2019 DE reminders for all participants: this month’s article is going to highlight a couple of the important safety minimum standards that PCA requires for all DE events. Some are new standards, others have been on the list for years.
The first subject we hear a question on is always something about a helmet; What rating does a helmet require? Does a helmet expire? What brand is best? There are many more questions, but here are the answers to these three questions:
The rating required for a DE helmet is Snell SA or M, a helmet expires (ages out) after 10 years — but if you do a lot of track days, the helmet will probably need to be replaced in 5 years due to the wear and the smell, and as for a brand — you need to try the helmets on to see what fits your head the best. Stable Energies in NJ has a large display of all sorts of helmets in all sorts of price categories. It’s worth the trip to get the personal attention to what is best for you and your head. Your helmet will be good for the 2019 DE season if it is a SA2010 or a SA2015 helmet.
The most noticeable change to the minimum standards is that anyone who uses a 4, 5 ,6 or 7-point harness must use a head and neck restraint device (commonly abbreviated as HANS). This requirement also applies to an instructor taking their student out for an educational ride in the instructor’s car. If the instructor’s car is only equipped with harnesses and no 3-point factory belts, the student must wear a head and neck restraint device. For anyone without harnesses in their car using their factory 3-point belt, a HANS is not used. Please, if you don’t have the proper equal restraint system for both seats, remember that you are not allowed to have someone in your passenger seat.
Several years ago, PCA instituted a requirement that any harness that is 5 years or older needs to be replaced. While not everyone agrees with this standard, it is still a rule and must be followed. Please check your harnesses now so that if they are out of date, you can order new ones before the season starts.
CVR minimum standards guide lines are on the CVR website. Pull down from On the Track to Drivers Education and click on the link for the CVR DE Guide. You can also read all of the minimum standards on the PCA site. If you are unsure of anything related to DE safety, read up and if you still aren’t sure, feel free to reach out to me and I’ll find an answer for you. PCA requires every region to adhere to the minimum standards but also allows each region to go over and above.
Looking forward to our first event of the year and seeing all of our track friends — make sure to register early if you are in one of the beginner groups. And if you are an instructor, the earlier you register, the earlier we can confirm a student.
See you at the track.
Dave
