Notes from the Scrutineering Bay

In preparation for the start of the season, in just over two weeks' time, our Chief Scrutineer, Tony Harman, has put together some notes to help make sure you are prepared for the season ahead.

There is only one important regulation change this year for all competitors.

Flame resistant balaclavas are now mandatory for circuit racing in the UK and at Spa.

Motorsport UK NCR Ch. 12 App. 12 Art. 3.1.c

The best way to establish they are fire retardant is to ensure they have an FIA label and/or hologram.

A few other important reminders:

Cars new to the club or new builds: If you have a car that the CSCC has not scrutineered before, you must bring it to the scrutineering bay before you go out on track for qualifying. This is regardless of whether your series or championship is chosen for scrutineering at that round; it's for your own safety.

Fire extinguishers:

Fire extinguishers must be correctly installed according to the manufacturers specifications and instructions, including the number of nozzles and their locations. When installing a new system you must fit the complete kit as supplied, you can't use the old hose and nozzles with a new bottle. Nozzles must be fitted securely with metal fixings, not plastic ties.

Please ensure the bottle mountings have large spreader plates if fitted through metal floor skins, these are heavy items that you don't want flying around in the event of an impact.

The bottle must be in date, (this is determined by the manufacturer, not Motorsport UK) and importantly, it must have been serviced within the last two years by a manufacturer approved agent.

A standard fire extinguisher inspection company, servicing bottles in offices and workshops will not be able to service and refill bottles with the correct materials needed for motorsport.

We continue to see bottles serviced this way and cannot allow them to pass scrutineering.

A simple tip is if the service label is not sealed and can be written on with date and signature, then this is not a motorsport approved service agent.

Helmets:

The current helmet standards can be found in the NCR's Ch. 9 App. 7 Art. 1.a. There are no standards that are expiring at the start of this year, so if it was valid and checked last season, it should be ok this year.

Helmets must have a Motorsport UK approval sticker. If your helmet does not currently bear an approval sticker, you must visit the Scrutineers at the circuit, prior to going out on track. They will inspect the crash helmet and issue an approval sticker if it meets the requirements. Stickers are charged at £2.50, to be paid directly to the Scrutineer. You don't need a new label each season, the one affixed when it was first checked at an event is fine.

Seat and mounting:

Although homologation is not required for seats in circuit racing in the UK, it must still be fit for purpose and safe. Importantly, it must be securely mounted using four mounting points of minimum M8 bolts, with large spreader plates to prevent them ripping through the floor.

If you are going to Spa with us, the seat must be homologated and in-date (with just a couple of exceptions, see Spa guidelines).

Harness:

When installing the harness, you must ensure that the FIA Hologram logo is on the LEFT shoulder strap.

If using belts to FIA 8853-2016 standard, then they may be used for up to five years after the expiry date shown on the label, for UK motorsport only.

The older, 8854-98 standard is not usually seen (typically older, 4-point) but still valid, provided they are not expired. There is no extension on the expiry date of this standard. If you are going to Spa with us, all belts must be in date, as shown on the label.

The diagram below shows the angles the belts should take. Note that the shoulder straps should not be above the horizontal and the crutch straps should be as near vertical to the seat slot as possible.

For detailed information on safety regulations, please see Chapter 7 within the Motorsport UK National Competition Regulations, Resource Centre - Motorsport UK

Can I scrutineer the day before? Sorry, whilst we try to be helpful, this isn't possible. Some circuits don't allow access on the Friday whilst a test day is running. The scrutineering team have different duties over the weekend and are needed in assembly, the pits and other areas, so please can you stick to the allocated time and day for your category.

If you have any questions, please contact the office and we can put you in contact with our Chief Scrutineer, Tony Harman, who is more than happy to help.

Don't forget, CSCC sponsor Advantage Motorsport can offer extinguisher servicing for the most popular systems and also have some race wear, including balaclava's, available at competitive prices to CSCC members.

---