What material are race car drivers suits made from?

Answer 1

Normally they are made of Nomex. They make firesuits from three materials: FR cotton, PBI/Kevlar, and Nomex/Kevlar. FR Cotton is used in low-budget racing--SCCA, small dirt tracks, that kind of thing. It's bulkier than either of the other two and the fireproofing washes out of it, but it's comparatively inexpensive and, if cared for properly, works. PBI/Kevlar you will probably never see on a race driver for two reasons: it is extremely expensive, and it can only be dyed in really dark shades, namely black. Its natural color is that ugly yellow firefighters' suits are made from. The positives of this stuff are vast: it is absolutely fireproof. It is NOT fire resistant, like Nomex and FR cotton are, it is fireproof. It has no melting point. It breathes. It is great stuff, if you fight fires for a living. If you drive race cars for a living you want a Nomex/Kevlar suit. It is fire-resistant enough to keep you from getting roasted until you can extract yourself from the fire. It is made in sponsor-friendly colors. It's affordable (compared to a stay in a burn center) and it works, so that's what they use.