Analyzing the Heat Loss of Motorsports Racing Suits

Abstract

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of racing PPE on the thermal comfort of race car drivers by utilizing a thermal manikin to observe the Total Heat Loss (THL) of standard racing suits. Three racing suit systems of varying SFI Foundation, Inc. (SFI) certification levels were purchased and analyzed in combination with the full systems ensemble including: base layers, racing gloves, and boots. An ANDI sweating thermal manikin was used to measure the thermal insulation and evaporative resistance of each racing ensemble according to ASTM F1291 and ASTM F2370 standard test methods. Each ensemble was tested under both static (standing) and dynamic (walking) conditions. The predicted average THL of the three racing suit systems, with and without thermal underwear, in both static and dynamic conditions, was analyzed. Results from this research demonstrate the average predicted THL for a compliant racing ensemble is 172 W/m</span>2.<font face="Times New Roman, serif"><o:p></o:p></font>