Safety Gear Question

[Richard Russo]

I have an older Lifeline racing life vest (purchased in the late 70`s) that is black in color, with 2 orange stripes. Is this color legal in APBA? I would like to know before I send it back to Lifeline to get it upgraded/certified.

[B Walker]

http://apba-racing.com/Forms/2010/010SOMOPRO.pdf


I could not find anything about color of lifejacket in the rules.

I have owned that style of lifejacket and find the newer styles are thinner, lighter, more comfortable and safer.

Lifeline kneel/laydown jacket 650$

http://www.lifelinejackets.com/outboard_jackets.cfm

Security (SRP) kneeler 450$

http://www.securityrace.com/lifejack...fejackets.html

BW

[sponsonhead]

Not Legal

APBA General Safety Rule #3.1.d states:

"Color Requirements: All life jackets shall have at least 70% of the upper surfaces above the waist, both front and back, international
orange or yellow in color."

There's not enough orange on this jacket to meet the 70 percent requirement.

R-19

[sponsonhead]

Don't forget the sale

http://apba-racing.com/Forms/2010/010SOMOPRO.pdf


I could not find anything about color of lifejacket in the rules.

I have owned that style of lifejacket and find the newer styles thinner, lighter, more comfortable and safer.

Lifeline kneel/laydown jacket 650$

http://www.lifelinejackets.com/outboard_jackets.cfm

Security (SRP) kneeler 450$

http://www.securityrace.com/lifejack...fejackets.html

BW

...and the SRP jacket is on sale until 12-22 at 15% off list ($382.50).:xmasdeer:

email or PM me if you are interested.

R-19

[Dave M]

Rich

To have lifeline recover it, and certify it, you woul dbe further ahead to purchase a new one from them. We ran into the same problem when i returned to racing in the early 90's. Everything I owned for racing was not legal color. It all changed.

Here is a tip we used. AOF mandated all lifejackets be orange long before APBA did anything. One of our last seasons racing, around 1989, we went to an AOF Nat's it could have been before this as well, and we had the same as you. They told us we had to have orange. We went to the local store and purchased cheap orange rainsuit jacket. We then duct taped it to the jacket and we were legal. If you don't want to invest you can try this. I see Gearge Stillwell puts an orange cover over his helmet to be legal in APBA currently.

[Richard Russo]

Thanks!

Thanks for all the responses- guess I`ll have to purchase a new one!

[Dennis Crews]

So Rich, does this mean you are coming back for another year? If so that is GREAT news.

[AZ Outlaw]

From the 2010 APBA rulebook...

SAFETY RULES FOR MODIFIED OUTBOARD, STOCK OUTBOARD
AND PROFESSIONAL RACING OUTBOARD

6. Drivers must wear life jackets, helmets, eye protection and cut-resistant, wrist-length sleeves and cut-resistant, ankle-length pants at all times
while on the water for the purpose of driving racing equipment. In closed course racing, when stopped on the course, the driver’s helmet only may be
removed when no other racing craft are underway anywhere on the course or when the driver’s boat is tethered to a towboat. The helmet only may also
be removed by drivers of stalled boats during point-to-point marathons. 2010
Helmet restraints are recommended for use in PRO and Stock Outboard racing.
All PRO, SO and MO drivers must also wear impact/flak jackets, which may be worn separately or incorporated into the life jacket. The impact/flak
material, whether in a separately worn impact/flak jacket or incorporated into the life jacket itself, will provide full coverage of the front and back of
the torso. The intent is to provide impact/flak coverage of vital internal organs. Drivers in boats equipped with reinforced cockpits as defined in item
18 of this rule are exempt from the portions of this rule requiring impact/flak jackets and cut-resistant clothing. The referee or inspector has the power
to prohibit the use of any helmet or life jacket that he/she determines to be potentially unsafe.
7. Stock Outboard shall require certification on lifejackets, cut-resistant sleeves, and cut-resistant pants. The certification shall be done every
four years and conducted by an approved manufacturer. Certifications shall be checked at all boat safety inspections. It is also recommended
to check certifications after the final heat of each race.

2010 APBA GENERAL SAFETY RULES

3. Helmets and Life Jackets: A driver (and passenger, if any) when operating registered equipment at any time while at a sanctioned regatta, must
wear complete safety equipment, including helmet and life jacket, except where exempt, with the following exception: Helmets may be removed only
(1) when the boat is stopped or operated off-plane at idle speed and (2) when there are no other race boats operating onplane on the race course or in the vicinity so as to create a danger.
Considering the fact that there is no safest life jacket and helmet that will eliminate all risks, the participants are solely and ultimately responsible for
selecting a suitable helmet and life jacket. Only those considered in good condition may be used.
A. Helmets must meet the specifications set forth by any of the following: Department of Transportation, American National Standards Institute,
Inc., Snell, or military specification helmet designed for military aircraft — Mil-Spec helmets (CGF LA100, LH050, LH150, LH250; Gentex
HGU84P) and Peltor helmets (Rally Pro Helmet EN ECU 04 or 05) are acceptable.
1) For a participant who is restrained in the cockpit, it is recommended that a majority of the helmet be painted with a fluorescent red, yellow
or orange; or international orange. There is no specified area, but the helmets must be of a bright color so as to be clearly visible in the
water.
2) For a participant who races unrestrained in an open cockpit, the upper fifty percent (50&#37 of the helmet must be a single color of the following: yellow or orange or international orange or fluorescent red.
1) All racing life jackets must be constructed in compliance with the “APBA Life Jacket Basic Manufacturing Specifications” dated April 8,
1991. Copies are available from APBA National Headquarters.
2) All racing life jackets must have a permanent affixed (sewn in) manufacturer’s label indicating:
a) The date of manufacture or the date of recertification.
b) The manufacturer’s or recertifier’s company name.
c) The type category (A, A-100, B or C)
“A” For use in an open cockpit and by an unrestrained occupant. Maximum boat speed is less than 100 mph.
“A-100” For use in an open cockpit and by an unrestrained occupant. Maximum boat speed is 100 mph or greater. A-100 may also be
used where A is required.
“B” For use by a restrained occupant of a cockpit, not necessarily employing supplemental life support equipment needing life
jacket accommodations.
“C” For use by a restrained occupant of a cockpit, that employs supplemental life support equipment.
d) Color Requirements: All life jackets shall have at least 70% of the upper surfaces above the waist, both front and back, international
orange or yellow in color.
e) The Drag category is exempt from any color requirements.
f) Every driver shall demonstrate that his life jacket will function properly when requested by the referee.

[Richard Russo]

Part time racer?

Thanks for all the help- I just might race at a few events in 2010, more than likely for someone else. I would like to be APBA compliant as well. I may also entertain the new Sidewinder engine too- I have this old Racecraft runabout that hasn`t been wet in a while...

[oknitro]

Hey Dennis - I would welcome my good buddy "Rich" back -- but - wait I see feathers all over the place - oh - Forgot lol - Rich is too chicken to run C-Stock Hydro !!!!! Ha Ha see you sometime in the pits Rich - your welcome to run second place anytime you want buddy

[Richard Russo]

Hmmm....

You just never know- the Pineville race isn`t too far away, and like Dennis told me a while back- I do have a title to defend....