Yes, a kart suit can help a driver go faster. The Danrow AeroSuit is the first aerodynamic kart suit to gain FIA approval, and by reducing loose fabric, drag and turbulence around the body it is designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency and top speed. The gain on any single lap may be small, but across qualifying, heats and a final, small gains can add up to valuable time.
In karting, drivers and teams spend hours searching for small gains. Tyre pressures are adjusted, data is studied and every line through every corner is reviewed. But one large part of the kart's aerodynamic profile has often been overlooked: the driver.
The new Danrow AeroSuit has been designed to change that, combining a close, streamlined fit with lightweight, elastic materials and full customisation.
What is the Danrow AeroSuit?
The Danrow AeroSuit is a performance focused karting suit engineered around aerodynamics, weighing approximately 950g, using soft elastic materials for a close fit, and fully customisable with the driver's colours, logos and sponsor branding.
It is available for both adult and junior racers, and it replaces the conventional loose race suit cut with a design built specifically to manage airflow around the driver.
Most importantly, the Danrow AeroSuit V1 is FIA 8877‑2022 Grade 1 homologated. Its official homologation number is KC.046.26‑O, as recorded in the FIA Technical List No. 101.
That means drivers no longer have to choose between aerodynamic racewear and an FIA-approved kart suit. For the first time, they can have both.
How does an aero kart suit improve performance?
An aero kart suit improves performance by fitting closer to the driver's shape, managing airflow more smoothly and reducing drag and turbulence, so more of the kart's power goes into forward speed rather than fighting air resistance.
A driver sits high and exposed in a kart, directly in the airflow. A conventional suit can crease, flap or hold excess material around the arms, shoulders and body, creating a less even surface for the air to pass over. This effect is most noticeable on longer or faster straights, where the driver spends more time pushing through the air.
The main performance benefits include:
- A close fit that reduces loose or flapping fabric
- More efficient airflow around the driver
- Reduced drag and turbulence
- The potential for improved top speed
- A lightweight construction of approximately 950g
- Flexible material that allows a full range of movement
It is a simple idea, but an important one. If teams optimise the kart, helmet and driver position to find marginal gains, it makes sense to look at the suit too.
Can the Danrow AeroSuit save seconds on track?
The Danrow AeroSuit has shown measurable reductions in lap times during professional driver testing, according to Danrow and Custom Racewear. Over a full race distance, repeated small improvements can add up and potentially save meaningful time.
This fits a pattern seen right across sport wherever drag reduction has been studied. Research into aerodynamic running apparel measured a 1.17 per cent improvement in 100m sprint times among athletes wearing drag reducing kit, and NASA's wind tunnel work with Speedo on the LZR Racer swimsuit cut skin friction drag by 24 per cent compared to the previous generation suit. The principle is consistent across sports: reducing drag around the athlete's body reliably translates into measurable gains, and it is the same principle behind the AeroSuit's design.
However, no race suit can promise every driver a fixed number of seconds. The result will depend on the circuit, kart, class, speed, weather conditions, driver position and the suit being compared.
The biggest aero benefit is likely to be seen on faster circuits and longer straights, where the driver spends more time pushing through the air. At the sharp end of a competitive grid, even a fraction of a second can affect qualifying position, help a driver stay in the tow or make the difference at the finish.
The AeroSuit is not a replacement for driving skill or a well-set-up kart. It is another performance tool, and one that works throughout every lap without asking the driver to do anything differently.
What do drivers say about the Danrow AeroSuit?
The suit is already proving itself in demanding race conditions.
Custom Racewear AeroSuit ambassador Seb Crawford wore it at the Le Mans International Trophy in temperatures close to 40 degrees C. He reported an increase in top speed and said the elastic material gave him a better range of movement despite the close fit. He also found the suit breathable and comfortable in the extreme heat.
In my first heat using the suit I went from 6th to 2nd.
Seb Crawford, Custom Racewear AeroSuit ambassador
Seb also points out that the suit is so light his team had to add lead to the kart to make the minimum weight, which he sees as a real advantage.
He has since won in the AeroSuit at The Kart Championship. While a suit alone does not create a race result, his experience shows that an aerodynamic fit does not have to come at the expense of comfort or movement.
The AeroSuit is also attracting attention throughout the UK karting paddock. Piers Prior and the wider Alpha Live team picked it up through their Bumpdraft podcast, with Henry featuring the AeroSuit and asking whether the traditional kart suit is on its way out.
Is a tight kart suit comfortable?
The Danrow AeroSuit looks very different from a traditional kart suit, so comfort is one of the first questions drivers and parents ask.
The close fit does not mean the suit is stiff or restrictive. Its elastic construction stretches with the driver, allowing movement through the shoulders, arms, hips and legs. Thumb holes and elasticated foot straps help keep the material in position while driving.
The material is also breathable, which is especially important during long sessions and hot race weekends. Rather than carrying bulky folds of fabric, the suit stays close to the body and moves with it.
Sizing is refreshingly simple. Custom Racewear only needs the driver's height and weight because the elastic fit adapts to their shape. The suit is available for junior, youth and adult drivers.
Why is the Danrow AeroSuit changing karting?
Kart suits have traditionally focused on protection, durability, comfort and design. The Danrow AeroSuit adds another job to that list: helping performance.
That changes how drivers and teams may think about racewear. A suit is no longer only a safety requirement or a place to display sponsors. It can become part of the performance package alongside the kart setup, helmet and driver position.
We are already seeing that shift at Custom Racewear. Interest has grown quickly, more drivers are asking about the AeroSuit and orders are increasing as racers see the suits on track and hear feedback from other drivers.
This is often how change happens in motorsport. A new idea appears, a few drivers test it and the paddock watches closely. Once the benefit becomes visible, what looked unusual begins to look like the new standard.
Is the Danrow AeroSuit FIA approved?
Yes. The Danrow AeroSuit V1 is FIA 8877‑2022 Grade 1 homologated under approval number KC.046.26‑O.
It is the first aero kart suit to achieve this FIA approval. This is important because many competitive championships require drivers to wear a suit that meets the relevant FIA standard.
Drivers should always check the regulations for their own championship, but the Danrow AeroSuit meets the FIA 8877‑2022 Grade 1 standard specified by many karting series. You can compare it against the other homologated options on the kartwear page.
Can the Danrow AeroSuit be customised?
Yes. Every AeroSuit can be customised with your colours, race number, team branding and sponsor logos.
You can create a starting design using the Custom Racewear X-PRO configurator, which can then be mapped onto the AeroSuit template. Alternatively, the Custom Racewear design team can create a bespoke design from your ideas, reference images or current suit.
The result is a suit designed for performance without losing the individual look that drivers, teams and sponsors expect.
How long does a Danrow AeroSuit take to make?
The usual production time is around four to six weeks, plus shipping, depending on demand and how busy the factory is.
As more drivers move towards aero racewear, we recommend ordering early, particularly if you need your suit before a championship round or major event.
Where can I buy a Danrow AeroSuit in the UK?
Custom Racewear is the exclusive UK distribution agent for Danrow.
We can help with sizing, design, colours, sponsor placement and availability, taking you from the first idea through to the finished suit.
Explore the Danrow AeroSuit and enquire with Custom Racewear.