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BMW Drivers Club Melbourne

An important update regarding the use of Frontal Head Restraints in Club Sprints

31 Oct 2019 5:00 PM | Anonymous


 


Dear Members,

There are some safety changes being introduced in 2020 that all existing or prospective competitors should be aware of.

As all of our sprints and hill climbs are run under CAMS Permits and are classed as "Speed" events, the new regulations will affect some drivers that currently don’t use Frontal Head Restraints (FHR), commonly known as HANS devices.

From 1 January 2020, it will become compulsory for all competitors in Speed events, such as club sprints, to wear a FHR in most circumstances.

The revised Schedule D can be found here.

The actual wording of the rule is as follows:

Frontal Head Restraints: The following changes to Schedule D of the CAMS Manual of Motor Sport have been issued in the Manual and in the February Edition of Speed Read (at page 42) as a recommendation for 2019, and will be compulsory as from 1/1/20: It is highly recommend that an FHR compliant with Standard A and a Helmet compliant with Standard A is worn when competing in:

a) Each 1st Category automobile, except for a Superkart or a 5th Category automobile which is exempt from the use of a FHR;

b) Each automobile the subject of a CAMS Log Book which applies a RACE, RALLY/ROAD, OFF ROAD or 5th CATEGORY classification whereby that automobile when used in an event applicable to its Log Book classification requires the mandatory use of a FHR.

NOTE: The use of a FHR is not required for a Road Registered automobile for a SPEED Event whereby the necessary equipment for the correct use of a FHR is not fitted to the automobile (i.e. 5/6 point safety harness).

The gist of it is, if you enter a Speed Event (a sprint or hill climb, etc) and your car either has a CAMS logbook or you run with a full harness and race seat, you must wear a FHR and associated helmet.

If you drive a road registered car that only has standard seatbelts you will not have to wear a FHR and associated helmet, you can use a helmet complying with AS 1698, as you can now.

So, for all events we run or take part in, you will need a motorsport helmet and FHR from 1 January 2020, unless you drive a standard car with standard lap/sash seatbelt.

Some may think it a little excessive, but what price do you put on your life in the event of an accident on a track? There have been a couple of big incidents on tracks in the last 12 months that show what can happen, and the results can be catastrophic if we don’t have the correct safety gear.

So, my advice is, keep an eye on the Christmas sales and the like at places like Revolution Racegear, the CAMS website and make sure you have an approved motorsport helmet and FHR ready to go for the first event next year, as you will not be able to compete if you don’t have them at an event.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Graeme Bell | President
BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Inc.

P.O. Box 81, TYABB, VICTORIA. 3913
Incorporated in Victoria #A0102695G
BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Inc is a member of:BMW Clubs Australia and the BMW Clubs International Council
CAMS Affiliated Motorsport Club



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