Know Your Rules is a dedicated space where we bring to your attention the FMSCI regulations across disciplines—be it rallying, karting, drag racing, or motocross. Motorsport thrives on passion, but it is governed by precision. Every competitor, team, and organizer must understand the current rules to ensure fairness, safety, and compliance with Regulations. Please give your suggestion / comments in the comment section.
You may be aware that Art.13.4.3 of the FIA International Sporting Code states
“13.4.3 In the case of a protest referring to the alleged non‐compliance of an Automobile with the regulations and requiring the dismantling and re-assembly of clearly defined part or parts of an Automobile, an additional deposit to cover the estimated costs involved in such checks may be specified by the stewards on a proposal from the FIA technical delegate (if appointed) or the chief scrutineer. This additional deposit must be paid by the protester within one hour upon receipt of such notification of the stewards (or, where appropriate, within such timeframe as agreed by them). Otherwise, the protest will be deemed inadmissible.”
To avoid ambiguity and different additional deposits in different events, the FMSCI has now released a regulation “Additional Deposit on Technical Protest (4W)”, wherein the vehicle parts are grouped under Category I, II and Category III and the amount is fixed for the parts as follows:
CategoryI
(Basic Additional Deposit for any Technical Protest not specified under Category – II & Category – III)
|
Description
|
Additional Deposit |
|
Any Technical Protest
|
₹ 10,000 + 18% GST |
Category II
(Additional Deposit applicable for part/parts/assembly that are NOT checked and sealed by the FMSCI Technical Department)
|
Description
|
Additional Deposit |
|
Technical Protect on Turbo and/or
|
₹ |
|
Technical Protest involving inspection that
|
₹ |
|
Technical Protest involving inspection that
|
₹ |
|
Technical Protest involving inspection that
|
₹ |
|
Technical Protest involving inspection that
|
₹ |
Category III
(Additional Deposit applicable for part/parts/assembly that are checked and sealed by the FMSCI Technical Department)
|
Description
|
Additional Deposit |
|
Technical Protect on Turbo and/or
|
₹ |
|
Technical Protest involving inspection that
|
₹ |
|
Technical Protest involving inspection that
|
₹ |
|
Technical Protest involving inspection that
|
₹ |
|
Technical Protest involving inspection that
|
₹ |
Further the Code states :
The costs incurred in undertaking such checks shall be borne:
- by the protester if the protest is rejected. If the costs incurred are less than the additional deposit paid, the surplus shall be refunded to the protester. Conversely, if the costs incurred are higher, the difference shall be borne by the protester, in accordance with the principles set out in Articles 12.8.1 and 12.8.2.
- by the Competitor against whom the protest is filed if the protest is upheld. Under such circumstances: (i) the costs incurred shall be paid by the Competitor in accordance with the principles set out in Articles 12.8.1 and 12.8.2 and (ii) the additional deposit paid by the protester shall be refunded.
- proportionally by the parties if the protest is partially upheld. Such proportionality shall be determined by the stewards. The proportion allocated to the protesting party will be deducted from the additional deposit paid and the balance will be refunded. The proportion allocated to the Competitor against whom the protest is lodged shall be paid in accordance with the principles set out in Articles 12.8.1 and 12.8.2.
