What you need to know about safety and protection

Staying safe in a racecar is more important than any podium finish. Here's the low-down on the safety equipment you need on board:

  • Seats
    Just as a good helmet protects your head, a good seat covers your... well, let's just say it keeps the rest of your body safe.

    Made from fiberglass, carbon fiber, Kevlar or a blend of these materials, seats absorb impact during a collision by providing hip, leg, side and shoulder protection. Many come with side-impact head restraints as well. The goal is to reduce motion as much as possible, especially in the case of multiple impacts.

    A seat only does its job effectively if it remains firmly attached to the floor during an accident. For this reason, you should use only manufacturer-approved side mounts and mounting hardware.
  • Harnesses
    Once you've got a seat, you need belts or harnesses to strap in safely. Configurations include four-, five-, six- and seven-point harnesses — the more points, the better the protection. Check with your sanctioning body to find out what's required for your series.

    Harnesses can stretch up to 18 percent during an impact, a factor you'll want to remember when mounting them for maximum protection. Rear shoulder belts should be mounted at no more than a 20-percent below horizontal angle; any greater can change the nature of G-forces during an impact and result in serious injury.

    Never buy used belts. Harnesses should carry a date stamp to let you know when to start looking for their replacements. Thoroughly inspect all harnesses regularly and replace them immediately after any impact.
  • Head and neck restraint
    A vital element of any driver's equipment, head and neck restraint systems prevent your head from snapping forward during an impact.

    A Head and Neck Support (HANS) device attaches to your helmet with a set of clips and sits on your shoulders underneath your harness.

    Another option, R3 or hybrid head and neck support units also attach to the helmet, but sit on your back and clasp in front with a harness anchor. The firm attachment mechanism can be especially useful for driver education days or instances in which a six-point harness isn't already in use.

    Always install head and neck restraints as per manufacturer guidelines and have them examined by the manufacturer following any sort of impact.

    Your series may require either SFI Foundation or FIA approval for head and neck restraints. To simplify matters, all CDOC-supplied HANS devices include both SFI and FIA labels.
  • Fire suppression systems
    By aiming two to six nozzles at the engine and the cockpit, fire suppression systems help keep flames in check if a fire breaks out, buying you valuable time to escape from a burning car.

    These systems control fire by dispensing an aqueous film-forming foam or FE36 gas at high pressure to cut off the fire's access to oxygen that can keep it going.

    Mechanical or electrical means can be used to discharge fire suppression systems. Follow the manufacturer's directions to the letter, and with electrical systems, test the battery power regularly and don't forget to arm the system before a race. Always use manufacturer-approved nozzles designed exclusively for your system, anything else won't work.

    Fire suppression systems can be refilled after deployment. CDOC offers refilling service for SPA Technique systems.

    Check to see whether the sanctioning body for your series requires SFI or FIA approval for fire suppression systems.