Does my child have the right Safety Gear?

Have you ever looked at your child's safety gear and asked yourself... does my child really have the right gear? Does it fit properly? Is the safety rating high enough for the event?

When selecting racing safety gear, it is often hard to determine which gear is right for the Racing application you are doing. Here are a few basic guideline to go by when choosing the proper equipment for your child.

Lets start with the Rules.
Each sanctioning group has very specific rules regarding safety gear for the participant, so make sure whatever items you purchase are legal to race in your club or at the track you are participating on. Even if your home track may be a little laxed about the rules, the next track you visit probably will. It is better to fully comply with the rules then have your child restricted from competition.

Safety first-then Style.
If your child is very young, has never raced before or never spent time at a race track, you might want to hold off on the custom suit. Yes, your child look absolutely adorable dressed exactly like their favorite NASCAR driver, however it will not increase their safety or speed on the track. You should consider the gears safety rating and construction first- then select the color and styling. You will find out fairly quickly if racing is a passing phase or a true passion, and it is a passion!! There will be plenty of opportunities to practice "fashion intimidation"!!

Take care of the Gear you already have.
Children are notoriously rough on all clothing, especially around the elbows and knees. Racing gear is essentially smaller versions of adult racing gear and is not designed to be play clothes. Have you child take off their suit and boots as soon as they are off the track. This will protect the integrity of the gear and help avoid replacing items before they need to be. Many parents have a designated "Home Base" for the gear. This is a place where all gear is returned after each track session. The drivers seat seems to be a popular place for these items. This habit also helps the racer from loosing items and teaches them to be responsible for their own racing equipment.

When in Doubt ask Questions !!!!
Keeping your child in the right safety gear is like trying to hit a moving target. The rules change, the kids grow, new products are released, and so on. Don't hesitate to ask other parents, safety gear manufactures, club officers, for suggestions and input. Forums are a great place to find out information and discuss your racing venue.

Please feel free to post comments, helpful hints, and feedback!! We love to hear from you!