Just a brief FYI info on some of the recent CAMS rule / car requirements changes that may affect you if your entering any CAMS track days / events;
 
SCHEDULE B – BONNET RESTRAINTS
The Board noted the recommendation of the Australian Sport & Club Development Commission that within Schedule B for road registered cars, a standard two stage fastener would be appropriate in speed events such as supersprints and hillclimbs and the regulations have been updated to provide clarification.
It is common practice for many competitors in speed events to fit a retention device under the bonnet, this type of fastening will be specifically provided for and may be used in speed events for non-road registered vehicles instead of the requirements for race meetings. 
These changes and clarifications are designed to encourage participation in these predominantly club level events and will be implemented in the 2012 CAMS Manual of Motor Sport
 
SCHEDULE J - SAFETY CAGE STRUCTURES
11. PROTECTIVE PADDING 
11.1 Helmet and Head Protection:
As from 1st January 2013:
(a) Where the helmet of an occupant could come into contact with the safety cage, protective padding shall befitted in that area, which complies with:
   (i) International competition and below, FIA standard 8857-2001, type A or;
   (ii) For national competitions and lower, SFI specification 45.1.
11.2 Body Protection: 
Where the body of an occupant could come into contact with the safety cage, it is recommended that flame retardant padding be fitted. FIA standard 8857-2001 or SFI specification 45.1padding is recommended.
 
This means for ALL competitions 'Pool Noodle' style padding is no longer allowed, the new minimum required padding is the SFI 45.1 padding (FIA 8857-2001 type A Recommended) and for International FIA 8857-2001 type A.
 

Plus few other updates, seethe full schedule: http://www.camsmanual.com...edule_J_Q411.pdf 
 

FIRE EXTINGUISHER MAINTENANCE AND MOUNTING
The Board approved the clarification of requirements for servicing fire extinguishers as part of the CAMS Manual of Motor Sport, Schedule H:

• For hand held extinguishers the AS1851 maintenance standard sits alongside AS1841, the standard for the extinguisher itself, and due to the motor sport environment such extinguishers are required to be serviced every three years. FIA homologated systems require servicing every two years;
• The mounting requirements for plumbed-in fire extinguisher systems, which are FIA homologated, will have the FIA requirements regarding fitment applied.

These changes will be implemented from 1 January 2012. 
 
UNLEADED RACING FUEL CLARIFICATION
The Board approved clarification of the definition of Unleaded Racing Fuel to ensure it could be supplied from a drum, Schedule G section 3.2 will now read:
3.2 Unleaded Racing Fuel: Unleaded racing fuel is defined as unleaded petrol produced by an oil company in compliance with the specifications detailed in FIA Article 252.9.1 of Appendix J to the current FIA Year Book. Such Unleaded Racing Fuel supplied from a drum is permissible. 
 
 
 

so what is the new padding made out of?

The FIA and SFI ones arnt new, they have been around for ages.
 
Most FIA ones are made out of EAFSD3 semi-rigid energy absorbing foam, im not sure about the SFI
 
The differences between the FIA and the SFI compared to the 'pool noodle' style, is its ALOT harder and is a U shape. Some like BSCI branded FIA padding has a flat impact surface.
 
In a big impact, the high G forces, the weight of your head and helmet will just compress the 'pool noodle' style padding untill you hit the roll bar, the FIA and the smaller SFI is designed to absorb the impact better.
 
Below is examples on the 3
 
FIA 8857-2001 (Recommended)
http://www.revolutionracegear.com.au/index.phpPCID=18358&PSO=245&PSID=360155601&PSV=Primary&CDO=
SFI 45.1
http://www.revolutionracegear.com.au/index.php?PSO=245&PSID=3969000_01&PSV=Primary&EGPUID=103710
'Pool Noodle' style (Does not meet new CAMS requirements)
http://www.revolutionracegear.com.au/index.php?PSO=245&PSID=310000008_&PSV=Primary&EGPUID=103436 

We had to source the new style of padding for our FSAE car. Its a fair bit more expensive, an quite harder as stated. If you knock your head on it it'll hurt a lot more, but if you really hit it hard I know which one I'd rather.

Hate to think what the fumes would be like or have any of that poolnoodle stuff burning near me.

Just a reminder to everyone that all the new 2013 rules are in affect.
 
Main things are above such as 'pool noodle' style roll cage padding is no longer allowed for ANY vehicle, it must be the FIA or SFI as mentioned above (last year it was only required for national events and above)
 
Also changes to the roll cage requirements have been made for Off Road competitions, National Championship and National Series level Race and Rally competitions (and recommended in other competitions)so have a read and make sure you comply, these changes include A piller / windscreen reinforcement bar and if used in competition with more than one occupant (ie tarmac rally) changes to roof, main hoop and back stay support braces.
 
You would need to check with CAMS to check i am correct, but if you have a cage built and car log booked before Dec 31st 2011, then you will still comply (You will still require the FIA or SFI padding tho), however if you had a roll cage built before that date and not log booked, you will have to get the cage upgraded to comply.
 
Go to http://www.camsmanual.com.au and click on 'General Requirements' on the right hand side

sweeetpete

Hate to think what the fumes would be like or have any of that poolnoodle stuff burning near me.

 
Well it burns like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho1D-r2VRqo 
 
That video shows the pool noodle style, SFI and FIA padding being burnt.