FIA Seat Expiration?

[lrayner]

Do race seats that have an FIA sticker on them expire?

[kurquhart]

Not that I have seen in Z8 (or POC). For PCA Club Racing, they expire in five years only if no seat back brace is used.

[glenn_993]

Another related question. Does a race seat have to have a FIA rating. I'm thinking of trying a club race but my seat is not FIA certified.

[Tim Comeau]

Glenn,
Yes, they expire.
In NASA, you can race a seat for 5 years. After that, the seat is supposed to be reinspected and if approved, can be used for another 2 years.
The newer seats are not supposed to have a seat back brace used. They are designed to flex. FIA International Sporting Code: 8855-1999.
Some racing seats are not allowed. The ones with a steel tube frame and cloth covering, for example.
It's best to see the rule set for each sanctioning body you'll be racing with.
Good luck.