Helmets and Scrutineering

[Redneck Rocket]

Hello the Ten-tenths Massive.

Some kind soul has just given me a helmet as they upgraded. Not sure if it is still valid for use in National events. Is there any way of finding out? Tried googling, searching the MSA website but no luck.

It's a sparco and it does have a blue sticker that says:

Certified to British Standard
3372797
BS6658: 1985 Type A

Any thoughts?

[Dave Brand]

Try the Blue Book! (Page 163)

[Redneck Rocket]

If I had a blue book it would have been my first port of call.

[Matthews Dad]

Originally Posted by Redneck Rocket

Hello the Ten-tenths Massive.

Some kind soul has just given me a helmet as they upgraded. Not sure if it is still valid for use in National events. Is there any way of finding out? Tried googling, searching the MSA website but no luck.

It's a sparco and it does have a blue sticker that says:

Certified to British Standard
3372797
BS6658: 1985 Type A

Any thoughts?

Having looked at my copy of the blue book I think that the BS 6658 type A allows it to be used in MSA events

If you hold a competition licence do you not get a blue book or access to it via the web site, as I can access it with my marshals registration number

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by Redneck Rocket

If I had a blue book it would have been my first port of call.

Sorry, somehow I assumed you would have one. It does appear that BS6658A is acceptable for MSA events, but you need an MSA sticker, for which the helmet must be checked by a scrutineer authorised to do such inspections.

[Redneck Rocket]

Cheers guys. I did have a competition license for 2006 & 2007 but never used it and as, for various reasons, racing looked like a non-starter for 2008 I thought I wouldn't shell out the renewal fee until I was sure. Hence no Blue Book.

Helmet is in good nick. Clean, no big scrapes, the odd tiny scuff but it's in good working order so I should be okay!

One less thing on the list!!!! Anyone seen any bashed up old seats???

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by Redneck Rocket

Cheers guys. I did have a competition license for 2006 & 2007 but never used it and as, for various reasons, racing looked like a non-starter for 2008 I thought I wouldn't shell out the renewal fee until I was sure. Hence no Blue Book.

Helmet is in good nick. Clean, no big scrapes, the odd tiny scuff but it's in good working order so I should be okay!

One less thing on the list!!!! Anyone seen any bashed up old seats???

If it's only a Nat B licence dont forget you need to get your upgrades within 3 years or retake you ARDS

[midgetman]

Redneck, I may have a seat. I'm expecting to change the one in the Midget for next season. It's a Sparco Junior (?) that's run out of FIA homolo but IIRC that's OK in the UK. PM me

Max

[Redneck Rocket]

AAARGH. If you ask me the whole thing is a scam. It's not like I forgot how to drive in the last 3 years, and to be honest, the ARDS test is so easy my dead Grandma could pass it!

[AU N EGL]

Do not most race santioning bodies require helmets to be with in the last TWO certifications? ie 2005 but no older then 2000 ?

Helmet technology has changed so much in the past 10 years, with kevlar or carbon / kevlar shells being the norm now.

[Stuart H]

BS 6658-85 Type A should be fine for msa events. However Type B is'nt Approved.

For MSA & International events the helmets should have on it:

FIA 8860-2004, SNELL SA2005 OR SA2000, SFI Foundation 31.1A, 31.2A or BS 6658 Type A/FR

Best thing to do is to ring the MSA. I dont think that blue stickers are ok to get through scrutineering at all. Just dont hold me to it!!

[terence]

I thought the minimum required was the red sticker?

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by terence bower

I thought the minimum required was the red sticker?

That'll be BS 6658 Type A/FR

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by falcemob

If it's only a Nat B licence dont forget you need to get your upgrades within 3 years or retake you ARDS

I have just had a PM from someone saying I may be wrong, it's worth checking up though just to be certain. I seem to remember phoning MSA HQ about this as I didn't get all my sigs in one year and I think this is where I may have got the idea from. It was 7 years ago though and a lot of brain cells have died since then so I could be wrong...............or dreaming.

[Al Weyman]

Originally Posted by falcemob

If it's only a Nat B licence dont forget you need to get your upgrades within 3 years or retake you ARDS

Is that a fact Tim? I only have a Nat B and as I have no desire to own a Nat A have not bothered with signatures, is that now a potential problem as it did'nt used to be?

[Suze]

It was me that PMed Tim.....I wanted to know where he'd heard this as I couldn't recall anything. I had a look in the BB - I think it was p120 or something - and I could only see that you needed to retake your ARDs if you didn't renew your license within xx years [can't remember how many, think it was 5]. I only read the common regs for competitors license section so it could be detailed somewhere else, though I'd expect it to be there.

[Chris Y]

I think it is something like 5 years, but yes - if you "only" have a Nat B and you don't renew for a number of years, you may have to retake all or part of your ARDS.

I think you may be exempt from this if you can demonstrate that you've held a Nat A at some point.

Perhaps someone better read the Blue Book, and put us all out of our misery eh?

[Tim Falce]

Aha, that might be what I meant. Thinking about it having a Nat B only means you can't do certain meetings.

[Suze]

From the Blue Book, Race Licenses, p120 - 121

Race Licences
21. A competitor making an application for the first time
for a Race licence must obtain a novice race driver ‘Go
Racing Driver Pack’, which contains the required
application form, from the MSA and then complete an
approved course at a school registered with the
Association of Racing Drivers’ School (ARDS). The
procedure to be followed is contained in the ‘Pack’.
Competitors who have reached their 14th Birthday may
apply for a Race National B Licence to allow them to
race only in Junior Race Formulae specifically
authorised by the MSA. The Licence application must
be endorsed and submitted to the MSA by a Junior
Race Championship Organising Club. This Licence will
state “Junior Race Formulae Only” and will be held by
the Championship Organising Club(s).
Exemptions are as follows:
• Anyone who has held a National ‘B’ Race licence at
any time during 2005, 2006 or 2007. Competitors who
[C(a)] Competitors: Licences
121
have not renewed or held a National ‘B’ licence since
2004 or earlier must comply with the requirement for
first time applicants detailed above.
• *Anyone who can provide proof of having ever
held, or entitled to hold, a Race licence of higher
status than Restricted or National ‘B’. Competitors
who have not renewed their licence for 5 years or
more will be required to pass the ARDS written
examination.
• *Anyone who has held a Competition Licence
during 2006 or 2007 and can produce written proof
of having been classified as a finisher in at least eight
Rallycross events during that time and who passes a
written examination.
• .*Anyone who is entitled to an International ‘A’ or
‘B’ Kart licence and who passes a written
examination.
• *Anyone who, being a foreign national, can
produce proof from their ASN that they have the
necessary racing experience.
• *Anyone, during the year of their 16th birthday,
who is entitled to an International ‘B’ Kart licence, (or
is otherwise approved by the MSA) and who passes a
written examination. The National ‘B’ Race licence
will be issued to the Race Organising Club. The use
of this licence will be restricted to specifically
authorised Race Championships and will be held by
the Club until the competitor reaches their 16th
birthday.
• *A National ‘A’ Race licence may be applied for by
a holder of an International Competition Licence
issued by the Auto Cycle Union and providing that
proof is produced of competing in International motor
cycle racing during the preceding five years, subject
to passing the ARDS written examination. *As the
written examination is based on the Competitors’
Yearbook and other information contained in the ‘Go
Racing Driver Pack’, it is recommended that the pack
is purchased in these exemption categories.