Why Don't We Wear Leathers In Karting?

[Harrison Potsworth]

I just don’t follow why we wear these fabric suits. They’re not fire retardant and they’re not as abrasion resistant. I do prefer to wear a fabric suit for the comfort, but I’ve seen some injuries that could have been avoided if the driver were wearing a suit more similar to motorcycle racing suits. Some sort of hybrid leather and fabric suit is what I would expect for a ‘Karting suit’

[TJ Koyen]

I’ve never really seen any abrasion injuries in my 12 years of karting. It’s an answer to a problem that doesn’t exist.

Driver/Coach/Wrench : Innovative Performance/Exprit
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[Bjork Denil]

You can buy the armor only and wear a standard kart suit over it. Companies like forcefield and others make nice armor for motorcyclists that can be reused.

Motorcycle incidents at the track also happen at higher speed, so probably the extra abrasion resistance is needed. Motorcyclists also wear mesh jackets, but these dont last after 1 high speed slide. I think these mesh jackets are similar material to our karting suits but with armor.

You can also get custom leather suits fitted to you.

[John Matthews]

We did….

It was hot and stinky, modern suits are much better IMHO.

 

John

[Dustin McGrew]

Because we’re badasses.

[Harrison Potsworth]

TJ, I disagree. Just because you have not seen it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Couple weeks ago a driver’s knee was torn wide open while wearing a karting suit in a nasty crash. Skin was ground down to the knee-cap.

John, agreed on the stinky part lol, but the protection must be better. I love the breath-ability of my custom kart suit, but honestly, if I’m to hit the pavement, I’d rather be in my Herioc mototcycle leathers. Modern leathers breathe pretty well too, as long as you’re moving. Still tight n get stinky tho

[Rod Hawkins]

No one prevents you to wear leathers. I sometimes where my dirt bike pants and jersey (very breathable).

[Howie Idelson]

Speeds are lower and slide distances are less than a motorcycle. The fabrics in kart suits are very abrasion resistant and cooler then leather. Cheaper too.

[James McMahon]

When I raced in europe the rule was that on “long circuits” you had to wear leathers. Anything over 1500M in length.
In the US, most tracks and orgs will allow you wear leathers.

[Morgan Schuler]

Go to any big dirt kart race and everyone will have leather jackets and jeans.
http://www.adleathers.com/karting.html is the gold standard.

[Nick Weil]

Morgan Schuler wrote:

Go to any big dirt kart race and everyone will have leather jackets and jeans.<br>
http://www.adleathers.com/karting.html is the gold standard.

Did he just use the words “Dirt Kart Race” AND “Gold Standard” in the same paragraph?

I’ve been to quite a few dirt events, and the words “Gold Standard” never, ever crossed my mind. But, I have yet to attend a dirt kart race where the hired security staff weren’t required. LOL!

As to the leathers, I raced some motorcycle stuff back in the early 90’s and HAD to wear leathers. When I went to karting, I was a bit skeptical and wore my leathers for about 3 races in Florida before I said, “screw that!” and bought what at the time was a nice MIR suit. If you spend the right money on a real karting suit, you do get some good abrasion resistance, and you won’t sweat nearly as much as a leather suit.

[tony zambos]

A good quality fabric suit is breathable and abrasion resistant. Go back 40 years ago and there were leather suits. Not anymore. Don’t see any F1, IMSA, INDY drivers with a leather suit. You can purchase a suit that is flame resistant; just don’t look at the price.
My son tried years ago to convince a motorcycle racing suit manufacturer to come out with a version of their suit for karters with pads for shoulder, knee and elbow protection. Fell on deaf ears because the market would not be profitable.

LAD Specialties customer / tony kart / rotax / kt100

[Josh Michalosky]

The kart suits are level 2 homologated, which included abrasion and tear resistance. you can read the full requirements here:

http://www.cikfia.com/fileadmin/content/REGULATIONS/Homologations/Homologations%20Regulations/Reglement_d_Homologation_2014_Full.pdf

[Morgan Schuler]

Nick Weil wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Morgan Schuler wrote:</div>
Go to any big dirt kart race and everyone will have leather jackets and jeans.<br><br>
http://www.adleathers.com/karting.html is the gold standard.

Did he just use the words “Dirt Kart Race” AND “Gold Standard” in the same paragraph?

I’ve been to quite a few dirt events, and the words “Gold Standard” never, ever crossed my mind. But, I have yet to attend a dirt kart race where the hired security staff weren’t required. LOL!

I did and you left out the most important part: “big” as in the money races. Not some redneck backyard track. And “Gold Standard” was referring to AD Leathers. LOL all you want but this side of karting could and should learn a thing or two from the dirt side.

[Author]

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