• From: Asheville, NC
  • Registered: 2009-09-02
  • Posts: 30

Topic: Driver fire suit or Crew fire suit

Can someone tell me if a crew fire suit with a 3-2 A/5 rating is the same as a drivers suit with the same rating?  I see places selling them separate them into the two categories.  The crew suits are usually cheaper.  Seems like they would be the same.
Thanks,

Burning Rubber and Grinding Gears
  • Mulry
  • Mulry
  • Ayatollah of Rock-n-Rollah
  • Offline
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • Registered: 2009-05-01
  • Posts: 4,607

Re: Driver fire suit or Crew fire suit

Driver's suits are typically one-piece jumpsuits, whereas crew fire suits are typically two- or three-piece (pants and jacket or pants, vest, and sweatshirt with fireproof sleeves).

Driver's suits are more protective. If rescue folks have to drag you from a burning car by your arms or shoulders and you are wearing a crew fire suit, there is a good chance that your midriff area will get exposed and likely burnt. In a one-piece suit, that can't happen.

That said, both types are legal for Lemons. Jay has, in the past, recommended (although not required) that drivers wearing multi-piece firesuits also wear fireproof undergarments (even on multilayer/5 rated suits) to reduce the chance of burning one's belly.

FWIW, I proudly wear a horrifically ugly multi-piece crew suit and I love it. Where else in the racing world can you wear a Heathcliff Kitty Litter-sponsored racing suit and not get laughed out of the paddock?

Pat Mulry, TARP Racing #67

Mandatory disclaimer: all opinions expressed are mine alone & not those of 24HOL, its mgmt, sponsors, etc.