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Speedway Merchant Helps Design New Firesuit
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Terri Popielarz and Susan Luebbert
Photo by Linda Karn |
(posted Feb 16)
Most people don't realize that racing is not all about entertainment and selling souvenirs and that many small businesses have a huge impact in the industry. Speedway Monogramming, located across the street from the world's racing mecca, the IMS, has made such a contribution by assisting with research and development for drivers' firesuits. Susan Luebbert, owner of Speedway Monogramming, played a major role in helping Terri Popielarz, a sales representative for Glen Raven Mill's new fabric Glen Guard, to be used for racing uniforms.
According to Popielarz, "The Glen Guard is a unique blend of KermelŪ
aramid and modacrylic fibers. The Kermel is inherently flame resistant
and solution-dyed." This means the color is part of the fiber, not
just on the fabric's surface.
Popielarz, who drives modified cars on weekends, saw how the flame retardant
fabric could fill in the void of its competitor, Dupont's Nomex fabric,
because Nomex is being used in the Iraq War. The government contract is
creating shortages for the rest of the consumers.
Popielarz asked Luebbert to make a sample firesuit to undergo the SFI Foundation's safety certificate rating because of her knowledge of fabric and sewing skills. "Not anybody can just make one," she said.
Luebbert easily spent over $1,000 for testing that includes layers, samples,
zippers, thread, sleeves, and cuffs. The firesuit is finally tested as
a whole to see how the pieces work together. She also adds a detailed personal
touch by block quilting the uniform to insure the lining stays in place.
Luebbert makes only one or two layer uniforms, but it can goes high as
six layers used in drag racing. She indicated that each racing category
has their own sanctioning body with rules for safety and firesuit requirements.
Luebbert's skills passed mustered with the SFI and she received the safety
approval certification that she displays in her shop and on the firesuits.
The SFI approval is not a one time certifications process. Luebbert will
have to be recertified every two years regardless if all of the assembly
stays the same. Luebbert does not mind the recertification process because
it is important to her that the industry's safety keeps evolving. She said
in the early days of racing when her husband was involved, there was
less safety gear. She said it was not uncommon for several race car drivers
to be killed in a week or month. Many of the burns would cost drivers their
limbs and careers. "It (the SFI Foundation) is holding the industry
to a standard which is a good thing," Luebbert said.
Luebbert's work has already had trade show exposure when Popielarz took
Luebbert's samples to the December 2007 Performance Racing Industry trade
show in Orlando. Popielarz indicated the uniforms were well received.
"It was an honor that it was so well received at the PRI," Luebbert said.
Luebbert made a comparison showing the Glen Guard fabric is lighter and
softer than the Nomex. Popielarz also discussed how lighter fabric makes
is cooler as well as more flexible when she is driving the car at 125 mph
to 130 mph. She said the fabric was tested with 50 machine wash cycles
as well as displayed in the hot summer sun for several months to discover
that it maintained its color and durability. Popielarz indicated that if
drivers are going to spend a $1,000 for a firesuit they need it to last
and not fade, especially to please the sponsors whose names appear on the
uniform.
Luebbert has started placing Glen Guard fabric into production and Bill
Olson, sprint car driver, has already purchased a firesuit.
"We are looking for the Saturday night driver," to buy the uniform,"
Popielarz said.
Luebbert makes firesuits for all ages, some as young as five years old. Luebbert pointed to Miranda Throckmorton's line on the wall when the five year-old came to Speedway Monogramming in 1998 in need of a uniform. Luebbert displays her sentimental value for her young customers by marking their growing height progression on her wall.
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