February 2009
OMP Vintage Light Suit
For over three decades, Italian safety manufacturer OMP has been producing driving suits and racing gear for a variety of amateur and professional motor sports, including Formula One champions like Michael Schumacher, Nigel Mansell, Mika Hakkinen, Damon Hill, and Ayrton Senna.
Acknowledging the global demand for safety gear that has a vintage look, but utilizing all of the available modern technology and advances, OMP has recently released the new “Vintage Light” driving suit. This 3-layer suit is made with a special, lightweight Nomex knitted fabric that weighs just 300 g/m2, yet provides all the protection of a much heavier-feeling suit. While the suit, on the inside, meets all the standards that enable it to carry both the SFI 3-2A/5, as well as the FIA 8856-2000 certification, on the outside this suit looks like the classic suits worn by any Formula One or Le Mans winner from the ’60s and early ’70s.
The Vintage Light can be special ordered to custom measurements, but I opted for one of the many available preset sizes. Much to my surprise, the off-the-rack suit fit perfectly—in fact, I can’t imagine what I would have done differently if I had had it made custom.
While the looks are very retro and stylish, the thing that immediately comes to mind when you put one of these suits on is, how light it feels. At 300 g/m2, this suit is as light as OMP’s professional grade “Monoposto” and “Technica Light” suits and provides every bit as much fire protection. In fact, the only difference between this suit and the one that you’ll see the pros wearing, is the time-warp styling (it can even be special ordered in boot-cut style and/or in a variety of colors).
Available for US $1,699 directly from the manufacturer at (866) OMP-2637 or online at www.ompamerica.com.
Reviewed by Casey Annis
Bell Dominator Helmet
Bell’s Dominator helmet represents the top-of-the-line offering from the company that originated the full-face helmet. With the total weight of the helmet proving to be so critical to the total force transmitted in an accident (see this month’s feature on helmets), it’s impressive that the Dominator combines a light-weave-composite outer shell with Bell’s special E-Max Plus interior liner to create a helmet that is remarkably light. Designed with open cockpit racecars in mind, the Dominator also benefits from such aerodynamic tweaks as built-in trim strips, a rear wicker, and a front spoiler to keep the helmet from lifting off the driver’s face at speed.
While the Dominator is extremely light, it doesn’t sacrifice driver comfort in order to achieve it. On the inside, the Dominator is lined with Carbon X material, which is not only flame resistant, but also resistant to thermal transfer and able to wick moisture away from the skin. This, combined with a series of strategically placed adjustable and fixed air vents, means the driver will keep cool and dry under a variety of conditions. The fit of the Dominator I found to be surprisingly good—as if it had been custom molded for my face—though I did have a time wrestling my big ears into the molded pockets inside!
While the Dominator features a standard eye-port size, drivers who wear glasses may find it a little too narrow to get their glasses on and off easily (try the Bell Vortex, which features a larger eye port). However, another really nice feature of the Dominator is the SRV friction shield system. This new system has a slide mechanism that allows the driver to adjust the tension on the shield allowing for multiple opening positions. When properly adjusted and in the locked position, the SRV system helps reduce the possibility of the shield opening during an impact. For those choosing to use the Dominator in conjunction with a HANS device, the helmet comes pre-drilled for easy installation.
Available in sizes 7-1/8”–7-3/4”, in either white or flat black, for US$799.95 directly from the manufacturer at www.bellracing.com.
Reviewed by Casey Annis
Spa “Firefighter”
SPA Technique’s “Firefighter” AFFF 4.0-liter, Multi-flo, Fire Suppression System is designed for use in closed-cockpit cars and sports cars, though they also offer a similar 3.375-liter system for open-wheel cars. It dispenses an even 2-liter split between engine and cockpit compartments from a single-chambered, lightweight alloy bottle. Equipped with environmentally friendly AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam), which is a nontoxic, ozone-friendly fire suppressant, this system meets all the latest FIA regulations for racing vehicles. When used in conjunction with the included SPA Firefighter nozzle, a highly effective, fine-mist spray is produced allowing for fast flame knock-down and fire-out times.
While we were initially daunted by the prospect of installing this electrically activated system in the GT car that we are restoring, installation was surprisingly straightforward and easy. These systems come complete with 13-feet of Decarbon tubing (a type of plastic coated aluminum), connectors, a bulkhead adapter, five tee fittings and six nozzles, with the plumbing installation as easy as pushing the cut end of the tubing into the pinch fittings, which can even be released and reset for changes and adjustments. Electrically activated systems come with two firing buttons, a power pack, and ample wiring. There’s even a system setting to test the circuit installation without fear of setting off the system, which is a reassuring luxury you can’t get with a mechanically operated system!
Available in the U.S. from Truechoice for $659.95 at (800) 388-8783 or at www.truechoice.com
Reviewed by Casey Annis
