Technical Regulations

Technical Regulations

Many regulations and rules in Belgium are the same as the British rules and those are not covered here, however, below are some pointers to help you reach the start line of your first rally without too much stress….

Don't forget - your car MUST have a valid Motorsport UK logbook and MOT certificate and comply with Blue Book rules....This includes your own valid road section insurance and, of course, road tax.

Rally Licence: You do not need an international licence, a Motorsport UK RS National stage rally or RS National navigator is required. Minimum age for Driver or Co Driver is 18 with a full UK road licence as well.

Paperwork: You will need to produce, at scrutiny, a photocopy of your MOT certificate, registration document and insurance certificate. The scrutineers will keep these.

At documentation your DVLA driving licence must also be produced this is for both driver and co-driver as well as the Motorsport UK licences.

Safety Equipment (car):

This is similar now to UK regs. Seatbelts in date, Seats in date. “no exceptions!” Seatbelt clips must have a split pin fixed to stop the clip coming open.

Minimum 1x4kg afff or FIA equivalent plumbed in fire extinguisher with BOLTED straps (not over centre clips) and "Anti - Torpedo Tabs" and handheld. Extinguishers MUST be in valid test date(2 years max) Picture of extinguisher fixings below.

Roll cage must be MSA / FIA spec and preferably have a manufacturer’s certificate. Roll cage padding must be the hard FIA spec. Harness mounting bars should be as per FIA i.e. horizontally behind harness slots.

You will also need to carry two easily accessible Belt Cutters / Life Hammers.

Bag and non standard fuel tanks to be in date and with a test certificate (including alloy fuel tanks).

Safety Equipment (crew): A fire-resistant overall that at least meets FIA 8856-2018. The label must be embroidered directly onto the fabric on the outside of the collar. Without a hologram it is no longer valid after 12/31/2023. Overalls with homologation FIA 8856-2018 are no longer valid 10 years after production date or expiry date.

Wearing a homologated helmet is mandatory when the car is in motion during competition sections. Helmets standards SNELL SA2005 are no longer permitted. The condition of the helmet must not deviate from the original condition (no repainting, no added holes, no deformation inside). The visor must remain completely free of advertising of any kind with the exception of a band 2 centimetres high applied to the top of the visor.

Wearing a fire-resistant balaclava (2000 standard), fire-resistant underwear, socks and shoes. everything FIA standard 8858-2000, is mandatory for pilots and co-pilots from 01/01/2022. Fire-resistant gloves (2000 standard) are mandatory for the pilot and recommended for the co-pilot.

Wearing a HANS system is mandatory for both pilot and co-pilot. This system and all accessories, i.e. the mounting screws in the helmet and the mounting straps, must comply with the FIA standard 8858-2002/2010. Each part must be provided with this homologation number. The use of a matching helmet, also provided for the use of the HANS system, is mandatory. The use of matching harness belt, standard FIA 8853/98 and 8853-16 is mandatory but expires on 31/12/2022 or expiry date. Safety harness is never valid after expiry date (not valid after ***). The HANS system must be worn under the belts. If the homologation number, date or any other feature has become illegible, the validity expires.

The personal equipment must be shown during the Technical Inspection. There is also a form to fill in with all of your equipment details etc.

REMEMBER - Taking your helmet off if you stop in a stage for an off or mechanical will result in EXCLUSION!

Safety Equipment (service): Although refuelling is done at the designated filling stations on route, New for 2016 was the requirement for the service van to have a 6kg powder fire extinguisher which is tested and in date. The extinguisher must be labelled for type A,B and C fires. These will be checked by the Fire Brigade during service or at scrutineering. If you don’t have one you may be asked to leave! 1 extinguisher PER COMPETING CAR. A pictogram should be affixed where the fire extinguisher is kept in the service bay.

You must also always use a groundsheet as in the UK.

Car regulations: Since MotorsportUK introduced lifed seats and belts and now the compulsory use of HANS devices, the regulations for UK events have become much closer to Belgian events. Engine wise, it used to be the rule that your engine must be from the same family as the car i.e. a Ford engine in a Ford etc. Since 2016 this rule has been relaxed a little by VAS but ONLY on FIRC championship events. If you intend to run a car like this it is still best to contact the championship manager directly before entering your first rally.

Silencing is not strictly controlled but you must have at least one exhaust box (plus a catalyst if homologated or originally fitted to that model of car).

No plastic fuel level sight tubes are allowed, even if wholly contained in the boot. An excellent example of a solution is to use 2 pieces of aluminium angle and a piece of U section.

All bucket seats must comply with FIA homologation 8855-1999 and must not exceed the expiry date or 5 years, OR, bucket seats that comply with FIA NORM 8862-2009 (sticker + hologram)

Driver and co drivers names (driver on top) should be BLACK, 40mm high on both front wings in Helvetica font. Also on rear side windows, 50mm high in Helvetica font. Rear screen must remain clear and free of any stickers / advertising etc. Only event supplied strip is allowed. NO RALLY PLATES ETC....
Drivers name always at the top.

All cars must be equipped with a ring shaped towing eye at the front and rear, with a minimum opening of 50mm. - The towing eye should preferably be painted in a colour that contrasts with the bodywork.

Darrian and other similar "specials" are only allowed to run in ASAF events and not those in VAS. As long as the car has a MSUK logbook, it is accepted in the ASAF events.

Tyres: On VAS events, tyres are free in division 1, 2, 3 but for ASAF events, road tyres must be used. To save any problems with your moulded slicks, enter division 4 for all ASAF events.

Spotlights ; If using LED lightbars, these should be E4 marked and must be two piece and not in one long unit. I.e. two units across the car. Maximum 8 lights.

Classes:

Division 2 - Group N and R1 cars with homologation papers.

Division 3 - Group A /M /WRC /R2 /R3 /R4 /R5 /GT /S1600 /S2000 /Kit Cars.

Division 4 - Historic cars groups 1 - 4.

Division 5 - Young historic cars with Homologation papers

Minimum Weights:

div. 2 homologated weight or the same as div.3

div. 3 homologated weight or 0cc to 1400cc 900kg

1401cc to 1600cc 980kg

1601cc to 2000cc 1060kg

2001cc to 2500cc 1100kg

2501cc to 3000cc 1150kg