Ya, no Honda CBR1000rr or 750 GSXR's allowed in the Inter SBK race. Ban them.
Hey Juan,
Great input on the the idea of making the back protector manditory. The EMRA monitors helmets and the SNELL rating....the back is just as important and putting the rule in place will force everyone to wear it. The chest protector should be included in this. I guess exactly what the rule should state is up to the members to vote on but I am in favour of having them in place......thanks
Rob Guy 20R
I actualy always thought a spine/back protector was mandatory and that the back pad that comes in many leather suits was unacceptable. Chapter 4.2 Rider Apparel in the 2009 EMRA rulebook states: "If the suit is not equipped with a back protector, the rider must wear a suitable back protector under the suit." I think a lot of individuals confuse the back pads with the rigid supporting spine/back protectors. The back pads, made mostly of foam with no rigid support, are simply not the same as a purpose made rigid support back protector. Perhaps a clarification of the rule stipulating that back protectors are of the independantly worn style secured to the upper torso, not the style imbedded in the leather suit. A manufacturing standard or approval rating would also clarify the requirement.
Wow, I had no idea that was not mandatory. here is the clothing section from the WMRC rulebook that we use:
Chapter 6 – Riders’ Clothing
6.1 The following apparel or equipment must be worn: all competitors in any WMRC event must wear a full-face helmet with visor. All helmets must be as new, good condition, Snell 2000 or ECE 22-04, ECE 22-05 or BS 6658 or DOT approved. All helmets and gear must pass mandatory technical inspection at the start of each race day.
6.2 No open face, flip-up full face or motocross style helmet allowed.
6.3 Clothing:
1. All clothing must be made of leather and be in good repair. One-piece special purpose racing suits are recommended. Road racing approved Kevlar suits are also allowed.
2. If the leathers are two pieces, the top and bottom must be safely and securely joined together with a full-length zipper.
3. Road racing boots of at least eight (8) inches in ankle height must be worn.
4. Road racing style leather gloves must be worn.
5. No skin should be visible on the rider’s body when that rider has their equipment on and is in racing position, except at the rider’s neck.
6. A hard shell spine protector or back protector pad must be worn under the leathers.
7. All of the rider’s equipment mentioned above must be worn whenever he/she is on the track, including practice, warm-up laps, cool-down laps and any acceleration runs.
8. None of the rider’s clothing may flap at racing speeds.
6.4 All of the rider’s personal equipment must pass tech inspection before the rider can take part in any of a WMRC event. If any of clothing or machinery shows excessive damage, the Chief Technical Inspector has the right to reject that piece of gear from racing use. EXCESSIVE DAMAGE INCLUDES CRACKED OR SCRATCHED HELMETS, LONG RIPS IN VULNERABLE PARTS OF THE LEATHERS, AND PALMS/KNUCKLES TORN OUT OF GLOVES. IN THESE INSTANCES, THE RIDER MUST PROVIDE ACCEPTABLE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT.
If a rider’s equipment shows a small amount of damage, the Chief Technical Inspector may take note of that damage and give that rider one event’s grace to repair and/or replace the damaged item.
If at the next event, the same problem(s) still exist with the rider’s equipment, then the Chief Technical Inspector can refuse to allow that rider to compete until the specified repairs have been made.
More than a back protector complying with a set standard I would like to see a requirement for coverage of the tailbone included. Some good protectors may not have been subjected to the tests for a safety rating, and some "approved" protectors come in shorty versions that stop at the waistline for street use. I like the idea for chest protectors, but a guy my size is already running out of room in his leathers!! And they aren't as easy to find as back protectors so far.
I'd like to see an emergency info sheet required in a racers suit pocket similar to WMRC requirements brought to our attention after Juan returned from BC.
It's not yet, but I think it should be. I see that WMRC is calling for "a hard shell spine protector or back protector pad". I'm reading that to mean WMRC will not accept a soft type back protector that doesn't have a hard plastic shell on it. Is that the correct interpretation Dean? Thanks !