Environmental mats for motorcycles: what the FIM requires and how to get one with your logo
At events run under the FIM Environmental Code, nobody works on a bike without a mat underneath it. It isn’t a recommendation: it’s mandatory, and the jury can penalise anyone who doesn’t use one. Here’s what it has to meet and how to turn it, along the way, into your team’s best photo opportunity in the paddock.
What an environmental mat is and why it’s mandatory
The environmental mat, as the regulations call it, stops the oil, fuel, brake fluid or coolant that drips while you work on the bike from reaching the circuit surface. That’s why the FIM describes it as having two layers: an absorbent upper layer and an impermeable lower layer.
Under the FIM Environmental Code (2022 edition), it must be used:
- anywhere work on the motorcycles is allowed (pit box, paddock, service area);
- in parc fermé;
- under waste oil and fuel drums;
- at official refuelling points;
- under generators and pressure washers.
Failure to comply is penalised by the jury or race direction, usually with a fine.
Minimum size, absorption and thickness
The code sets minimums according to the type of vehicle. These are the ones in the 2022 edition:
| Discipline | Minimum size |
|---|---|
| Solo motorcycle | 160 × 100 cm |
| Sidecar | 160 × 200 cm |
| Speedway, long track and grass track | 160 × 75 cm |
| Ice racing | 100 × 75 cm |
The mat must also absorb at least 1 litre and have a minimum thickness of 5 mm.
Before ordering, check your championship’s regulations. National federations —in Spain, the RFME and the regional federations— and the supplementary regulations of each event may set their own conditions or refer to a more recent edition of the code.
Why have it made with your team logo
A generic mat meets the rules. A custom one meets the rules and works for the team too: it appears in every pit box photo, in social media videos and on TV coverage, right underneath the bike.
- Sponsors on show. Their logos sit exactly where the stationary bike is photographed most.
- Team image. The same colours on the awning, the pit box and the teamwear.
- Easy to spot in the paddock. You can tell which one is yours when there are forty identical ones.
With Chromojet printing the colour goes into the fibre rather than sitting on top, so it doesn’t crack or peel with use or washing.
What to check when ordering
- Thickness of 5 mm or more. Our A5 Option is 6 mm, and the A6 Prime and A8 Prime Exclusive are 5 mm. The A3 (4.5 mm) falls short of the minimum, so we don’t recommend it for this use.
- Hydrocarbon-resistant backing. All four have a nitrile rubber (NBR) backing that resists oil, hydrocarbons and abrasion, and is non-slip.
- Size. We make any size up to 12 × 1.96 m in a single piece, so 160 × 100 cm, or something larger to give you room to work around the bike, is no problem.
- Washing. It’s worth washing it after every race. The A8 can be washed at 60 °C; the others at 40 °C.
- Documentation. If your championship requires homologation or a specific certificate, tell us in your quote request and we’ll confirm which model fits before we manufacture.
Beyond the pit box
Teams that already work with us often use the order to cover the rest of their space too: the entrance to the awning or hospitality unit, the podium, their stand at motor shows and the workshop. You’ll find examples on our motorsport mats page and in our portfolio.
Frequently asked questions
Is an environmental mat mandatory at every race?
It’s mandatory at events that apply the FIM Environmental Code. In national and regional championships it depends on the regulations of each federation and each event, so it’s worth checking them before the season starts.
What minimum size does it need to be for a motorcycle?
For a solo motorcycle, the 2022 edition of the code requires a minimum of 160 × 100 cm, an absorption capacity of at least 1 litre and a thickness of 5 mm or more.
Can it carry the team and sponsor logos?
Yes. We print the full design into the fibre using Chromojet technology, in the team’s Pantone colours, and before manufacturing we send you a digital proof to approve.
How long does it take to be ready?
The usual lead time is 15 to 19 days from when you approve the proof. If you need it for a particular race, give us the date when you request a quote.