http://www.sfifoundation.com/UpdateDecertification03-29-10.pdf

Cliff Notes:

IMPACT got the SFI Certs then went against their SFI contract and had their approval patches faked by an overseas manufacturer.

IT APPEARS TO ME that SFI has de-certified their fire suits/gloves/hoods/shoes and racing harnesses.

This MAY affect any teams running their products so I suggest you contact the sanctions you compete under to check.

There are two sides to this story....


http://www.impactraceproducts.com/

There are two sides to this story....


http://www.impactraceproducts.com/

Not much of a second side there. Basically all they said was "everythings fine, go away, we're not taking returns"

SFI claims that Impact used counterfeit tags on products that were actually certified. I'm sure everything is still safe to use, but some strict race orgs may not allow them.

Helmets are not affected by this BTW.

Also, it appears HANS is claiming IMPACT knocked off their helmet tabs and had them stamped with an illegal SFI cert. It looks like IMPACT has some tough accusations to stand up to.

IMPACT builds nice stuff and obviously, they have a long history in the game through this company and their past with all the great things Bill Simpson has done. I hope they truly are not guilty of counterfitting even a single stitch as they really do have an incredible image within the sport. However, if they have counterfitted, not even a 20 layer firesuit will keep them from getting burned by this. They will have tarnished the name Bill has worked tirelessly to create. Safety is a game of not only performance, but trust.

I hope this just turns out to be a power-play by another company but regardless, people need to know FOR SURE what their sanction's position is on this NO MATTER WHAT SFI OR IMPACT SAYS.

So a company that gets an SFI certification for a product must buy the SFI tag that goes on that product directly from SFI?

Correct?

Yes, for a couple of reasons...

One, it is like a "residual payment" for SFI's certification.

Two, it helps SFI keep track of the quantity of items going out so they have a better recrod of how many of that item are out there compared to how many of that item are failing.

My above examples are an over-simplification of things, and not everything (data/history) that comes from selling the patches will be perfectly accurate, but that is the general idea of why they do it this way.

Yes, for a couple of reasons...

One, it is like a "residual payment" for SFI's certification.

Two, it helps SFI keep track of the quantity of items going out so they have a better recrod of how many of that item are out there compared to how many of that item are failing.

My above examples are an over-simplification of things, and not everything (data/history) that comes from selling the patches will be perfectly accurate, but that is the general idea of why they do it this way.

I understand the reasoning. Just wanted to make sure I understood fully.

Dustin, this problem came to a head last year in the NHRA with certain wrecks and failing safety devices, that were all linked to impact, NHRA made it mandatory that all IMPACT safety equiptment be sent to second party to get re-certified before you could use it in 2010. basically from what I have heard is that the certs that impact were giving on certain devices were not up to /or meet the true standard for the certification.

Yes, for a couple of reasons...

One, it is like a "residual payment" for SFI's certification.

Two, it helps SFI keep track of the quantity of items going out so they have a better recrod of how many of that item are out there compared to how many of that item are failing.

My above examples are an over-simplification of things, and not everything (data/history) that comes from selling the patches will be perfectly accurate, but that is the general idea of why they do it this way.

I was wondering why Reid would choose to put such a shitty sticker on their tranny cases. Makes sense now that I realize they are just getting the labels from SFI. It just sucks that you pay a LOT of money for a certified tranny and the certification label is peeling off practically the day it arrives :rolleyes:

SFI might wanna take another look at the parts they are certifying, and design a label that's actually certified to stay attached :laughing:

SFI might wanna take another look at the parts they are certifying, and design a label that's actually certified to stay attached :laughing:

:laughing: I guess it's not in the contract!

A little good news-
A court ruling on Thursday has allowed all Impact Products manufactured in 2009 and 2010 SFI Certified. I assume this was more about not screwing all of the Impact distributors that had inventory on the shelf and Cup and NHRA teams not beaing able to react to the April 27th deadline.

I think it's totsl BS the Impact would screw all of of it's customers over saving a few bucks on the SFI tags. It's also bs that Impact would go around the SFI and cheat them when they are the ones that keep up the standards of the safety equipment.

It wouldn't surprise me if we see the same thing is happening with the Snell rating stickers on Impact helmets.

Talk about sheeting where you eat.

It wouldn't surprise me if we see the same thing is happening with the Snell rating stickers on Impact helmets.

That's what I'd be worried about too. Its hard to believe that if they're faking certs, the rest of their business is run in a totally ethical manner, and all other products are exactly as advertised.

Dont know if any one else has gotten "SALE" notices, but most vendors are now running 25-50% off retail for any Impact Racing safety equipment in-stock.

INTERESTINGto say the least............

Actually, the helmets are NOT included in the "Scam", I have one of their helmets, NHRA says it's okay, they're not included on the "can't use list"..

DUDE REALLY?
i totally thought the guy who started that company was shady... makes so much sense.

(;) )HAHA(really i cant put this in black? and not have it show up)

That's what I'd be worried about too. Its hard to believe that if they're faking certs, the rest of their business is run in a totally ethical manner, and all other products are exactly as advertised.

gotta save a buck man...

Dont know if any one else has gotten "SALE" notices, but most vendors are now running 25-50% off retail for any Impact Racing safety equipment in-stock.

INTERESTINGto say the least............

What value is a 50% off firesuit or safety equipment if suddenly it's not approved by a particular sanctioning body? Like Dustin said, mistrust is a tough thing for them to dig out of.

DUDE REALLY?
i totally thought the guy who started that company was shady... makes so much sense.

(;) )HAHA(really i cant put this in black? and not have it show up)

Bill Simpson? :confused: Leave the Blacktext out of a serious thread, fawker! :blackmad3:

Actually, the helmets are NOT included in the "Scam", I have one of their helmets, NHRA says it's okay, they're not included on the "can't use list"..

Yes they are. FIA denied my helmet at the last WRC Mexico event in March.

What value is a 50% off firesuit or safety equipment if suddenly it's not approved by a particular sanctioning body?...Because none of those sanctioning bodies are in desert racing.

It's a valid concern that SCORE, BITD, heck, even WE-Rock or HammerKing could choose to want to validate independently.

They would all have to rewrite their rules in order to do so. I don't think any of them have any strength spec's just "3in. nylon or polyester webbing". The newer, stronger, and safer SFI 16.5 harnesses that came about after the #3 wreck aren't technically even legal in desert racing:shaking:

hey this was an april fools joke right?


did anyone catch the wink on the sig at the end?

you did notice that this thread started two days before april 1st, right?

you did notice that this thread started two days before april 1st, right?


So are trying in say the SFI story is fake... Bleacher report even carried it

you did notice that this thread started two days before april 1st, right?

ya but the statement from impact is dated april 1st.. theres a fucking smiley with a wink... it has to be a joke...


didnt bill simpson burn himself and shit to proove his crap... i really doubt he did some shady shit that made his products unsafe.

dude its official im buying my safety stuff from impact when i need it.
this is hilarious.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/03/26/408663/group-faults-impact-safety-equipment.html

http://racersweb.com/forums/racing-news/1702-impact-safety-equipment.html

http://dailyme.com/story/2010032600005573/group-faults-impact-safety-equipment.html

Seems to be everywhere... no hoax

But I dont think it will keep us from allowing their products to be run at W.E.ROCK events

http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/03/26/408663/group-faults-impact-safety-equipment.html

http://racersweb.com/forums/racing-news/1702-impact-safety-equipment.html

http://dailyme.com/story/2010032600005573/group-faults-impact-safety-equipment.html

Seems to be everywhere... no hoax

But I dont think it will keep us from allowing their products to be run at W.E.ROCK events


dude its a hoax... look at the statement from impact. it was posted on here before it was made... if you guys dont run this stuff/their equipment in your we rock your dumb. its a hoax and a good one at that. get over it

dude its a hoax... look at the statement from impact. it was posted on here before it was made... if you guys dont run this stuff/their equipment in your we rock your dumb. its a hoax and a good one at that. get over it



I think it would be dumb for any sanction to put enough weight in someone posting that its a legit suit/or a hoax on a message board to decide solely whether or not a product should be approved or disallowed.


Do you have any proof its a hoax outside a smile and wink on a response dated April 1st from the manufacture? I really have a hard time believing its a hoax when I recieved an email regarding the subject before April 1st. Could happen, but why would someone do that to their own company?

Drivers safety is not really something to joke about is it?

Please share, I can not say what Hammerkings position will be regarding the use of Impact equiptment at this time as we are waiting to see how this shakes out before we make a ruling.

We are not a member of SFI at this time but it is something we have talked about.

My personal opinion is that I don't think a 75 cent tag purchased from SFI in bulk makes a product safe or not. I think its more about politics, than safety.

The Hans device issue is something else.

dude its a hoax... look at the statement from impact.

If it's a hoax, then whoever thought it up is the dumbest motherfucker ever to run a company. They ruined their company's image, and are standing by it, no retraction and the press release is still on their site, and every single source of motorsport information is reporting it, HILARIOUS! :shaking:

If it's a hoax, then whoever thought it up is the dumbest motherfucker ever to run a company. They ruined their company's image, and are standing by it, no retraction and the press release is still on their site, and every single source of motorsport information is reporting it, HILARIOUS! :shaking:

oh really. what image did you have of bill simpson and impact safety before this...
if its a hoax its funny you have to admit that. do you race? are impacts safety products something you actually buy/use maby just maby impact isnt worried about you and your money.

has anyone bothered to figure out what had fake sfi tags, and what the sfi rating is for those fake products.

If it's a hoax the SFI foundation will lose all credibility. They posted a Decertification Notice on their site on 3/26/10

http://www.sfifoundation.com/

oh really. what image did you have of bill simpson and impact safety before this...
if its a hoax its funny you have to admit that. do you race? are impacts safety products something you actually buy/use maby just maby impact isnt worried about you and your money.

has anyone bothered to figure out what had fake sfi tags, and what the sfi rating is for those fake products.

Go back to Mickey D's dude. You left a few of your Happy Meal fries there.

cm "can we have this guy skimmed from the gene pool?" k

Quoted from Press Release:
... the decertification against Impact Racing products for the production years 2009 and 2010 is lifted. The decertification of the production years prior to 2009 and 2010 remain in effect..

oh really. what image did you have of bill simpson and impact safety before this...
if its a hoax its funny you have to admit that. do you race? are impacts safety products something you actually buy/use maby just maby impact isnt worried about you and your money.

has anyone bothered to figure out what had fake sfi tags, and what the sfi rating is for those fake products.

As a hoax it's mildly amusing at best. Yes I race offroad with MDR, SNORE and DRIVE, onroad with SCCA and hit about 10 club track-days per year, and am at the kart track about once a week. I currently own no Impact products, but I would think they'd be at least a little bit interested in my money next time I buy safety gear, as they would be interested in any racer's money when they shop for safety gear.

What about the poster who had his Impact helmet refused by the FIA tech guys? Was that part of the hoax, I'll bet he was laughing his ass off at that one.

I got an e-mail from USAC about this a while ago. All it said was that everything from 2009 forward is not even in question. I talked to the folks at Impact and they said it is an issue with the tags, not the construction. They have more hearings to straighten it out. The only reason I prefer Impact is the fancy yellow lightening bolt, but they have kept me safe in the past.

On the bright side, I just ordered a set for my Pro-Light and they have sweet cams on the shoulder belts so that they easily loosen. I think they would be perfect for a driver change.

I think it would be dumb for any sanction to put enough weight in someone posting that its a legit suit/or a hoax on a message board to decide solely whether or not a product should be approved or disallowed.

The most (and the least) that any of us could ask of sanctioning bodies is to keep an eye on it. We can't dictate your response, and since you and Big Rich are obviously tuned in to it--thanks for your attention.

I got an e-mail from USAC about this a while ago. All it said was that everything from 2009 forward is not even in question. I talked to the folks at Impact and they said it is an issue with the tags, not the construction.

...but worthy of review by sanctioning bodies.

FYI, for those that have not seen the new harnesses we picked up, you may be VERY interested after seeing the ratchet design for tightening (not to mention the other nice features they have): http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=856383

SAE is aware of it and I guarantee you they don't mess around, its no hoax :shaking: .

SFI and Impact Racing


WARRENDALE, Pa., April 12, 2010

We are aware of SFI’s decertification action against Impact Racing, LLC including the suit that was filed on March 26, 2010 and we are continuing to monitor the situation closely. We are also aware of Impact Racing’s statements made in response to SFI’s actions. On April 1, SFI and Impact Racing issued a joint press release stating that “the decertification against Impact Racing Products for the production years 2009 and 2010 is lifted. The decertification of the production years prior to 2009 and 2010 remains in effect. The parties will continue to work cooperatively to resolve the issues relating to decertification in these years.”

Until more information on this matter becomes available we are reluctant to require teams to replace any Impact Racing products they are using that might be covered by the decertification notice. At the present time the Rules Committee has classified the question of whether or not Impact Racing’s products comply with the FSAE Rules, (e.g. B5.1 “Belts”, B17.1 “Driver’s Equipment, b - Suits and f - Arm restraints”) as “Open pending further information”. Until this matter is fully resolved by the parties, or new information is available to suggest otherwise, Impact Racing equipment will continue to be approved for use at the 2010 FSAE competitions.

Please Note: SFI’s decertification notice does NOT include Impact Racing brand helmets.

http://www.sae.org/servlets/pressRoom?OBJECT_TYPE=PressReleases&PAGE=showCDSNews&EVENT=FORMULA&RELEASE_ID=1206

What a circus - I can see where all this is headed -Jess

oh and by the way isnt anything that old out of certification anyways?...

Where can I get a set of these harnesses at a discount? I don't care about a tag.

Daymotorsports.com

oh and by the way isnt anything that old out of certification anyways?...

depends on the sanctioning body.