2. Diabetics
Diabetics requiring treatment with insulin will not normally be issued with a licence valid for Racing, Karting, Kart Clubman, Rallycross, Stage Rallying or International Rallying.
In certain circumstances the Medical Consultant at the MSA will be prepared to consider applications in writing by Insulin controlled Diabetics. Each applicant would need to present themself to a Diabetics Specialist recommended by the MSA and any costs incurred would be borne by the applicant.
3. Epilepsy
Epilepsy is incompatible with fitness to Race, Kart, Kart Endurance, Kart Tyro, Rallycross or Stage Rally. If a person with epilepsy has not had a fit or medication to prevent or control fits for a period of ten years they may present that case to the MSA’s Medical Consultant for consideration.
For other events a person with epilepsy may be considered for a competition speed licence (National B Non-race) providing they can show that they have not had a fit for five years whether on or off medication.
Clarification from the MSA Medical Panel :-
Currently the
regulations for the granting of a race licence requires an individual to have been seizure free for a period of at least 10
years, without any anti-convulsant medication.
This regulation is based upon the DVLA Class 2
requirements. The Medical Advisory Panel
advises the MSA upon medical matters relating to motorsport, including the
medical restrictions upon the issue of competitive licences. We have to set the standards using the best
information that is currently available to us.
The panel comprises members of the medical profession who are chosen for
their involvement with motorsport or their specialist knowledge in various
branches of medicine. In considering any
individual request we aim to assess whether there is increased risk to, other
competitors, officials or spectators. We
have a duty of care to these groups and, therefore, cannot approve an
application where this may be the case.
We use the DVLA
medical guidelines as the basis for our decisions in many areas as these are
well developed, legally established national standards. The Class 1 guidelines are felt to be
insufficiently rigorous for race licence purposes. The reasoning behind this decision is that
individuals competing are driving at their physical and physiological limits as
well as being under considerable mental stress.
In these circumstances we need to apply more rigorous criteria to reduce
the risk of medical conditions impairing ability. This is exactly the reasoning behind the
Class 2 regulations, which aim to reduce the risk to less than 2%.
The Medical Advisory
Panel has worked hard to modify these restrictions where possible and allow as
many individuals with medical conditions to compete.
Speed Events - National B Non race licences
If an individual has been seizure free for a period of 5 years, with or without medication, they may apply for a non race licence
allowing them to compete in hill climbs or sprints.
4. Other Medical Conditions
The following medical conditions may prevent the granting of a Competition Licence:
(a) Myocardial infarction.
(b) Myocardial ischaemia.
(c) Coronary artery by-pass surgery.
(d) Coronary Angioplasty.
(e) Valvular Disease of the Heart or other abnormal condition whether operated on or not.
(f) Severe hypertension which has given rise to cardiopulmonary problems.
(g) Any mental or behavioural disorders*, past or present whether or not under treatment with drugs or therapy.
*As defined in ICD.10 (International Classification of Diseases).
5. Eyesight Standards
The following eyesight standards are required to be met by applicants for a national licence.
(a) Minimum corrected visual acuity must be 6/6 with both eyes open.
(b) Minimum binocular field should measure at least 120 degrees along the horizontal meridian with no defects within the central 20 degrees.
(c) Spectacles should be fitted with shatterproof lenses. Contact lenses if worn should be of the ‘soft’ variety.
(d) A person who suddenly loses sight in one eye will not be allowed to hold a licence until five years has lapsed.
(e) Double vision is not compatible with the issue of a Competition Licence.
(f) Drivers must have normal colour vision in that they can distinguish the primary colours of red and green.
6. CHAPTER I - FIA INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS’ LICENCES
FIA - International Regulations www.fia.com (Appendix L Sections 10 & 11)
10. Licences for participants with special abilities
10.1 Driver
With the exception of progressive or chronic illnesses which preclude the practice of motor sport and disqualifying visual disorders (see Article 1.5.1, Chapter II), any person with an acquired or congenital disability and who, in the opinion of his national Medical Commission (where applicable) or of a doctor designated by the ASN, does not fulfil the conditions for obtaining an international driver’s licence (see Article 1.5.2, Chapter II), may apply to obtain an International Special Abilities Licence, if all the conditions stated below are fulfilled.
The criteria for the awarding of this licence are judged on four levels:
i) The driver who is a candidate for a Special Abilities Licence shall be examined either by a member of the National Medical Commission in countries where such a body exists, or otherwise by a physician appointed by the ASN.
ii) The applicant must undergo a driving test, in his own competition vehicle and preferably on a circuit and in the presence of an official from the ASN, in order for his capacities to be appraised.
iii) His ability to extricate himself from his own competition vehicle (or from a similar model) as quickly as possible (simulations of immediate danger, outbreak of fire, etc.) shall be judged at the same time. The applicant must, from a sitting position, be able, alone, to extricate himself and move away from the car. Out of the vehicle, lying on his back, he must be able to turn onto his stomach and vice versa.
iv) If the adaptations required by the drivers’ physical condition have already been made, or still need to be made, and do not feature in the homologation form of the competition vehicle, they will have to be approved by the ASN and, in competitions, be entered into a document to be submitted during the scrutineering of the vehicles.
Once the ASN has received medical, technical and sporting evaluations, it will take the final decision as to the granting or denial of the International Special Abilities Licence for Drivers.
10.2 Navigator
Similarly, a participant with special abilities whose sporting activity is limited to the role of navigator in rallies, as they are defined in Article 21 of the International Sporting Code, and is forbidden to drive during a competition, may apply for an International Special Abilities Licence for Navigators. The physical criteria to be met are, with the exception of disqualifying visual disorders (see Article 1.5.1, Chapter II), the same as those required for the International Special Abilities Licence for Drivers.
The ability of the applicant to extricate himself from the vehicle in which he wishes to perform his role of navigator (or from a similar model) must be evaluated in accordance with the same criteria as those required for the Special Abilities Licence for Drivers.
Moreover, in all cases, the applicant will have to succeed in carrying out the following exercises, in the order in which they are listed:
- Passenger door blocked; driver also on board; exit the vehicle as soon as possible by climbing over the driver;
- Place the SOS panel on the roof;
- Place the red triangle approximately 50 metres to the rear of the vehicle;
- Help the driver (presumed to be injured) to extricate himself from the vehicle;
- Retrieve the SOS panel and wave it behind the vehicle.
The driving test and dealing with technical problems do not concern navigators with special abilities.
Once it has received a medical opinion, the ASN will have the final say on whether to issue or refuse the International Special Abilities Licence for Navigators.
11. Practice of motor sport for holders of a Special Abilities Licence
11.1 Holders of an International Special Abilities Licence for Drivers may only participate in events in which a separate start is given to each competitor. Their participation is subject to the agreement of the ASN of the country of the event.
11.2 Nevertheless, and subject to compliance with the conditions of issue stated in Article 10.1, certain holders of the International Special Abilities Licence for Drivers may take part in international circuit competitions, with a grouped start, with the exception of international single-seater races.
Such a dispensation may be applied for if:
- either the licence-holders were included on an FIA seeded or graded drivers list, were formerly Super Licence
holders, or have proved considerable accomplishments in competition driving and, in spite of their current condition,
are still able to perform as well as they could before it became necessary for them to acquire a Special Abilities
Licence;
- or the licence-holders are drivers with special abilities who have graduated from a homologated driving school
recognised by the ASN and are capable of attaining a performance equal to that of the other drivers from the
same school.
Any request for special dispensations must be submitted by the driver to the ASN which issued his licence, which will
forward it to the FIA. It will be subject to the approval of the Medical Commission and the Safety Commission. In the event
of a disagreement between these two commissions, the World Council will decide.
11.3 During any competition in which one or more holders of a Special Abilities Licence for Drivers are taking part, the rescue services must be informed of these drivers’ racing numbers.
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