Innovation

Innovation

never stops

We at Sparco set ourselves hard targets. And the basic formula for achieving them is innovation. Sparco products are developed with the intention of raising technical performance thresholds with every new version, continually improving its offer in fields like driver safety and the lightness of seats and carbon fibre components in general.

The innovations that Sparco introduces have the power to revolutionise the world of cars and become a point of reference for the entire industry. It suffices to cite but two great Sparco innovations of recent years: In 1998 Sparco equipped the Ferrari 360 for the first time with a crash tested reclining carbon fibre sports seat, approved to FMVSS 208 standards for the USA and ECE 17 and ECE 24 for the EU; In 2004 Sparco created the X-light line in suits that combines safety and comfort, giving drivers the chance to wear an ultra-light suit made of absolutely new breathable materials, in full compliance with all FIA regulations.

At the start of 2010, we at Sparco set three targets. And we’ve achieved all three:

  1. 1

    SUPERLEGGERA SUIT

    The lightest fireproof suit ever

  2. 2

    ADV-SC “SUPERCARBON” SEAT

    The safest seat in the world

  3. 3

    THE WTX RANGE

    Meet every driver’s needs

  • Superleggera Suit

    Sparco was the star of the 2010 F1 season with its new fireproof suit: the project it came from is called the “lightness concept”, and was developed to protect and lighten drivers of the calibre of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, and will soon be dressing all of Sparco’s top pilots.

    The basic concept is that weight is a fundamental element for all racing cars, but in F1 even the slightest differences can mean significant savings in terms of lap times. F1 teams invest enormous amounts in the attempt to reduce the weight of their cars, and so in October 2009 Sparco decided to give them a hand.

    Our previous suits weighed 1400 grams, which is already pretty light, but at Sparco our main aim is improvement.. Our engineers worked on a mix of different materials combined together and the result we got is absolutely extraordinary: the new suit weights just 800/900 gr (230 grams per square metre) according to the driver’s size. We obtained a product as safe as before, but with 40% less weight.

    To succeed in this enterprise we worked on all the project parameters. Starting from the design, we eliminated all superfluous fabric cuts and overlaps that added to the weight of the suit. Then we lightened it even more using a new technology: we printed the logos of the sponsors instead of embroidering them.

    This is certainly the technology of the future, and just one example of the work our engineers are doing with a view to even more improvements. The “lightness concept” aims to go beyond every weight standard, and is sure to achieve its aims by revolutionising every piece of driver clothing (from suits to shoes, gloves and even underwear).

  • ADV-SC “SUPERCARBON” Seat

    Sparco and the FIA Institute have a common goal: driver safety. From their collaboration comes the technologically safest racing seat ever made: the ADV-SC Supercarbon.

    Sparco presented the prototype version of the ADV-SC seat in 2009, and was it immediately re-named the “Supercarbon” for the innovative type of carbon and lamination methods used to make it.

    The ADV-SC is the first ever sear with 4 anchor points to the body and that managed to pass the stringent safety tests on competition seats set by FIA standard 8862-2009.
    To pass the tests set by the previous 8862 standard only required a NON ADJUSTABLE seat bolted to the roll bar. The great innovation of the ADV-SC is that it lets drivers adjust their position even while racing.

    Let’s take an example from the rallying world. Side, frontal and oblique impacts are a concrete risk that put both drivers and navigators in danger throughout every race.
    The tests developed by the FIA Institute with Sparco for standard 8862 simulate the stresses that a seat is subjected to in a range of different types of impact.

    The 2010 version of the ADV-SC Supercarbon is even more efficient thanks to three new features: 1, it’s available in two sizes; 2, it’s even lighter thanks to the FEM optimisation of the carbon fibre weave; 3, the seat cushion is made in two thicknesses, an innovation that helps accommodate drivers of different weight and stature (thanks to the four combinations available).

  • The WTX Range

    For other 30 years now, Sparco has been making helmets for the most important drivers in all categories of motorsports, from F1 to the WRC.

    Behind each and every one of our helmets there’s a great deal of research and development, assisted by some of the world’s greatest professional drivers. This is the way we work, and the fruit of our labours makes us truly proud: two great lines, the ADV and the brand new WTX, offering a full range of helmets for track, GT, rally and kart.

    The reason our helmets have the edge over the competition is because we use the most advanced, cutting edge manufacturing technology and materials. To give you an example, the outer shell of our F1FIA 8860 helmets are made from autoclave moulded prepreg carbon, an extremely light material that guarantees our primary objective: safety. And for the same reason we test all our helmets in the wind tunnel.

    The new WTX range (Snell 2010 approved) is the result of 30 years of history, the perfect union of the two fundamental elements in every Sparco product: technology and safety. Moreover, as well as saving weight, they give our drivers greater comfort and help them do their jobs better. The great new features include the RWI, FAD, FCR and EDS that lets drivers quench their thirst even during a race.