Starting 1st January 2027, competitors in relevant Motorsport UK race, stage rally or rallycross championships will be required to install a FIA Impact Data Recorder (IDR). If you race in the UK, you might be wondering why you need to add this new device to your vehicle. The short answer is safety. Here is the short answer behind it.
The problem
Many top-level motorsport championships have used an Accident Data Recorder (ADR) for years. They provide investigators with details about the car and driver after an incident, but they’re expensive and require specialists to download the data. The FIA also identified that only 1% of competition vehicles carry an ADR due to their price, leaving a huge gap in the industry for crash data.
The solution
To close the 1% gap, the FIA developed the Impact Data Recorder as a lightweight, easy-to-use device that doesn’t require any specialist equipment or expertise to use. You can simply install and forget about it.
Why Motorsport UK is making IDRs mandatory
According to Motorsport UK, the aim is to collect real information about what happens in an incident and how safety systems perform. In practice, the Impact Data Recorder can be used to pinpoint flaws in vehicle design or where the track could be improved. It is an essential device to identify patterns between incidents to improve the safety of the competition based on real data.
Do I need an IDR?
If you compete in a race, stage rally or rallycross championship, you will require an Impact Data Recorder from 1st January 2027. Each competition vehicle requires its own IDR. However, at only £32 excluding VAT, they’re extremely affordable.
Installing the IDR
Installing the Impact Data Recorder is easy. Simply stick the IDR to your vehicle following the installation guide, download the FIA IDR app and scan the QR code to activate it. Pre-ordering early ensures your IDR arrives in time for your first Motorsport UK event. Visit Impact Detect for more information regarding the Motorsport UK IDR to stay compliant for the 2027 season.