Project Honda S2000 - Safety First!

Alpinestars gear is simply the best when it comes to protection and style. Offering a minimum of 10 seconds of burn protect, the GP-Tech is a worthwhile investment, especially if you're serious about racing.

Alpinestars gear is simply the best when it comes to protection and style. Offering a mini

The HANS Device is a safety breakthrough. In a frontal impact they do a fantastic job of keeping your head attached to your body. There are two versions available, including an economical sport model that offers the same level of protection as the lightweight pro model. Weight is not a safety issue with the HANS (unlike helmets) because it's constrained under your belts and on your shoulders. New HANS models are available with "sliding tethers" which don't limit visibility and can be retrofitted to previous models. Wearing a HANS is comfortable and is a safety must-have! Check out www.hansdevice.com for sizing info-the 20-degree model is the most popular with sport compact cars.

For the racing suit, shoes and gloves we turned to Alpinestars. The GP-Tech suit features state-of-the-art construction, resulting in a very lightweight, breathable and comfortable suit. It's amazing how lightweight the suit is while meeting FIA and SFI 3.2A/5 standards (minimum of 10 seconds until second-degree burn). Alpinestars suits offer great style and the GP-Tech is no exception. The suit is not bulky at all and with flat-seam construction there are no pressure points or discomfort with the seatbelts tightened up. In addition, the Nomex underwear will add another three seconds of burn protection and helps keep your suit less sweaty. The Tech 1-Z shoe is quite possibly the most comfortable shoe I've worn. The shoe features a wide toe box area but remains compact and slim, allowing great mobility in the pedal box area and offers phenomenal pedal feel. These are great for heel/toe and with a Nomex inner liner it will meet all FIA and SFI standards. They also feature a quick lace system for those last-minute days where you need to make it to the grid quick. The Alpinestars Tech-1Z racing glove offers excellent fit and as with all the other products meet all SFI and FIA standards. When choosing a glove I find a thin palm with minimal padding offers the best feel of the wheel. The Tech-1Z excels in this area and features a slightly stretchy construction along with precurved fingers and palm that conforms nicely to the hand. Alpinestars' driver gear is definitely leading the way by offering excellent fit, safety and style. When ordering your gear, be sure to add a Nomex belaclava and a couple pairs of Nomex socks to ensure you're protected from head to toe!

One final safety device that has been recently released is the Shock Doktor Eject. This is a slim air bladder that slips in the top of your helmet and in the case of a neck injury can be inflated to remove the helmet without causing any further injuries. At $60, it's an affordable feature worth having.