Sparco

{{Short description|Italian maker of automotive safety clothing and equipment}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Sparco S.p.A.

| logo = SPARCO COMPANY LOGO.png

| logo_size = 200

| type = S.p.A.

| foundation = {{start date and age|1977|df=yes}}

| founders = Enrico Glorioso
Antonio Parisi

| location_city = Volpiano, Metropolitan City of Turin

| location_country = Italy

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| industry = Automotive

| products = Steering wheels, car seats, racing helmets, racing suits, gloves, shoes, t-shirts

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| homepage = {{url|https://www.sparco-official.com/it/|sparco-official.com}}

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}}

Sparco S.p.A. is an Italian auto part and accessory company headquartered in Volpiano near Turin{{Cite news |last=Kierstein |first=Alex |date=26 August 2013 |title=Sparco's still hand-built, in Italy |url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/car-accessories/reviews/a5284/boot-gear-sparco-video-behind-the-scenes-race-seats-racing-suits/ |work=Road & Track}} that specializes in producing items such as seats, steering wheels, harnesses, racewear and helmets. Sparco branded alloy wheels are produced under licence by OZ Group. They also sponsor many types of auto races including rallies and single-seaters.

History

File:Sparco steering wheel.jpg]]

The company was founded in 1977 in Italy{{Cite news |last=Collins |first=Jessica |date=28 July 2017 |title=Racing Around: July’s Short Track Racing News |url=https://www.hotrod.com/news/racing-around-julys-short-track-racing-news/ |work=Hot Rod}} and today the ownership is still Italian; the company is one of the leading manufacturers of racing safety equipment.

In 1977, FIA decided to restrict their safety standards, in order to decrease injuries during races: the first product that brought fame to Sparco, was a fireproof racing suit,{{cite web|title=Sparco - Company History Timeline |url=https://www.carid.com/sparco/info/about.html |publisher=CARiD.com}} that could withstand 11 seconds in fire, an absolute record for the time. This resistance was more than enough to meet new FIA 8856-2000 requests. Moreover, that was the only effective alternative to the cotton racing suits, which were not fireproof and did not meet the new requirements. Each year Sparco improved their technology, so the fire resistance of their suits increased yearly.

In 2009, Aldino Bellazzini acquired a majority stake in Sparco and assumed the role of Chairman. Following his appointment, Bellazzini initiated a series of technical improvements within the company. These enhancements contributed to Sparco obtaining the ISO/TS16949:09 quality certification in 2010.{{Cite news |title=Sparco Acquires Impact, MasterCraft Safety |url=https://www.performanceracing.com/magazine/industry-news/06-27-2017/sparco-acquires-impact-mastercraft-safety |work=Performance Racing Industry}}

Sparco, in collaboration with McLaren, developed the McLaren SP16+, a race suit that is notably at least 10 percent lighter than any other on the market. Since 2016, this innovative suit has been worn by drivers of the McLaren F1 Racing Team.{{Cite news |last=Alaniz |first=Anthony |date=17 November 2018 |title=McLaren, Sparco develop lightest FIA-certified race suit |url=https://uk.motor1.com/news/276658/mclaren-sparco-lightest-race-suit/ |work=Motor1}}