ASN Safety Bulletin #46 Impact Data Recorder

Dear colleagues,

In this ASN Safety Bulletin, we would like to update you on the latest developments on the FIA Impact Data Recorder (IDR).

One of the FIA Safety Department’s goals is to conduct accident investigations to identify the factors that contributed to an accident and develop a range of cost effective technical and operational solutions to mitigate the risk of similar accidents occurring in future. This effort fundamentally relies on gathering and using data.

Following Phase 1 of this project in which research, development and testing were undertaken, we are now happy to inform you that Phase 2 has been deployed and the product is now available on the market.

The FIA has issued a Press Release and produced an FIA Insights explainer video on this topic, which can be viewed below:

What is the FIA IDR?

The IDR is crafted as a ‘fit and forget’ device measuring only 6cm in length, 4.5cm in width and just 1cm in height and weighing 12g, making integration into vehicles simple and without the need to connect to the vehicle's systems or technical support.

Engineered for a maintenance-free lifespan of two years, it has the capacity to record up to 80 impacts. This device is part of an innovative system that provides ASNs immediate data access and reporting capabilities via the FIA IDR app, available on both iOS and Android platforms. Despite its low cost, this integration demonstrates that the FIA IDR is an advanced tool for collecting accident data across motor sport disciplines.

The Story so Far

Phase 1 of this program ran between 2021 and 2023 on a volunteer basis targeted to validate the FIA IDR concept. Beginning in 2021 with real-world trials, there was a significant deployment in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with 55 units deployed translating to 42 impacts recorded. Additionally, in the same year the FIA began a campaign to distribute these devices to ASNs free of charge with a total 6382 of devices distributed worldwide and 2533 IDR reports generated, and 5524 total mobile application interactions to this date.

The FIA has also trialled these devices across various championships and events, including a complete rollout in the FIA European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC), deployments in the T3/T4 categories of Cross-Country events, and full implementation in all vehicles at the FIA Motorsport Games 2022 and 2024. The success of these tests has demonstrated that the FIA IDR can play critical role in advancing motor sport safety.

What’s next for IDR?

Phase 2 introduces fresh developments and features to the system, with the principal update being the launch of the FIA IDR Database. This Database will further enhance the ability of ASNs and the FIA (when applicable) to analyse and investigate accidents. This consolidation will also facilitate the exportation and analysis of accident trends, leading to more effective safety improvements.

ASNs will have the opportunity to share the data with the FIA if they choose to. This arrangement can be officially specified in each agreement between the ASN and the IDR Supplier.

Ordering your IDRs

The FIA has now streamlined and simplified the process for ordering IDRs, and ASNs can now place orders directly with the supplier, making it easier for them to obtain the devices and continue to improve motor sport safety.

To make the affordable IDR as accessible as possible to all ASNs, the FIA have developed an ASN syndicate incentive for IDR procurement, so that ASNs can meet the requirements for minimum order quantities (MOQs) and access more competitive IDR unit prices.

The syndicate incentive allows ASNs to join to create a syndicate of two or more ASNs, to submit a combined procurement request for IDR units.

ASNs seeking further information regarding the purchasing process and the ASN Syndicate should contact the FIA Supplier (Impact Detect) directly by email, with the FIA IDR email in copy. 

Impact Detect contact: order@impactdetect.com

FIA IDR email: idr.safety@fia.com

Following up on the success

The FIA will organise a series of webinars to provide details about the IDR programme, including technical details about the FIA IDR and Database, and provide examples of how to use the IDR data to improve motor sport safety. More information about these webinars will be sent out in the near future. Best regards, FIA Safety Department

We remain at your disposal for any further information you may require – please contact idr.safety@fia.com

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.