ASN Safety Bulletin #26 FIA Vehicle Adaptation Guidelines

Dear colleagues, 

The FIA Certificate of Adaptations serves as an approval for the acceptance of the deviations from the homologation and/or technical regulations of a vehicle, due to the needs of drivers with disabilities.

FIA Certificate of Adaptations 

When a competition vehicle is no longer in compliance with the corresponding homologation or technical regulations due to the adaptations required for a driver with disabilities, an FIA Certificate of Adaptations (CoA) is required for racing in competitions registered on the International Sporting Calendar or in competitions with regulations that specifically require one. The CoA will testify that the modifications on the vehicle are safe and do not give the competitor any advantage.

Process for competitors

A competitor intending to participate in competitions requiring a CoA must complete the dedicated application form,and through their ASN, submit it to the FIA. The FIA is the competent body that will evaluate the adaptations, the modified vehicle will be inspected and studied by the FIA Adaptations Working Group. 

As the vehicle must be ready for inspection with all the adaptations completed, the submission must be done at least two months prior to the competition in which the competitor intends to participate, as modifications and/or adjustments may be required before issuing a CoA. 

The detailed procedure is available in Article 18.3 of Appendix L to the International Sporting Code.

FIA Adaptations Working Group (AWG)

The AWG is a group of experts from a wide range of motor sport fields mandated by the FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission. The group is responsible for assessing whether adaptations made to the vehicles are safe and do not give any advantage to the competitor. The inspection of the vehicle is carried out by a representative of a company specialised in mechanical and automotive engineering. 

A CoA can only be issued once the adaptations are considered to be safe and fair by the AWG.

As the work of the FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission is aimed at reducing constraints and making the sport more accessible, the FIA covers the costs of the physical inspection and technical report assessment conducted by the AWG.

Vehicle Adaptation Guidelines

The Vehicle Adaptation Guidelines contain general guidance regarding the adaptation of motor sport vehicles for mobility-impaired competitors.

It focuses on certain key design and component requirements for the manufacturing of throttle controls, brake controls, clutch systems, steering assemblies, gearshift and gearboxes, seat and driver restraints, headrests and cockpits, driver equipment and chassis. However, it is not an exhaustive list of all adaptations available and suitable for motor sport. Other adaptations or versions of the adaptations are possible, including road car adaptations. The key is that the design and manufacture of the adaptations are sound, developed in such a way that they are safe, are based on the needs of the individual. The Guidelines are a living document, which will be periodically updated by the FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission. 

The Guidelines are intended to only provide recommendations regarding the best practices for vehicle adaptations, and do not have regulatory value.

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The Vehicle Adaptation Guidelines contain general guidance regarding the adaptation of motor sport vehicles for mobility-impaired competitors. It focuses on certain key design and component requirements for the manufacturing of throttle controls, brake controls passing by clutch systems, including drivers equipment, chassis, and many more. The Guidelines are intended to only provide recommendations regarding the best practices for vehicle adaptations, and do not have regulatory value.

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Best regards,

FIA Safety Department

If you have any topics you would like us to cover in future bulletins please send your suggestions to the FIA Safety Department.

To read the other articles about the ASN Safety Bulletins, please visit the FIA website. You can also read by clicking here.