12 replies to this topic

[manthony121]

Now that it is -5 degrees in the Northeast, I can't help but look forward to the 2018 racing season.  My car has SFI Spec 16.1 seat belts, with a manufacture date of Jan 2016.  The tag says, "Valid 2 years from punched date"  The GCR says that SFI 16.1 belts are good for 5 years.  I think I remember seeing a Supps for a race at NJMP that said that New Jersey state law mandates that SFI 16.1 belts are only good for 2 years.  The annual inspection in my log book for 2016 and 2017 says "belts good until 2017".

 

So, do I need to ask Santa for new belts before the 2018 season starts?  Are there any other states in the NE that have a state law regarding seat belts in race cars?  Should I stop being such a cheapskate, and just buy a new set of belts regardless of what the GCR says?

[Rick Worth]

I run NASA and they are good for 2 years. Window net is good for 5 years.  I would think that SCCA is the same. I run Ultrashield 6 point harness and they re webbed mine and checked cam lock. Also all the latches were replaced for $86 including shipping. Good as new without new price.  

[Bench Racer]

I think I remember seeing a Supps for a race at NJMP that said that New Jersey state law mandates that SFI 16.1 belts are only good for 2 years.  The annual inspection in my log book for 2016 and 2017 says "belts good until 2017".

on New Jersey state law or NJMP.

 

January 2018 SCCA GCR:

1. Restraint systems meeting SFI 16.1 or 16.5 shall bear a dated SFI Spec label. The certification indicated by this label shall expire on December 31st of the 5th year after the date of manufacture as indicated by the label. If for example the manufacture date is 2014 the fifth year after the date of manufacture is 2019.

[manthony121]

on New Jersey state law or NJMP.

 

January 2018 SCCA GCR:

1. Restraint systems meeting SFI 16.1 or 16.5 shall bear a dated SFI Spec label. The certification indicated by this label shall expire on December 31st of the 5th year after the date of manufacture as indicated by the label. If for example the manufacture date is 2014 the fifth year after the date of manufacture is 2019.

Yes, that paragraph has not changed from previous editions of the GCR.  Which makes me wonder why the annual inspectors are going by the "2 year rule"?  I'd hate to be refused a tech sticker because my belts are more than 2 years old!

[Bench Racer]

Ask the tech who noted your logbook.

[Terry Hanushek]

on New Jersey state law or NJMP.

 

January 2018 SCCA GCR:

1. Restraint systems meeting SFI 16.1 or 16.5 shall bear a dated SFI Spec label. The certification indicated by this label shall expire on December 31st of the 5th year after the date of manufacture as indicated by the label. If for example the manufacture date is 2014 the fifth year after the date of manufacture is 2019.

 

New Jersey

 

NJ 13:62-3.7.c.1  1. SFI Specification 16.1 (May 1, 2008) or SFI Specification 16.5 (June 5, 2012), incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented, and available at http://www.sfi foundation.com, seat belts shall be valid until December 31st of the second year after the date of manufacture punched or indicated on the SFI tag. There shall be one original tag attached to one of the two shoulder belts, one original tag attached to one of the lap belts and a third original tag attached to the crotch belt.

 

The Region has unsuccessfully requested a waiver of this provision of Chapter 62.  Unfortunately this wording complies with the SFI recommendations and the state does not want to accept the liability of a rule inconsistent with SFI recommendations.

 

It should be noted that the only time SCCA tech inspectors physically examine seatbelts is during annual inspections.  Tech stickers are normally issued based on the current annual inspection entry in the car logbook.

 

Terry

[Danica Davison]

You don't need up-to-date belts if you don't wreck.

[DrDomm]

It should be noted that the only time SCCA tech inspectors physically examine seatbelts is during annual inspections.  Tech stickers are normally issued based on the current annual inspection entry in the car logbook.

 

Terry

 

Meaning...don't do your Annual Tech at NJMP.  That said, if you have a Log Book that says, "Belts good until 2017" you'll have to explain it to the official doing your annual tech this year.  And if you go to NJMP this year, try to steer the tech official away from that comment when he looks for your 2018 Annual Tech.

[ChrisA]

Or buy belts that have FIA approval which have expiration dates good to 5 yrs, unlike the SFI's 2 yr recommendation. NASA follows FIA expiration date and SFI 2 yr recommend life. The SCCA differs in that regard giving 5 yrs to the SFI build date and adhering to the FIA expiration date.  The NJ law doesn't mention FIA sanctioned belt in the statute section posted above.

 

2017 SCCA CGR

9.3.18. DRIVER’S RESTRAINT SYSTEM 

E.

2.  Restraint systems homologated to FIA specification 8853/98 and 8854/98 will have a label containing the type of harness designation (‘C-###.T/98 or D-###.T/98) and date of expira- tion which is the last day of the year marked. All straps in this FIA restraint system will have these labels.

 

3.  If a restraint system has more than one type of certification label, the label with the latest expiration may be used. 

[John Nesbitt]

As Terry points out, the Region's hands are tied by the NJ Chapter 62 rules.  And they have real teeth.  The authorities do make random inspections, and can (and have) shut down an event for a non-compliance.  The Region is stuck.

 

As far as the logbook notation goes, the tech guys can finesse by writing something like, "Belts good till end of 2018 at NJMP, till end of 2021 elsewhere."  That should satisfy NJ and avoid delays elsewhere.

[BNaumann]

As Terry points out, the Region's hands are tied by the NJ Chapter 62 rules. And they have real teeth. The authorities do make random inspections, and can (and have) shut down an event for a non-compliance. The Region is stuck.

Ridiculous. Hope I never have to visit that state. Are you allowed to fuel your own car at the track? 😆

[Jim Drago]

You don't need up-to-date belts if you don't wreck.

You better check the date on your belts John

[ChrisA]

As Terry points out, the Region's hands are tied by the NJ Chapter 62 rules.  And they have real teeth.  The authorities do make random inspections, and can (and have) shut down an event for a non-compliance.  The Region is stuck.

 

As far as the logbook notation goes, the tech guys can finesse by writing something like, "Belts good till end of 2018 at NJMP, till end of 2021 elsewhere."  That should satisfy NJ and avoid delays elsewhere.

 

Here is NJ law concerning FIA belts.

 

§ 13:62-3.7 Safety belts, shoulder harness and crotch belt

© Practice days and road races for any vehicles (except motorcycles) require a minimum of a five-point safety belt for each occupant meeting one of the following standards:

1. Posted above

2. FIA 8853, incorporated herein by reference and available at http://www.fia.com/s.../standregs.html, seat belts shall be valid for five years from the year of manufacture. Belts are stamped or printed with an expiration year. FIA seat belts expire on December 31 of the year printed or stamped on the FIA tag. FIA tags are located on each leg of the shoulder belt and lap belt, and on one leg of the crotch strap