When it comes to motorsport safety equipment, most of us tend to focus on the needs of the individuals racing on the track. However, for teams competing in formats where pit crews are part of the action, the safety of these crew members should be a top priority as well.
While most sanctioning bodies essentially mirror the safety equipment requirements for certain pit crew members – like the fueler – with those of the drivers, there are some pieces of safety gear that are tailored to the specific demands placed on the pit crew.
“Sometimes teams will dictate what pit crew members will use during a race event, but in many cases, gear choice is left up to the individuals on the crew,” says Gary Peters, Director of Engineering for Simpson Performance Products. “Each team has its own perspective, but at the end of the day, a good team will want what’s best for every one of their crew members.”
Here, we’ll take a closer look at the pit crew safety equipment that should be on your team’s shopping list.
The safety gear needs for most pit crew members are usually open to interpretation by teams (and can vary based on the specific racing discipline and sanctioning body), but the pit crew member who refuels the car is often a notable exception.
“Generally speaking, the only person on the pit crew who has to wear a helmet with a specific safety rating is the fueler,” says Peters. “They’re required to wear a Snell-rated helmet, much like the drivers are required to wear, due to concerns about potential fire hazards. They’re also generally required to wear a one-piece, SFI 5-rated fire suit – the same type of suit a driver would wear – as well as SFI-rated gloves.” Given the similarities in safety mandates, those looking for suits and helmets for pit crew fuelers should check out our fire suit and racing helmet buyer's guides. Also, note that fuelers are often required to wear an SFI-rated fueler apron for added fire protection, so that should be on the radar as well.
Peters notes that, aside from the mandates specific to the fueler, the pit crew safety gear requirements are fairly standardized across IndyCar, NASCAR, and most circle track and sports car racing disciplines. However, as with any equipment purchase intended for organized competition, it’s best to check with your sanctioning body beforehand to ensure that the gear meets the requirements of the rulebook.
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“While the fueler typically wears a one-piece suit, other pit crew members often wear two-piece suits,” says Peters. “It often comes down to personal preference. For many people, a two-piece suit offers more comfort and greater range of motion. Pit crew members are bending over and moving around a lot while doing their jobs, so freedom of movement is particularly important.”
These two-piece designs consist of a jacket and pants, which, like the fueler’s one-piece suit, should have an SFI 5 rating for fire resistance.
“Breathability is really important for pit crew members – especially anyone going over the wall,” Peters says. “It’s typically hot in the pits, and there’s not much of a breeze, so you need to ensure the gear doesn’t cause them to overheat.” Materials like the Pyrovatex fabric found in RaceQuip 122 series multi-layer fire suit pants provide the softness and breathability of cotton while wicking away moisture and still offering the necessary fire protection.
Peters also points out that, since pit crew members are generally very active, durability is key.
“It needs to stand up to some abuse – these folks often slide around on asphalt. The suit should be designed with robustness in mind. Different manufacturers approach this in different ways, but a suit that’s easy to move in will probably last longer. Look for suits that have stretch panels under the arms and in areas that tend to experience stress.”
Peters emphasizes that shoes are a particularly important consideration for pit crew members. “Shoes are a big deal for the crew. They need to be SFI-rated, lightweight, flexible, and still provide good grip – an oil-resistant sole will help with that. Since they’re standing on concrete all day, they also need to be comfortable.”
He adds that mid-top and high-top designs with shoestrings secured behind a Velcro strap are preferable, as they help prevent shoes from inadvertently becoming untied. Simpson high-top racing shoes meet all of these criteria.
“The SFI rating requirement will significantly narrow your options, but aside from that, shoes like these are purpose-built for this use case.”
Like helmets, the glove requirements for fuelers are typically an outlier among the pit crew. While many team members wear mechanic's gloves, fuelers are required to use SFI-rated gloves, which are largely the same as those for drivers. Although other pit crew members aren’t required to use gloves that meet specific standards, Peters offers some tips for those looking to equip their teams properly.
“It’s similar to the typical wrenching glove, but a few features are especially important. Good grip and flexibility are crucial, but the gloves also need to be resistant to abrasion and heat. The palms and fingers should have heat-resistant material, and you want to avoid materials that could fray or get caught on the car.”
Peters also recommends that pit crew members who handle tire changes consider wearing knee pads made from flexible materials like Kevlar, as the job often requires putting weight directly on one knee. Additionally, even if it’s not required, fire-resistant undergarments are a good idea.
“You have to remember that there’s always a chance for fire. Even if a team member isn’t required to wear a certain piece of fire-resistant protective gear, you may want to consider using it anyway. Safety gear isn’t an area where you want to cut corners.”
While the fueler is typically required to wear a Snell-rated auto racing helmet, many sanctioning bodies do not require this for the rest of the pit crew. Peters notes that this has created a bit of a free-for-all when it comes to pit crew helmets.
“It’s kind of ‘anything goes’ for the rest of the crew. I’ve seen crew members in bicycle helmets, hockey helmets, motocross helmets – you name it. They want something that’s lightweight, has good ventilation, and offers a clear field of view.”
While random headgear might suffice (until it doesn’t, of course), helmets like the Simpson Shorty Crew Helmet are purpose-built for the job. Like traditional Snell-rated helmets, the Shorty Crew Helmet features an EPS liner for impact protection. It also includes ear cutouts to comfortably accommodate communication gear, a durable ABS sun visor, top ventilation, and the open-face design ensures an unobstructed field of view.
