Sparco HOCOTEX®
Sparco is now in it’s fourth generation of their Victory HOCOTEX® fabric FIA (and now SFI) rated racing suits. The exclusive Sparco technology creates a single-layer fabric which has the protection of what is normally achieved by a multi-layer fabric.
So what is HOCOTEX® and why is it so revolutionary?
Sparco’s exclusive HOCOTEX® was three years in development. Compared to its competition, the suit is thinner - so lighter and 2 times more breathable. The HOCOTEX® is a technical fabric that supports the engineering of a one layer suit that meets all FIA and SFI homologation tests.
(Note: The mandated FR liner is in addition to this.)
HOCOTEX® is a twist (literally) on the use of Nomex thread. Sparco is using a weaving technique that first makes three layers, then interweaves those layers with each other - creating a single piece of fabric. The result is a fabric that has thousand’s of air pockets woven into it. Air pockets adds to a suits fire-resistance as they slow down the passage of heat and flames. The quilting patterns founds on racing suits are also designed to do this. However, the average racing suit has 300 air pockets sewn into it - Sparco HOCOTEX® claims 60,000 micro-cells (air pockets.) Interesting fact - it takes 7 miles of Nomex thread to make one square meter of HOCOTEX® fabric - hence increased fire protection.
HOCOTEX® fabric, although made with Nomex, has a lesser sheen, but since it is constructed with Nomex thread, it can be screen printed and produced in different colors. Sparco can also use this technique with other threads, so the newer generation of suits are evolving.
2025 sees the introduction of the Victory Pro