safety gear

[nickoneill_123]

Hi. Just wondering what kind of helmet, suit & seat,I will need to use? Is there a minimum requirement for these safety items? eg am I able to use an RPM helmet & suit (not alot of cash)

[watty]

http://www.camsmanual.com.au/pdf/general/0605_Schedule_D_Q408.pdf

Should be able to find everything you need to know there....

A Rally:
(i) Special Stage Rallies (State level* or higher):
D
uring each special stage, at minimum each crew member is required to wear:
• A one-piece driving suit, made from a flame retardant material, or, until 30 December 2008, a two-piece driving suit homologated to an appropriate SFI standard;
• a separate balaclava, t-shirt, underwear and socks, each made from a material complying with ISO 15025:2000 or ISO 6940, or alternatively of cotton or wool;
• flame-retardant gloves (a co-driver is exempted from this requirement), complying with current FIA standards or from materials compliant with ISO 6940;
• boots complying with current FIA standards, boots the upper portions of which are made from materials compliant with ISO 6940 or alternatively boots which incorporate a full leather upper.
The use of flame-retardant apparel which has been homologated to the FIA 8856-2000 standard is strongly recommended. (Not compulsory!!!)
* Note: Where a State level series is not run, this regulation shall instead apply to the highest status Club or Multi-Club rally series run in that state

You do not need FIA spec gear but as it says in the manual it is advised.

I have some FIA and some non-FIA gear and it all does the job.

I have found a lot of second hand stuff on ebay so there is some bargains to be had there.

Seats do not have to be FIA standard. I think they just have to be fixed back (unless they are the original seats) and of good quality. I use one FIA RaceTech seat and a SaaS steel framed ADR approved seat.

[Crazy Dave]

Minimum requirement as stated depends on the event. If it is not a state round, long sleeve shirt, long pants and enclosed shoes pretty well covers it.

At a state round, and even at combined events with a state round (unless the organisers have written it out in the regs or run the lower event under seperate regs), basically all you need is a single layer race suit made from something such as cotton, shirt, undies made from cotton (easy), socks made from cotton or wool (pretty easy - cotton on stores make it easy) a balaclava made of cotton or wool, some disposal stores have them for cheap or from about $30 odd from some motorsport shops, and shoes with a full leather upper (easy). A helmet from a bike shop with AS1698 (from about $60-, for an open face - just make sure you get something that fits you well, more important than the price).

[Mooa42]

Hi. Just wondering what kind of helmet, suit & seat,I will need to use? Is there a minimum requirement for these safety items? eg am I able to use an RPM helmet & suit (not alot of cash)

I know this isn't quite what you asked but I thought it might be of interest.

If you haven't rallied before it pays to have done some club level motorsport before jumping into a state level rally series.

With minor modifications and safety gear you can start competing in club level competitions.

If you want to compete in dirt or bitumen based Motorkhana's (racing around flags as fast as you can and great for learning about car handling and where its limits are) all you have to do is;
1. Join a CAMS affiliated car club, (approx $80 a year, ask here for more info)
2. Get a CAMS Level 2 Licence, (Just fill in a form and pay $50 a year)
3. Have a car with a fire extinguisher, belt and in generally safe condition, (no reg required)
4. Enter an event, ($15 to $40)
And you are away! Easy as that!

With the same licence and car spec as above you can then enter khanacrosses, (usually a dirt track up to 900m in length) and all you will need is neck to wrist to ankle clothing and closed shoes, (jeans cotton windcheater and runners), a helmet at least to AS1698, (ask for more info) and your away.

Khanacross events are usually around $30 to $50 to enter.

Don't be put off by having a standard Excel, trust me they can be competitive. Most people only use cheap cars for competition in motorkhana's and Khanacrosses anyway, (bar a few serious people).

Hope this info is of use and please feel free to ask any questions, there will be more than enough people on here happy to help you out.

Tony

[John C]

Nick

In Victoria the Excel rounds are generally State championship rounds (VRC)

However there are many events as Tony has pointed out where you can use your excel with the lower level of equipment, and you will learn a awful lot about your driving and the car, before tackling a full on rally. The George Woods Intro rally in February would be a great event for you and the car and clothing requirements are minimal.

It would probaly be a good idea to go into profiles and add your state or suburb , then when people reply about specifics they can apply it to the different state conditions

Keep up the good work Nick hope to see that car out and about really soon.

[nickoneill_123]

Thanx for the help guys appreciate it. Car will be ready cross my fingers late feb mid march.