New SFI tags - learn me

[pintodave]

Just bought a brand new window net off of Amazon, it is a racequip (need to see if it was sold direct by them or not...). 

 

SFI tag has MFG date, but not the traditional "date punch", just a good-til date? If that is the case, are they really selling crap this close to expiration????? This is for a pure-stock car, date doesn't matter, but if this was a situation where it needed to be dated, I think I'd be pissed? Or am I missing something?

[snowman]

If it was a sweet deal on Amazon, perhaps it was their aging stock they were selling at a discounted rate.  I feel like that would, or at least should, be mentioned in the listing though.  

 

I did find this on the SFI tags though....

 

SFI Transitioning to New Labels for Driver Restraints and Window Nets/Roll Cage Nets for 2017

In 2017, SFI Foundation, Inc. (SFI) changed the way its labels for Driver Restraints, Window Nets, and Roll Cage Nets are dated.

SFI implemented a New Label design which removed the punched-out month/year date of manufacture and instead incorporated a single expiration date pre-printed on the label. This system will eliminate the need for punch-dating of labels and aims to facilitate technical inspection of dated products in the field.

New Labels started to be used after January 1, 2017. An example of the new label (right), next to the old label (left) for comparison, is shown above.

The new labels are used for the following SFI products:

• Driver Restraints: SFI Specs 16.1, 16.2, 16.5, and 16.6
• Window Nets: SFI Spec 27.1
• Roll Cage Nets: SFI Spec 37.1

Labels will come out in 6-month segments per the chart shown above. These certified items may still be used for 2 years, the service life has not changed.

Be aware that product manufacturers are allowed to use the discontinued punch-date style labels (above left) until their existing supply runs out. Therefore, you may see the old-style labels on Driver Restraints and Window Nets/Roll Cage Nets for a while. Restraints or Nets with the old label may also still be used until they expire, which is 2 years from the date of manufacture punched on the tag.

Some parts are not legal for use in California or other states with similar laws/regulations

[IPF Racing]

I've called Discovery Parts before to make sure they sent me the one with the longest time till expiration. Might be worth trying in the future. 

[cagedruss]

Unfortunately yes Dave. I have purchased 2 nets a while back. Both were the same. They sit on vendor shelves waiting to be sold and lose over half their Certification. 

[rod rammage]

3 hours ago, cagedruss said:

Unfortunately yes Dave. I have purchased 2 nets a while back. Both were the same. They sit on vendor shelves waiting to be sold and lose over half their Certification. 

Same here.

 

[pintodave]

I went back and checked the description on Amazon (I bought it mobile and thought maybe I missed it...) and there is definitely nothing mentioning the short-dating. 

 

You guys are spot on - it is just old stock that they blow out at a discount, I went through some of the reviews and others were talking about the same issue. I have zero problem with that and I appreciate getting a decent deal, but for transparency it should be noted in the ad description for sure. I left a review saying as much. Oh well, get what ya pay for and for the price it's fine, that was just a little surprising to receive something with 15 months of cert left lol.

 

At least the Camaro net will be going back to Simpson for a custom re-make 1/1/2020 so no issues with that one.

[cagedruss]

I paid normal price at Amazon. Supplier let Amazon sit on them and Amazon doesn't known about the dates. Buyer beware.

 

 

[pintodave]

27 minutes ago, cagedruss said:

I paid normal price at Amazon. Supplier let Amazon sit on them and Amazon doesn't known about the dates. Buyer beware.

 

 

 

Once again, you are right - I just looked and the price I paid wasn't any better than anywhere else. That's just a crappy system all around... for high-dollar purchases like belts you can be damn sure I'll be heeding the advice of calling a supplier to make sure the dates are "fresh". I'm due 1/1/2020 for those too. 

[cagedruss]

Belts and other SFI gear I buy from Pyrotect. Being a dealer for them i always get current dates. 

 

Nets now I purchase from Speedway. 

[SpeedMaverick]

On 10/17/2019 at 11:54 PM, cagedruss said:

Belts and other SFI gear I buy from Pyrotect. Being a dealer for them i always get current dates. 

 

Nets now I purchase from Speedway. 

The Pyrotect window net is a performance advantage. I invented the "Super Net" when I worked at Pyrotect when Bob Booth owned it. (it was a much better company in those days as far as innovation and availability of Bell products) I did a test with Butch Gilliland at Fontana back in 96 at the Winston West race and we discovered that his car was harder to pass because of the aero improvement of the mesh between the ribbons. The draft was less effective so when a car drafted and then moved out to pass they would stall and actually lose spots if the hole they left open closed up. The car picked up 2 mph on the back stretch radar gun in a back to back run. NASCAR banned it's use in the top 3 series because they felt it would be too effective at reducing drag in restrictor plate races.  Larry Vilmer arranged a test in an IMSA 911 Porsche at willow springs and it resulted in faster lap times and also picked up 2 mph on the long front stretch. The mesh creates a solid surface at speed and limits buffeting. We had in car footage of the difference between the nets in that WW race. Mark Martin's net was fluttering and causing drag while Gilliland's in car showed a net that was stable without buffeting. Gilliland finished 3rd that day and continued to run the net until it was banned. Simpson lobbied NASCAR to get the net banned. Then Simpson copied the design for the right side driver restraint nets in cup etc. and became prominent in winged sprint cars as the mesh didn't obstruct vision.

 

I will, like always, be using the Pyrotect net in all of my cars. That advantage makes the $48 price tag a bargain!

[pintodave]

45 minutes ago, SpeedMaverick said:

The Pyrotect window net is a performance advantage. I invented the "Super Net" when I worked at Pyrotect when Bob Booth owned it. (it was a much better company in those days as far as innovation and availability of Bell products) I did a test with Butch Gilliland at Fontana back in 96 at the Winston West race and we discovered that his car was harder to pass because of the aero improvement of the mesh between the ribbons. The draft was less effective so when a car drafted and then moved out to pass they would stall and actually lose spots if the hole they left open closed up. The car picked up 2 mph on the back stretch radar gun in a back to back run. NASCAR banned it's use in the top 3 series because they felt it would be too effective at reducing drag in restrictor plate races.  Larry Vilmer arranged a test in an IMSA 911 Porsche at willow springs and it resulted in faster lap times and also picked up 2 mph on the long front stretch. The mesh creates a solid surface at speed and limits buffeting. We had in car footage of the difference between the nets in that WW race. Mark Martin's net was fluttering and causing drag while Gilliland's in car showed a net that was stable without buffeting. Gilliland finished 3rd that day and continued to run the net until it was banned. Simpson lobbied NASCAR to get the net banned. Then Simpson copied the design for the right side driver restraint nets in cup etc. and became prominent in winged sprint cars as the mesh didn't obstruct vision.

 

I will, like always, be using the Pyrotect net in all of my cars. That advantage makes the $48 price tag a bargain!

 

Ain't that some shizzz. That's a pretty cool story!!!

[TimS]

Bob Booth was a bit of a west coast legend and a great friend who help our tiny no budget team for years until his unfortunate passing.  It was great to stop by the old Filler Safety(never know which Hollywood stuntman may be there too) in Sun Valley for belts or any of their sewn items.  He bought the Bell Racing helmet line when it went bankrupt for the last time.  Great guy.  Not surprising that he discovered a way to use safety gear to improve the speed of a race car.

[mcoppola]

@TimS Is this the same Bob that founded Competition Safety Gear? 

edit: I just looked at the business card in my gear bag. It said Bob Weiss on it.

Edited November 10, 2019 by mcoppola

[TimS]

My memory is fading daily but bob was able to buy the auto racing line of Bell helmets at some point in time.  Bell helmets has been on finaHe also bought several southern California safety gear companies and started Pyrotect.  Pyrotect and Filler Safety were well known and used by alot of the top Hollywood stuntmen.  Bob and Larry(ran filler safety and sewing department) boasted that their gear was constantly being tested in the real world.  Stunnt guys crashed cars with their belts and set themselves on fire with their suits.  Bob was constantly looking for better, safer, cooler, and cheaper fabrics.  Bob raced in the SCCA forever but hd to quit of getting heat exhaustion during a race.  He suffered the effects of that till his death.  He searched for cooler fireproof fabrics.  Their custom suits are as good as anyone's.  He would have loved ChampCar racing.  Real down to earth guy.  

[cagedruss]

Guys

Pyrotect is in good hands with the Russell family. Steve is developing new products with high quality. Both SFI and FIA tagged. Also opened up a European market this year.

 

Doing safety gear, seats and fuel cells of really good quality for the money. I'm really partial to the Fuel Cell line.

 

The Russell family also competes here in the NW in our West Coast endurance series plus is also a major sponsor. Great family! 

[mcoppola]

Ive always loved my Pyrotect pro airflow helmet and shoes. Both are very comfortable. 

I've had 2 of those helmets and will probably buy another one when the 2010SA expires. All helmets fit people different, I see no need to change something I'm comfortable with. 

Edited November 10, 2019 by mcoppola

[TimS]

You'll see me at the Sebring event next month with my new Pyrotect carbon helmet and new FIA and Hans 6 point belts.  I'll probably replace my fire suit with a custom one next year.  Quality products at great price. And a great history in racing.

[cagedruss]

44 minutes ago, TimS said:

You'll see me at the Sebring event next month with my new Pyrotect carbon helmet and new FIA and Hans 6 point belts.  I'll probably replace my fire suit with a custom one next year.  Quality products at great price. And a great history in racing.

 

I'll being doing a custom suit also for next season. 

[Sam]

I have a multi layer Pyrotect racing suit from the 80's that my grandfather used in the SCCA up until the early 2000's.  The certification tags are warn out and you can't read them anymore cause it's just a white patch on the inside of the suit.  Can I get this suit recertified or do the old tags need to be intact and readable for recertification?  

[Sam]

p.s. it's in perfectly good condition and you can still smell the nomex

[Bill Strong]

I would suggest contacting Protech.
 

Pyrotect Racing Safety Equipment
975 SW First Street
Redmond, OR 97756

Ph.(541) 504-0340
Fax (541) 504-0342

[jkrueger]

My question related to this is that Champcar lets us use harnesses and window nets for 4 years after the date of manufacture.  Since now the SFI just prints a date of expiration that is two years past the manufacture, is Champcar going to be ok using harnesses and window nets two years past the labeled expiration date?

 

Example:  Harness/window net manufactured in 2020.  SFI label shows a expiration date of 2022.  Should be legal in Champcar (according to current riles) to Dec 31st 2024.

 

I asked this question at tech at Sebring in December last year and got blank stares.  They had no idea that SFI changed their labels.

 

JC

Edited May 26, 2020 by jkrueger

[shutupracing]

13 hours ago, jkrueger said:

My question related to this is that Champcar lets us use harnesses and window nets for 4 years after the date of manufacture.  Since now the SFI just prints a date of expiration that is two years past the manufacture, is Champcar going to be ok using harnesses and window nets two years past the labeled expiration date?

 

Example:  Harness/window net manufactured in 2020.  SFI label shows a expiration date of 2022.  Should be legal in Champcar (according to current riles) to Dec 31st 2024.

 

I asked this question at tech at Sebring in December last year and got blank stares.  They had no idea that SFI changed their labels.

 

JC

This is what Jay told me when I submitted a helpdesk ticket, I had the same exact question;

 

"As champcar rules are now written you may choose to use the net two additional year for a total of four years.

If tech determines the net to be damaged or unfit for use you will still be required to replace the net regardless of it age."

 

I do not know why it wasn't made a public post.