IndyCar - Innovative Product Provides Fireproof Piece Of Mind For Women Racers

Indianapolis, Dec. 1, 2011: In May 2010, seven females were driving on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in attempts to qualify for either the Indianapolis 500 or the Firestone Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It struck a chord with Jenny Stewart, who as an INDYCAR safety inspector evaluates drivers' personal equipment.

"From a safety perspective, I thought we have to address the different needs of women in the sport,'' Stewart said. "With that, I started researching what was available for fireproof underwear designed for women. There are a couple of items out there that fire retardant but aren't satisfactory for what our ladies need.

"The big issue is you had a sports bra or a normal bra that would have an underwire, and one of the biggest issues is heat transfer. It's not necessarily the flames because they already have the triple-layer firesuit and Nomex underwear. A bra with any metal will conduct heat and the retail sports bras have elastic that can melt."

Stewart broached the subject with Dr. Terry Trammell, an Indianapolis-based orthopedic surgeon who is a member of INDYCAR's Philips Emergency Care team, and "within three hours of me mentioning it, he got on it straight away."

Eventually, that led to Stand 21 - a leader in the made-to-measure equipment for race car drivers from head to toe - designing a fireproof bra that is in production and ready for retail sale.

Stewart will deliver a formal presentation about the bra to the International Council of Motorsports Sciences - doctors, nurses, safety workers, EMTs that deal with safety issues of racing - annual congress on Nov. 30 in Orlando, Fla.

It has received endorsement from FIA Women & Motor Sports Commission President Michele Mouton, a former world rally-winning driver.

Simona de Silvestro (HVM Racing in the IZOD IndyCar Series) and Melanie Troxel (NHRA) wore the bra in their respective cars during events late this past season and provided feedback. Building it into the Nomex undershirts is on the horizon, as are fireproof briefs.

"It's another safety innovation coming from within INDYCAR," Stewart said. "We are not reactive but proactive and are constantly working on things as simple as a bra. Because it's our passion, we're ever-looking. It's an ongoing of exchanging ideas and information to improve things. Now that we have this product that is comfortable and totally safe, we think it will go beyond auto racing."

IZOD IndyCar Series team owner and former driver Sarah Fisher said implementation in the rulebook of all forms of motorsports would provide peace of mind.

"Girls in the sprint car, midget and formula car ranks need fire protection," she said. "What else do you do? The doctors don't want you wearing cotton, but that's only the choice you have for any support. It's great that Stand 21 has taken the initiative to meet that need."

Items such as rings and watches that conduct heat also are addressed by IZOD IndyCar Series officials at race events. Safety inspectors check a driver's helmet, HANS device and custom-made earpieces (radio communication and accelerometers that measure G forces) before they get in the race car at each venue.

"Constantly, we're visually and randomly checking drivers for what they're wearing," Stewart said. "When we see something that's not appropriate, such as a watch or rings, we address it with the driver and team. Sometimes they just need a reminder. We're hugely interested in the ladder series, the up and coming drivers, where we need to educate them to be conscience of personal safety equipment and to take responsibility. They're not always aware of what's available to them or what's required."