If any of you are using IMPACT belts, you need to read this: http://www.sfifoundation.com/DecertificationNotice03-26-10.pdf Rick
They also were rumoured to have counterfeit HANS anchors on their helmets too. IIRC HANS issued a similar release about 6 months ago.
Racing forums everywhere are buzzing about this and it applies to all of Impacts SFI approved products (helmets are exempt). A lot of racers are going to get screwed here and I assume that legal action against Impact will be of minimal use as they are sure to shut down after this. A lousy situation all around. Luckily I own nothing Impact but I really feel bad for anyone that does.
I saw this the other day when SFI made the official announcement. Man, this is SO unlike Bill... or at least the Bill I USED to know. I haven't talked with him a couple of years. I am sure glad I didn't get all that Impact gear I was contemplating getting last year. What a suckie way to go about things. WOW!... just WOW! What a shame. I feel bad for the industry, for all those out there who are going to be left holding a potentially empty bag, and for the black eye this is liable to put on the integrity of safety equipment mfg's everywhere. Cheers & C U @ d'Track!! C Chuck Hawks, Pro-Driver, Coach, Instructor & Facilitator rEvolution Performance Driving System ©
Rob, helmets are not exempt. If Impact has any helmets certified under the SFI program, then those helmets will lose their certification 90 days out. One of my Bell helmets has SFI-certification only, not Snell. For any new product without Snell certification, Impact will be unable to sell certified helmets. I suspect that if Impact does have any Snell certified helmets, then Snell will look into Impact's helmet issues further.
Someone caved and Impact's gear is now un-de-certified. Still won't buy their stuff. http://www.sfifoundation.com/PressRelease04-01-10.pdf (PDF)
