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Shoes for auto racing and driving From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Racing shoes, motorsport shoes or driving shoes are the footwear used for the practice of motorsport or day-to-day driving. They are generally built to provide comfort and precision for operating pedals for an extended period of time, with a narrow, close-fitting construction and thin, flexible soles, as well as to provide protection from fire along with a racing suit, in the context of motorsport.[1][2][3] The standards for shoes worn in auto racing, as with other equipment, are regulated by the FIA.[4]
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The invention of racing shoes is commonly attributed to Italian shoemaker Francesco "Ciccio" Liberto, in the late 1960s,[5] though another Italian shoemaker, Gianni Mostile, had patented a model of driving moccasins as early as 1963.[6] Prior to that, professional racecar drivers worn ordinary casual shoes for racing, sometimes wrapped in adhesive tape to provide better traction and stability.[7] Racing shoes were popularized among motorsport fans and the general public after the release of the Speed Cat and its successor Future Cat, developed by Sparco and Puma, and their use by use by German Formula One champion Michael Schumacher during the early 2000s.[8][6]
It is popular among Formula One drivers, especially Australian ones, to drink from their racing shoes to celebrate victories, a practice referred to as a "shoey."[9][10]
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2023) |
Professional motorsport safety gear includes SFI certified racing shoes. These shoes are certified by the SFI foundation, a non-profit organization established to issue and administer standards for the quality assurance of specialty performance and racing equipment.[11]
Many professional racing organizations mandate using SFI approved gear, including shoes, emphasizing their importance in ensuring regulatory compliance and driver safety on the track. The primary purpose of these shoes is to provide fire resistance, protecting the driver's feet in the event of a fire in the vehicle.
Moreover, these shoes are crafted for performance, featuring lightweight construction and pedal-friendly design to enhance a driver's control and precision.
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