Counterfeit certification of racesuits
MotorSport NZ has been advised by the SFI that race suits are being marketed in New Zealand and Australia bearing counterfeit labeling. The SFI advise us that these suits (unbranded) have not been certified under any of their SFI Quality Assurance Specifications for driver protective clothing.
This news follows the revelation earlier in the year of fake suits unwittingly being bought for some V8 Supercars teams.
The subject clothing has a PROTEK label but this is not the ‘make’ of clothing; it is the trade name of the wool fabric used in the suit. As the manufacturer has opted not to identify themselves on their product, it becomes difficult to make contact to ensure this practice of fraudulent labeling stops.
The numbers shown also do not represent any SFI standards (or FIA) standards and the fact it is embroidered into the body of the actual suit is a dead giveaway to its un-authenticity, as this is never allowed with correctly certified garments.
So be aware when shopping for new protective clothing. If the source can not be assured and/or the price appears to be such a bargain, make extra inquiry.
All SFI-approved garments will have a legitimate SFI certification patch and all FIA approved garments will have the standards labeling stitched on the outer layer of the collar. Only then can a garment be considered to be properly tested and certified.