In order to take account of a more complete and demanding evaluation of performance, and give specific and exclusive recognition to light panels that meet more demanding criteria, the FIM Technical and Circuit Racing Commissions have now launched a pioneering and unique programme, the FIM Racing Homologation Programme for light panels (FRHPlp), which features the latest state of art methods of testing. This programme was prepared under the direction of the FIM International Technical Commission, in collaboration with the FIA and leading road light panels manufacturers

Under this programme, the FIM grants light panel a homologation certificate and labels, which are a mandatory prerequisite to be entitled to access FIM Circuit Racing competitions.

To obtain such homologation, the light panels have to meet the high performance and quality standard set by the FIM.

Below are listed some of the requirments (the complete requirments can be found in the Homologation manual)

Electrical requirements

The light panel system shall conform to ISO electrical safety requirements and low voltage Directives for maximum safety, in compliance with local regulations. Circuits and connectors must be located out of reach of the public, and designed so that exposure to live electrical equipment will not occur in case of the accidental detachment of exposed elements of the system.

The connection of the light panel system to the power supply shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. In the event of short voltage interruptions in the supply of specific duration, light panels shall operate as follows:

1. For interruptions of duration less than 50 [ms], there should be no visible effect;
2. For interruptions of duration less than 100 [ms], the panels shall continue displaying the current message;

Environmental requirements

All equipment must be designed to operate under the following requirements:

1. The minimum degree of protection against ingress of dust and water provided shall be IP 65 without external casing and IP 55 with external casing, when tested in according to BS EN 60529:1992.
2. Temperature: -20 to +60 [°C]
3. Relative humidity: 30% to 95% RH

The manufacturer shall provide a declaration to the FIM, by which it certifies that the system is capable of exposure to such environmental conditions without suffering any permanent damage. The FIM reserves the right to undergo testing in accordance with the relevant European Standards to check the compliance with these requirements, and to refuse the homologation is the results are deemed unacceptable.

Equipment performance should not degrade or deviate significantly from the homologation test results when operated at the typical ambient temperature extremes seen at the intended installation site.

Operational requirements

Each light panel should be able to be locally operated by the signalling marshals on the side of the track and remotely controlled from the Race Control.

Minimum dimensions requirements

The minimum required dimensions of the light emitting frontal and rear graphic area of each light panel in direction of the reference axis should be as detailed in the Table 1. The aspect ratio of panel shall be 3:2 up to 1:1.

Each panel shall be designed such that the whole of the front and rear graphic areas shall be fully and uniformly populated with pixels.

Table 1: Frontal/Rear Panel Minimum Dimensions for light emitting area

CHROMATICITY COORDINATES

Coordinates of intersection points of allowed chromaticity area boundaries

Table 3: Chromaticity coordinates