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Racing shoes,motorsport shoes ordriving shoes are thefootwear used for the practice ofmotorsport or day-to-daydriving. They are generally built to provide comfort and precision for operatingpedals for an extended period of time, with a narrow, close-fitting construction and thin, flexible soles, as well as to provideprotection from fire along with aracing suit, in the context of motorsport.[1][2][3] The standards for shoes worn inauto racing, as with other equipment, are regulated by theFIA.[4]
The invention of racing shoes is commonly attributed to Italianshoemaker Francesco "Ciccio" Liberto, in the late 1960s,[5] though another Italian shoemaker, Gianni Mostile, had patented a model ofdriving moccasins as early as 1963.[6] Prior to that, professional racecar drivers worn ordinary casual shoes for racing, sometimes wrapped inadhesive 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 bySparco andPuma, and their use by use by GermanFormula One championMichael Schumacher during the early 2000s.[8][6]
It is popular among Formula One drivers, especially Australian ones, todrink from their racing shoes to celebrate victories, a practice referred to as a "shoey."[9][10]
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Professional motorsportsafety gear includes SFI certified racing shoes. These shoes are certified by theSFI foundation, a non-profit organization established to issue and administer standards for thequality assurance of specialtyperformance 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 thetrack. The primary purpose of these shoes is to providefire resistance, protecting the driver's feet in the event of a fire in thevehicle.
Moreover, these shoes are crafted for performance, featuringlightweight construction and pedal-friendly design to enhance a driver's control and precision.
