SFI warns of counterfeit head-and-neck restraints

The SFI Foundation, Inc., which monitors and approves devices to keep racers of all manner safe from harm, issued a warning on Wednesday, February 4 that should have all participants take notice.

What to look for

"Counterfeit devices have been obtained by Simpson Performance Products and the matter is under investigation," an official statement read. "If you have a non-carbon head and neck restraint device labeled Hutchens Hybrid Pro with a 2013 SFI 38.1 label, this device may not be genuine. If this device does not have “box X” stitching on the tethers, it is not genuine.

Tethers closesup

Photo by: Simpson Performance Products

"There are other differences between the counterfeit device and a genuine device that trained inspectors can identify. If you suspect that you have such a device and you are currently attending a racing event, immediately present the device to technical officials at the event. Or, present the device to Simpson Performance personnel at the event."

If you are not at an event, contact Simpson at one of the phone numbers listed HERE as soon as possible.

Warning: Usage of any device that is counterfeit and does not have appropriate SFI labeling could result in serious injury or death. Counterfeit products have not been tested by SFI and there is no way to know whether such products meet SFI standards.

This article corrects an earlier story, which erroneously misled the reader and needed to be clarified