Pre Season Rundown: Inspect Safety Equipment and SFI (SA)/FIA Tags

The Ultimate Pre Season “Sanity Check” On Your Auto Racing Safety Equipment Prior to the Season Start

 

Depending upon how far north you live, the racing season is about to begin. Its been several months since you stored your car and now is a good time to do a “sanity check” and review your safety gear before your next event. You don’t want to be loading the truck/trailer, or worse, get to the track, and realize you forgot something. I’ve generated a quick checklist of the safety gear you’ll want to review and hopefully have time to place an order in case you need something.

 

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essential steps to inspect, maintain, and upgrade your auto racing safety gear before the green flag of the season drops.

 

Inspect Your Racing Helmet

First off is our racing helmet. All of our safety gear serves a purpose, and none really more important than any of the others. But protecting our head from injury is one of the most critical things we can do. Hopefully you’ve kept your helmet stored during the off-season in an environment that is climate controlled, like a closet or extra room in the house that stays heated. And you’ve avoided storing it in non-climate controlled environment like a non-heated shop or garage, or in the trailer out in the elements. Temperature extremes are not good for your racing helmet.

Inspect your SFI (SA) tags

First we’ll want to make sure our helmet is good enough to use for this season.

 

 

The Snell (SFI) tags are located under the foam padding and normally at the crown of the helmet or along the side. Pull back your foam padding and locate the Snell tag. It should look like what’s pictured. Check with your sanctioning body on which Snell certifications is valid. Many allow 10 years. As pictured, this is an SA2015 helmet and according to the NASA 2025.1 Club Codes and Regulations, is good for the 2025 racing season and will expire in October. Check with your sanctioning body to confirm. Snell recommends replacing your helmet every 5 years.

 

Some other things to look for.

• Exterior Condition: Look for cracks, deep scratches, or other signs of damage. If you helmet was involved in a crash, or was dropped from a height that resulted in visible exterior damage to the shell, then the helmet should be replaced.
• Interior Padding: Ensure the padding is secure and free from deterioration. Pull on the padding slightly but firmly and verify it stays attached to the shell. Over time, exposure to extreme heat and extreme cold can break down the adhesive holding the foam padding to the shell. Also you can inspect for smell. You wore it last season and sweated in it. If you didn’t store it properly after your sessions the foam padding may get a “funky” smell over time. Investing in a helmet dryer is a sound investment (link here) less than $100.
• Chin Strap: Verify that the chin strap is intact, functional and free from any extreme frays. Pull on the straps pretty firmly and make sure they don’t break. Put the helmet on and secure with the chin straps and verify all is working properly.

Maintenance Tips:

• Clean the exterior with mild soap and water.
• Avoid using harsh chemicals that can degrade the shell material.
• Store in a protective bag away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

 

(Click here to view all the racing helmets we offer at Call To Grid)

 

 

The 411 on Racing Suits

If you run HPDE or Time Trials, chances are you don’t need a SFI or FIA certified racing suit. Check with your sanctioning body to confirm.

If you do, here is a quick 411 on racing suits. A high-quality racing suit provides fire protection and acts as a second skin on the track. The suits are designed to bear the brunt of the heat before you do, and buy you precious time to exit the car.

 

 

Understanding the SFI/FIA Certifications

When shopping for a racing suit you will see an SFI rating associated with the suit. Such as 3.2A/1 and 3.2A/5. This SFI rating is associated with a Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) value. According to SFI website, “The purpose of the TPP is to measure the length of time the person wearing the garment can be exposed to a heat source before incurring a second degree, or skin blistering, burn.”

 

“The TPP rating is the product of exposure heat flux and exposure time. The TPP results can be converted to the time before a second degree burn occurs. The higher the garment rating, the more time before a second degree burn. Here are the SFI ratings with the corresponding TPP values and times to a second degree burn:”

 

Check with your sanctioning body. As of 2025, SFI 3.3 or FIA 8856-2000 are the two most common certifications.

Inspection Checklist:

• SFI Tags: Verify the SFI tags are securely affixed to the suit. Tech, or Impound, may fail you for missing or loose SFI tags.
• Certifications: Ensure the suit meets current SFI or FIA standards. Consult with your sanctioning body.
• Seams and Stitching: Look for fraying, loose threads, or worn areas.
• Zippers and Closures: Test zippers and Velcro closures for smooth operation.
• Fireproof Layer: Check for thinning or compromised material.

Maintenance Tips:

• Wash according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually using mild detergent.
• Avoid bleach or fabric softeners.
• Air-dry to prevent shrinkage or damage.

When to Replace:

• Replace if there are signs of wear that compromise fire resistance or if SFI tags are loose or missing.
• Upgrade if regulations have changed.

 

(Click here to view all the racing suits we offer at Call To Grid)  All of our suits are rated 3.2A/5 or higher, buying you at least 10 seconds.

 

 

Racing Gloves and Shoes

In addition to providing grip and dexterity our racing shoes and racing gloves also provide protection. Similar to the Snell or SFI ratings associated with racing suits, these same ratings apply to our shoes and gloves and help buy us precious time in the case of fire. Check with your sanctioning body on their requirements.

 

 

Inspection Checklist:

• SFI Tags: Verify the SFI tags are securely affixed. Tech, or Impound, may fail you for missing or loose SFI tags.
• Gloves: Check for wear on the palms and fingers. Ensure stitching is intact.
• Shoes: Inspect soles for adequate tread and ensure the fire-resistant material is intact.

Maintenance Tips:

• Clean with a damp cloth and mild soap.
• Air-dry to prevent odor buildup.

When to Replace:

• Replace gloves or shoes with significant wear or damage or if SFI tags are loose or missing.
• Upgrade to newer models if they offer better comfort and protection.

 

Nomex Underwear (Tops/Bottoms/Socks)

 

… check your socks!!!

 

This is probably not required if you run HPDE or Time Trials. Check with your sanctioning body to confirm. Often overlooked before we go the track is to make sure our Nomex underwear is in good shape. This incudes tops, bottoms and most overlooked, the Nomex socks. When I volunteered in Tech we would randomly impound one driver and check their Nomex socks. First was to make sure they were wearing socks, and the second was to check for loose or unattached SFI tags. This is the surest way to fail Tech and we don’t want to be DQ’d for an event because we forgot our Nomex socks or they have loose or missing SFI tags. As of 2025, SFI 3.3 or FIA 8856-2000 are the two most common certifications.

 

 

Inspect Fire Suppression System

Racing Harness

May not be required if you run HPDE or Time Trials. Check with your sanctioning body to confirm.  But a 5 or 6 point harness system is recommended if you are on track. A well-maintained harness keeps you securely strapped into your seat during high-speed maneuvers and potential impacts.

 

 

Inspection Checklist:

• Certifications: Ensure the harness meets SFI or FIA standards. Check with your sanctioning body for their requirements.
• Webbing: Look for frays, cuts, or signs of UV damage.
• Buckles and Adjusters: Test for smooth operation and secure locking. Get in the car, all gear on and verify all is operating correctly.
• Mounting Points: Check for corrosion or wear.

Maintenance Tips:

• Clean webbing with mild soap and water.
• Avoid chemical cleaners that can weaken the material.
• Store away from sunlight to prevent UV damage.

When to Replace:

• Replace if the harness shows signs of wear or has been involved in a crash.
• Follow manufacturer guidelines for replacement intervals.

 

 

Head and Neck Restraint (HANS Device)

A HANS device prevents severe neck injuries during high-impact crashes.

 

 

Inspection Checklist:

• Certification: Verify that it meets current FIA or SFI standards. Check with your sanctioning body for their requirements.
• Structure: Check for cracks, warping, or other damage.
• Tethers: Ensure tethers are secure and free from fraying.

Maintenance Tips:

• Clean with a damp cloth.
• Avoid abrasive cleaners.

When to Replace:

• Replace if damaged or if tethers show signs of wear.
• Upgrade if new technology offers enhanced protection.

 

 

Seat and Mounting Hardware

Your seat and its mounting hardware play a crucial role in keeping you securely positioned.

 

 

Inspection Checklist:

• Seat Structure: Look for cracks, warping, or other damage.
• Mounting Points: Ensure bolts are secure and free from corrosion.
• Padding: Check for wear or degradation.

Maintenance Tips:

• Clean with appropriate materials.
• Tighten mounting hardware as needed.

When to Replace:

• Replace if the seat shows structural damage.
• Upgrade to a newer seat if it offers better support and protection.

 

 

Window Nets and Roll Cages

Window nets and roll cages provide critical protection in rollover situations.

Inspection Checklist:

• Window Nets: Check for fraying or damaged mounting points.
• Roll Cage: Inspect for cracks, rust, or compromised welds.

Maintenance Tips:

• Clean window nets with mild soap and water.
• Apply rust inhibitor to roll cage as needed.

When to Replace:

• Replace window nets if they show significant wear.
• Repair or replace roll cage sections if damaged.

 

 

Communication Systems

Staying in touch with your team is essential for strategy and safety.

Inspection Checklist:

• Headset and Microphone: Test for clear audio.
• Cables and Connectors: Check for wear or damage.
• Mounting: Ensure secure installation.

Maintenance Tips:

• Clean connectors regularly.
• Store components in a dry, protected environment.

When to Replace:

• Replace if audio quality is compromised or components are damaged.

 

 

Pre-Season Testing and Final Checks

Once you’ve inspected and maintained each piece of equipment, conduct a full pre-season test.

Final Checklist:

• Wear all gear during a test session to ensure proper fit and comfort.
• Practice exiting the vehicle quickly in full gear to verify mobility. Practicing egress is critical! Again, when I volunteered in Tech we’d impound one car at random and ask the driver to egress with windows up within 10 seconds. Many cars today, like the new Camaro, don’t allow one to egress through the door window opening with helmet on. You don’t want to discover this when you are trying to exit the car for real after an on track incident.
• Double-check compliance with racing regulations.

Documentation:

• Maintain records of inspections, maintenance, and replacements.
• Keep copies of certification documents for quick reference.

 

 

Conclusion

Ensuring your auto racing safety equipment is in top condition before the season starts is not just a recommendation—it’s a necessity. Keep a list of what you need and us here at Call To Grid are here to help. By taking the time to inspect, maintain, and upgrade your gear, you can focus on what truly matters: enjoying the thrill of the race and being on track with your friends with peace of mind.

 

Lastly … Be Safe, Go Fast and Have Fun!

 

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Call To Grid was created to serve the grassroots racer! We offer only the most premier brands for the driver, car, and shop to help keep you safe, looking good and on the podium! We develop original content to help you and the car find speed! We know why you race; it’s the desire, discipline and determination required to do something well. It’s the camaraderie you experience at the track with people who share this passion of motorsports! Join us at Call to Grid to join the community of passionate drivers like yourself today!