Atech Racing lead the way in new seat safety standard
25 May 2021
THE FIA has delivered an update to the 8855-1999 seat standard used in closed-cockpit cars, which will significantly improve the safety of the most popular motorsport seat in the world and Atech Racing have been the first manufacturer to pass the stringent safety tests.
The new FIA Standard 8855-2021 requires seats to be much stronger than the original Standard that was issued over 20 years ago. This brings it closer in strength and safety to the FIA Standard 8862-2009 used in top-tier motorsport categories such as the Rally 1 cars in the World Rally Championship.
As a result of this extensive research the new 8855-2021 seat Standard significantly boosts the strength of the existing specifications, offering 60 per cent of the strength of the top-level 8862 seats but with only marginal weight increase. Homologated 8855-2021 seats will be issued with a 10-year FIA validity compared to the five-year lifespan under the 8855-1999 standard, a major achievement for improved safety affordability.
Technical regulations mandating 8855-2021 seats will be updated with enough notice once the implementation is approved by from the World Motor Sport Council. Competitors that use 8855-1999 can from 2021 upgrade their seat to 8855-2021 standard.
However, the 8855-1999 Standard will not be withdrawn, as the FIA and National Sporting Authorities are aware that certain design requirements of the new seats will mean it will not be possible to mandate in every model of competition car.
Image credits - FIA
