THSCC Forums

I don't currently use gloves, but probably should to be safe. Looking for advice about what works/doesn't work with regards to HPDEs/Time Trials.

Can I assume that I should only consider SFI 3.3/5 rated gloves?

Can I assume that things like a padded palm are more suited to folks who have longer stints behind the wheel than our typical run sessions?

I'd like to give up as little "feel" as possible (so a padded palm seems to run counter to this), materials as exotic as kangaroo skins are currently in vogue. Price is an issue, but gloves seem relatively inexpensive in the big picture of things.

Already have Ron Spencer's sage advice about contrasting colors for signaling filed away for use.

Thanks,
Frank

Next time you are at VIR try some on at the shop. It will be personal preference what "kind" you get. i.e. padded palm, etc. Also, as long as you are buying gloves, go ahead and get the SFI ones.

Diane

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Diane (Hall) Bundas
1992 Spec Miata #48 - 1997 Chevy Tahoe - 2007 Honda Civic Coupe

Thanks Diane, good advice. I always forget that VIR has a shop.

Ironic that you responded, I did a search here on "gloves" before I posted and your "mowing the driveway" post was on the short list.

Frank

Best gloves I've found are the Sparco's that have the stitching on the outside (therefore the look "inside out" when you wear them). Very comfortable, very good feel. I've done 85 minute stints in the Spec Miata in 95F weather with no problems (other than dehydration, but that wasn't the glove's fault).


--Donnie

Yeah, the inside-out stitching-on-the-outside gloves are sweet: I'm waiting for my current gloves to wear out so I can get some. Truth though: once the driving starts I forget the gloves. I mean, they do help, a lot, but any comfort concerns are out the window once the countdown begins. Don't fret about it too much.

Example:
http://www.winecountrymotorsports.com/wcms2k1/gloves.htm

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Lina Racing: As Seen On Radio

I dunno...I could see that argument if all you raced were sprints. Me, I like endurance racing and as such I see comfort as a fairly significant concern. Especially when "uncomfortable" could turn into bad things like blisters. I've done long enough kart stints to have my hands blistered by gloves (not the Sparco gloves I recommended before, obviously), and that sucks. It would suck even worse if you were doing a 13 hour enduro (like the one coming up at VIR in October...everyone sign up!) and had that happen in your first stint.

Obviously the planets have to align in bad ways for something like this to happen (in my case it was just poor stitch placement combined with the way I gripped the wheel in a very hard to steer kart when doing a 45 minute stint), but it is something to keep in mind depending on what kind of racing you do.


--Donnie

As I'm sure you have heard me say in class, whatever you buy buy a color that is easily seen by others. No black, or white. Nothing the same color as your car. Something obnoxious like orange or yellow.

Ron

Hmmm, interesting. I'm assuming so that you can see "wave by" signals at track/driving schools?

My gloves are red, and they really do show up quite well. Take a look at this picture:

http://linaracing.com/pics/picturedetai ... number=160

Secondary bonus: seeing your hands in photos. Otherwise it looks like one of those weird car commercials where no one is driving the car!!!

Anders

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Lina Racing: As Seen On Radio

Thanks for all the good advice ....

Ron: How could I forget ? Check the last line of my initial post ...

Frank