(Correct as of January 2021)
Everything you buy for motorsport from your seat to your socks will be tested to a certain criteria. You’ll see a label or a sticker on just about everything. Don’t be tempted to remove them as you’ll invalidate that piece of equipment!
Helmets, FHR, seats, harnesses and extinguishers all have a usable lifespan in motorsport. Heres a few guides to navigating the minefield. You’ll find it all in the ‘Blue Book’.
Seats and harnesses have a 5 year, plus the year of manufacture, FIA (international) lifespan. However in UK club racing it is permitted to use an out of date seat provided it’s fit for purpose. Here with an expiry date of 2021 it would be fine in the UK into 2022 and beyond but NOT in Europe if I were to take the car to SPA for example.
Harnesses need to in date if they’re 8853/98 or 8854/98 (the old standard) as shown here. My original belts expired on 31st December 2020 so I need to purchase new ones. These are tested to the new standard 8853-2016 and can also be used for a further 5 years after expiry for the purposes of UK club racing. The modern harnesses can be bought specifically for FHR/HANS devices which have 2″ shoulder straps (as opposed to 3″) The remaining lap straps etc. are the regular 3″. You can use a 3″ shoulder harness with a FHR/HANS but you need to make sure that you adjust the straps correctly.
Extinguishers need to be serviced every 2 years. It’s just a matter of sending them off.
Helmets
Helmets, whilst not strictly having a lifespan, do however have a approved certification which does expire.
The Blue Book states: “10.3.1. Standards. Helmets bearing one of the under mentioned ‘standards’ may be approved by Motorsport UK subject to other criteria being met. See also drawing 10.3.1.
- (a) ALL MOTORSPORT UK NATIONAL EVENTSFIA 8860-2004 (Not valid after 31.12.20) FIA 8860-2010
FIA 8859-2015
SNELL SA2010 (Not valid after 31.12.23) SNELL SA2015 (Not valid after 31.12.26) SNELL SAH2010 (Not valid after 31.12.23) SNELL SA2020″
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/pages/understanding-helmet-standards-homologations-295
My helmet is a SNEL2015 so should be good until the end of 2026. The FHR anchor points are marked FIA 8858-2010.
FHR (Frontal Head Restraint)
10.4. FHR Device
It is permitted to incorporate the use of an FIA approved FHR
Device fitted in accordance with FIA regulations and the below.
For MSA/Motorsport UK National Events in addition to helmets listed by the FIA as recognised for use with FHR, helmets to Snell SA2015, Snell SA2020 and Snell SAH2010 are accepted subject to the anchorage points being marked as homologated to FIA 8858-2010.
The Car
Roll Cage
A bit obvious really. You can build your own or buy one but it must meet strict safety and design requirements.
Rain Light
You’ll need a ‘rain light’. Either singular in the centre or one on each side. You could fit a second fog light or go for a single light centrally mounted. We switched this one independently.
Here’s what the Blue Book says:
“Red Warning Light
5.1. A rearward facing red warning light of a minimum of 21 watts, with surface area minimum 20cm2, maximum 40cm2, or of 21 watts with a surface area minimum of 50cm2 and with lens and reflector to EU Standards, must be located within 10cm of the centre line of the vehicle and be clearly visible from the rear. Vehicles fitted with full width bodywork may alternatively use two lights equally located about the vehicle centre line. An alternative light unit of equal or enhanced constant luminosity or LED lights that are either homologated by the FIA or comply with relevant EU Regulations may be used.”
Electrical Isolator
“External Circuit Breaker
8.1. The circuit breaker, when operated, must isolate all electrical circuits with the exception of those that operate fire extinguishers.
8.2. The triggering system for the circuit breaker on saloons should be situated at the lower part of the windscreen mounting, preferably on the driver’s side or below the rear window.”
In addition the earth to the battery should be identified with yellow tape.
Extinguisher System
“14.1.4. Fire Extinguishers. Even small extinguishers carried in a vehicle can extinguish or contain fires before they develop seriously. Minimum recommendation is for a 1.75 litre AFFF extinguisher or equivalent with BS4123/EN3 approval (EN3 minimum size is 2 litre AFFF) and a rating of at least 34B. More sophisticated equipment is required in many events and full vehicle systems are highly recommended” This is due to change for the 2022 season for larger bottles and pipes.