CONFIDENCE BEHIND THE WHEEL
Beyond fire protection - you should wear gloves for…
Consistency. Your hand provides a natural grip, but when driving on the track this positive grip will be compromised with ‘clammy’ hands, pressure points, friction, fatigue and that ‘white-knuckle’ grip. Racing gloves are designed to replicate your hands natural grip and offer a consistent grip.
Racing Gloves - helping ‘make man and machine as one’
Pre-curved fingers offers less resistance from the fabric when the hand is in a closed, clenched position for a better grip.
External seams increase driver comfort by reducing pressure points adding to driver comfort. A fourchettes style construction (more breathable fabric added to the finger sides) helps cool the fingers.
Ergonomic qualities. Racing gloves are cut to trace the natural contours of the hand for a comfortable and natural fit. The construction avoids excessive fabric bunching in the palm area and keeps the fingers flat for a positive, driver interaction with the steering wheel.
THE GRIP - suede, leather or silicone
Silicone is more often used on the palms of pro racing gloves. It can be effectively printed on those areas that need greater grip, and is mostly non-intrusive to drive feel, touch and comfort. Some gloves manufacturers add padded areas or leather patches on the palm side of the glove for a different grip. The choice is yours. We highly recommend before you buys your gloves - try them and try them with a steering wheel that resembles the type you will be driving.
FIA & SFI CERTIFICATION TAGS …
FIA 8856 - 2000
SFI gloves will sport a SFI SPEC 3.3/5 or a SFI 3.3/1 (less fire-resistant) GLOVE tag. The tag is sewn on the outside of the glove, on the inner cuff.
Presently there are two FIA tags denoting FIA compliance. FIA 8856-2000 & the new FIA 8856-2018. FIA 8856-2018 was introduced for all driver safety apparel. Basically, the fire-retardancy demands were increased by 11-20%. In addition, the gloves had to be tighter at the wrists with a longer cuff (gauntlet.) There were also changes affecting the interior and wrist construction. As a result, you will find the FIA 8846-2018 are slightly thicker, so heavier, with more solidly silicon, covered palms
FIA 8856 - 2018
The new FIA 8856-2018 tag will come with a gold, hologram. The FIA 8856-2000 was silver. The hologram is unique to that glove, and along with the certification & date tag, will be sewn in - never remove them.
Fire retardant racing gloves can be FIA or SFI compliant - of both. In the US both are accepted by sanctioning boards unless you are racing with an international series, such as IMSA, then you must have FIA homologated gloves.
Choose a color for point-bys and the corner workers.
We recommend HPDE students, especially novices, wear gloves with a color that contrasts against their cars color or wrap.
Corner workers, officials, and rescue teams are always appreciative of gloved hands that they can clearly see.
As with all safety apparel - choose well - the first time.
Uncomfortable and ill fitting items are a distraction, and distractions are dangerous - your focus has to be on the track. It is also a performance issue, drive well with comfort, safety and a great fit.