Race Suit Info

[The Moose]

I know that FIA approved kit such as race suits have a life span, so if it was made in 2007, when does it stop being fia approved?

Cheers

The Moose

[AWRacing]

got mine in 1999, still use it now - never had any issues with scrutineering.

[andye30m3]

I didn't think the FIA suits had a life span, just needed to be to the correct spec.

Although I seam to remember the CIK approved kart suits did have a life span.

[The Moose]

i dunno

obviously seats and harnesses etc have a lifespan, and i thought i remembered someone mentioning suits as well

i guess need to find a scrutineer on here!

cheers

the moose

[bjw970s]

The Race suit standards are contained in the Blue Book. the FIA standards from the blue book 2008 are:

Racing

FIA 8856-2000
FIA 1986 Standard

I haven't got a 2009 book yet so can't tell what the acceptable standard for 2009 are but it will be out soon,don't expect much of a change.

Don't what 'life' they have but my other suit did expire...

Edited by bjw970s on Friday 26th December 18:26

[Hybrids]

FIA 1986 Standard will not be acceptable for MSA events after 1st Jan 2010

[The Moose]

Hybrids said:

FIA 1986 Standard will not be acceptable for MSA events after 1st Jan 2010

ok, but what does that mean?!?! :-P

Cheers

The Moose

[Hybrids]

If the FAI spec on the back of your collar says 1986 Standard then it's only got 12 months left for MSA events(or flirt it on Ebay)

I'm away at the moment so haven't got the new blue book to hand but I did notice the reg. change as I changed my suit a few months ago from the old 1986 standard

[RobM77]

The Moose said:

I know that FIA approved kit such as race suits have a life span, so if it was made in 2007, when does it stop being fia approved?

Cheers

The Moose

The simple answer to this question is that the FIA approve race suits to a particular standard; and then the MSA Blue Book will then advise regarding the legality of that standard. Recent suits do indeed state a year of manufacture, but as far as I know this isn't on its own part of whether a suit is legal or not; at the moment it just matters what the standard is. The current standard that's "going out" is the 1986 standard, which I believe the Blue Book states won't be legal after Jan 2010, so you've only got this season left in one.

Helmets are also similarly treated.

The MSA have a very efficient e-mail and phone enquiry line to get a definitive answer one any rules such as these.

[thunderbelmont]

I'm the proud owner of a suit of the older standard, and it's done me proud for quite a few years now.

I'm going to get a new one this year, something suitably lary from Stand21 I reckon - so I'll be on the hunt for a super deal this next Autosport show.

[falcemob]

You also can't use the FIA 1986 Standard suit if you race abroad and as said not allowed in the UK from 2010

[AndrewD]

falcemob said:

You also can't use the FIA 1986 Standard suit if you race abroad and as said not allowed in the UK from 2010

Indeed. And even in 2007 the scrutineers at the Hungaroring said "nem" to my FIA 1986 suit.

[Simon Mason]

Depends what your using it for. In the UK you can use any suit standard approved by the MSA and that includes some BS standard (British Standard.... not crap standard ) suits. The only time an FIA rating on a suit becomes critical is as Andrew said is on the continent where they are very strict and even require upto date underwear and socks etc are worn which is not the case in the UK.

[thunderbelmont]

That's the only thing that puts me off racing the other side of the ditch. I'll have to change my underpants and darn my socks!

There are some quite good deals kicking around for new fireproofs, even with the £ vs $ vs Euro.

I'm certainly looking forward to the Autosnort-Interfarcial show, even more so now one of my credit cards has just done a deal of 0% on card purchases for a 6 months.

[marcusjames]

AndrewD said:

falcemob said:

You also can't use the FIA 1986 Standard suit if you race abroad and as said not allowed in the UK from 2010

Indeed. And even in 2007 the scrutineers at the Hungaroring said "nem" to my FIA 1986 suit.

Perhaps that's because you weren't able to do the zip up.

[AndrewD]

marcusjames said:

AndrewD said:

falcemob said:

You also can't use the FIA 1986 Standard suit if you race abroad and as said not allowed in the UK from 2010

Indeed. And even in 2007 the scrutineers at the Hungaroring said "nem" to my FIA 1986 suit.

Perhaps that's because you weren't able to do the zip up.

You've not been to Hungary then?