AF74, THE FIA 8870-2018 APPROVED IMAF RIB PROTECTOR SEWN ON THE DRIVER (AND ON THE SEAT OF THE KART)

AF74 is the new FIA approved rib protector with the IMAF brand, an Italian company specialised in the production of fiberglass seats and accessories for karting. The first steps of the new project actually date back to 2019 when Aldo Fattore, owner of the company and mechanic with years of experience at the highest levels of international karting, relying on the know-how gained in the production of the other non-approved IMAF rib protectors, started studying the first types of a product that complied with the FIA ​​8870-2018 regulation (for further information read “Technique - FIA 88070-2018 approval for kart rib protectors”). There were then several steps that marked the development of this new protective vest up to the approval received by the International Automobile Federation in March 2022. In fact, the final concept of the AF74 was only approved after tests carried out on six different prototypes (later abandoned) and thanks to the feedback obtained from the collaboration with four professional drivers, including the 2020 KZ World Champion Jeremy Iglesias, who had the opportunity to test the product during international events and provided indications on the problems that needed to be resolved related to the comfort and wearability of the product. In particular, the refinement of the product was concentrated, in particular, in the rear area of ​​the rib protector, which we will discuss in detail and in depth below. AF74 is available in eight different sizes, from XS to XXL, at a cost of approximately € 377 (excluding VAT).