Do racing gloves make THAT much of a difference?

I've been driving without gloves for the last 5 months due to an unfortunate track box accident which rendered my nomex army gloves destroyed. The nice thing is my army gloves had padded knuckles just in case there was a hot pit ultimate fighter engagement. So I just went on with life bare knuckled. Then I bought some $70 OMP gloves because it was pretty cold this past event. I can say that I felt like I had more control over the car. I just liked driving better.

Really didn't change too much and dropped over 4 seconds off my PR at Texas World Speedway in my current car. I didn't change my typical line at all. At TWS, 2 minutes is kind of the target for a "good time". Back in May, I drove 2 of 37 laps under 2:00. Fast forward to Nov, I drove 21 of 29 laps under 2:00. Really it came down to just driving faster through the corners. My straight away speeds were about the same between 129-133 mph on the fastest straight. So the Bimmerworld exhaust, cleaned air filter, and colder air didn't make too much of an actual difference.

What does everyone think? Do good gloves make a big difference? I didn't think so before but now I'm thinking it kind of does.

don't try to over-analyze it, it's definitely the gloves.

and red ones are worth at least 3 sec a lap... especially if they match your brake calipers.

I feel way better with them on. And yes, red ones are the best!

bigjae1976 wrote  

I've been driving without gloves for the last 5 months due to an unfortunate track box accident which rendered my nomex army gloves destroyed. The nice thing is my army gloves had padded knuckles just in case there was a hot pit ultimate fighter engagement. So I just went on with life bare knuckled. Then I bought some $70 OMP gloves because it was pretty cold this past event. I can say that I felt like I had more control over the car. I just liked driving better.

Really didn't change too much and dropped over 4 seconds off my PR at Texas World Speedway in my current car. I didn't change my typical line at all. At TWS, 2 minutes is kind of the target for a "good time". Back in May, I drove 2 of 37 laps under 2:00. Fast forward to Nov, I drove 21 of 29 laps under 2:00. Really it came down to just driving faster through the corners. My straight away speeds were about the same between 129-133 mph on the fastest straight. So the Bimmerworld exhaust, cleaned air filter, and colder air didn't make too much of an actual difference.

What does everyone think? Do good gloves make a big difference? I didn't think so before but now I'm thinking it kind of does.

Which gloves did you buy?

I'm in the market for a pair to use for trackdays, but I haven't tried many brands. I've used a set of OMPs for two 24HoL races, and they seemed adequate--but I mainly wore them because they are required for racing. I didn't feel like they improved my driving at all; in fact, I almost felt like they reduced the amount of steering feel I receive. Thoughts?

I always rock it naked! Why wrap that shit up :

I got faster when I got gloves. But it was also fairly early on when the times would tend to fall easier from additional experience.

Sleeper519 wrote

don't try to over-analyze it, it's definitely the gloves.

and red ones are worth at least 3 sec a lap... especially if they match your brake calipers.

But they don't make yellow OMP gloves...

klammer wrote

I always rock it naked! Why wrap that shit up :

You wrap up the hands when you have an alcantara steering wheel.

I believe they were OMP Sport gloves. they did reduce the feel but I felt like I had a softer touch on the wheel with more feedback. I think it might be like hockey gloves. I feel much better with a thicker palmed glove vs a thinner palm.

I'm truly disappointed in the responses...I thought you guys would have me rolling on the floor.

I definitely prefer to use gloves for track driving.

My hands get sweaty and the gloves make that a non-issue. Also my gloves (Puma furio) have sticky grip things on them that make it easier to hold the wheel with little effort. That really helps me keep a light touch on the wheel, which I've been told is what you want. Death grip is bad apparently

As a bonus, they look cool...and heaven forbid if I ever catch my hands on fire, I'll be all set!

bkrM3 wrote

I definitely prefer to use gloves for track driving.

My hands get sweaty and the gloves make that a non-issue. Also my gloves (Puma furio) have sticky grip things on them that make it easier to hold the wheel with little effort. That really helps me keep a light touch on the wheel, which I've been told is what you want. Death grip is bad apparently

As a bonus, they look cool...and heaven forbid if I ever catch my hands on fire, I'll be all set!

yup agreed, my hands get really sweaty like it thinks i might crash or something lol

Sleeper519 wrote

don't try to over-analyze it, it's definitely the gloves.

and red ones are worth at least 3 sec a lap... especially if they match your brake calipers.

my hands sweat in the summer so i think it helps alot!!!!!!!! winter time they keep me warm...over all i think the grip is better with them...i use alpinestars!!!!!!!

It mainly helps keep the sweat off the steering wheel so it doesn't get slippery in my hands. I never really did a before/after comparison in terms of lap times though...

I have a set of FET Sports gloves which I purchased on a trip to Japan. They aren't fire resistant so I guess it's more for street or karting use. The suede material is very thin and hugs your skin so you can feel the wheel very well.

Wearing gloves makes it feel like someone else is doing it. The poor man's version is to sit on your hands for 20 minutes before your session.

Sebringjetta wrote

my hands sweat in the summer so i think it helps alot!!!!!!!! winter time they keep me warm...over all i think the grip is better with them...i use alpinestars!!!!!!!

+1

+1

BTW, any glove color OTHER than your car's color. Unless you aim to make point-bys a bit more interesting that is

mid-corner fun wrote  

+1

BTW, any glove color OTHER than your car's color. Unless you aim to make point-bys a bit more interesting that is

good point. just means you have to drive faster if your gloves match.

USCTrojanMan29 wrote

But they don't make yellow OMP gloves...

you'll just have to get 2 extra window stickers to make up for the time loss.

bigjae1976 wrote

Do good gloves make a big difference? I didn't think so before but now I'm thinking it kind of does.

Just think how many seconds you'll drop wearing flame proof underwear!

Don't even try wearing a driving suit.

LiM3y wrote

Wearing gloves makes it feel like someone else is doing it...

sorta like having sex wearing a condom, eh

TXmtrhed wrote  

bigjae1976 wrote

Do good gloves make a big difference? I didn't think so before but now I'm thinking it kind of does.

Just think how many seconds you'll drop wearing flame proof underwear!

Don't even try wearing a driving suit.

I'll be doing :59 second laps!

bigjae1976 wrote

I'll be doing :59 second laps!

Wearing Depends adds an extra degree of muscular freedom that makes driving on the limit that little bit easier too.

[However, make sure you have enough roof-helmet clearance before using this application.]