The World Motor Sport Council has validated the following Test Specification for Kart High Seat.

These specifications are not contraining and independant from the CIK-FIA regulations, and they
can freely be used by ASN’s for their national categories and by service providers in the Leisure
Karting field.

TEST SPECIFICATION FOR KART HIGH SEATS

1. SCOPE

This document defines the test methodology and performance specification for the strength of
Kart High Seats and the anchorage points with the kart chassis. This document also provides a
minimum geometrical definition for Kart High Seats.

2. CONSTRUCTION PRESCRIPTION

2.1 Materials
The seat shell must be made of splinter proof materials which do not deteriorate, significantly,
over the service life with normal operating conditions. The anchorage points of the seat shell
must be reinforced so as to meet the requirements of this standard.

2.2 Construction of the Seat

The height of the seat backrest must be designed so that the central highest point of the seat is
above the highest point of the driver’s helmet (driver in normal position).
The backrest must have an ergonomic design so that the driver’s view to the side and rear is
not impaired.
All outer edges of the backrest in frontal view must be rounded off or edged so that a minimum
radius of 15 mm is achieved.
In addition, the upper section of the seat backrest (head contact part) must have a minimum
thickness of 50 mm when viewed from the side and the outer edges must be rounded off with a
minimum radius of 15 mm in the complete area of the head (see Figure 1).

2.3 Head padding

In the area immediately behind the driver’s head/helmet (driver in his normal position) the seat
must be provided with a comfort foam material with a nominal thickness of 10 mm.
In addition, the dimensions of the head padding must ensure that the driver’s helmet and head
is restrained in the rearward direction.
 Side view with thickness and radius Front view with radius

Figure 1. Geometry of upper section of seat backrest

3. SEAT SPECIFICATION FORM

The manufacturer must specify the following details on the seat specification form;
(i) maximum bore diameter for the seat fixing holes (Ømm)
(ii) minimum distance between the fixation holes shall be define by the manufacturers
(iii) maximum ballast mass that may be fastened to the seat (kg)
(iv) location of the anchorage points (holes of fixation)
(v) a maximum seat life of five years

Note: the test conditions will take account of the specifications defined above.
The design and the used materials of the seat must be approved by the FIA.

4. MECHANICAL STRENGTH AND EVALUATION OF TEST RESULTS

Two samples of each seat model shall be tested.

Each model shall be subject to four tests in total using two seat samples (test 1+2 for the first
seat and test 3+4 for the second seat of the model) as defined in Appendix A. Alternatively, the
manufacturer can decide to conduct all four tests with only one seat.

After the tests the following conditions shall be met:

4.1 There must be no sharp edges or splinter at the interior side of the seat, which could
injure the driver (deformation and surface breaking shall be permitted).
4.2 There shall be no fracture to the mounting points including the attachment elements.
4.3 There shall be no structural damage to the seat shell
4.4 The maximum displacement of the pendulum ǻs shall not exceed 250 mm.

The above mentioned criteria are the reasons of rejection.

The tests must be conducted in a FIA approved test house.
The test report should be send to the FIA for the request of specification approval.

5. POST SPECIFICATION PROCEDURE

Adapted on existing FIA procedures

 APPENDIX A
KART HIGH SEAT TEST PROCEDURE AND FILMING

A1. PENDULUM IMPACT TEST APPARATUS

The test apparatus is based on ECE-R17 (Annex 6) with the following inclusions or
amendments (see also Figures A1 to A5).

x The pendulum apparatus must provide a rigid base ground without any freedoms of
movements, which is to use for the fixation of the defined lower seat struts as well for
fixation of the ground bearings (see Art. 2.2). This base ground is considered and
designated as reference plane.
x The headform of the ECE-R17 shall be replaced with a rigid impactor with a face 100
mm x 170 mm (W x L) at the free end of the pendulum. All dimensions shall have a
tolerance of +/- 5 mm. The edges shall have a radius of 5 mm. A 5 mm thick rubber pad
shore A 60 hardness shall be fitted to the impact face.
x In order to locate the CoG of the ballast mass behind the impactor (impactor mass is
considered as a point mass), the ballast plates which are necessary to reach the
requested mass must be positioned behind the impactor and should respect the same
outer dimensions 100 mm (+/- 2mm) x 170 mm (+/- 2mm) (wimp x limp).
x The mass of the pendulum arm should be considered as a line mass.
x The reduced-mass (mr) of 6.8 kg (ECE-R17) shall be replaced by an equivalent mass
meq as defined in Table 1 below.
x A method for measuring the impact velocity within 50 mm of the impact point shall be
provided.
x A method for ensuring the peak displacement value (see Art. 4.3) is not exceeded shall
be provided.

Table 1. Values for pendulum equivalent-mass (mr) based on kart weight category
Category weight * [kg] Example of category meq [kg] meq [kg]
Test 1+2 Test 3+4
< 115 Mini, Bambini, Baby [31.5] [28]
> 115 Juniors/Seniors [42.5] [37]

* Category weight corresponds to mass of kart plus driver with in-race conditions, according
the concerned Technical Regulations (minimum weight)
Test criteria were defined via load calculation and tests with accelerometer values

Table 2. Values for pendulum impact velocity of the pendulum impactor (vimpact)
Category weight * [kg] Example of category vimpact [m/s] vimpact [m/s]
Test 1+2 Test 3+4
< 115 Mini, Bambini, Baby [4.44] [3.8]
> 115 Juniors/Seniors [4.44] [3.8]

Table 3. The above mentioned values creates the following energy

Category weight * [kg] Example of category Ekin [J] Ekin [J]
Test 1+2 Test 3+4
< 115 Mini, Bambini, Baby 310 202
> 115 Juniors/Seniors 419 267
A2. TEST CONFIGURATION

A2.1 General
The seat must deliver in the same manner as official distributed, but before the test procedure
the padding must be removed.
The seat must not be provided with any kind of additional final layers (such as surface coating).
The unpadded seat is to be rigidly mounted on its original attachment points with the attachment
kit delivered by the manufacturer.

Mounting holes according the specification (respect the minimum distance between the holes)
must be drilled into the marked area of the seat before the test is carried out with the
manufacturers recommended distance applied between consecutive holes. The used upper
fixation point for the tests is located in the centre of the area, which is indicated in the
specification form by the manufacturer.

A2.2 Seat Mounting Configuration

The seat shall be rigidly attached to the apparatus as follows:
x Upper side: by means of 2 struts on each side made of steel cylindrical sections
(minimum St37) with a diameter of min. 27 mm.
For the purpose of movement (in 3 axis), the ends of the struts on each side (left and
right, parallel) must be equipped with swivel heads according DIN ISO 12 240-4
connected with the ground bearings and the seat shell according Figures A1 and A2.
The inner diameter for upper swivel head is 8 mm (to mounting on the seat) and for the
lower swivel head: 16 mm (to mounting on the ground bearings).

The swivel head struts must be mounted according the following angles:
Lateral view (seat from side view): Both struts on each side should create an enclosed
angle of 50° +0/-2.5° above by inclination to each other in the same angle to the vertical
plane through the fixation point (see Figure A2).
Frontal view (seat from front view): The struts on each side should create an enclosed
angle of 15° ° (-/- 10°) and/or 25° (+/- 10°) to the vertical plane through the fixation point
(see Figure A2).
The length of the struts resulted from the mounting point on the test positioned seat,
which must be located in the centre of the foreseen area (described in the Specification
Form by the manufacturer) and the above mentioned angle downwards to the
connection of the ground bearing.

x Lower side: on two mounting points (analogous to kart mounting), rigidly fixed; same
material and dimension as for upper side.
x The contact surface must be tangential to the seat shell; this can be achieved using
taper washers (max. 10°).
x The fixation must closely fit the seat so that the seat doesn’t become preloaded before
the test
x Rubber or plastic pads with a maximum total uncompressed thickness of 6mm are
admitted (for example 2 rubber or plastic discs of 3 mm each).
x The upper ends of the lateral struts must be arranged in such a way that the ends do not
come into contact with the seat during the test.
Figure A1. Upper seat fixation strut with rose-joint ends (swivel head)

Figure A2. Fixation details of the rose-joint struts

Part-No. Denomination Remarks

1 Nut M8
2 Washer
3 Seat shell
4 Washer 4 mm thick
5 Upper swivel head Ø 8 mm
6 Washer 4 mm thick
7 Lower swivel head Ø 16 mm
8 Screw M8
Serial part acc. Hom.; optional add. rubber/plastic pads max. 6 mm thick
Bore diameter according Specifications
Steel distance washer
Swivel head according DIN ISO 12 240-4
Steel distance washer
Swivel head according DIN ISO 12 240-4
A2.3 Seat Mounting Angle
The mounting of the seat must be made so that the plane tangential to the centre of the head
area of the backrest forms an angle relative to the horizontal reference plane as follows;
x Test 1: an angle of 90° ± 5° (complying with Figure A3)
x Test 2: an angle of 45° ± 5° (complying with Figure A4)
x Test 3: an angle of [45± 5°]° (complying with Figure A5)
x Test 4: an angle of [90± 5°]° (complying with Figure A6)

For all 4 tests, the distance between the lowest point of the mounted seat and the reference
plane must not exceed 50 mm (see Figures A3 - A6).
Remark: Upper fixation point: centre line of fixation area (defined by the manufacturer) - but not
higher than 260 mm +25 mm (distance upper fixation point to the reference plane).

A2.4 Impact Direction

The direction of motion of the pendulum, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the seat, shall
be as follows:
x Test 1: pendulum shall impact seat in rearward direction at angle of 0° ± 5°
x Test 2: pendulum shall impact seat in rearward direction at angle of 0°± 5°
x Test 3: pendulum shall impact seat in rearward-lateral direction at angle of 90°± 5°
x Test 4: pendulum shall impact seat in forward direction at angle of 0°± 5°

A2.5 Impact Points

The impact points of the pendulum relative to the seat shall be as follows:
x Test 1: upper edge of impactor shall be 25 mm above the upper edge of seat ± 10 mm
x Test 2: centre of impactor shall be aligned with upper edge of seat ± 10 mm
x Test 3: centre of impactor shall be aligned with upper edge of seat ± 10 mm
x Test 4: upper edge of impactor shall be 25 mm above the upper edge of seat ± 10 mm

In all cases, the impacted point of the seat shall be vertically below the pivot point of the
pendulum ± 50mm.

A3. FILMING AND DOCUMENTATION

The tests shall be filmed with video at minimum of 500 frame/s and minimum resolution of 640 x
480.

A4. IMPACT VELOCITY

The centre of the pendulum impactor shall impact the seat at the prescribed point with a speed
not less than 16km/h (4.44 m/s) for test 1+2 and 13.7 km/h (3.8 m/s) for test 3+4 (see table 2).
The speed shall be achieved either by the gravitational force alone or by using an additional
drive.

The test shall continue until the pendulum reaches a final stop.
Figure A3. Configuration for Test 1
Note: s is the distance from lowest seat point to reference plane
s = max. 50mm

Figure A4. Configuration for Test 2

Note: s is the distance from lowest seat point to reference plane
s = max. 50mm
Figure A5. Configuration for Test 3
Note: s is the distance from lowest seat point to reference plane
s = max. 50 mm

Figure A6. Configuration for Test 4

Note: s is the distance from lowest seat point to reference plane
s = max. 50mm
 APPENDIX B
KART HIGH SEAT CALCULATIONS OF PENDELUM TESTS

1 2
J pa ˜ m pa ˜ l pa [kgm 2 ] (considered as a thin beam)
3
1 2
J imp ˜ mimp ˜ limp  mimp ˜ d imp
2
[kgm 2 ] (considered as a thin plate)
12

J total J pa  J imp  ... [kgm 2 ]

meq = Jtotal/dimp2

dCoG = (½ mpa * lpa + mimp * dimp)/(mpa + mimp)

Ekin = ½ meq * v² = Epot = mtotal g dCoG (1 - cos ij)
cos ij = 1- Ekin / (mtotal g dCoG) h = dimp (1 – cos ij)
Legend:

Value Explanation Unit

CoG Centre of gravity [1]
dimp Distance between impact point to the bearing [m]
dCoG Distance of CoG of the complete pendulum to the bearing [m]
Epot Potentially Energy [J]
Ekin Kinetic Energy [J]
g Earth acceleration = 9.81 m/s² [m/s²]
Jtotal Momentum of inertia, total [kgm²]
Jpa Momentum of inertia of pendulum arm [kgm²]
Jimp Momentum of inertia of impactor [kgm²]
lpa Length of the pendulum arm (total length) [m]
limp Length of the impactor (limp = 170 mm +/- 2 mm) [m]
meq Equivalent mass [kg]
mpa Mass of the pendulum arm [kg]
mimp Mass of the impactor including ballast [kg]
mtotal Total mass (moved mass of complete pendulum incl. ballast) [kg]
v Velocity [m/s]
ij Angle of deflexion of pendulum arm (ij = 0° at vertical position) [°]
ǻs Deformation way of the seat backrest = max. pendulum way after seat [mm]
contact
h Height of impactor (initial position) m