Helmets

David Sullivan · November 05, 2007, 12:44:15

Ive noticed throughout the past season that some people have writing/stikcers on their helmets. If i wanted to put anything of the sort on my very exciting plain white helmet to spice things up a little bit, is there anything i have to watch out for, rules/regulations etc...

Thanks

Marc Fenner · November 05, 2007, 13:11:59

Don't know about the regs but helmet manufactures recommend that you don't put anything on them as the glue can effect the helmets.

Mary Lindsay · November 05, 2007, 16:08:29

When I was looking for a new helmet at the beginning of the season I wanted a black one but there were none available in my price range. Demon Tweeks suggested that I had it painted black by Gremlin designs. I sent it off to them and they did it for me and it doesn't appear to have done any harm. They can do all sorts of designs, see their web site:
http://www.gremlindesigns.co.uk

Trevor Williams · November 05, 2007, 16:31:52

David
See section Q of the Blue Book. Also manufacturer's info that came with your helmet.
Also, on a slightly connected subject, Scrutineers are being encouraged to take a keener interest in any badges that are stitched onto overalls. If they aint on a flameproof background and use flameproof thread they might get official next year
Trevor

Derek Coghill · November 06, 2007, 00:06:42

Hi Trev, I presume that the name badges that were provided comply?

David, why do you want to decorate your helmet; for your benefit or for others? Alfred Neubauer didn't paint his team's cars because it added weight.

David Sullivan · November 06, 2007, 08:41:15

Nothing like adding a bit of excitement into life! :D

Trevor Williams · November 06, 2007, 09:27:45

Derek
I wouldnt be so sure. Wayne or Paul Taylor got them done a few years ago
Trevor

Chris Yates · November 06, 2007, 09:47:47

A note on overall badges:

If you have an FIA 8856/2000 suit, and you have badges sewn on, and you can see the stitching from the inside of the suit - the suit will be thrown out of scrutineering next year.

Basically, scrutineers have been told to clamp down on non-flame-retardant embroidery and badges yext year.

The FIA homologation states that badges should be sewn to the outside layer only with flame retardant thread, something that can only be done by the manufacturer.

Embroidered names are a bit of a grey area still, as there's no 'test' for flame retardant thread, other than setting it alight ;) But if it was done by the manufacturer of the suit, then it'll be OK.

If you have an older Norme 86 suit, then forget all of the above :D

Trevor Williams · November 06, 2007, 10:41:38

Chris,
Why do you believe their is a difference between the two standards? A scrutineer had the same comment about my suits, one of which is 1986, the other 2000

As I am a complete saddo, I have just read the FIA standard 8856-2000 including appendix 1. There is no mention of the stitching attachment for badges, just for embroidery directly onto the suit. If a scrutineer fails either of my suits, he will be visiting the Clerk of the Course to explain himself!

This is another example of the scrutineers not being fully compliant with the regulations, like dark visors! I will not change my dark visor if asked, because it fully complies with the regs!

Trevor

Chris Yates · November 07, 2007, 10:41:10

I'm going off what I've been told or what I read. For instance, this is from a person who sells racing suits:

"If a driver presents an older Norme 86 set with the name/badge embroidered through all three layers then that is OK because this requirement only came in with 8856-2000."

More discusssion here: http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101589

Trevor Williams · November 07, 2007, 12:13:02

Cheers Chris,
I had a look at that ten-tenths thread, and there is one correct posting on it from "midgetman".
There is NO requirement for the stitching used to attach badges to race suits to only go through the outer layer of the suit. The only requirement for badges is that they have a fire retardent backing and fire retardent stitching. This is all from the FIA standard.
There is no mention in the latest reg changes from the MSA about changes to the overalls regs that are in the 2007 Blue Book.
I will be mentioning this to Ian Watson at the BARC driver's rep meeting in a couple of weeks, because this looks like a case of the MSA's left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing!
Trevor