Important safety notice to racers!

[Jeff G 78]

For those who road race, Impact Racing gear is in DEEP doo doo and will likely be out of business within days. If you own any Impact gear or are in the market to buy, read this:

March, 2010

March 26, 2010 - NOTICE OF DECERTIFICATION; NOTICE TO CEASE AND DESIST AND TERMINATION OF ALL CONTRACTS OF PARTICIPATION ISSUED TO IMPACT RACING

SFI Foundation, Inc., has issued a Notice of Decertification; Notice of Cease and Desist, and a notice terminating all Contracts of Participation to Impact Racing. Effective April 27, 2010, all products manufactured and/or distributed by Impact Racing pursuant to SFI Specification Programs 3.2A, 3.3, 16.1, and 16.5 are decertified. Evidence obtained by SFI shows that over a period of years Impact Racing has engaged in the production and use of counterfeit SFI conformance labels and patches, and affixed them to Impact products for use in motorsports. Under the Contracts of Participation between SFI and Impact, SFI conformance labels and patches may only be obtained from SFI and no other source. Evidence shows that Impact had counterfeit SFI labels and patches made in Asia and then affixed them to Impact products it distributed to members of the racing community. To SFI’s knowledge, Impact never advised its customers that its products contained phony SFI labels and patches. Impact never advised SFI of its systematic and longstanding practice of counterfeiting and distributing SFI patches and labeling.

Impact has been directed to cease and desist from this practice. SFI has directed Impact to immediately notify all affected customers to remove the counterfeit labeling and to offer the affected customers a full refund of the purchase price. SFI is requesting that all counterfeit conformance labels removed from Impact products be sent to SFI.

SFI has elected not to decertify these products immediately in order to minimize the potential hardships to members of the racing community that have been brought about by Impact’s counterfeiting activities.

SFI has also elected to terminate all Contracts of Participation with Impact Racing effective 90 days from March 24, 2010. Under the terms of the Contracts, either party may terminate the agreements without penalty upon 90 days notice. This means that Impact will no longer be able to participate in any SFI programs after this 90 day period.

SFI has taken these actions in the best interests of the safety and integrity of the racing community. This is in keeping with SFI’s mission and purpose.

For a downloadable .pdf of this notice, please click on the following link: Decertification Notice 03-26-10.\

http://www.sfifoundation.com/Decertific … -26-10.pdf

[timurf]

Thanks, Jeff, for keeping us informed. I am sure their products worked fine unless you found yourself in an accident. : )

What is more disturbing is that Impact Racing was owned + operated by Bill Simpson - the former founder/owner of Simpson Safety Equipment. Oh the controversy! At least thats what the inracingnews.com article states.

I always buy the cheapest safety equipment money can buy - G-Force! Hey at least they haven't yet been discredited. And I've had great results with them in 9 accident-free seasons.

[DeMoore]

It says they strongly disagree with what SFI is saying and that they are fighting it in court. You never know...

[Jeff G 78]

With Bill Simpson's track record, I wouldn't hold my breath. Last year he was caught using fake HANS clips.

I remember another Simpson named O.J. who said he was "100% not guilty"

[John Coffey]

BTW... Impact Racing issued a recall for these suits back in March 2009. I'm not sure why the SFI has brought this up gain.

IMPACT RACING PRODUCT RECALL

Any and all driver suits, pants, jackets, shoes and boots manufactured by Impact Racing pursuant to SFI Specifications 3.2A/15, 3.2A/20, 3.3/15 and 3.3/20 at any time during the year 2008 have been decertified by SFI Foundation, Inc. and must be immediately returned to Impact Racing offices or an Impact representative. Impact Racing has reason to believe that these products do not fully comply with the stated SFI Specifications and therefore do not meet SFI manufacturer certification requirements. This recall applies to all such products whether or not they have been updated, rebadged, or recertified by Impact Racing. This recall applies even if the product now has a 2009 SFI patch or label affixed to the product. All applicable sanctioning bodies have been notified of this noncompliance.

[Jeff G 78]

I believe it is two different things John. The one you posted states that the gear fails to meet the SFI standards and was recalled. The new one states that Impact was not getting their labels from SFI and therefore circumventing the SFI certification process. At this point, SFI has not accused Impact of selling equipment that is substandard or unsafe, only that SFI did not certify Impact Racing gear. Without the SFI certification, the gear is deemed worthless since most sanctioning bodies require SFI certified equipment to be worn.

I would hate to be an Impact Racing retailer right now. Their inventory is worthless until this is settled.

[Ron Carter]

Interesting, I have an Impact racing suit, from 2006, and it has been outstanding...I am due to replace my seatbelts, and will plan to go another direction with those.

Thanks for the update. Sorry to see this kind of thing happen.