2006 Harnesses

[LenColley]

Just wondered if I'm the only one silly enough to have bought a new harness from the States with SFI homologation only to find that the MSA have aligned themselves only with FIA harnesses. I spoke to the MSA and was basically told hard luck!! What this means is all harnesses must be FIA approved and with a "not valid after" date sewn into them. So throw your SFI and anything else harness in the bin!!!

[johnw]

Seems strange that SFI remains a valid homologation for helmets, yet not for harnesses. No doubt someone will explain.

[haggispeed]

Who manufactured the harness ? try contacting them and if you're lucky you may find they are authorised to approve it for FIA, of course you'll have to return it to them for the necessary tag to be sewn in. I had the reverse thing with my race overalls from Jays. They are approved by SFI but don't come with the badge, you have to ask for it. If it's a Stroud there is a UK distributor who may be able to help you out. Good Luck

[Icycool]

Risk of sounding stupid, can you have them "re-badged" like you can with overalls?

[midgetman]

>>>>>>>"re-badged" like you can with overalls

Er no you shouldn't do that actually. There was a loophole a few years ago but it's changed.

[Al Weyman]

Hi Ya Len Colley long time no see, how are you and Ongar, welcome to the site.

[jamesl]

Provided the harness manufacturer has a FIA homologation (some yankie manufacturers dont)they will be able to rework the harness with FIA labels retrospectively (provided its new in the box still). As a point of fact the SFI homologation is actually a higher standard, than the FIA homologation. SFI requires 3" laps and 3" shoulders, whereas FIA requires just 3" shoulders and 2" laps.

[LenColley]

I bought the harness in Canada - so I can't really pop it back to the shop!!! I'm not really bothered about the harness but more about the MSA attitude (John Symes). A bit like the transponder issue, they appear to be a law unto themselves. They have probably not only got shares in MST but also some harness manufactureres!!!! I am just getting fed up with this big brother attitude about everything we do.
Hello Alan still V8ing???

[vaughan jones]

there does seem to be a cavalier attitude to the way that licence holders are forced to spend their hard earned,i can understand that if helmets,overalls,belts etc are u s ,they should be replaced; these items should be dated from there date of first service,not the date they were made and reached the retailers shelves.

[Al Weyman]

Hi Len, yes I am but they are breeding, I have 3 of the buggers now!

Thing about that though Vaughan and this is what I fail to understand about making a belt or a helmet u/s ater a certain date is if I look after the new helmet I have bought, never show it daylight and wear it, what a dozen times a year ten surely with modern materials that thing should last years. Now on the other hand if I don't look after it and bash my unprotected roll cage every time I get in the car and the thing looks a mess then maybe there is a case. Same as belts, I have new 3 inch FIA belts, how on earth can I possibly wear these out in say ten meetings a year if they are looked after and always hooked together when not in use as per manufacturers instructions. I fail to see how these items can be time lifed.

[zefarelly]

when I built my car 2 years ago I just made sure all safety stuff was to FiA spec, didn't really cost any more, but its taken all this ambiguity out of the equation, and it means I can race anywhere. seemed a pretty simple precedure to me. but then I get the impression UK and Fia rules where quite different until relatively recently ???

[ianpearson]

just out of interest, other than the claimed dale earnhardt torn seatbelt has anyone had, seen or heard of a seat belt failing? especially in a single seater, i certainly have'nt. surely that is what they are trying to cover with this date issue on the FIA standard, making sure we change our seatbelts every 5 years

[Chris Y]

Good question, and what's with the 2" / 3" thing? In domestic racing (i.e. non FIA), why do we need FIA approval? The MSA could mandate something like "4-point, aircraft style buckle only" or something, might save some people some unnecessary spending.

Also, why mandate FIA approval on belts, but not seats? (Or is that for next year?)

[Eddy V]

From what I heard the FIA are "pushing" all national MSAs to use the FIA rules and regs about safety.
So be prepared to change to FIA standard in the "near" future, for whatever you need.
Like Zefarelly says, it doesn't really cost that much more (sometimes the prices are the same) to have it in FIA spec.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by Eddy V

From what I heard the FIA are "pushing" all national MSAs to use the FIA rules and regs about safety.
So be prepared to change to FIA standard in the "near" future, for whatever you need.
Like Zefarelly says, it doesn't really cost that much more (sometimes the prices are the same) to have it in FIA spec.

It's not that it costs any more to buy, it doesn't. With me it is the fact I have to replace my overalls, harness and helmet for next year, that'll be at least £1K to Deamon Thieves or GPR.

[LenColley]

The thing is that the American standard SFI is to a higher standard than the FIA - harnesses have to be re-checked every two years in the States- but for some reason the MSA want to tie themselves with the FIA with no exceptions. As I said before I'm just annoyed that there is no leeway with them and you either do it or p** off!!! I had just bought a new harness, but there must be loads of racers with SFI harnesses that will have to change next year. Just a thought, say they don't like Snell?????

[zefarelly]

I'm almost inclined to say ignore America . . .its a law unto itself and how many UK/Euro/Fia racers ever go ther . . .I'd wager virtually noe bar the ones so bloody rich they have cars in both countries . . .so unless your trying to save a fiver buying on holiday it shouldn't make any difference.

for pistons and stuff I'll go to the US though . . . good quality, cheap, and twice as quick as a ceretain UK manufacturer !!!

[jamesl]

I've heard seats are on the FIA agenda too. Probably be ok for 2006 though.

[MGDavid]

>>>I have to replace my overalls, harness and helmet for next year, that'll be at least £1K to Deamon Thieves or GPR.
===just over £500 if you shop wisely, if you don't have the cash you simply have to shop around.

[Mike Holmes]

Harness, Fire Extinguisher and Transponder for me! 3 perfectly serviceable items to be replaced, thanks MSA and MST

[Eddy V]

And there is the new Snell SA2005 norm for lids as of Oct. 1.

[brickkicker]

I dont think the Snell SA2005 is a suprise is it? They bring in a new one every 5 years, which I think is a good idea as it stops people having helmets for 20 years and still keep using them (as they have done with BS helmets). And I dont think it is going to cost you £1000 is it. Even at Deamon tweeks prices.

[TEAM78]

Im gona wait for the Autosport show then find out whats being changed. need a new seat anyway. Changing belts wasnt planed though but best do it if its to be safer. pity there has to be a motorsport tax on everything

[midgetman]

Ruddy typical - can't get the FIA web site to work to check. Eddy does this mean my Snell 2000 is obsolete as from 1st October or is the new standard just recognised from them? I bought my helmet in May and have only worn it three times! Aaaargh!

[johnw]

No midgetman Snell 2000 is OK - probably for five years as Snell 95 has only just disappeared.
Funny though, Snell 95 helmets also have SFI 31.2 homologation which appears to be just fine in 2006.
But not SFI belts????