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jmarkaudio · 04-27-2010, 02:32 PM

Shame NHRA isn't this bright...

http://www.imca.com/newsroom.php?newsid=2616

A four step process is next for IMCA and licensed drivers with Impact Racing-made firesuits affected by SFI Foundation decertification.
That decertification of firesuits made and/or distributed in production years 2008 and before takes effect on April 27.
“The first thing we have to do as a sanctioning body is notify our racers of the situation. New and conflicting information comes out weekly, sometimes daily and we are staying on top of it,” explained IMCA Vice President of Operations Brett Root, “Over the next 60 days, it is suggested that drivers will need to identify what they have and determine if their firesuit has been decertified. This will enable drivers to determine whether or not they wish to take the opportunity offered by Impact to purchase new fire suits at discounted prices based on the date of purchase, including free shipping.
“IMCA's general counsel has been in contact with Impact’s lawyers and Impact Racing owner Bill Simpson. We expect to receive updated information and we will do our best to help drivers in the process,” he added. “This is an extremely important safety issue and if the firesuit they own is being decertified, the decision will have to be made whether to replace it. Bill Simpson has informed IMCA's general counsel that all of the fire suits manufactured by Impact Racing exceed SFI standards and that he believes this will be proven in court. He has made it plain that he stands behind the safety of his products and is releasing a press release today providing details.”
IMCA has determined that based upon the competing claims between SFI and Impact, more time is required to study the issue. Therefore, IMCA drivers will not be disqualified or not allowed to compete at sanctioned events prior to June 27 to give Impact an opportunity to demonstrate its claims.
SFI had originally announced in March it would decertify suits, harnesses and restraint assemblies made and/or distributed by Impact, alleging the use of counterfeit SFI conformance labels or patches. Safety requirements for all seven IMCA divisions are virtually identical; arm restraints are also required in the Sprint Car class.
In its most recent release, SFI said late Wednesday it had received test results from two Impact suits believed to have been manufactured in 2008. Thread on both suits failed heat resistance testing; neither suit had a date of manufacture, contrary to SFI specifications, and both were affixed with counterfeit SFI patches. In SFI’s opinion, the failure of the thread poses a safety risk to those who wear these suits in auto racing. Impact appears to challenge both the conclusion of SFI and their standards.
Impact came out with a press release of its own this week, disagreeing with the certification and offering new firesuits at discounted prices based on the date of purchase, plus free shipping. The details of this process are on Impact’s website. A second Impact release is to be distributed at 5 p.m. EST Thursday, April 22, after this issue of Inside IMCA went to press.
Based in Poway, Calif., SFI is a non-profit organization that issues and administers standards for high performance equipment. Following an April 1 hearing in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, SFI and Impact issued a joint press release stating that products made and sold during the 2009 and 2010 production years would not be decertified and that no counterfeit labels or patches were used during that time. The only SFI-rated safety equipment required for use in IMCA sanctioned events are firesuits and safety harnesses.
IMCA's general counsel will continue to follow up on the representation made by SFI and Impact in their joint press releases. IMCA continues to be committed to racer safety and will continue to press Impact and SFI to publish and implement procedures so racers can continue to be protected.

04-27-2010, 02:32 PM	#105
jmarkaudio Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 83 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Impact Racing Shame NHRA isn't this bright... http://www.imca.com/newsroom.php?newsid=2616 A four step process is next for IMCA and licensed drivers with Impact Racing-made firesuits affected by SFI Foundation decertification. That decertification of firesuits made and/or distributed in production years 2008 and before takes effect on April 27. “The first thing we have to do as a sanctioning body is notify our racers of the situation. New and conflicting information comes out weekly, sometimes daily and we are staying on top of it,” explained IMCA Vice President of Operations Brett Root, “Over the next 60 days, it is suggested that drivers will need to identify what they have and determine if their firesuit has been decertified. This will enable drivers to determine whether or not they wish to take the opportunity offered by Impact to purchase new fire suits at discounted prices based on the date of purchase, including free shipping. “IMCA's general counsel has been in contact with Impact’s lawyers and Impact Racing owner Bill Simpson. We expect to receive updated information and we will do our best to help drivers in the process,” he added. “This is an extremely important safety issue and if the firesuit they own is being decertified, the decision will have to be made whether to replace it. Bill Simpson has informed IMCA's general counsel that all of the fire suits manufactured by Impact Racing exceed SFI standards and that he believes this will be proven in court. He has made it plain that he stands behind the safety of his products and is releasing a press release today providing details.” IMCA has determined that based upon the competing claims between SFI and Impact, more time is required to study the issue. Therefore, IMCA drivers will not be disqualified or not allowed to compete at sanctioned events prior to June 27 to give Impact an opportunity to demonstrate its claims. SFI had originally announced in March it would decertify suits, harnesses and restraint assemblies made and/or distributed by Impact, alleging the use of counterfeit SFI conformance labels or patches. Safety requirements for all seven IMCA divisions are virtually identical; arm restraints are also required in the Sprint Car class. In its most recent release, SFI said late Wednesday it had received test results from two Impact suits believed to have been manufactured in 2008. Thread on both suits failed heat resistance testing; neither suit had a date of manufacture, contrary to SFI specifications, and both were affixed with counterfeit SFI patches. In SFI’s opinion, the failure of the thread poses a safety risk to those who wear these suits in auto racing. Impact appears to challenge both the conclusion of SFI and their standards. Impact came out with a press release of its own this week, disagreeing with the certification and offering new firesuits at discounted prices based on the date of purchase, plus free shipping. The details of this process are on Impact’s website. A second Impact release is to be distributed at 5 p.m. EST Thursday, April 22, after this issue of Inside IMCA went to press. Based in Poway, Calif., SFI is a non-profit organization that issues and administers standards for high performance equipment. Following an April 1 hearing in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, SFI and Impact issued a joint press release stating that products made and sold during the 2009 and 2010 production years would not be decertified and that no counterfeit labels or patches were used during that time. The only SFI-rated safety equipment required for use in IMCA sanctioned events are firesuits and safety harnesses. IMCA's general counsel will continue to follow up on the representation made by SFI and Impact in their joint press releases. IMCA continues to be committed to racer safety and will continue to press Impact and SFI to publish and implement procedures so racers can continue to be protected.