I.  Racing Equipment

A. Seat Belts (SFI 16.1) (2-year Lifespan)

Seat belts in racing are extremely important to the safety of drivers. They are built to strict specifictaions that makes them many times stronger than an ordinary auto seat belt. Drivers are recommended to have five-point or six-point-harness seatbelt. Two straps coming down over the driver's shoulders, two straps wrapping around the waist, and one or two coming up between the driver's legs.

SFI maintains rigid standards on seat belt installation, review and replacement. Once a driver is secured in the truck, the lap belts MUST sit across the hips and NOT the abdominal cavity. The hip bone can take 8,000-lbs of pressure in a collision, whereas the abdominal cavity can only withstand 800-lbs of pressure before internal injuries will occur.

If seat belt is not punched with the manufacturer date on the SFI tag, the belt cannot be used and must be returned to the manufacturer/store. There is a severe fine for any company that allows items to be sold or released without the dates punched out allowing for proper review. The driver/crew cannot ALTER the tag to make it usable.

B. Firesuits (SFI 3.2A, 2A/5, 2A/15, 2A/20) (single layer, either 1 or 2 piece)

Firesuits should ONLY be worn by the drivers when they are actually entering the truck for practice or the actual race. If they wear the suit while they are working on the truck and mistakenly get any fuel, oil, grease or other chemicals on any part of the suit, it will break down the fire-retardant within the fibers of the suit and will SIGNIFICANTLY reduce the allowable safety time in case of an on-board fire.

If driver firesuit is not punched with the manufacturer date on the SFI tag, the suit cannot be worn and must be returned to the manufacturer/store. The driver/crew cannot ALTER the tag to make it usable.

(See supporting article on proper suit selection in this section of the ASA STC website.)

C. Helmets

D. Fire Retardant Underwear/Shoes/Gloves (SFI 3.3.5, 3.3.15)

If the driver needs to work on the truck, a complete separate pair of gloves MUST be worn. No driver should ever drive in gloves that have come in contact with fuel, oil, grease or other chemicals as this will significantly reduce the allowable safety time in case of an on-board fire.

There is no required lifespan for firesuits, underwear, shoes or gloves, HOWEVER, for the safety of the driver, both the driver, crew and ASA STC safety personnel should regularly visually inspect all items for cracks, tears, holes or excessive wear.

If it is deemed by the ASA STC Safety Director and/or the series Director that any piece of safety clothing is too worn to be properly used, the driver will be instructed to replace such item prior to the race and will not be able to race unless it falls under safety compliance.

E. Crew Gloves & Tool Gloves

F. Driving Boots (SFI 3.3.15)

G. Limit Straps, Tow Straps & Tie Downs, Window Nets (SFI 27.1)

H. Fire Bottles (SFI 17.1)

I. Fire Suppression Systems

On Board Fire Suppression Systems Changes for 2008- Presently Halon 1211 and Halon 1301 are allowable agents for on-board fire suppression systems under SFI spec 17.1. Beginning January 1, 2008, Halon agents will not be allowed in the field. All Halon systems currently certified under the SFI spec 17.1 will expire on December 31, 2007, regardless of their manufacturers or recertification date.

STC Approved 10lb Cold-Fire Bottle

There are two types available gas or water-based. Both work equally in extinguishing a fire; however, the water-based agent will also cool the headers. The other significant difference is cost, being the gas-based agent costs approximately $300 to refill and recertify, and the water-based agent is about $100. There are current 3 gas-based agent manufacturers and 2 water-based manufacturers.For ASA STC approved system, please contact Loren Hill at DJ Safety for delivery of your new water-based system atspecial ASA STC pricing. (323-221-0000)

Remember, the primary purpose for the on-board fire suppression system is to buy the driver extra time to exit the Truck until the track crews can reach you safely. The secondary purpose is to minimize the damage caused by the fire.