Impact decertification?

[Stynger]

Anyone know about this?

http://www.sfifoundation.com/Decertific ... -26-10.pdf

[breakaway500]

I received an email from Saferacer stating the same. I don't have any of their stuff,but this is huge.SFI is really socking it to Impact gear.Not only are they saying all their current stuff is decertified(as of April 27th),but ANY future products will not be certified as well. If they were faking the tags to get around paying SFI fees,they certainly shot themselves in the foot... What was Bill Simpson thinking?? Who is going to buy safety gear that is not approved?

This is posted on Impacts website:



Looks like a fight is brewing....

[paultg]

Wow. This is going to be interesting.

[Dave_G]

To me this sounds like p*ssing match between SFI and Impact Racing over the use of tags. No one has said anything about the equipment actually being "unsafe."

Who is going to buy safety gear that is not approved?

Me, and everyone who uses an Isaac head and neck restraint. Despite independent tests showing the Isaac to be at least as effective as a HANS in a crash, it does not have the SFI stamp of approval because it does not have a single point of release -- you need to pull a release on each side. SFI will certify H&N restraints that are less effective in a crash as long as they have a single point of release. Personally, I care more about protecting my neck than in meeting SFI's requirements, so I happily use an "unapproved" Isaac device.

The reason we put so much faith in SFI's ratings is that they are easy to check and to police, and that's a good thing. For that reason they have become the de facto standard of approval, but that is different from saying that ONLY SFI-certified devices are safe.

[breakaway500]

What I meant was....who would buy expensive safety gear that would not pass tech? Yes,I know even out dated safety gear works fine,and gear that does not carry SFI labelling,.but it wont pass tech without SFI tags/dates if the rules say it needs to..like many require. Putting fake tags on gear that has actually been tested is fine (although unscrupulous)..putting fake tags on gear that has NOT been tested should be punishable,in my book. Can't really determine which is the case,considering the information we have...

[horizenjob]

It appears that Impact was using fake SFI tags. They probably have to buy them from SFI.

SFI is not decertifying current equipment, because that would cause an undue hardship. They appear to be trying to prevent Impact from using their name on future sales.

[breakaway500]

Marcus,that is not 100% accurate..SFI has said they will decertify ALL equipment manufactured or distributed by Impact as of April 27th.This statement implies both equipment in the field and future sales. This gives those racers affected 1 month to replace their gear or possibly fail a tech inspection after that date. Assuming of course that tech inspectors will be aware of the controversy..and who knows..maybe the two parties will reach some sort of agreement before then..which is where my money is...

[Stynger]

So....Where does COM stand on this?

[breakaway500]

If April 27th. comes along, and the two parties have not reached an agreement,then any Impact safety gear is officially out of date and does not conform to SFI specifications as of April 28th,2010. It would affect harnesses in all classes and fire gear in Prepared,if made by Impact. Hopefully,they will iron it all out..before then. Otherwise,wouldn't COM have to take the position that the decertified gear does not pass tech? Maybe a question for the Borg..

[jlwhorf]

Impact harnesses would be affected but suits and helmets would not. There is no SFI requirement for fire gear within the our rule book. Still not very comforting thou.

Fire resistant suits and gloves and suitable footwear are recommended in all cars. In Street Prepared and Prepared Cars, all drivers are required to wear a minimum of a single layer fire resistant full-length suit and gloves and suitable footwear. NYLON CLOTHING IS NOT ALLOWED.

[breakaway500]

Right you are Jonathan! I could have sworn I read there were some sfi requirements for our fire gear..but I guess not. I knew helmets were Snell but I though there were guidelines about clothing.Must have been some other clubs rule book..I loose track..

[jlwhorf]

If the Impact situation does not get resolved, there will be some serious deals on their high end fire suits when racers will have to replace them.

[breakaway500]

I have a feeling it will be resolved.There is too much at stake for it not to be..

[jlwhorf]

And it is all over Impact refusing to buy a $5 tag from SFI.

[boltonite]

Fwiw, some racers believe SFI is a scam. I don't have any real knowledge re belt or netting degradation but 24 months strikes some as too short-lived, others feel it is short money, that a cheap head = a cheap helmet... ironically, helmets have a much longer certification period but anyone who wears theirs a lot will get a new one well before it expires due to scratches and funkiness.