Course in Safety for Historic Competition Vehicles
Online 300-hour course in safety for historic competition vehicles. 6 modules covering Annex K of the International Sporting Code (historic vehicles), Annex J of the FIA International Sporting Code and SolidWorks. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Safety for Historic Competition Vehicles — studying from South Africa
Classic vehicle restoration is a niche but active interest in South Africa, supported by owners' clubs, specialist workshops and historic motorsport events. Restoration work draws on skills in mechanical engineering, materials and heritage conservation. Specialists source parts, rebuild engines and conserve bodywork for vintage and classic cars and motorcycles. Clubs and heritage organisations help maintain the community and promote conservation practice.
Fees for South Africa: R 14 900 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any South African body, so they are not official state degrees. Restoration work is not generally a regulated title, though ECSA registration applies to engineering roles and the SABS covers relevant standards. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by clients, employers or the relevant body, so check with them first.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in restoration and classic vehicles?
The classic vehicle sector is largely made up of specialist workshops, collectors and small firms that value demonstrable craftsmanship and reputation over formal credentials. A private qualification may add technical depth to your profile, but its impact depends on individual clients and employers. Speak to people in the field to see how they would regard it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. You get an assigned technical tutor, can pay in instalments, and may seek employer sponsorship. Ask SEIUM about time-zone and workload details before committing.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Analyse the specific risks of an old vehicle in competition.
Evaluate safety structures and cockpit protection according to Annex K.
Select approved seats, harnesses and driver equipment.
Prevent fires through extinguishing systems and electrical protection.
Review brakes, steering and suspension from the standpoint of active safety.
Plan emergency and extraction procedures during an event.
Prepare a technical safety verification sheet.
Who it's for
- Historic competition technical commissaire wishing to specialise in Safety in historic competition vehicles.
- Competition vehicle preparer wishing to specialise in Safety in historic competition vehicles.
- Team safety manager wishing to specialise in Safety in historic competition vehicles.
- Roll cage technician wishing to specialise in Safety in historic competition vehicles.
- Track engineer wishing to specialise in Safety in historic competition vehicles.
- Event safety coordinator wishing to specialise in Safety in historic competition vehicles.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter historic competition.
What you'll work with
- Annex K of the International Sporting Code (historic vehicles)
- Annex J of the FIA International Sporting Code
- FIA 8853-2016 (safety belts)
- FIA 8858-2010 (head restraint devices)
- FIA 8856-2018 (driver fire-resistant clothing)
- FIA 8855-1999 (competition seats)
- FIA 8865-2015 (on-board extinguishing systems)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Difference between conserving and competing1.2Risks specific to historic vehicles1.3Applicable safety regulations1.4Balancing authenticity and protection1.5Requirements by discipline and by period1.6Technical passport and its content1.7Responsibility of the team and the driver1.8Prior technical checks1.9Safety documentation1.10Workshop: safety audit of a vehicle
2.1Roll cages approved for historic vehicles2.2Installation without damaging the original structure2.3Materials and certification of the roll cage2.4Reinforcement of mountings2.5Padding and protection of hard points2.6Protection against side intrusion2.7Compatibility with the original interior2.8Reversibility of the installation2.9Periodic inspection of the structure2.10Practice: reversible roll cage project
3.1Approved seats and mountings3.2Harnesses: geometry and anchorages3.3Expiry dates and their control3.4Helmet and neck protection3.5Fire-resistant clothing and gloves3.6Visibility and mirrors3.7Emergency exit and its testing3.8Hydration and thermal comfort3.9Driver training3.10Practice: assembly and verification of the restraint system
4.1Fire risk in old vehicles4.2Manual and automatic extinguishers4.3Extinguishing agent and its location4.4Master electrical cut-off4.5Safety fuel tanks and lines4.6Protection of fuel lines4.7Wiring harnesses and their protection4.8Batteries and their mounting4.9Periodic checks of the system4.10Practice: installation of a fire extinguishing system
5.1Brake upgrades permitted5.2Tyres and their age5.3Steering and play5.4Suspension and damping5.5Transmissions and protection5.6Component failure and its prevention5.7Non-destructive testing of critical parts5.8Service life and preventive replacement5.9Register of critical components5.10Practice: inspection plan for critical components
6.1Accident procedures6.2Driver rescue and its rehearsal6.3Communication and vehicle tracking6.4Safety in the closed park and pits6.5Spectator safety6.6Team training6.7Review after an incident6.8Common errors and known accidents6.9Documented real cases6.10Final project: safety plan for a historic competition vehicle
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks, ANSYS Mechanical, AiM Race Studio 3, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real technical verification procedures for the roll cage, a driver extraction drill and a review of the extinguishing system. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Analyse the specific risks of an old vehicle in competition.
Evaluate safety structures and cockpit protection according to Annex K.
Select approved seats, harnesses and driver equipment.
Prevent fires through extinguishing systems and electrical protection.
Review brakes, steering and suspension from the standpoint of active safety.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with full-time work.
The course uses SolidWorks, ANSYS Mechanical, AiM Race Studio 3 and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the higher programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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