Helmet FAQ

[Fuman]

Sticky Please?

M2005/SA2005 are marks by Snell.

After reading the Snell website.
List of M2005 Helmets:
http://www.smf.org/certlist/std_M2005.html
List of SA2005 Helmets:
http://www.smf.org/certlist/std_SA2005.html


The following is from a Mini Cooper site (great car to run against on the track).

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-cooper/guide_to_racing_helmet.html

This is some important but irrelevant info for TM3's because some helmets requirements pertain to convertibles and rollcages, which most of us are not running.

"HELMET RATINGS...WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

Snell SA Rated Helmets:
Snell "SA" (Sports Application) rated professional helmets are designed for auto racing and provide extreme impact resistance and higher fire protection.

Snell M Rated Helmets:
Snell "M" (Motorcycle) rated helmets are designed for motorcycling and other motorsports. They offer slightly less protection than SA rated helmets.

What are the key differences between SA and M Rated Helmets:
- SA standard requires flammability test while the M standard does not.
- SA standard has rollbar impact test while M standard does not.
- SA standard allows narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA helmets aren't street legal)."




SMF = Snell

Although their testing process is very similar, SMF requires their certified helmets to withstand a greater impact and absorb more force than the DOT standards.
From: http://www.allsetcyclegear.com/dot-vs-snell/
In other words, Snell approved helmets are likely DOT approved as well. (e.g. HJC CL-15s are Snell (M2005) approved as well as DOT)

more in the 7th post
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=300297&postcount=7

Helmet GB
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?p=298751
ends May 31st 2008

[Fobio]

Sticky!

[S.F.W.]

sticky approved.

[mleblond]

May I add......

Every club/event may have different requirements. Sometimes they don't enforce a helmet and others will take only certain ratings in consideration. It doesn't mean that it's DOT rated that you will be fine. Snell 2005 will normally be good everywhere you go :)

Also they put a year at the rating...they say it's good for 10 years so my snell 2005 helmet should be good until 2015. By then it may not be proper rating for new standards and what not.

As for fitting it needs to be snug. meaning when you move from side to side the helmet doesn't move around and stick to your head movement.

I personally got a full face helmet but others use the open face ones. Since your in a car you will not eat too many bugs anyways so it's entirely your decision :chuckle

[Fobio]

The following is from a Mini Cooper site (great car to run against on the track).

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-cooper/guide_to_racing_helmet.html

This is some important but irrelevant info for TM3's because some helmets requirements pertain to convertibles and rollcages, which most of us are not running.

"HELMET RATINGS...WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

Snell SA Rated Helmets:
Snell "SA" (Sports Application) rated professional helmets are designed for auto racing and provide extreme impact resistance and higher fire protection.

Snell M Rated Helmets:
Snell "M" (Motorcycle) rated helmets are designed for motorcycling and other motorsports. They offer slightly less protection than SA rated helmets.

What are the key differences between SA and M Rated Helmets:
- SA standard requires flammability test while the M standard does not.
- SA standard has rollbar impact test while M standard does not.
- SA standard allows narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA helmets aren't street legal)."

Yeah...don't wear your helmet when you're driving on the street! :chuckle

[Fuman]

fobio, quoted your post, and added it to first post

[Fobio]

From the CASC's "2008 Ontario Region Solosprint/AutoSlalom Event Regulations":


1.0 HELMETS

.1 Helmets may be either open faced or closed face. They must be in good condition both inside and outside and never subjected to a crash or other severe impact.

.2 A Snell 2000M or newer M-rated helmet is acceptable for all classes; provided the car is not equipped with a roll cage or racing slicks (see .3 and .4, below). Equivalent FIA-rated helmets are also approved.

.3 The driver of a vehicle in any class equipped with a roll cage requires an approved Snell SA rated helmet (2000SA or newer) and a 5 or 6 point seatbelt.

.4 Any vehicle equipped with racing slicks (see 4.9.2.4) will be classified as ‘Modified’ and must meet all safety regulations requirements for this class.

.5 Competitors are advised that helmets meeting Snell standards will be accepted up until:

2000M (December 31, 2011)

2000SA (December 31, 2011)

2005M (expiry date to be determined)

2005SA (expiry date to be determined)

For most of what we do, a M2005 helmet meets regulations.

However, the following is from "CANADIAN AUTOMOBILE SPORT CLUBS ONTARIO REGION 2008 Race Regulations", which sanctions Ontario Regional RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS.


5.0 HELMETS

5.1 ACCEPTED EQUIPMENT

The following helmets are accepted:

a) Snell Foundation (USA) 2000SA or SA 2005 Helmets.

b) Helmets meeting the FIA standards list for helmets for circuit racing shall be accepted if accompanied by the current FIA documentation.

5.2 CONDITION OF HELMETS
Helmets shall be in good condition.

5.3 REPAIRED HELMETS
A repaired helmet may be approved provided that written proof of a satisfactory repair by the helmet manufacturer is presented.

5.4 OPEN CARS
Full face helmets and shields shall be worn by Drivers of open Cars and are strongly recommended for all Drivers.

[condor888000]

New quote from CASC-ON Autoslalom rulebook, includes expiry date for Snell 2000 and 2005 helmets. Posted at Fuman's request.

Any CASC affiliated autocross should still accept 2005 until 2016 though. And Snell 2000 is still good till 2011 too. Here's the actual quote from the 2009 CASC-OR Autoslalom rulebook.


4.5. Helmets

Helmets may be either open faced or closed face. They must be in good condition both inside and outside and never subjected to a crash or other severe impact.

A Snell 2000M or newer M-rated helmet is acceptable, provided the car is not equipped with a roll cage or racing slicks. Helmets meeting the following FIA standards are also approved.

* FIA 8860-2004
* Snell 2000 SA or 2005 SA
* SFI Foundation 31.1A or
* 31.2A British Standards Institution BS 6658-85 type A/FR


The driver of a vehicle equipped with a roll cage or where the vehicle is classified as Modified requires a helmet which meets one of the FIA, Snell SA, SFI or BSI standards listed above.

Participants are advised that helmets meeting Snell standards will be accepted up until:

* 2000M, SA 2011
* 2005M, SA 2016

[condor888000]

For the record, you should be able to find a M2010 helmet now. That should be valid until 2021 unless there is a massive rewrite of the rules. SA2010 and K2010 helmets should be out in October.

[Fobio]

Getting a helmet:

1. Snow City carries HJC...an affordable and decent enough brand.

2. CASC Open House at the beginning of each season may be held at a sponsors' location and discount may be offered on the day of.

3. Motorcycle Super Store ships to Canada and always have surplus sales on odd sizes or older models.

*You get what you pay for. Helmets on sale typically have an older manufacturing date and a helmet is designed to last 5 yrs at best, without any collisions. Some series enforce stringent helmet rules and your sticker has to be up to date to qualify running. Lastly, the above are for MOTORCYCLE helmets of M rating.