Current technical regulations from the FIA relevant to Polycarbonate windows & Window Films For MSA rules and regulations , see bottom of page.

Article 283

Safety Equipment for Cross Country Vehicles

11 : Windscreens, Windows, Apertures

WINDSCREEN: A windscreen of laminated glass must be fitted, bearing a mark to verify the fact. All other windows may be of any type of homologated safety glass. A sun strip for the windscreen is authorised, on condition that it allows the occupants to see the road signs (traffic lights, traffic signs…). In the event of absence of a windscreen, the wearing of a full face helmet with a visor shall be compulsory for all members of the crew, otherwise the vehicle shall not be admitted to the start. If, after an accident, the deformation of the bodywork will not allow the replacement of the windscreen by a windscreen made from laminated glass, it may be replaced by a windscreen made from polycarbonate with a minimum thickness of 5 mm. If the windscreen is glued, it must be possible, from inside the cockpit, to break the windows of the front doors or to remove them without using tools. The rear and side windows, if transparent, must be made from a homologated material or from polycarbonate with a minimum thickness of 3 mm. The use of transparent and colourless anti-shatter films on the side windows, the rear window, the glass sunroof and the outside rear-view mirrors is mandatory (only for parts made from glass). The thickness of these films must not be greater than 100 microns. The use of tinted glass is permitted in side and rear windows. In such cases it must be possible for a person situated 5 m from the car to see the driver as well as the contents of the car. NETS: All vehicles of which the front doors are fitted with wind-down windows must be equipped with protection nets affixed to these doors using a quick release system situated on the lower part. The use of "clip" fixings is recommended. The fixings of the net on the upper part must not be removable without the use of tools. These nets must have the following characteristics : Minimum width of the strips : 19 mm Minimum size of the meshes : 25 x 25 mm. Maximum size of the meshes : 60 x 60 mm. and must close up the window opening to the centre of the steering wheel.

ARTICLE 12 : SAFETY FIXING DEVICES FOR WINDSHIELD

Such devices may be used freely

Article 279

Technical Regulations for Rallycross and Autocross Cars

2.4 Windscreens and windows

Must be of laminated glass or of a polycarbonate, and the windows must be of safety glass or plastic. If of plastic, the thickness shall not be less than 5 mm. Cars with laminated windscreens which are damaged to such an extent that visibility is seriously impaired or that there is a likelihood of their breaking further during the event, will be rejected. Films, stickers and spraying are not allowed, except those authorised by the sporting code chapter 17, article 211. Synthetic screens must not be tinted. Tinted glass screens, e.g. heat shield screens, are only permitted if they are original for this car. The fitting of an additional windscreen washer tank or of one with a greater capacity is authorised. This tank must be strictly reserved for the cleaning of the windscreen.

Article 253

Safety Equipment for Rally cars (Group’s N, A, B, SP)

ARTICLE 11 : WINDOWS / NETS

WINDOWS. The windows must be certified for road use, their marking standing as proof. The windshield must be made of laminated glass. A sun strip for the windscreen is authorised, on condition that it allows the occupants to see the road signs (traffic lights, traffic signs…). The use of tinted glass and/or safety film is permitted in side and rear windows. In such cases it must be possible for a person situated 5 m from the car to see the driver as well as the contents of the car. In rallies only : If silvered or tinted films are not used or if the side windows and the glass sunroof are not made from laminated glass, the use of transparent and colourless anti-shatter films on the side windows and the glass sunroof is mandatory. The thickness of these films must not be greater than 100microns. The use of silvered or tinted films is authorised, on the side and rear windows and on the glass sunroof, and on the following conditions: - Openings in these films must allow a person outside the car to see the driver as well as the contents of the car. - This authorisation must be mentioned in the supplementary regulations of the event. Application: Groups N, A, B. For Super Production see specific regulations. Nets. For events on circuits, the use of nets affixed to the safety rollcage is mandatory. These nets must have the following characteristics : - Minimum width of the strips : 19 mm - Minimum size of the meshes : 25 x 25 mm. - Maximum size of the meshes : 60 x 60 mm. and must close up the window opening to the centre of the steering wheel.

Appendix K to the international sporting code

TECHNICAL REGULATIONS FOR CARS COMPETING IN INTERNATIONAL HISTORIC EVENTS.

Rear windows, door windows and quarter lights must be of safety glass or a rigid transparent material at least 5mm thick (FAA type material, e.g. Lexan 400 is recommended). Vertically opening side windows may be replaced by horizontally sliding ones.

Article 258

Technical Regulations for Grand Touring Cars (Group GT1)

3.4 Windscreen and windows

A windscreen made of one piece of laminated glass, or polycarbonate, is compulsory. Its thickness must not be less than 6 mm. In order to protect the windscreen, the addition of a maximum of 4 translucent films on its external face is permitted. Anti-intrusion bars may be added on the internal face of the windscreen, provided that they are firmly fixed and do not hinder the driver’s vision. The side and rear windows may be replaced with polycarbonate. Additional fastenings may be used. Cockpit ventilation: In order to extract air from the cockpit, the rear window may have a maximum of 5 circular holes with a maximum diameter of 50mm each. Cars having no rear window may use the air exit on the roof homologated as a VO. A cut-out of a maximum surface of 25 cm2 is authorised in each rear view mirror. A scoop may be fitted to each door window provided it complies with the following points: - it must not exceed the perimeter of the window, must have a maximum height of 150 mm and must not protrude more than 50 mm over the window's surface. - it must be made from the same material as the window or with translucent polycarbonate if the window is made from glass, and must have the possibility of being closed by a shutter made from the same material as the window. - it must not obstruct the driver's rearward view. Air ducts fed by the scoops are authorised inside the cockpit on condition that they alter neither the driver's visibility nor the driver's safety. Nets: Door windows may be replaced with nets with characteristics in accordance with Article 253-11. However, the fixing of the nets to the safety cage is not mandatory. Each rear side window may be partly opened to a maximum of 30 mm at its rear extremity, or may have a circular opening with a maximum diameter of 50 mm.

Article 257

Technical Regulations for Series Grand Touring Cars (Group GT2)

3.3.2) Glazing

a/ Except for the one-piece windscreen, which is made from laminated glass exclusively, glazed areas may be replaced with any other material ensuring the same transparency. b/ In order to protect the windscreen, the addition of a maximum of 4 translucent films on its external face is permitted. c/ The window on driver's side may be replaced with a net. d/ Safety fasteners or additional window frames may be added, provided that they have no aerodynamic effect. e/ Rear window: mandatory, made from transparent material. 3.3.3) Openings a/ Openings may be made exclusively for cockpit ventilation and the operation of the lap marker: - through the side windows; - through the lower part of the rear window (a maximum of 5 holes with a maximum diameter of 50 mm); b/ Air intakes are permitted in the side windows, provided that: - they do not protrude by more than 15 cm; - they do not extend beyond the perimeter of the car. These openings must not obstruct the driver's view. c/ An air exit may be made on the roof of the car in order to extract air from the cockpit. It must be homologated.

Article 257A

Technical Regulations for Cup Grand Touring Cars (Group GT3)

3.2 Windscreen and windows

In order to protect the windscreen, the addition of a maximum of 4 translucent films on its external face is permitted. Additional fastenings may be used for securing the windscreen. Cockpit ventilation: In order to extract air from the cockpit, the rear window may have a maximum of 5 circular holes with a maximum diameter of 50 mm each. A cut-out of a maximum surface of 25 cm 2 is authorised in each rear view mirror. A scoop may be fitted to each door window, provided that it complies with the following points: - it must not exceed the perimeter of the window, must have a maximum height of 150 mm and must not protrude more than 50 mm over the window's surface. - it must be made from the same material as the window or from translucent polycarbonate if the window is made from glass, and must be able to be closed by a shutter made from the same material as the window. - it must not obstruct the driver's rearward view. Air ducts fed by the scoops are authorised inside the cockpit on condition that they reduce neither the visibility nor the safety of the driver. Nets: Door windows may be replaced with nets having characteristics in accordance with Article 253-11. However, the fixing of the nets to the safety cage is not mandatory. Each rear side window may be partly opened to a maximum of 30 mm at its rear extremity, or may have a circular opening with a maximum diameter of 50 mm.

SPECIFIC RULES FOR WORLD TOURING CARS

ARTICLE 11 : WINDOWS / NETS

Windows. The windows must be certified for road use, their marking standing as proof. The windshield must be made of laminated glass. A sun strip for the windscreen is authorised, on condition that it allows the occupants to see the road signs (traffic lights, traffic signs…). The use of tinted glass and/or safety film is permitted in side and rear windows. In such cases it must be possible for a person situated 5 m from the car to see the driver as well as the contents of the car. In rallies only : If silvered or tinted films are not used or if the side windows and the glass sunroof are not made from laminated glass, the use of transparent and colourless anti-shatter films on the side windows and the glass sunroof is mandatory. The thickness of these films must not be greater than 100microns. The use of silvered or tinted films is authorised, on the side and rear windows and on the glass sunroof, and on the following conditions: - Openings in these films must allow a person outside the car to see the driver as well as the contents of the car. - This authorisation must be mentioned in the supplementary regulations of the event. Application: Groups N, A, B. For Super Production see specific regulations. Nets. For events on circuits, the use of nets affixed to the safety rollcage is mandatory. These nets must have the following characteristics : - Minimum width of the strips : 19 mm - Minimum size of the meshes : 25 x 25 mm. - Maximum size of the meshes : 60 x 60 mm. and must close up the window opening to the centre of the steering wheel.

ARTICLE 12 : SAFETY FIXING DEVICES FOR WINDSHIELD

Such devices may be used freely. Application: Groups N, A, B.

MSA Regulations relating to Polycarbonate windows, Mudflaps and Window films

Also known as Murphy's law !

Common regulations for competitors vehicles

26.(h)Except for racing cars, be fitted with a windscreen . If plastic windscreen, sidescreens or rear windows are fitted, the thickness must not be less than 4mm
26. (i)Sports cars supplied as stdandard with plastic sidescreens may retain them in their original thickness

Specific regulations for Autocross & Rallycross

Class A Autocross

Cars must be fitted with a laminated glass or polycarbonate windscreen, or have a 2.5 cm matrix wire mesh fitted over the whole of the windscreen apperture.Toughened glass windscreens will only be acceptable in road cars and then only if the vehicle runs singly..

Rally cross vehicles

See FIA regulations above.

Specific regulations for car racing

See Common regulations for competitors vehicles and also the appropriate Formula regulations

Specific regulations for Stage Rallying

See Common regulations for competitors vehicles above

(e)SUNROOFS - Glass sunroofs are NOT permitted, Sunroofs may be of a non-shattering solid rigid material other than glass. Any sunroof must be firmly secured in the closed position, The sunroof apperture may be closed by solid material permanently fitted in place.

(f)WINDSCREENS - Windscreens to be of laminated type only.Side windows if of glass must be of laminated or toughened glass and if of toughened glass must be coated on the inside with a clear transparent safety film (To FIA specifications).

(g)MUDFLAPS - The fitting of mudflaps behind all four wheels extending to a minimum of 4cm each side of the tyre tread and a maximum of 8cm above the ground is mandatory.