Competition Fashion: Safe, Snug and Stylish
June 1, 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?”
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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.”
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