When it comes to safety, it is a requirement from Dasu and CIK/FIA that your equipment complies with their regulations in order to participate in national and international races. It can be difficult to find your way around what is allowed and used and what is not. That's why in this article we dive into everything about approvals and security.
Why are there requirements for approvals?
The International Karting Commission (CIK) works closely with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to increase safety within motorsport. Therefore, they make demands that the equipment used complies with certain standards in order to have the desired protective effect. Manufacturers are presented with the requirements that are set and based on that they have to design and develop equipment that can be approved via tests.
Why is all equipment not approved?
CIK and FIA do not require all equipment within karting. Contrary to motor sports, there are actually no requirements for approvals for gloves and shoes for go-karts - They do, however, require that gloves cover the entire hand and are without holes and that shoes protect the foot and ankle. But not any definite approval as there is on suits.
In addition, there is also go-kart equipment that is targeted at beginners and hobby drivers who typically do not participate in major national and international races. To accommodate them, manufacturers make equipment without approvals, as this is cheaper to produce and therefore can be sold cheaper.
Why are homologated equipment expensive?
There will always be a price difference between approved and non-approved equipment. This is because more demands are placed on both the design and production of approved equipment, the materials are often better and more durable and, in addition, the equipment must be tested to be approved. So the process of producing approved equipment is both longer and expensive.
What does homologation mean?
That go-kart equipment is homologated means that CIK-FIA has approved that the equipment meets their requirements for safety. This means that if your go-kart suit is CIK-FIA homologated, it complies with the requirements set by the CIK-FIA and can therefore be used for all races within karting.
As time progresses, innovative solutions will be found that help to further secure driving, therefore new requirements will be introduced every several years that must be met in order for equipment to be homologated. You can call it an update of the requirements. Therefore, there will always be an expiry date on the equipment that is homologated. When buying new equipment, the homologation will often be valid for more than 4 years - so you don't have to be afraid that it will just expire.
Requirements for go-kart suits
In order to participate in national and international go-kart races, it is a requirement that the suit is CIK-FIA Homologated.
Requirements for go-kart gloves
It is not required that go-kart gloves are homologated. The regulations simply state that the gloves must cover the palm completely and that there must be no perforations or holes. This applies nationally and internationally.
Requirements for go-kart shoes
As with gloves, no homologation is required. The regulations simply say that the shoes must cover and protect the feet and ankles. This applies nationally and internationally.
Requirements for rib protectors
For rib protectors, there is little difference between the international and national regulations. In national races it is recommended to use a rib protector with the FIA 8870-2018 approval, but this is not a requirement. The same applies in several other countries. However, FIA-CIK requires the use of approved rib protectors for major international races.
Helmet requirements
It is required that helmets are at least ECE approved for participation in national races. It is a legal requirement in the EU that crash helmets are ECE approved in order to be sold. Therefore, all typical MC and Scooter helmets are ECE approved and may be used for go-kart races in Denmark. This also applies in several other countries.
For major international races, helmets are required to have an approval checked by the CIK-FIA. The following applies here.
Snell-SA2020
Snell-SA2015 (Expires 21/12/2028)
Snell-K2020
Snell-K2015 (Expires 12/21/2028)
Snell-FIA CMS2016
Snell-FIA CMR2016
FIA 8859-2015
FIA 8860-2018
FIA 8860-2018-ABP
FIA 8860-2010 (Expires 21/12/2028)
Requirements for go-kart underwear
There is no requirement for approval of underwear for karting.
Read more about regulations below:
Dasu: https://www.dasu.dk/reglementer/reglement-6-karting/
FIA: https://www.fiakarting.com/page/homologated-equipment
