,
Hey I'll be there too.

Most people wear jeans and long sleeved t-shirts, and will switch to a short sleeved t-shirt and maybe shorts after each session.
They make people wear long sleeves in the middle of July, so don't expect them to change the rules.

Sneakers are fine. Just don't wear flip-flops or sandals.

Bring plenty of water.
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      09-05-2007, 04:54 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elbert View Post
Hey I'll be there too.

Most people wear jeans and long sleeved t-shirts, and will switch to a short sleeved t-shirt and maybe shorts after each session.
They make people wear long sleeves in the middle of July, so don't expect them to change the rules.

Sneakers are fine. Just don't wear flip-flops or sandals.

Bring plenty of water.
Thanks for the advice to all. Hi elbert, guess I will see you there. Even though I have done the BMW Performance Driving School, I signed up for the "D" Group. This is my first with BMWCCA, so just want to get my feet wet. I ordered a GF750 Helmet (SA2005) helmet, but the thing still hasn't come in yet. My options are more limited locally so I was wondered if a lot of folks used the "M" rated helmets at the VIR events.
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      09-05-2007, 07:56 AM   #15
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Dont get an M helmet...get an SA.
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      09-05-2007, 11:47 AM   #16
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Yeah, M helmets are accepted at this DE but you really should try to get an SA. Some bmwcca chapters won't accept M helmets.
edit: if you get really desperate, CDOC has a shop on location with quite a few helmets, but you will probably need to go there Friday afternoon as they may not open early enough Saturday morning.

Other things I can think of:
- bring a tarp
- register on Friday night if possible, IIRC D group usually goes first and you do not want to miss your first session.
- did I mention drink lots of water?

I have a white e46m3. Not sure which run group, sometimes A or sometimes B depending on their mood. I usually park with some other e46m3's in the middle of the paddock somewhere. Stop by if you want.

Last edited by elbert; 09-05-2007 at 12:12 PM..
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      09-05-2007, 05:50 PM   #17
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Alright, thanks for advice. I'll try to look you up. I have a black saphire 335i coupe with a euro license plate up front and the BMW front lip spoiler.
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      09-05-2007, 07:36 PM   #18
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As mentioned before get an SA helmet, fewer and fewer clubs are accepting M helmets. If you plan on getting a cheapy and replacing it later you can probably pick up an SA2000 for quite a bit cheaper than an SA2005.

If you plan on getting a helmet you plan to keep for a while, especially if you spend a lot on one I would recommend getting an open face helmet. The reason being that there was some noise not long ago about SCCA banning full face helmets from air bag equipped cars. This has quietened down again, but if SCCA does this it's only a matter of time before other clubs do it also.

Also as mentioned before when you are on track you will probably be required to have long sleeves and long pants. If it's a hot day I usually wear a short sleeved t-shirt and keep a real light long sleeved one in the car for when track time comes along.
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      09-10-2007, 07:43 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dascamel View Post
Any suggestions on gloves?
If you are going to buy gloves, get a contrasting color to your car. This makes it easier to see point-bys.
You should really try on helmets in person.

I'll be at this school too.
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      09-14-2007, 10:03 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1996 328ti View Post
If you are going to buy gloves, get a contrasting color to your car. This makes it easier to see point-bys.
You should really try on helmets in person.

I'll be at this school too.
Steve, that contrasting color advice is a really good idea. This gives me an excuse to pick up a pair of bright red sparcos.
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