Equipped for Speed: A Guide to Auto Racing Equipment

“What more do you need than a car?” So says someone who doesn't know all that goes into the high-speed world of auto racing. Auto racing equipment is central to keeping skilled drivers safe in an incredibly dangerous job.

Auto racing equipment is a whole-body affair. It starts at the head with a helmet that must balance head-protection with allowing visibility. In the event of a crash the roll cage is a driver's main defense. However, with so much hard metal in the car itself, it would be a serious mistake to leave your head unprotected. Just below the head is the Head And Neck Safety (HANS) device. These large harnesses fit over the shoulders and extend behind the neck and onto the back and chest. When reaching the speeds that racing drivers do, one of the largest concerns is a sudden stop or spin that twists the spine too far and could cause serious, permanent injuries.

Other auto racing equipment for the body is built more to aid the driver in his task than for safety reasons. Gloves are made that help to grip the steering wheel – the importance of which cannot be overstated. Shoes are also specially made for racing. They are light, tight-fitting shoes with good traction for gripping the pedals.

One of the most recognizable pieces of auto racing equipment is the suit that drivers wear. Usually a one-piece zip-up suit, these provide comfort in the seat of the race car. Perhaps more importantly in popular American racing, namely NASCAR, these suits provide ample room for sponsors to advertise their products. A tactic exploited to its fullest in NASCAR, any surface available is used to advertise any sort of product – from bread to detergents – using the visibility of popular racing figures for promotion. The racing suit, helmet and the race car itself are the main “vehicles” for advertisement.