Driving Suit

[jimmy six]

Mike, I'm a pretty good reader and God knows I've read the SCTA Rule books for over 35 years and thousands of times but you need to tell me where this 5 year re-cert is located in the SCTA Book.

The Current page 23 has no mention of it and I have never---repeat---never returned a suit for re-certification since 1976. I could be wrong but this time I'll say I'm from Missouri...............Show me.........JD

[GH]

JD, maybe he's talking about the new rule that the arm restraints can't be older than 2005. I just sent my jacket back to Stroud so they can recert the arm restraints.

[Rick Byrnes]

NHRA requires a 5 year re certification of the firesuit.
With built in arm restraints, I suppose recert of that item will be necessary.

[jimmy six]

Thnaks Rick. Once again so far we are not the NHRA.

GH: Built in arm restraints maybe what Mike is talking about. With that said the date for them is newer the 2006 which is 3 years; which is a new time for us on safety gear. My slip on arm restraints dated in the 80's is no different from the new ones I have seen. It is a possibility the SCTA will not up that date for 10 or more years who knows at this time. right now it's a begin date.

As for following the NHRA 5 year rule fire suit, I hope it never comes to pass with the SCTA. . . . JD

[Glen]

The major change was on the alum.buckle on the arm restraints, steel is now required. Judy is checking them with a magnet prior to inspection.Joe Hansen was changing some at the last lakes meet. Checking with the SCTA rules committee would be a good idea. It doesn't say it in the rule book.

[thundersalt]

From what I've seen on Simpson suits is that the built in restaint ring is at the elbow and scta wants restaints at the wrist or forearm so you would have to use separate restaints anyways.

[Glen]

I am checking with SCTA on this to verify the change to steel is in effect , will update when I hear.

[jimmy six]

Glen and All. My personal favorite with arm restraints are my slip on with no metal ends. (I have 3 different kinds). I choose to use a 5 point seat belt system with a latching handle. I put both the slip on arm restraints on the crotch strap instead of one of the sides. When I release the latch and move up out of the roll cage the arm restraints NEVER hang up and I get out of the car with ease. I'm sorry to say these are out of date which for me is unfortunate. I do not like the slot style and would like to have a ring on the end which has less of a chance to hang up. Non of my 3 styles are aluminum but that doens't matter; they still don't meet the new date rule.

Thunder: My Simpson has the built in ones at the elbow and you are right I don't use them. ...........JD

[Glen]

On page 29 of the new rule book 3.D.3 Arm/Leg retraints:SFI specification 3.3 arm restraints  with a mfgs. date of 2006 or later required. I was told no alum. buckles.

[LSR Mike]

I guess it is just a drag racing spec. from my SFi Spec's list.

Following is a list of all SFI Specifications applicable to FIA Championship
Drag Racing, with respective expiration periods. An item with an expiration period must be returned to the original manufacturer or his agent for inspection and recertification at the end of this period before it can be permitted for further use at an FIA sanctioned event.


1.1 Single Disc Clutch & Flywheel Assembly N/A
1.2 Multi-Disc Clutch & Flywheel Assembly;
ET, PS 2 years
1.3 Multi-Disc Clutch & Flywheel Assembly;
TMD, TMFC, TF & FC 1 year
1.4 Multi-Disc Clutch & Flywheel Assembly;
TMD & TMFC 1 year
1.5 Two-Disc Clutch & Flywheel Assembly;
ET, Adv. ET 1 year
2.2A Front engine dragster Chassis; TF, TMD 1 year
2.2B Front-engine cars, driver behind rear end
TMD N/A
2.3H Rear engine dragster Chassis; TF, TMD 1 year
2.3K Rear engine dragster Chassis; TF, TMD 1 year
2.4B Front engine dragster Chassis; Adv. ET N/A
2.5A Rear engine dragster Chassis; Adv. ET N/A
2.7A Rear engine dragster Chassis; ET N/A
3.2A/1 Jacket N/A
3.2A/5 Jacket (and Pants where applicable) N/A
3.2A/15 Jacket and Pants or Suit 5 years
3.2A/20 Drivers Suit 5 years
3.3 Neck Collar and Head Sock N/A
3.3/1 Gloves, Shoes N/A
3.3/5 Gloves, Shoes, Boots N/A
3.3/15 Gloves, Boots N/A
4.1 Automatic Transmission Shield; Rigid 5 years
4.1 Automatic Transmission Shield; Flexible 5 years
6.1 Flywheel Shield; 1.1 & 1.2 clutch
(2-disc maximum) 5 years
6.2 Flywheel Shield; 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 clutch
(more than 2-discs):
Steel 2 years
Titanium 1 year
6.3 Flywheel Shield; 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 clutch
(more than 2-discs) 2 years
(Check with manufacturer; may be only 1 year)
7.1 Lower Engine Ballistic/ Restraint Device 1 year
9.1 Flywheel Shield; 1.1 & 1.2 clutch
(2-disc maximum) 5 years
10.1C With clutch; TF, FC 1 year
10.1D Funny Car, F/E Dragster Chassis; TMFC, FC 1 year
14.1 Supercharger Restraint (Roots); ET 2 years
14.2 Supercharger Restraint (Roots); TMD,
TMFC, FC 2 years
14.21 Supercharger Restraint (Screw type); TMD,
TMFC 2 years
14.3 Supercharger Restraint (Roots);TF 2 years
14.4 Valve Cover Restraint N/A
15.1 Drive Wheels N/A
15.2 Front wheels; FC, TF N/A
15.3 Rear wheels; FC, TF N/A

[jimmy six]

IMO most of the dates are to keep the sponsors happy and racing expensive for the little guy...Like I say I'm glad the SCTA is not the NHRA........................JD

[LSR Mike]

Now that I have returned to my source for the previous post (rather than the file I saved years back) the text is changed a bit

http://www.sfifoundation.com/speclist.html


In the FAQ section I found this:

When adopted as part of the rules of a race sanctioning body, enforcement is entirely up to that organization. The manufacturer then provides the racer with product that is in compliance with the specs enforced by the sanctioning body.

So the SCTA can call out the spec's  and the SCTA that controls enforcement... The expirations appear to be "recommendations"

[jl222]

IMO most of the dates are to keep the sponsors happy and racing expensive for the little guy...Like I say I'm glad the SCTA is not the NHRA........................JD

  DITTO

  JL222

[GH]

DITTO, me too, when I was nostalgia racing in A/GS, I had to have an NHRA license renewed every 2-3 years including an EKG because I was over 50, certified cage every 3 years, seat belts every 2 years, join NHRA every year, got to be very expensive just to go and make some noise and have some fun.

[tedgram]

  What SFI rating suit will I need for G/BGT or G/BGMS?