SAFETY FIRST - Fire Suit 101

SCOT: My last question, Sam, is how much longer do you see yourself racing?

SAM: My wife and a lot of other people ask me the same thing. I’m going to keep on racing for as long as I can, as long as I can stay in shape, as long as I can climb in and out of that thing. Now maybe you’ll have to lift me in the car and help me get out, but I’m racing. And maybe I’ll have to go to a two-seater at some point, you know, maybe, maybe, maybe. Racing is a big part of my life, and it’s been over 40 years that I’ve been, you know, messing around with all this, and I don’t plan on quitting anytime soon.

SCOT: Well, we sure hope it’s not for a while. Let’s put it that way. And last but not least, who do you want to thank?

SAM: My wife, Kelly, because without her support, I couldn’t do this. My crew, as well, they’re all volunteers. Some of these guys have been with me for pushing 30 years, helping and showing up and doing whatever they can to support me. But I couldn’t do it without the big sponsors. I’m blessed to have sponsors like Jimco Racing, Jamar, King Shocks, Kevin McMullen, PPM, Baja Designs, PCI, BFGoodrich, Impact, RedLine, and Trailready.

Last but not least, I have Casey to thank. I’ve got a big picture on my top of my car, the biggest picture that would fit up there on top, and I carry that every race. He made me feel very welcome. When we started racing, it was always nice to see his excitement at the starting line and at the finish line. Casey and the whole Best In The Desert crew were there. Yeah, I mean, I come down here, and it’s so nice to have all their support. They’re happy to see you here. And, you know, it’s a big family, and it’s really neat. As I said, we all miss Casey; he was my star in the Best In The Desert. And because of him, I didn’t miss a race.

SCOT: Well, thanks, Sam. We appreciate you taking the time to talk to us. You know, you’re a huge credit to our sport and Best In The Desert. Thank you for being here and supporting us, and we appreciate all you do for off-road racing. Good luck tomorrow. Most importantly, be safe!

Editors Note: Sam finished 2nd in Class 1500 at the Jimco Silver State 300 the following day and took the 2021 Best In The Desert Series Class 1500 Championship Points lead in the process.

Photo by 4DIRTMEDIA

Fire Suit 101

By David Nehrbass

Over the last several years, Off Road Racing has been mandating improved fire suit regulations on Drivers, Co-drivers and even Pit Crew Members. Best in the Desert has helped lead this change and safety improvement in the industry. Even with improvements to technology, fire suits do not make you fireproof. In this installment of Safety First, we will discuss various suits, burn times, undergarments, and additional protection to help you cross the finish line safely. In 2017, Best In The Desert became an SFI Member at the urging of Robbie Pierce. Obviously, Robbie is not only a subject matter expert in racing safety, but he continues to remain heavily involved in off-road motorsports. The SFI Foundation is the U.S.

based test bed for hundreds of various products used in all forms of motorsports from fire suits, to helmets to cage construction and restraints. SFI conducts not only many tests a year, but reviews any critical incidents that occur on various tracks. Joining SFI and implementing many of their standards insures that Best In The Desert is at the forefront of racer safety. All drivers or occupants are now required to wear a SFI 3.2a/5 suit anytime they are in a race vehicle. This is for all vehicle classes including UTV or Sportsman classes. This suit is a standard in the industry, and combined with wearing the proper undergarments, which is essential, you can resist second degree burns from direct flames for approximately 10 seconds. 10 seconds. How many of you can get unstrapped and out of your vehicle in 10 seconds in full gear including helmet and neck restraint devices? Can you do it if your vehicle is upside down or on its side? Prior to 2017, Best in the Desert allowed 3.2a/1 suits for occupants. These were single layer suits, that while they were cooler for those that wore them, they offered just 3 seconds of direct contact before second degree burns could develop based on SFI certification standards.

Pit crew members are also required to be protected. Over the years all forms of motorsports have seen many flash fires, particularly while fueling of the vehicle is taking place. As a result, Best In The Desert has mandated that all pit crew members working in the immediate area of refueling also be protected by the same SFI Certified 3.2a/5 suit. This will not protect them if they have fuel spilled on them as all fire suits will absorb fuel, oil or other flammable fluids when splashed or dumped on them. It will however protect them in case of a flash fire. As a result, Best In The Desert also mandates that any crew members handling fuel also wear a SFI rated fuel

apron. That barrier can prevent the suit from absorbing flammable liquids at critical times. These requirements are in place for all fourwheel vehicle pits, all four-wheel classes and all forms of four-wheel vehicle refueling within Best In The Desert events. Wearing the proper suit is just part of a solution to keeping people from getting burned. Wearing the proper undergarments are as important as the suit itself. While Best In The Desert has not implemented specific undergarments, they have banned all polyester and nylon-based products. Wearing SFI rated undergarments will always offer you the best protection, however, simply ensuring that you are not wearing something that can melt is just as important. Certain products designed to keep you cooler when you sweat can melt in seconds even if not exposed to direct flames. Certified balaclavas are also required for all team members who are wearing suits and in the immediate area of refueling the vehicles. It is also highly recommended that SFI rated gloves, socks and shoes be worn to protect your team members. We recommend that all teams in off-road consistently talk with the vendors at the races. Fire protection for your team is not a buy it once and forget about it solution. Technology changes, suits do expire. And rips and tears, if not repaired professionally, are no longer certified. At Best In The Desert we are very fortunate to have Contingency Partners that follow our series like SDHQ, PCI, UPR, and of course Mastercraft / Impact, that have experts in knowledge of individual suits, their ratings and what the requirements are for various series. As a substitute to appropriately rated fire suits, Best In The Desert has allowed pit crew members to utilize Fire Department Turnout Coats and Pants. By their very nature, these garments, when in full-service condition, automatically have properties that not only prevent exposure to flash fires, but also offer a fluid barrier internally that keeps them from absorbing fuel or other fluids. These typically