Christian Devereux

Dear Mr Chapman Re: Christian Devereux (deceased) Thank you for forwarding the Regulation 28 Report to which we respond as follows. The MSA has considered the use of frontal head restraint devices since they first came into existence. The FIA as the world governing body first introduced them solely for Formula One. I have not specifically researched it but after approximately two years they extended that requirement to other world championships. At the time the devices typically cost in the order of £1,200. Having covered the World Championships the FIA then moved the requirement on further but still do not make such devices mandatory "across the board". With effect from 1st January 2005 the MSA made specific provision within General Regulations for competitors to use what was then known as a HANS device and is now ref erred to as an FHR. In order to use an FHR the helmet has to be compatible and in 2005 there were very few helmets that were compatible. Thus there was not only the significant cost of the FHR but also the cost of a new helmet. It is only within the last couple of years that it can be taken that virtually all helmets sold for use in motorsport are compatible with FHR's. Aside from the cost consideration there was also the matter of availability for the HANS is subject to patent and supplies were thus inherently limited. Over the last nine years the cost implications and availability have both improved. During this time the MSA has regularly reviewed the issue as to whether the use of FHR's should be made mandatory in all MSA authorised motorsport, in certain sectors or competitors left to make their own decision. Over this period the MSA has given publicity to the use of FHR's. British Touring Cars, British Formula Three and British GT were the first to make the use of THE ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB MOTOR SPORTS HOUSE. TEL: •44 10) 1753 765 000 RfGISHRFD OFFICL MOTOR SPORTS ASSOCIATION RIVERSIDE PARK. FAX: •44 10) 1753 682 ')38 '>EE i,,',AIN ADDRESS RH;J;TFRED NUMBER: LIMITED COLN BROOK, WEB: IVWW.MSAUK.ORG IJ44829 ENGLAND SU OHG, UK VAT NO: 242304895

FHR's mandatory through Championship Regulations, their example being followed by a number of other race championships since then. FHR's are mandatory in the British Rally Championship and in facilitating drivers from the age of 14 years to compete in specific Junior Circuit Race Championships there has always been a mandatory requirement for FHR's to be used in those championships. Competitors in various sectors have individually chosen to use an FHR despite it not being a mandatory requirement. There are some vehicles, particularly historic vehicles, where the use of an FHR is impractical through such reason as there being no mandatory requirement for use of a roll overs protection system (ROPS) or driver restraint. There are many historic cars which are of such a structure as to make it impossible to fit a ROPS or restraint. At their meeting of 4th March 2014 Motor Sports Council ordered that all specialist committees specifically considered whether it was appropriate for the use of FHR's to be made mandatory in their particular sector of the sport. This process is ongoing. In considering the issue, the specialist committees are required to consider what, if any advantage there would be, the practicality of wearing an FHR in that particular environment, what the cost implications would be, whether making such a requirement mandatory would discourage people from entering the sport, whether such would result in some retiring from the sport. There are some sectors of the sport where it is clear cut that use of an FHR is inappropriate, eg. Autotests, Trials. It is less clear cut in other areas. In racing there is a significant percentage of competitors who chose to wear an FHR, overall, probably more than 60% of competitors using cars where there is no vehicle issue that makes use of an FHR impossible/inappropriate use an FHR. The review you request was already underway prior to HM Coroner's Inquest touching the death of Christian Devereux. Should you wish for the result of that review be communicated to you then please contact the undersigned, noting that we anticipate the review to be completed by the end of 2014. A standard document setting out the organisational structure of MSA authorised motorsport is appended which you may find useful in understanding the processes that are used in drafting and implementing regulatory requirements.