question on helmets

[Ludachris]

Hey guys, I just bought a helmet last year at a motorcycle shop (an Arai). I figured it would be good to have for track days and autoX. At the time I didn't think about the differences between motorcycle and automotive helmets, and whether or not my helmet would be good for competition. It passes SCCA autoX inspection, but I've been told that it won't pass any road race competition inspection due to the fact that it doesn't have flame-resistant material inside. Can I swap in this material or am I just going to have to get another helmet if I ever decide to get competitive?

 

[mavisky]

For nasa hpde's and scca autox's you're going to need something with a M00 rating or better. For wheel to wheel racing I think you can get away with an SA00 helmet. As far as I know you can't swap the liner out, but then again if you don't intend to do anything more than NASA Time Trials, HPDE days, or autocross within the next couple of years don't worry. From the tone of things its looking more and more like the next round of rules and regulations will be requiring the HANS devices or similar for nearly all road racing classes. Better to just get a new helmet at that point in time in my opinion.

Also shouldn't this thread be in something other than site feedback

 

[Ludachris]

I always have multiple browser windows open - I must have hit New Thread in the wrong one Oh well.

I was thinking of just trying to sell my Arai motorcycle helmet and put that money towards a new automotive helmet. But damn, auto helmets are expensive.

 

[mavisky]

I always have multiple browser windows open - I must have hit New Thread in the wrong one Oh well.

I was thinking of just trying to sell my Arai motorcycle helmet and put that money towards a new automotive helmet. But damn, auto helmets are expensive.

What exactly are you looking to do with the car in the next 3 years?

 

[Greg Collier]

Hey guys, I just bought a helmet last year at a motorcycle shop (an Arai). I figured it would be good to have for track days and autoX. At the time I didn't think about the differences between motorcycle and automotive helmets, and whether or not my helmet would be good for competition. It passes SCCA autoX inspection, but I've been told that it won't pass any road race competition inspection due to the fact that it doesn't have flame-resistant material inside. Can I swap in this material or am I just going to have to get another helmet if I ever decide to get competitive?

No motorcycle helmets allowed, not even in the San Diego region SCCA, and especially not is NASA. Must be SA 2000 or better and that may even change in 2007. Seat belts and window nets are only good for two years now too. You need to check the date and the rating...

 

[mavisky]

NASA HPDE rules.
page 56 on ccr.pdf file
1. Use a proper fitting helmet that meets Snell 1990 (SA1990, M1990) or newer (or equivalent) standards for cars or motorcycles.

NASA Competition rules.
page 76 of ccr.pdf file
15.6.21
A head restraint must be used to help prevent whiplash. The head restraint shall have a minimum area of thirty-six (36) square inches and be padded with a non-resilient material such as Ethafoam or Ensolite with a minimum thickness of one (1) inch. It is reccomended that padding meeting SFI specification 45.2 be used.

page 80 of ccr.pdf file
15.17.3
All drivers are required to wear an approved helmet while on track. Helmets must be approved by Snell and carry a Snell 95 (SA1995) rating or higher or better. * Ratings other than that of SA (Special Application) , i.e. "M1995, M2000" are not acceptable.

*Alternatively, helmest with an FIA certification of 8860-2004 are acceptable.

SCCA solo rules
page 51 of 2006_solo_rules.pdf
4.3.1
Helmets meeting the following standards must be worn while on course: All helmets meeting the current or two immediately preceding Snell Foundation standards (SA, K, or M) or SFI standards 31.1A, 31.2A, 41.1A, or 41.2A are acceptable.

 

[underradar92]

If you decide to sell your arai, check out impactraceproducts.com They are affordable & the company was formed by Bill Simpson. I am ordering mine soon.

 

[Greg Collier]

NASA HPDE rules.
page 56 on ccr.pdf file
1. Use a proper fitting helmet that meets Snell 1990 (SA1990, M1990) or newer (or equivalent) standards for cars or motorcycles.

NASA Competition rules.
page 76 of ccr.pdf file
15.6.21
A head restraint must be used to help prevent whiplash. The head restraint shall have a minimum area of thirty-six (36) square inches and be padded with a non-resilient material such as Ethafoam or Ensolite with a minimum thickness of one (1) inch. It is reccomended that padding meeting SFI specification 45.2 be used.

page 80 of ccr.pdf file
15.17.3
All drivers are required to wear an approved helmet while on track. Helmets must be approved by Snell and carry a Snell 95 (SA1995) rating or higher or better. * Ratings other than that of SA (Special Application) , i.e. "M1995, M2000" are not acceptable.

*Alternatively, helmest with an FIA certification of 8860-2004 are acceptable.

SCCA solo rules
page 51 of 2006_solo_rules.pdf
4.3.1
Helmets meeting the following standards must be worn while on course: All helmets meeting the current or two immediately preceding Snell Foundation standards (SA, K, or M) or SFI standards 31.1A, 31.2A, 41.1A, or 41.2A are acceptable.

Lucky Kyles on top of it... I would have failed tech. Now I've got to go out and buy a new helmet. Another $500.00 of unexpected expenses.............

 

[Zero Bar]

Lucky Kyles on top of it... I would have failed tech. Now I've got to go out and buy a new helmet. Another $500.00 of unexpected expenses.............

Eesh, I've never looked at the "SA" helmets. Are they really that much?

 

[Greg Collier]

Eesh, I've never looked at the "SA" helmets. Are they really that much?

$300.00 would do it. I have a fresh air pipe and all the other goodies in mine. I need to be comfortable when it's 150 degrees in the car in the middle of the summer...

 

[mavisky]

I may not be racing this year, but I've been reading the rulebooks as though I would be.

 

[Quasimondo]

From what I've last heard, they (NASA and SCCA) don't allow SA1990 helmets anymore. Min rating is now SA1995

 

[Greg Collier]

I may not be racing this year, but I've been reading the rulebooks as though I would be.

I was wrong it's still SA 1995 or better... I have a SA 2000 so I'm good to go. I must be tired or delirious or something, to many fiberglas fumesWTF This MA rating is something I've never dealt with

 

[terefic181]

No motorcycle helmets allowed, not even in the San Diego region SCCA, and especially not is NASA. Must be SA 2000 or better and that may even change in 2007. Seat belts and window nets are only good for two years now too. You need to check the date and the rating...

That's alright Greg, I made the same mistake. I wrote Kyle right after Christmas (when he got his new helmet) and asked him if it was an SA or not. I thought, as you, that it had to be an SA rating, but when I looked at the regs sure enough (M) rated helmets were ok. I would have just about sworn that they were not allowed.

Tom

 

[Zero Bar]

$300.00 would do it. I have a fresh air pipe and all the other goodies in mine. I need to be comfortable when it's 150 degrees in the car in the middle of the summer...

That's why for autox I purchased a new open faced helmet this year, I'm gonna stay with that until I have to upgrade for road racing.

 

[Slapnut]

just a little fyi, the motorcycle helmet is only bonked 1 time to check for cracks / head injury. the auto racing helmet is bonked 5+ times to check for cracks / head injury.

 

[mavisky]

From what I've last heard, they (NASA and SCCA) don't allow SA1990 helmets anymore. Min rating is now SA1995

Correct, in my post I put down that the two previous certifications are allowed but I didn't mention what those were. Since the Snell 2005 ratings are out that means that this year the only legal helmets in SCCA are Snell 2005, 2000, or 1995. We just ran into an issue where some of our loaner helmets for the local SOLO guys are now out of spec.

 

[outofideas327]

SCCA solo rules
page 51 of 2006_solo_rules.pdf
4.3.1
Helmets meeting the following standards must be worn while on course: All helmets meeting the current or two immediately preceding Snell Foundation standards (SA, K, or M) or SFI standards 31.1A, 31.2A, 41.1A, or 41.2A are acceptable.

Bringing this back from the dead. I will be purchasing a FIA 8860-2004 approved helmet in the near future. I'm extremely glad NASA approves this helmet because I'm starting HPDE days this summer. My plan was to also hit up a couple autocross events that are in town. Unfortunately from what I've found in SCCA's rules (above) this standard is not approved. The FIA 8860 is said to be above and beyond SA2000, and in many ways is very similar. See details here
Has anyone had any problems with this? I've heard if the SA2000 or newer sticker is not on the helmet they will not allow it, but this is hear-say. I'm trying to avoid headaches before hand, and I'm not buying a 2nd helmet just so I can autocross. For what it's worth, the helmet in question is a Peltor G7D with HANS post's fitted.

-Chris

 

[4G63FLA]

Bringing this back from the dead. I will be purchasing a FIA 8860-2004 approved helmet in the near future. I'm extremely glad NASA approves this helmet because I'm starting HPDE days this summer. My plan was to also hit up a couple autocross events that are in town. Unfortunately from what I've found in SCCA's rules (above) this standard is not approved. The FIA 8860 is said to be above and beyond SA2000, and in many ways is very similar. See details here
Has anyone had any problems with this? I've heard if the SA2000 or newer sticker is not on the helmet they will not allow it, but this is hear-say. I'm trying to avoid headaches before hand, and I'm not buying a 2nd helmet just so I can autocross. For what it's worth, the helmet in question is a Peltor G7D with HANS post's fitted.
-Chris

What's almost funny about the SCCA and thei helmet "rules" as I have gone to some events wherr they do not even check for a sticker. And I have gone to events where they check your sticker in tech and put their own sticker on there to identify that you have a legal helmet. I have seen guys wear motorcycle helmets that have no sticker at all on them at SCCA AutoX events.

I personally use the G-Force Pro Force Air Helmet that has the SA2005/SFI 31.1A sticker on it. I have never had any issues at SCCA AutoX or HPDE events with this helmet. Hope this helps.

~Eddie

 

[RusherRacing]

Bringing this back from the dead. I will be purchasing a FIA 8860-2004 approved helmet in the near future. I'm extremely glad NASA approves this helmet because I'm starting HPDE days this summer. My plan was to also hit up a couple autocross events that are in town. Unfortunately from what I've found in SCCA's rules (above) this standard is not approved. The FIA 8860 is said to be above and beyond SA2000, and in many ways is very similar. See details here
Has anyone had any problems with this? I've heard if the SA2000 or newer sticker is not on the helmet they will not allow it, but this is hear-say. I'm trying to avoid headaches before hand, and I'm not buying a 2nd helmet just so I can autocross. For what it's worth, the helmet in question is a Peltor G7D with HANS post's fitted.

-Chris

Well it depends on the organization. I can tell you it would slide around here (South Dakota). Mainly because FIA is typically better than SA or SFI, and really as long as its "good" helmet we don't really care. Some events are sanctioned by SCCA or NASA some aren't. But its normally the same people and if your smart ,safe and aren't trying to hide something we normally let it slide. However if we smell your hiding something then we might get a little more nosy.

Where are you going to be racing?

 

[Elvenhome21]

Normally a Sanctioning body allow both m,k and SA. But if you have a K or M you must wear a head sock. If your buying a new one get an SA. The extra couple dollars will save you a lot of time in the tech line. If you are in a warm climate and will be racing for more than a 10 minute stretch, I recomend a air pumper helmet. The Impact helmet that has the air pipe out the top (I think it called the charger) is the best for racing if you use helmet seat supports.

The general rule of thumb is you have one year after a new spec comes out to have to have the previous spec helmet as a minimum, for example if sa 05 came out last year, this year you should have at minimum a 00 to be legal with no questions asked.

Same goes for seat belts, the normal belt rule is 3 years from the begining of the race season. Meaning if the belts are stamped for 3/04 you should look at getting new belts this year.