Sewing stuff on Race Suits

[1fastben]

So, what exactly are the rules and or procedures on such an activity? I was talking to Mark Fox, and he had said that, at least FIA related, you have to give someone $10k to custom make you a suit, you can't just sew on the stuff you want to make it look better.
Is there a rule in the US on any of this? Can any type of thread be used?

I don't just mean for sewing on patches, but like larger sections of cloth; flame resistant stuff.

[hbennett76]

For sponsor patches, use an unwaxed cotton thread. Bigger stuff like adding big patches of FR material constitutes modifying the suit and then voids any certification and/or warranties. For suit repairs like seam rips or busted zippers, the suit manufacturer can usually repair these. If you are trying to repair a suit that has been damaged in a fire or something, you will need to send it to the manufacturer to see if it is repairable.

Howard Bennett
HANS Performance

[nperkins]

For sponsor patches, use an unwaxed cotton thread. Bigger stuff like adding big patches of FR material constitutes modifying the suit and then voids any certification and/or warranties. For suit repairs like seam rips or busted zippers, the suit manufacturer can usually repair these. If you are trying to repair a suit that has been damaged in a fire or something, you will need to send it to the manufacturer to see if it is repairable.

Howard Bennett
HANS Performance

So I assume this means adding leg pockets using FR material is a no go?

[C_Eixen]

The instructions I've seen in FIA suits is in a multilayer suit, you can only sew through one layer and must use FR thread.

[Jeff Hagan]

FWIW, the FIA tech inspectors at Corona Rally Mexico didn't have a problem with the embroidery on my suit (just my name, cotton thread, ~1" letters, through all the layers, located on the chest) or my Maple Leaf Rally Club patch (on the arm, made of I-don't-know-what material, sewed on through one layer with cotton thread)... though I don't know whether it's because they just didn't notice, since they were too busy dinging all the teams for out-of-date gloves.

[weavus4]

I don't own a suit yet but i'm a fire fighter so we go into fire quite a bit. we are able to use a certain thread (i will get the name) and able to sew through the outer layer but not into the vapor barrier. once the "patch" (that is made out of kevlar or nomex) it can not come off without being covered by something larger then the original patch.

Hopes this helps a bit.

[Mike Hurst]

So, what exactly are the rules and or procedures on such an activity? I was talking to Mark Fox, and he had said that, at least FIA related, you have to give someone $10k to custom make you a suit, you can't just sew on the stuff you want to make it look better.
.

Not exactly.....

FIA 8856-2000 Appendix 1: INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS FOR USERS

3
Embroidery sewn directly onto the overall shall be stitched onto the outermost layer only, for better heat insulation.
Backing material of badges shall be flameproof and in conformity with the standard ISO 15025 in order to avoid combustion of the badge which would affect the efficiency of the overalls.
Thread used for affixing the badge to the overalls shall be flameproof and in conformity with the standard ISO 15025.
It is also recommended that embroidery thread on badges or on the outermost layer of the garment be flameproof and in conformity with the standard ISO 15025.
When affixing badges and signs to the overalls, heat-bonding shall not be used and the garment shall not be cut.
NB: any embroidery not complying with these conditions will result in the cancellation of the homologation of the overalls concerned, and its user may be excluded by the scrutineer of the event during which the infringement was noted.

[ajax]

But we aren't bound by those rules are we? I've got a couple of patches that I'd like to put on my suit. Aramid might be tricky to come up with though.

[C_Eixen]

But we aren't bound by those rules are we? I've got a couple of patches that I'd like to put on my suit. Aramid might be tricky to come up with though.

If you're using an FIA rated suit, then I think you are bound by the rules, due to "any embroidery not complying with these conditions will result in the cancellation of the homologation of the overalls concerned"

If you've got patches that violate the FIA rules, then your suit is no longer FIA rated.

Isn't nomex thread sufficient?

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productselection.asp?Product=2131

[jimmy]

Methinks we are over reacting.

I've said it before - in a fire, by the time you are concerned with what kind of thread is holding your patches on, you have much bigger problems!

Those are FIA specs for (predominately) race cars. Think what an F1 driver wears:
- balaclava
- fire retardant underwear
- gloves
- fire retardant socks
- fire retardant shoes

Do most of us do that?

My personal bias is that fire is way down the risk list of what we face.

I choose to spend my money on helmet and head and neck restraint.

<Now, if you are running Rally Mexico, you better pay attention - but that is to pass tech>

ymmv


If you're using an FIA rated suit, then I think you are bound by the rules, due to "any embroidery not complying with these conditions will result in the cancellation of the homologation of the overalls concerned"

If you've got patches that violate the FIA rules, then your suit is no longer FIA rated.

Isn't nomex thread sufficient?

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productselection.asp?Product=2131

press on,

[dtmracerx]

Isn't nomex thread sufficient?


What Chad said.
That is what I used to attach my name and a couple assorted club patches with (nomex through all 5 layers). Athough it has never been tech'ed, and I don't care if it is FIA compliant.:(