Motorsport at Fair Prices

From the end of 2023, the Snell SA2010 and SAH2010 standards will no longer be valid for Motorsport UK Governed events. The Snell SA2015 standard becomes no longer valid for FIA sanctioned events.

For Motorsport UK sanctioned events, if your helmet has one or more of these standards in, they are still valid for 2024: FIA 8860-2010 FIA 8859-2015 FIA 8860-2018 FIA 8860-2018-ABP Snell SA2015 (Not valid after 31.12.26) Snell SA2020 If your helmet has dual standards, as long as one standard is still acceptable, the helmet is still ok. (Eg. a helmet with Snell SA2005 & FIA 8860-2010 is still valid, as the FIA standard is on the list).

You need a helmet approved to one of the following standards: (Source Technical List 25, published 2/2/21) FIA 8860-2018 FIA 8860-2018-ABP FIA 8860-2010 (Not valid after 31/12/28) FIA 8859-2015 The list is similar to the UK, with the exception of the Snell standards which are missing. The Snell standards are normally required for competition in America. Motorsport Ireland standards are more relaxed than the UK or FIA – they allow an additional 5 years to all FIA recognised standards. (Source: Motorsport Ireland, Appendix 5)

This is not a helmet standard, it is the standard that shows the HANS posts have been installed correctly. This is needed in conjunction with some of the standards above, when HANS/ FHR devices are needed.

HANS/FHR Devices are a relatively new safety item. Since they were made mandatory, helmets have been redesigned to account for the different forces they exert. The standards are updated to offer competitors appropriate protection. The Snell SA2010 standard was one of the most popular standards available when HANS Devices were made compulsory in Racing & Rallying – hence a number now need changing.

This is usually behind the padding, inside the rear of the helmet. The padding is usually loose to allow you to pull it forward and see the standards. The Blue MSA / MSUK sticker does not show which standard your helmet meets.

Our advice is to always try helmets on before you buy so you can ensure you have the very best fit. Different brands fit different shaped heads – so we recommend you go to a retailer who has multiple brands to get the best fit for you. Some brands (such as Stilo) do allow us to do custom fittings for you by changing the pad configuration – please ask for information. We recommend you get fitted with a balaclava – they are all different thicknesses. Ideally, I would recommend getting fitted with a thin balaclava – if the padding “gives” a little, this will allow you to take up any slack with the thicker balaclava. Consider what intercom / communications you need. Many higher quality rally helmets are now Stilo WRC compatible – it may be cheaper to buy a replacement amplifier than buying adapters.

We keep a wide range of helmets from Bell, Hedtec and Stilo helmets to offer the widest range of budgets. We are open about the different standards to ensure you have the best information available. Our showroom is usually opened to suit our customers. We do individual appointments to ensure you have the personal service you require without lots of other customers wanting our attention and putting you under pressure. Last minute appointments are often available. We do sometimes close during the day, this allows us to offer the flexibility to open evenings and weekends – so please call before travelling. If there is a group of you who all need new helmets - we do offer a group-fitting service. We can bring up to 70 helmets to your event to ensure we have the breadth of helmets to ensure you have just the right fit. We are happy to come to Club nights, to help you attract more members to the club and ensure they have the best in safety.

Most seats are homologated to 8855-1999, the FIA homologation on these seats is now 5 years from the end of the year of manufacture – so a seat made in January would get 6 seasons of use. Motorsport UK also allows them to be used on most stage rallies for an additional 2 years, effectively giving you 8 seasons use from a seat. Very rarely seats are homologated to 8855-2001 – these also get an additional 2 years beyond the date on the label. Premium seats of homologation 8862-2009 are FIA approved for 10 years, they get no extension. Seats stating “Not Valid after 2019” were given an extra 1 year extension because of the pandemic – this additional extension has now expired. In simplistic terms, most seats which state “Not Valid after 2019” or “Not Valid after 2020” have now expired for MSUK national events. The previous labelling standard showing “Month of Manufacture” or “Year of Manufacture” is now obsolete and have also now expired for MSUK national events. I understand these labels were used prior to 2014. If competing abroad or doing an Internationally permitted event – check with the organisers as not all countries have the same extensions!

For stage rallying, FIA approved harnesses are required. If the harness is homologated to FIA standard 8853/98 or 8854/98 then it is valid until the date shown on the harness. (They get no extension) This applies to older 6-point and all 4-point / 5-point harnesses – typically they have a black label on them. If your harness is homologated to the FIA standard 8853-2016, then it gets a 5 year extension for MSUK national events and lower. I believe all these harnesses have a white label and one strap will have a gold hologram. The strap with the hologram on it should be on your left shoulder. It is still OK to use 4-point or 5-point harnesses, but they are getting rarer as they do not get the extension. It is not possible to Mix & Match components of a harness. It is often possible to add a crutch-strap to a 4-point harness, but this needs to match the rest of the harness. I recommend contacting your supplier to discuss this option with the manufacturer if you wish to do this. Adding a Crutch-strap to a 4-point harness does not change the approval, so they would still not get the extension.

Since the start of 2023 it is mandatory for Stage Rally competitors to wear a Balaclava to an approved standard. Acceptable standards are FIA 8856-2000 or FIA 8856-2018. There are no date requirements on these. For Motorsport UK National events and below, there is no mandatory requirement for other Fireproof underwear, Gloves or Boots – though they are recommended. (They are mandatory for some international events and for circuit racing)

FHR’s (Frontal Head Restraints) have been mandatory for a number of years in stage rallying. They need to be FIA approved, SFI approvals are not sufficient. (It is possible to get dual approval which is also fine). There are no date requirements on FHR’s, just they need to be FIA standard (which are not mentioned in the Blue Book!) The approved standards are FIA 8858-2002 and FIA 8858-2010.

For Stage Rallying in the UK, you require a plumbed-in and a handheld extinguisher. The plumbed-in extinguisher needs to be an FIA approved "system" - not just the bottle. The handheld extinguisher needs to be of a minimum quantity. To be a "system", it needs to be installed as specified by the manufacturer and serviced at least every 2 years by the manufacturer or their approved agent. I often hear “Is my system Ok with “X” Nozzles?” – the regulation is that the extinguisher needs to be installed as per the manufacturer's instructions; the number and type of nozzles were specified by the manufacturer in the testing process. Instructions for all extinguishers can be found here: http://www.fia.com/user%E2%80%99s-manuals-fia-approved-systems-plumbed-fire-extinguisher-systems This also applies to the diameter of pipe being used – this was specified by the manufacturer. (One system uses 3 different diameters of pipe!) When plumbing the system, make sure you look at how the pipes connect into T-Pieces on the instructions. The fluid flow can differ, splitting the fluid equally or unequally. Some systems are designed to be unequal – check your instructions to see how they should be installed. Check our Help & Advice blog post on extinguishers for more advice!

Helmets are not dated, rather they are approved to a certain standard which expire over time. See our Helmet Standards Explained FAQ. There have been no changes to approved standards since 2022. The are 2 standards which expired at the end of 2023, these are Snell SA2010 and SAH2010. Snell SA2015 will expire at the end of 2026. No other approved standards currently have a planned expiry date. The helmet simply needs to have one valid standard in it (So can have others which have expired). If your helmet has any of these standards, it is still fine for 2024 : FIA 8860-2010 FIA 8859-2015 FIA 8860-2018 FIA 8860-2018-ABP Snell SA2015 (Not valid after 31.12.26) Snell SA2020 Besides being approved, helmets have to be in good condition.

Overalls for Stage Rallying need to be FIA approved. The standards are: FIA 1986 FIA 8856-2000 FIA 8856-2018 These have not changed recently, other than the addition of the FIA 8856-2018 standard. The latest FIA standard (8856-2018) now states “Not Valid after 20xx” – Motorsport UK have stated the date is irrelevant in the UK. The only other requirements for overalls are they cover from your neck to your wrists and ankles, and they are clean & undamaged. There are separate requirements for embroidering or applying decals to the overalls – ask if you need advice on these.