Speedway Minimum Safety Standards Info

Posted on by Daniel Glindemann
05 May

Apparel & Helmets

The following minimum standards apply to:

  • AA: All Divisions
  • A: All Open Wheeled Divisions (excluding AMCA)
  • ASCF: Super Sedans

Race Suit must meet minimum standard of either SFI 3.2A/5 or FIA 8856-2000 and be a one (1) peice suit.

Helmet must comply with the Snell SA-2005 or Snell SA-2010 Standard. (Snell SA-2000 are no longer acceptable as of 1 July 2011) BS 6658 – 85 Type A/FR helmets must be no older than 5 years from the manufacturer date (please check the manufacturer date prior to purchase).

Drivers in all categories must wear full faced helmets *** (see definition below) with a visor that must be closed whilst competing (no goggles).

Head and Neck Restraint must be worn and meet FIA or SFI 38.1 Standard (A horse collar is optional when wearing a Head and Neck Restraint )

The following minimum standards apply to:

  • A: All Sedan Divisions & AMCA
  • ASCF: All Divisions Except Super Sedans
  • B: All Divisions
  • V: All Classic Drivers
  • JD: Junior Competitors & Extraneous Events**

Race Suit must meet minimum standard of either SFI 3.2A/1, FIA 8856-2000 or the higher standard of apparel and be a one (1) peice suit.

Helmet must meet minimum standard of either:

  • AS1698 (Helmets must be no older than 5 years from the manufacturer date)
  • Snell M 2005
  • Snell M 2010
  • Snell SA-2005
  • Snell SA-2010
  • BS 6658 – 85 Type A/FR (Helmets must be no older than 5 years from the manufacturer date)

(Snell M 2000 & SA-2000 are no longer acceptable as of 1 July 2011).

All drivers must wear a full faced helmet *** (see definition below) with a visor that must be closed whilst competing (no goggles) in all divisions.

Horse collar is compulsory without a Head and Neck Restraint.  If you wear a Head and Neck Restraint, it must conform with either the FIA or SFI 38.1 standards. However, if you are using a AS1698 helmet with the device, you may not modify the helmet in any way. If the helmet must be modified to wear the head and neck restraint device, you must wear the Snell helmet.

** Extraneous Events such as demo derby will have their own standards.

*** A full face helmet covers the entire head, with a rear that covers the base of the skull, and a protective section over the front of the chin. Such helmets have an open cutout in a band across the eyes and nose, with a visor or shield that generally swivels up and down to allow access to the face that must be closed whilst competing (no goggles). No Open Faced or Modular (flip-up) helmets allowed.

Boots, Balaclavas, Gloves & Underwear

The following minimum standards apply to:

  • All Divisions

Boots are compulsory in all divisions and must comply with SFI 3.3 or FIA 8856-2000.

Balaclavas are compulsory in all divisions and must comply with SFI 3.3 or FIA 8856-2000.

Gloves are compulsory in all divisions and must comply with SFI 3.3 or FIA 8856-2000. It is recommended they are the Gauntlet Style glove and they must not be modified in any way.

Underwear must be worn conforming with SFI 3.3 or FIA 8856-2000, must be long sleeved, long legged and must have a neck collar.  Drivers must only wear cotton under-garments (eg no synthetic boxer shorts), and no under wires on bras.  No synthetic attire and no jewellery to be worn by a competitor whilst competing.

Minimum Standards For Karts

All karts drivers must wear abrasive resistant overalls (to the satisfaction of the Scrutineer). No press-studs are allowed and disposable type overalls are not acceptable.

All drivers must wear cotton under-garments (eg. no synthetic boxer shorts), and for females, there may be no under wires on bras.

There must be no synthetic attire and no jewellery to be worn by a competitor whilst competing.

Karts drivers must wear approved karting boots.

Helmet must meet minimum standard of either:

  • AS1698 (Helmets must be no older than 5 years from the manufacturer date)
  • Snell M 2005
  • Snell M 2010
  • Snell SA-2005
  • Snell SA-2010
  • BS 6658 – 85 Type A/FR (Helmets must be no older than 5 years from the manufacturer date)

(Snell M 2000 & SA-2000 are no longer acceptable as of 1 July 2011).

All drivers must wear a full faced helmet*** (see definition below) with a visor that must be closed whilst competing (no goggles) in all divisions.

No head and neck restraint device allowed with an AS1698 helmet but a horse collar must be worn.

*** A full face helmet covers the entire head, with a rear that covers the base of the skull, and a protective section over the front of the chin. Such helmets have an open cutout in a band across the eyes and nose, with a visor or shield that generally swivels up and down to allow access to the face that must be closed whilst competing (no goggles). No Open Faced or Modular (flip-up) helmets allowed.

Head & Neck Restraints

Head and neck restraints are now used and trusted by major motor sport organisations worldwide. They have been mandatory in Australian Sprintcar competition since 2004 and are now mandatory for AA, A Open Wheeled and ASCF Super Sedans license categories, excluding AMCA (from the 1st of July 2008).

Only FIA (approved by the Federation lnternationale de l’Automobile) and SFI 38.1 (approved by the SFI Foundation) head and neck restraints will be allowed in line with the Speedway Safety Advisory Committee (SSAC) recommendations ratified by the Speedway Australia Board.

As of July 1st 2013 the following devices are SFI approved (in no particular order):

  • HANS Performance Products – HANS Device (All Series)
  • Leatt Brace – MRX Device
  • NecksGen Device
  • Simpson R3 Device
  • Simpson R3 Rage Device
  • Simpson Hybrid Pro Device
  • Simpson Hybrid Pro Rage Device
  • Simpson Hybrid/Hybrid Rage Device
  • Simpson Hybrid X Device

Please note that there are products from other manufacturers such as DefNder, Leatt Brace, and Safety Solutions that were previously certified and labeled as meeting SFI 38.1. They are not currently listed on the SFI website because they are no longer in new production. However, any devices still in the field or at retail outlets that have SFI 38.1 stickers on them were properly tested and certified at the time. The certifications for those devices remain valid.

Therefore the following devices, which were Speedway Australia approved until 30th June 2008, can not be used until they meet SFI 38.1 specifications:

  • D-Cel Harness
  • Tucker Helmet Harness
  • G Force SRS-1
  • Wright Device

Please note:

  1. A horse collar is optional when wearing an approved head and neck restraint device.
  2. It is highly recommended that all other categories wear a head and neck restraint device.
  3. It is strongly recommended that all Junior drivers wear a head and neck retraint device.
  4. A head and neck restraint device cannot be used with a AS1698 helmet.

Speedway Australia has written to all head and neck restraint device manufacturers advising of this rule, to ensure they have the opportunity to have their product tested by the SFI.

Be alert and make sure you purchase a SFI 38.1 approved head and neck restraint.

NOTE: For HANS Device Recertification, please visit Revolution Racegear.

The SFI Foundation offers speedway drivers, through its partnership with Speedway Australia, comprehensively tested global standards. The SFI Foundation operates a laboratory dedicated to the evaluation of safety products and has an extensive list of tested and approved racing apparel and equipment.

Speedway Australia has identified, in consultation with QBE International (our Public Liability Insurers) and QBE Mercantile Mutual, that since head and neck restraints became mandatory for Sprintcars and highly recommended in other classes, the number of head and neck injuries has fallen by 48% over all Speedway Australia sanctioned speedway divisions from October 2004 to June 2006.

Head and neck restraint devices assist in preventing injuries by limiting extreme head motion and neck loads. They are not designed to assist in preventing thoracic and lumbar back injuries.

The various factors that should be considered when purchasing a head and neck restraint device include, but are not limited to: comfort, the type of helmet needed with each particular device, the specific fastenings needed on specific helmets, the need to drill helmets & associated problems, the use of tethers, life expectancy of each device, device replacement after crash impact, custom fitment, distributor support, ease of use, personal preference, individual body type, race-car type and cost.

Speedway Australia highly recommends that all speedway competitors wear a head and neck restraint device and STRONGLY recommended that all junior drivers wear a head and neck restraint device.

Purchase and use of a head and neck restraint is an important and necessary decision, which can only be made by the user after careful consideration of their individual circumstances.

Speedway Australia will officially advise when further devices pass SFI product tests.

For more information visit the SFI Foundation web site www.sfifoundation.com or visit your local safety apparel retail outlet and ask if your head and neck restraint is SFI approved.

Daniel Glindemann