Competition Fashion: Safe, Snug and Stylish

Robert Farago

06/01/2005

Vanson PRO-fit Driver’s Fire Suits
Vanson leathers is no stranger to mission-critical race wear. Since 1975, the Massachusetts-based clothing company’s reputation has ridden on its custom-made leathers designed for professional motorcycle racers. Even so, when pro driver Dale Quarterly asked Vanson for a custom-fitted fireproof racing suit when he switched from two wheels to four, Vanson Leathers’ general manager Alan Slavin did not exactly jump at the opportunity. “I had one question,” he says. “Why?”
 
After listening to Quarterly’s complaints about the fit, finish, and practicality of off-the-shelf race suits, Slavin had his answer. “Spend some time watching in-car race videos, and you’ll see one of the drivers tugging on a shoulder or pulling on a pant leg. Poor-fitting clothing is a major, potentially lethal distraction,” he says. “We’ve even heard of suits with sleeves that made the driver’s hands go numb. A racing suit that fits perfectly lets the driver concentrate on his or her job.”

When customizing a Vanson PRO-fit driver suit, the first consideration is the type of car the customer drives. “NASCAR and SCAA seats are like armchairs,” Slavin explains. “Open-wheel racers are more like lying in a bed. The seating position determines how the suit should fit.”The customer then provides more than 40 personal measurements, such as the knee diameter when bent in driving position, and the distance from the nape of the neck to the rear belt line. The measurements are checked by computer, and then passed to a pattern maker. Each suit is hand-assembled by Vanson’s stitchers, using the latest fireproof materials. Prices for custom suits start at $499.

The PRO-fit suit’s patented design uses two zippers, one on each side of the driver’s neck, which makes it easier to slip the suit on and off. “A standard suit places the zipper under the driver’s neck,” Slavin says. “That’s not a great idea.” 

 Vanson often adds heat-resistant Cermex patches and/or extra padding to its PRO-fit suits. The material is positioned precisely where a given driver’s body comes into contact with the racecar (for example, mid-thigh contact against a transmission tunnel). Style, of course, is the finishing touch. Vanson’s suits feature colored Nomex panels, customized per the customer’s specifications, and have patches and embroidery where desired.
 
With more and more amateur enthusiasts participating in track days, Slavin sees a bright future for custom-fit racing suits. “Your racing level doesn’t really matter,” he says. “Your safety does.” 

Vanson Leathers, 508.678.2000, www.vansonleathers.com