Some snapshots from my Las Vegas Gear Head Tour, January 2015.
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Las Vegas Gearhead Tour
One good thing that comes from traveling for business, is that occasionally I get to do/see some interesting places that I likely would not have had the chance.
This week, I traveled to Las Vegas for a convention in the RV industry, but thanks to my good friend Eddie Maloney, I was able to escape for a few hours to see some of the greastest Las Vegas gearhead sightseeing opportunities Sin City has to offer.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
The Strip at Las Vegas is probably one of my favorite tracks that I’ve never raced before. Having seeing it briefly back in 2010 on another work trip, the atmosphere and scope of the facility is breath-taking. Eddie actually works for the speedway, so he was able to take me around on the grand tour of the facility. Its massive and highly impressive. Many people never leave Las Vegas Blvd. to see what else the city has to offer, and by this are missing the impressive activities happening just north at the Speedway. In addition to the Strip, one of the most scenic stops on the tour with the desert mountains in the background, there is also the expansive NASCAR oval, dirt tracks, road courses, exotic car racing experiences and more offered on the premises.
We drove through the pit area of the NASCAR track, as one of the prominent NASCAR teams was on the track testing. We didn’t go near the garage area, but driving through the tunnels and just seeing all the infield area was a neat experience.
I promised Eddie that once we get back on the track, if we are able to find the sponsorship support to make a trip out west for an event at the Strip, I’d definitely make the long haul west for the chance to race at this legendary facility.
Location: 7000 North Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89115
Phone: (702) 644-4444
Nellis Air Force Base
Anyone who really knows me, knows that my first love has always been fighter aircraft. In fact, its one of the reasons that I took up drag racing to begin with. Just across the street from Las Vegas Motor Speedway, lies Nellis AFB. During my 2010 trip to the national event, the Thunderbirds did a fly-by presentation at the track, which is as close to heaven on earth as you could possibly get me. Eddie also happens to be AF himself, so he quickly zipped me across the street into one of the places I always dreamed of visiting. Considering you have to be DoD ID’d to get in, I’d say this is a pretty VIP experience!
It happened to be a National holiday during my visit (MLK Day), and the base was pretty quiet, but I was still given the impressive tour of the facility. The highlight— right there in front of me…. the entire Thunderbird squad on the ground. About the only thing that could’ve made it better (aside from getting the chance to go up in one) would’ve been if I could’ve seen them taking off/landing…. perhaps another visit. Either way, its a surreal moment getting to visit such a cool place.
Las Vegas Harley Davidson
The brand new Las Vegas Harley Davidson dealership just opened in October of last year, and its spectacular. Strategically placed just a few steps from the famous Las Vegas sign, its definitely a destination dealership. They have a huge facility, with rentals, an expansive showroom, spotless service area, the largest Motorclothes display I’ve ever seen, and a lounge area for motorists. They even have a Harley Davidson Wedding Chapel for those die-hards wanting to tie the knot in HD style. They had a cool photobooth app too that sends out via social media or email a selfie postcard from your visit. We spent quite a few minutes walking around checking everything out. I imagine they have some great rides come through the area, and am considering renting a bike for some sightseeing next trip out if I can swing an extra couple of days in the desert.
Located: 5191 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas Nevada, 89119
Phone: 888-218-0744
Hours: 8:00AM – 9:00PM, Daily
Carroll Shelby Heritage Center
The final stop on the gear head tour took me to the Carroll Shelby Heritage Center. The center is a relatively new facility that houses a large collection of all the historic cars in the Shelby stable, including the first Cobra, prototype cars, the GT500KR and other items in the Shelby legacy. The center also houses a huge shop area, where work is being done on many different Shelby models. A Blue Oval girl like myself is right at home, but even Shelby’s brief Chrysler/Dodge models can be seen on display. They had the new 2015 Mustang Shelby model on display, and believe me, I drooled all over it. The gift area was surprisingly reasonably priced as compared to much of the other tourist trap gouging you see. I didn’t even know that this museum existed in Las Vegas, so it was a happy surprise to have had the opportunity to visit.
Located: 6405 Ensworth St. Las Vegas, NV 89119
Toll Free: (844) 9 SHELBY (844-974-3529)or call (702) 942-7325
Hours: Mon-Sat, 9:00AM – 6:00PM; Closed Sundays
You can see more photos from the trip in my Las Vegas Gear Head Tour album.
The end of an era
For the past several decades, the name Force has always been synonymous with Ford Racing. Whether you are a drag racing fan or not, chances are you know John Force Racing as the longstanding ambassador of Ford Motor Company.
John Force Racing Chevrolet
I’ve only been involved in the sport for 15 years, so a world without Force/Ford Racing is a foreign one to me. I was saddened when Ford announced in 2013 that they would leave drag racing and JFR at the end of 2014. Although I knew this day would come, it is still a tough pill to swallow to imagine the Force name pulling into Pomona in anything but a Blue Oval.
But all good things must come to an end, and where one legacy closes, another chapter begins. Today, the much anticipated announcement was made: John Force Racing will be running under the Chevrolet brand for 2015 and beyond.
I’m not sure what emotions this will stir come the start of the 2015 Mello Yellow NHRA Drag Racing season opener, but on the bright side, it speaks good things about the sport to see a sponsor with such a large involvement and presence come into the fray.
Force’s Ford and Castrol sponsorships spanned many decades, a testament to the work and value he delivered to his partners. While many (including myself) were sad to see Ford depart, you have to give credit and thanks for the many years of memories that these partnerships provided to us, the fans. It is truly a testament to the work of Force and the sport of drag racing that such an enduring relationship thrived. Its also one that should be studied by us racers, as a good example of sponsor retention.
Now the question…. who will cut their Blue Oval ties to don a Bowtie in support of John Force Racing Chevrolet?
Resolutions for Racers
As one year comes to a close and another begins, most people look inside to reflect on how their year has progressed and how they can improve for the New Year. Resolutions are often made, with varying degrees of commitment and success. As racers, we are no different. So what about some New Year’s Resolutions for Racers?
5 resolution for racers that every team should consider for the new season
1. Create specific season goals
Not unlike a business plan or a personal fitness goal, racers should be considering their racing-related goals for the New Year. For drivers, this may mean sharpening skills behind the wheel by improving stats or another measurable metric. For crew, this could involve new training on the latest technology or improving service times for pit stops. Identify your areas to improve, and create a trackable goal for achieving it.
2. Make sponsors a priority
Racing is an expensive sport, and without sponsor support, many of us would not be able to participate. This means that obtaining and retaining sponsors should be a primary focus for racers. Often, sponsorship contracts will detail what is expected on both sides. But part of cultivating this relationship means you should take extra care to OVER deliver on your sponsorship expectations. Go above and beyond for your sponsors in the new season. They will appreciate the effort and likely will remember it come time to renew.
3. Personal Growth away from the track
Often times, we are so focused on our on-track performances that we neglect areas for improvement away from the track. In order to become more well-rounded, racers should always be looking for personal growth opportunities and training away from their cars. Drivers can benefit from media training to improve on-camera performances or sport-focused fitness and wellness training. Team owners and crew chiefs can always benefit from management training. By ensuring our personal growth, we bring more to the table as a well-rounded piece of the motorsport pie.
4. Thanking the fans
Racing is an entertainment venue, and as such, our biggest and end customer is ALWAYS the fans. We often get so wrapped up in the competition and the inner-culture of our sport, that we don’t focus enough on the real reason racing exists: to entertain the fans. Racers, team managers, crew members should always keep in mind ways to interact with fans. Small gestures by drivers and crew can leave lasting impressions on fans, keeping them coming back for more. Find ways to interact and engage your fans. Be real and human to them, chat with them online and during racing down-times. Take time to show your appreciation to them and they will continue to appreciate YOU.
5. Giving back to charity
Racing gives us each a very public platform to a wide demographic range. Motorsports is the #1 spectator sport in the WORLD. That’s a lot of reach…. We can use that voice to help give back. Find a charity organization you are passionate about and become a vocal advocate of that charity. Donate your time, partner on fundraisers, or just help use your voice to spread awareness.
These are just a few ideas for New Year’s resolutions for racers. What are YOUR resolution ideas?
Writing good press releases for racing media coverage
One thing I’ve learned during the 4 years I’ve spent writing my Women in Racing column for Examiner, is that it’s really hard to get racers to submit timely news for coverage. For the life of me, I cannot figure this out. Maybe because my background IS PR/Marketing, I understand this better than most, but the single most important thing you can do as a racer is to increase the return of investment of your sponsors. This means, the more you can get yourself and your sponsors out there, the more exposure you get and the more valuable their sponsorship becomes. That’s where your media game has to be on-point.
A lot of bigger teams have in-house marketing/ public relations teams who manage all aspects of their media presence. But for many, there simply isn’t a budget to afford a professional. This doesn’t mean you can let this important part of your job go unattended. Here’s a few tips on writing good press releases for racing media coverage.
Who? What? When? Where? Why?
This basic cardinal rule is so often forgotten when submitting press releases for racing. The first paragraph needs to include all of your important info: who, what, when, where and why. Motorsport PR professional Rob Geiger, recommends the Inverted Pyramid Style to structure your release, keeping the most important facts in the opening paragraph, followed by the supporting details and other background information.
Proper Grammar
If you want editors to take you seriously, the first thing you need to ensure is that you are using proper grammar and spelling in your press releases for racing. Professionals in the media industry follow the Associated Press Style Guide, and are very specific on how a proper release should be structured. Have a copy of the AP Stylebook to guide your release. Writing doesn’t have to be fancy or wordy, a simple and concise release is best.
“One rule I have always followed and make my employees follow is to always read your press release out loud before you are done. Not in your head…I’m talking about actually saying the words. If you do this and find any place in the release where you stumble verbally, that place needs to be re-written.” Rob Geiger, Geiger Media
Keep in mind your audience
We are so accustomed to speaking in racer-ese that we forget when talking to mainstream editors that they might not be well versed in the intrinsic details of our sport. While a release detailing the specifics of your results in common racing terminology would be well received at a racing media outlet, a mainstream media source will find it too niche for their audience and difficult to follow. In these cases, you must write your racing press releases as though you were talking to someone who had never seen or heard of your racing genre.
“Don’t get into numbers, no one remembers them, there are only two things: won or lost; that’s all that’s needed or remembered.” Sam Auxier Jr., The Sam Auxier Jr. Show
Angle the pitch
Be different. Don’t send out the same canned “Racer to race at XYZ event” pre and post press releases for racing. Stand out. If there is relevant news that makes your story different, focus on that angle. Firsts, historic announcements, human interest, charity partnerships, and other unique angles will get the coverage over the same canned releases. Take the time to tailor your release to the outlet you are submitting your news.
“What makes a great press release is doing a release not for the sake of doing one. The whole purpose of a press release is to inspire publications to take what you’ve sent, and write an article from it. The lazy places just run press releases without putting any effort in. So, it’s a pre-race release. And your quote reads, ‘We’re excited for this race and we want to win.” Well, big freaking deal, so does every other team out there. Consider your press release with as much forethought as the tune-up in your car. The goal with a tune-up is to get the car down the strip. Well a press release is intended to inspire an article. Details are important, and providing a storyline is even more crucial. We are not trying to be jerks, but more press releases end up in the recycle bin than in publication because the majority just don’t understand the importance of meaty details and quotes.” Bobby Bennett, Publisher, Competition Plus
Get to the point
Editors have busy, deadline oriented jobs. They don’t have time to read pages of text. While it’s important to list the key points and details, you want to present that information in the most concise and easily understood way possible.
“Keep it short and to the point. When submitting a release you have to understand most outlets receive a dozen or more a day. While it is important to stand out, don’t provide a two page release with 600 words. Time is valuable, but if your product or news is interesting, we’ll follow up with the person directly or seek out more info with provided URLs to product info, videos, websites, and more.” Mark Houlahan, Editor, Mustang360 Network
Contact Info
Make sure you include contact information that will allow an editor to follow up. Include multiple formats: Social, Website, Email, Phone to ensure they can get the info they need in a timely matter. Be responsive, do not leave questions unanswered.
CC and BCC Blasts
Trying to drum up good press seems like it would be a numbers game. Deliver your message to the most amount of people as possible. But as an editor, you don’t want to be one of hundreds regurgitating the same information. Forget “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Editor” submission styles. Take the time to research the media you are pitching. Get to know the name of the editor that covers your beat, and make your release personal to them.
“Press releases are an effective media tool, however, they should not be your sole form of communication with the media. Personal notes and pitches that are specifically tailored to a certain media outlet and/or contact can often go a lot further than blasting out a press release. Personalized pitches also help to build relationships, and relationships are everything in PR!” Allison McCormick, Public Relations Manager, Alexis DeJoria Racing
Finding this information is fairly easy if you know where to look. Most print publications have editors listed in the inside cover or near the index. Online sources usually include editor contacts on a ‘Contact Us’ page, but searching the name of an editor who writes the column you are hoping to reach usually returns a lead to contact details.
Including Sponsors
Obviously, we always want to thank our sponsors and help get them the added exposure. But being tactful in your approach will help get them mention rather than being edited out.
“I like it when the racer works the sponsor’s name into the story, rather than just tagging them at the end like it is a chore to get over with” Scott Lucky Hudson, Contributing Writer at Drag Illustrated Magazine
Instead of including a line list of sponsors at the end of your press releases for racing, incorporate them into the detail text of the body. “The Sponsor X Mustang took the top spot with a dominating display of Engine Y horsepower” is much more likely to stay off the editing room floor than an addendum line “thanking sponsors x, y and z” at the end of the release.
Media Credits
A press release without photos will often go into the trash. It is imperative to include photos and video to accompany your news. Source all multi-media, and provide hi-res printable photos (or offer hi-res upon request). Understand that a photo that you pulled off a photographer’s site, (or from Facebook and other social outlets) without their consent, is considered unauthorized use. Media outlets need original, high-resolution images and videos with proper attribution.
“Be sure that you include one or two quality images to accompany the release. Photos or videos are an important aspect of a modern release, as imagery helps your release standout in the flood of information that media outlets receive.” Steve Turner, Editor-in-Chief, SVTPerformance.com
Deadlines and Lead Times
Depending on the publication, deadlines and lead times may vary. Because social media has made information so readily available and virtually instantaneous, its important that you are timely in your PR efforts. Many publications only have a 72 hour or less window of opportunity on news stories, so submitting your race results a week after an event will diminish your chances at coverage in the online world. Print outlets usually require 3 months lead time, and stories should be much less time-sensitive material.
If you do not have the luxury of having someone dedicated to providing timely results, then make sure that at the end of your race weekend, you are making time to get this information drafted and released within 48 hours after an event’s completion.
RSS Feed/Opt-In Releases
Consider setting up an RSS newsfeed or Opt-In newsletter for your press releases. This gives editors interested in your news a chance for regular coverage, and promotes a long-term media relationship by providing great follow-up material for their readers. Using a content management software such as Constant Contact or Mail Chimp, you can import your press release database (provided you have the editor’s permission). Include a subscribe link at the end of your outgoing press releases, as well as on your media contact section of your website to build your media relationships.
Thank you
Most important, follow up with a thank you note for editors who ran your story. This creates a lasting relationship and goes a long way in building trust for future coverage. Share the articles with your fans and followers, its a nice token of appreciation for an editor’s hard work.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Here’s to a prosperous and most importantly SAFE 2015 to all our family and friends!
We have a lot of exciting things in the works here at Horsepower & Heels. We can’t wait for what’s in store! Hang on for the ride in 2015!
Featured Site: Chicas Racing
Chicas Racing.com
Not too long ago, I stumbled on a site that I really enjoyed reading. Chicas Racing, a women’s racing site in spanish language based out of Mexico. What Horsepower & Heels hopes to accomplish in the english-speaking community, Chicas Racing is doing for the spanish-speaking demographic.
The site features a wide variety of different racers from every different genre of motorsport. They regularly feature news for rising young talent, as well as report on all the professional women tearing up the racetracks.
I was especially honored to see this from Andrea Escalona, one of the Chicas Racing staff:
Y quiero contarles que una drag racing girl, me inspiró a crear un blog, ella es @HorsepowerHeels! ❤ Let’s do this! #WomenRacing
which in english translates that she was inspired to create a blog because of mine. That is one of the biggest compliments that anyone could ever offer me. It means that my passion and dedication to supporting women in motorsports has made a difference for someone, and that the passion will continue to be spread around the world.
Sharing with the world the stories of the many thousand women and young girls out there showing that they are strong, capable, and talented drivers is so important to ALL women in motorsports. Over the years, there have been only a handful of news sources that share and champion this message to the masses. But the more we grow in telling our stories, the more the world has to celebrate the successes and fight through the hardships with us.
So for my latinos, please stop by and check out Chicas Racing! Dígales que Horsepower & Heels le envió.
Ladies of NHRA on the Red Carpet
Its always nice to see my favorite ladies of NHRA on the red carpet for the annual NHRA Year-End Banquet and Awards Ceremony. We don’t get enough chances to see them outside their fire suits or sponsor crew uniforms. But make no mistake, these ladies are as fashion-forward as they come! They all look absolutely stunning in their formal attire. Safe to say, all of these ladies are my #WCW #WomanCrushWednesday
Ladies of NHRA on the Red Carpet 2014
Video of the Mello Yellow Awards Ceremony
Photos: NHRA
Let’s hear your comments: Who wore it best?
Drag Racing Online– Ortiz looking for Sponsorship
Drag Racing Online – Ortiz Looking For Sponsorship
November 14, 2014
A small mention in the Agent 1320 column about Erica’s plans to secure sponsorship for Horsepower & Heels found on online drag racing magazine, Drag Racing Online.
Published November 14, 2014
Women’s Fire Suit Review
If there is one thing that shopping for my next fire suit has taught me, all suits are NOT created equally. Unfortunately, as the minority in the sport, suits are not tailored well to the female shape, leaving Women’s Fire Suits anything but flattering on the female physique. Even among the custom fitted suits, my experience wasn’t great getting a suit that was presentable and well-functioning. But as it comes time to order a new suit, I struggled to find any good feedback from women on what suites they had and liked, and which they didn’t. So, I decided to ask for feedback on Women’s Fire Suits from my network of fellow female racers and share it with all of you.
Women’s Fire Suits Review
To help compare and standardize the review process, I created a few categories that mattered to most all women in shopping for suits. First off, to be fair in comparing, the type of suit being reviewed: Custom/Pre-Sized and SFI Rating. Then, for each, I asked for feedback based on their experiences with form, fit, wear, mobility, and comfort.
DJ Safety
FIRESUIT: DJ Safety Custom Fit SFI3-2A/20
REVIEWED BY: Dina Parise | NHRA/PDRA Pro Modified Racer
FORM/FIT: Shoulders: YES! Chest: YES! Waistline: YES!
MOBILITY: Very good. Comfortable sitting, standing etc….
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SUIT? 4 months
Dina’s Comments: Not only do I have a DJ Firesuit, but I have been outfitted by them from suit to shoes… as well as from Belts to Chutes! They are a pleasure to deal with ! If you call…ask for Ben and feel free to tell him Dina Parise Racing sent ya! We love their safety equipment so much, we will be carrying it at our shop Andi-Con Performance located in New Freedom, Pa.
FORM AND FIT: 
(5 STAR)
WEAR/MATERIAL: (5 STAR)
OVERALL RATING: (5 STAR)
Check out more from Dina Parise on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube
G-Force
FIRESUIT: G-Force Custom Fit SFI3-2A/5
REVIEWED BY: Sunny Hobbs | NASCAR Sanctioned Modified Racer
FORM/FIT: Shoulders: Fine Chest: Snug Waistline: Snug
MOBILITY: It’s always ‘fit like a glove’ which is likely due to the measurements I sent in to have it custom made, which is great standing up, but it’s always been a bit tight in a sitting position. I think perhaps the static measurements should allow more flexibility when sitting in a racing seat. Or perhaps I should have added onto the measurements I took, because like I said, although it looked and fit great in the standing position when I first got it, it’s not as generous or comfortable when sitting.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SUIT? more than 5 years, It has worn great. I have had no issues with seams or fading AT ALL.
Sunny’s Comments: The G Force suit has been my best fitting women’s fire suit thus far, likely because it was a custom fit. I’ve had a Simpson suit in the past, and had a horrible time getting it to fit right, because the general sizes are really for men, not for women’s fire suits fit at all, much like racing seats. The Simpson suit had to be altered in the crotch, which was too large and long, and the waist which was way too big, and shoulders which were huge which made the arm length too long.
FORM AND FIT: (4 STAR)
WEAR/MATERIAL: (4 STAR)
OVERALL RATING: (4 STAR)
Check out more from Sunny Hobbs on Facebook or Twitter
Simpson
FIRESUIT: Simpson Custom Fit SFI3-2A/5
REVIEWED BY: Jennifer Jo Cobb | NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series
FORM/FIT: Shoulders: Usually too big, but they work with me Chest: Same Waistline: Same
MOBILITY: By time I have them take it in, the crotch is usually too tight.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SUIT? I have 3 new ones this year – usually get one or two new each year but use the old ones as well (3 suit changes per weekend between practice, qualifying and race). It wears great – I wash in washing machine and it gets softer.
Jennifer Jo’s Comments: I ask for my belt to be lower as it makes for a far more comfortable and flattering fit. This really spins out the makers and messes with the measurements. I usually have to go through at least 2 rounds of fitting after the suit is received but my latest suit came perfect! Still a bit large but much better. Simpson has done all of my suits this year and I appreciate the way they are willing to work with me to get just the fit that I want. They understand that we are photographed so much in these uniforms so fit does matter tremendously. Common mistakes are: shoulders too broad; no “hourglass” shape to contour to the body for a more flattering fit – they aren’t used to a larger chest measurement with such a small waist measurement; baggy bottoms. Trying to be photo ready for sponsors, safe for racing and comfortable all at the same time is challenging!.
FORM AND FIT: (4 STAR)
WEAR/MATERIAL: (5 STAR)
OVERALL RATING: (4 STAR)
Check out more from Jennifer Jo Cobb on Facebook or Twitter
FIRESUIT: Simpson Custom Fit SFI3-2A/15
REVIEWED BY: Kathy Fisher | NHRA/IHRA Drag Racing – TD/SC/QR
FORM/FIT: Shoulders: Good Chest: Good Waistline: Good
MOBILITY: Great…but the arms are a little long/TIGHT!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SUIT? One Season. I have been extremely happy with the quality of the fabric and the embroidery. Diamond Fabric is 10x better than the last custom SFI 15 suit I had (from another company). So much lighter! I’m much cooler than I had been and it still seems to be warm enough on the chilly/breezy days.
Kathy’s Comments: Best overall custom suit I’ve had so far (Out of 4 total). When getting measured….it’s not a bad idea to have someone do it at say, a bridal shop, a tailor, etc.
FORM AND FIT: (4 STAR)
WEAR/MATERIAL: (5 STAR)
OVERALL RATING: (4 STAR)
Check out more from Kathy Fisher on Facebook
Editors Note: Of the reviewed manufacturers, Simpson was the only company that advertised women’s fire suits sizing available.
Hinchman Racewear
FIRESUIT: Hinchman Racewear Custom Fit SFI3-2A/5
REVIEWED BY: Shannon Mudro | UMP Dirt Modified
FORM/FIT: Shoulders: Perfect Chest: Perfect Waistline: Changed my waistline to rest where it should on a woman, fits perfect
MOBILITY: Have full mobility, the suit is snug in all the right places, but not too snug. They are cool in the summer and warm in the spring/fall.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SUIT? I have two suits from Hinchman that I wear, one is 4 years old and another is a year old. Mild pilling on my older suit, but I wash my suits just about every week.
Shannon’s Comments: For women it’s hard to find a suit that fits in all the right places. Heck, we can’t even find jeans that fit right! The struggles of finding a suit that fits well in a male dominated sport is challenging, and Hinchman’s custom suits helped me to look more professional and feel more comfortable. Highly recommend them to anyone!
FORM AND FIT: (5 STAR)
WEAR/MATERIAL: (5 STAR)
OVERALL RATING: (5 STAR)
Check out more from Shannon Mudro on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
Deist Safety
FIRESUIT: Deist Safety Custom Fit SFI3-2A/20
REVIEWED BY: Nancy Matter | NHRA – TAFC
FORM/FIT: Shoulders: Fine Chest: Fine Waistline: Fine
MOBILITY: Comfortable
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SUIT? Since 2005
Nancy’s Comments: My suit is a little thicker, but I can control my body heat with my mind so it doesn’t bother me. The main thing about my suit is that if we have a catastrophic failure and fire, I have the utmost confidence in the craftsmanship of my suit that ensures my protection during the stopping process and quick exit from the hatch.
FORM AND FIT: (4 STAR)
WEAR/MATERIAL: (5 STAR)
OVERALL RATING: (5 STAR)
Check out more from Nancy Matter on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
IMPACT
FIRESUIT: IMPACT Custom Fit SFI3-2A/20
REVIEWED BY: Erica Ortiz | Pro Street/Pro Modified
FORM/FIT: Shoulders: Wide Chest: Fine Waistline: Snug
MOBILITY: It fits okay standing, but its pretty snug and restrictive getting in and out of the car. I was fitted for the suit by an Impact employee at the PRI show, and when I initially received it, it bared no resemblance of fitting in any area. It was oversized in shoulders, arm length, torso length, waistline girth, basically I thought they sent me a 6′ tall male’s suit by accident. They had me ship it back, and they reworked the suit, which helped some, but never did fully correct the issues. The resulting suit is still a bit boxy in the shoulders and chest, then narrows down in the male v-shape and is straight cut through the legs from there. This makes it a little too snug in my hip/rear area. And the belt line is really high.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SUIT? 8 years, though it only saw about 6 months of use. The fabric and condition, seams, etc. are holding up well though.
Erica’s Comments: I really thought that a custom ordered suit would be better fitted to the female body, but if my experience here is any indication, measurements aren’t able to alter the design of the pattern enough to compensate for a feminine figure. To be fair, that was 8 years ago. I’m sure they’ve had time to improve this for women.
FORM AND FIT: (2 STAR)
WEAR/MATERIAL: (4 STAR)
OVERALL RATING: (3 STAR)
Check out more from Erica Ortiz on Facebook or Twitter
Axcel Sports
FIRESUIT: Axcel Sports Custom Fit SFI3-2A/5
REVIEWED BY: Cassie Gannis | NASCAR Super Late Model Series/K&N Pro Series West
FORM/FIT: Shoulders: HUGE Chest: HUGE Waistline: HUGE
MOBILITY: Didn’t allow for much movement
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SUIT? 6 months, wearing good. No fraying tearing, pilling.
Cassie’s Comments: For a male driver, definitely a great suit! But for a women, no. Even though the suit was custom the first firesuit came in way too big. I had a tailor take the measurements to be sure I made no mistakes. They company was great about sending me a new one. Again I had the measurements done by a seamstress. This time the suit came in way too small. The problem seemed to be that the suit was just not fitted for a woman’s body. The waist and hips of the larger and smaller one were just off. I eventually took both firesuits to a local well known seamstress, Kristen Gilbert, who measured me and literally took both suits apart and pieced them back together along with alterations. She even was able to borrow fire retardant thread from a local company. She went above and beyond to make the firesuit fit! I was so grateful!
FORM AND FIT: (1 STAR)
WEAR/MATERIAL: (5 STAR)
OVERALL RATING: (2 STAR)
Check out more from Cassie Gannis on Facebook Instagram or Twitter
Stroud
FIRESUIT: Stroud Athena Custom Fit SFI3-2A/5
REVIEWED BY: Rebecca Starkey | NMRA True Street
FORM/FIT: Shoulders: Great Chest: Great Waistline: Great
MOBILITY: Great. I can get in and out of the car easily in the suit. Full range of motion.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SUIT? I have only had it a couple of months so I cannot comment as to wear.
Rebecca’s Comments: Stroud instructs not add to the measurements, as they will make the suit fit appropriately for movement. I am very happy with it. I’m very petite and have had 4 babies in the past 7 years, so I’ve experienced lots of size changes. Finding a women’s fire suit that fits has been a thorn in my side. Having a suit that fits has made me look more professional and feel more confident. Additionally, having room to “grow” is nice, as we plan to have more children in the future.
FORM AND FIT: (5 STAR)
WEAR/MATERIAL: (5 STAR)
OVERALL RATING: (5 STAR)
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