Fia 8856-2018 : The next generation

FIA 8856-2018 are changing the standards for racewear. The governing body of motor sport, the FIA, has recently unveiled a brand new homologation for all forms of racing clothing. These are described in FIA 8856-2018.

Improved safety

The safety of the drivers is paramount. That is why the requirements, especially with regard to fire safety, have been tightened up considerably with this homologation. This applies to the footwear, the underwear and outerwear and any form of printing used on them.

FIA 8856-2018 racewear standards are changing. Motorsport's governing body, the FIA, recently unveiled a brand new homologation for all forms of racewear. These are outlined in FIA 8856-2018.

Effective date of new standard

Depending on the class you're racing in, these new standards set new standards*.

  • From 2019 - Mandatory for Formula E (Season 6)
  • From 2020 - Mandatory from WEC (2020-2021 Season)
  • From 1st Jan 2020 - Mandatory of Formula One and WRC RC1 Crews
  • From 1st Jan 2021 - Mandatory for Formula 2, World RX, Euro RX, Cross Country (Dakar etc)
  • From 1st Jan 2029 - Mandatory for all FIA sanctioned events

*Always check at participation which requirements apply at that moment and if you meet them.

What does FIA 8856-2018 mean for the personalization on the clothing?

Specifically, if personalization is performed on a coverall with the homologation 8856-2018, it should be delivered with a certificate. This is issued by the manufacturer to prove that your racing clothing is personalized with fire retardant prints. There are only 5 points in Europe authorized for this certification. We are proud to announce that Speedwear, your supplier for racewear and personalization, is an authorized point for this certification. We are only allowed to apply the logo's on the brands that we distribute ourselves : Alpinestars, P1 Advanced Racewear, Sparco, Offset Sport & X'Zuit.


If you have any questions or want more information please contact us!

Production

Racewear manufacturers are taking responsibility and will produce all racewear items exclusively to the new standard starting in 2022.
As with any new homologation released, there will additionally be improvements over previous older specifications racewear. We will highlight these various improvements below, as well as what it all ultimately means for you.

Expiry date on label

It is important to note that all FIA 8856-2018 will be the first homologation for racing clothing, with an expiration date on the label. The length of time a racing item is suitable for use in FIA-approved competitions is 10 years. So if your racing suit was manufactured in 2019, the expiration date would be the end of 2029.
This expiration date is currently only relevant for FIA events. Racing events organized by Motorsport UK will also ensure that these clothes can be used after this expiration date. However, please note that this may be subject to change. Furthermore, when in doubt, we recommend that you always check to ensure that your specific race clothing is suitable for the class in which you are competing.

Safety standard FIA 8856-2018

As with any update to a homologation, the safety of the item in question will always increase. This new homologation is no exception.
The main difference focuses on the amount of fire protection provided by the racing apparel. Current homologations for racing clothing are designed to provide protection from direct flames for 10 seconds to help the driver free himself from the car. This new homologation increases this time limit to a minimum of 12 seconds. This provides the driver or co-driver with a few extra seconds to exit the car Also provides an increase in fire protection of about 20%.
As part of these new requirements, this also means that the materials used for the layers of fire protection are made thicker. This is particularly noticeable in the new range of underwear, which is thicker than the current homologated range. It also means that the weight of each item will increase very slightly.

Conclusion

So now you know what the new homologation is and what it means to you. If you only compete on a national level, this change will probably not affect you for a number of years. But, as has been the case with other items such as seats and harnesses, the national governing body, Motorsport UK, may choose to extend the life of the current homologation for all forms of national competition.

Source information FIA 8856-2018:

https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/appendix_l_2020_clean_published_on_10_december_2019.pdf Page 37-39