Hi-Vis for 2026

To help maintain our excellent safety record and bring us in line with Motorsport UK recommendations, we have new rules for the pit lane. We want friends, family and pit crew to be more visible in the pits.

During daytime qualifying and races in 2026, it is:

• Mandatory for team members in pit-stop categories to wear a high vis top/tabard when on the pit wall and pit lane. Any colour high vis with reflective areas, except solid red, pink, orange, or yellow.

• Mandatory for drivers in two-driver teams with a pit-stop to wear a pair of high vis armbands when in the pits/pit wall (out of car). The exception is in those moments immediately before/during/after a driver change. At this time the arm bands may be removed.

• Highly recommended for all pit crew to wear them in the pits/pit wall during sprint (non pit-stop sessions).

• Highly recommended for officials/committee to wear a tabard, marked CSCC for committee (with our logo) and scrutineers ( with ‘scrutineer’ script).

NCR Ch. 12 App. 11 3.6. Whilst in the pit lane:

 b. it is recommended that all personnel wear a high visibility jacket/vest approved by the Organisers. From 30 minutes after sunset a high visibility jacket/vest is mandatory.

The addition to our pit stop regulations can be found here: https://www.classicsportscarclub.co.uk/regulations

Racing is supposed to be thrilling, most drivers accept that there is a risk when wheel-to-wheel racing. However, someone being run over in the pits is a different matter. Quite apart from the physical and emotional trauma of those directly involved in an accident (that has thankfully not happened to date), on a practical level the race meeting could be delayed or potentially cancelled and the club directors put under scrutiny.

At our level of club racing, most 'pit-crew' are friends and loved ones. A tabard isn't a force-field (nor was the wrist-band), but if it helps identify spectators that shouldn't be there and aids a driver see and avoid pit crew (perhaps in dim and rainy conditions), then it helps mitigate the risk.

Green Hi Vis on display here, borrowed at no cost from the CSCC Race Admin Team.

Questions and Answers

How expensive are they? Free to borrow and return from the CSCC. A quick search online shows hi-vis tabards from £2 each and arm bands from £1.80 a pair. When not being used, they could be useful if left in your tow car.

Do they need to conform to a British Standard? No, but they must provide high visibility, particularly in dull weather and have reflective areas. Fire retardant tabards are available and recommended, but come at a much increased cost.

Why can't we wear orange jackets?

Following Marshal and driver feedback at our trials last season it was felt it should be easy to identify and distinguish Marshals immediately, as they give official instructions and have training including fire-fighting.

Some examples of multi-coloured tabards that may be suitable.

Ok, so what colours can I have? Green, blue, white, two-tone, multicoloured, just ensure light-reflective tape as part of it. Basically, anything that isn't solid red, pink, orange, or yellow that could be confused with a warning flag. This is where you can get creative, tops are available in multiple colours, two-tone and can have team names printed on them. This may actually help you find your stopping place.

I take part in races with no pit-stops, why is it recommended for my pit crew to wear high-vis?

Cars, including emergency vehicles still use the pit lane, anything that can help them be seen in the pits is of benefit. It will also help Marshals to identify any spectators that may have wandered through a garage to find a prime viewing spot! Whilst it is 'recommended', we would like to see all pit crew wearing hi-vis where possible, help us to help you.

What about Spa? Yes, the same rules will apply at our overseas rounds.

Hi Vis armbands for two-driver teams.

Drivers in two-driver teams can wear hi-vis armbands, why not a full top or tabard?

After much discussion, it was felt that a top could interfere with an FHR and be difficult to remove just before a pit stop. Whilst not as visible, a pair of hi-vis armbands are still a visibility improvement in the pits and are easy to slip on and off.

What's to stop pit-crew spectating during other races? The NCR regulations states that pit-crew should be on the pit wall for signalling and timing only. If 'their' driver isn't competing at that time, they shouldn't be on the wall as they have no-one to signal or time for. In reality, most pit-crew will be needed and busy back in the paddock, plus the 'novelty' of being on the pit wall quickly wears off! The numbers of personnel on a CSCC pit wall has reduced over the last ten years.

What about night racing?

Hi Vis is mandatory in the hours of darkness and taken care of by standing Motorsport UK regulations.

My team member might refuse to wear hi-vis, what will you do about it?

Team members in pit-stop races that refuse to wear hi-vis, nor leave the pit area, after an official request from an official or Marshal, may receive a minimum 5 second time penalty for their car, added after the race. Remember, the driver(s) are responsible for all their team members. CSCC race administration will have a limited number of tabards that can be loaned at no cost, then returned afterwards.

Why does our Castle Combe race meeting still require wrist bands? Due to the location of their assembly area, plus larger spectator numbers, the circuit requires clubs to use wrist bands. We understand why and will therefore use both bands and hi-vis at this round.

Marshal and race control feedback was welcomed during our Thruxton and Oulton Park trial, during which any colour of hi vis was allowed.

What Motorsport UK regulations say:

NCR Ch. 12 App. 11, Art 3 say: 

3.1. A maximum of 3 people including timekeeper and one person detailed by the Entrant for the purpose of signalling may be on the pit wall / signalling area at any time unless the Official Documents stipulate otherwise.

3.2. With the exception of Art.3.1 above only the fire cover attendant specified in Art.2.6 above the Driver and three other persons may be in the pits in attendance on one Vehicle unless the Official Documents state otherwise.

3.3. Each Driver shall be acquainted with the regulations of the pit and paddock area relevant to the Venue at which the Competition is held.

3.6. Whilst in the pit lane:

b. it is recommended that all personnel wear a high visibility jacket/vest approved by the Organisers. From 30 minutes after sunset a high visibility jacket/vest is mandatory.

c. there must be no more than 3 people on the pit wall, per Vehicle. 

d. there must be no more than 4 people working on the Vehicle at any one time. 

e. all equipment and personnel must be in the pit garage when the relevant Vehicle is not making a pit stop with the exception of pit signallers. 

Thank you for working with us to help keep our excellent safety record, whilst making time efficiencies before the driver briefings.

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