When I had decided that this whole competing in actual motorsport was going to happen, I knew I needed some stuff. Not for fun, but to actually be allowed to compete. Yes, a licence is essential, but that was the easy bit.
Now it’s time to make a shopping list:
- Overalls – proper, fireproof ones, approved by the FIA
- Balaclava – again, fireproof, approved.
- Helmet – a proper one, not that old dusty one I used on my Vespa 20yrs ago.
- Gloves – not essential, but also kinda essential
- Boots – for my entry-level these aren’t officially needed, but my usual 1970s trainers look would be a choice look with full on fire proof overalls. Plus, where’s the logic, if I am in a fire, I would like feet to be ok too! Boots are essential then, according to me.
The list is available in the official Motorsport rule book, but that’s easy to get lost in, so I had to refer to my notes from the Harewood Hill Academy day. And that’s when it all came together – let’s just say sponsorship works.
I wasted spent many evenings browsing Demon Tweeks and Grand Prix Racewear amongst many other official established retailers. They all have a plethora of stuff and cater for everyone, from 40somethings having a laugh like me, to professionals across all motorsport. I recognized the brand names from F1 – Sparco, OMP, AlpineStars…
But errr, being a newbie I was lost – all overalls look similar, some cost £100, some cost £3000, some are approved to some level of FIA approval, some look approved for wearing in the garden shed. As for everything else on the list, I had more questions and answers. Claude (the AI helper of choice) tried its best, but I was getting nowhere and becoming anxious when seeing the total price of my basket.
I didn’t want to recreate the MC Hammer look.
overalls v1
And then in comes a chap called Rob at Clubman Motorsport. Going over the info from my Harewood day, they mentioned that something called ‘Clubman Motorsport’ was worth looking at – turns out that was super helpful because Rob’s business is based down the road in York and he’s a proper motorsport fan who likes to chat.
One phone call and few messages and I was all set. I didn’t like the first set of overalls I got – they were baggy the wrong places. Hammertime may be a thing for Lewis Hamilton, but I didn’t want to recreate the MC Hammer look. Another call to Rob and a trip to York, the exchange was done and he went through a few more things too.
It’s always good to find another friendly motorsport fan, but he’s way more than that – his experience means he can help way better than any evenings of Googling, he even advised me on some of the other bits I need to sort to be race ready. His business was born out of people needing stuff, especially after the pandemic and Rob’s an absolute legend.
If you need some race gear, or some advice, speak to Rob – visit Clubman Motorsport or give him a call.
Note that this is in no way a sponsored post or anything like that – my numbers don’t make me an influencer.
Rob and Clubman Motorsport were simply excellent and if someone else is looking for help like I was, maybe they’ll read this and save themselves some time! Cheers Rob!
