racing helmet

[George Roffe]

OK, let's cut through some things here. Helmets are a passion for me (one saved my life).
First of all, in the US, if you are going to compete you are going to need a Snell or a FIA rated helmet, almost without exception (the exceptions will be exceedingly rare).
There is an idea out there that car helmets are designed for multiple impacts and bike helmets are designed for sliding impacts. That is not necessarily the case and in some cases the same shell is used for both an M and an SA rated helmet. The only difference is the tests required to get each rating and mostly likely both types of helmets could pass each impact test required of both ratings. There are differences in requirements and those can be found on the Snell web site.
I'm aware of the concern of motorbike riders regarding testing and design of the helmets and one of the bike mags had a GREAT article about bike helmets and design and the ways in which Snell fails the motorbike rider. It's worth looking up.
Snell ratings come out generally every 5 years. Usually they come out late in the year of the rating, i.e., a 2010 rating usually comes out late in 2010, so the 2010 rating coming out in late 2009 is unusual. The sanctioning bodies *usually* allow the current rating and the next oldest for amateur racing. Pro racing almost always requires only the latest rating. That said, helmets should be replaced LONG before they are 10 years old. I have a good Bell SA rated helmet whose padding totally deteriorated long before it was 10 years old. Pretty sobering.
George Roffe
Crash Test Dummy and Helmet Tester

---- JaretR1 at aol.com wrote:

=============
I think the Snell ratings are kinda bogus. They seem to change every
year, and with every year it seems sanctioning bodies (or insurance companies
that insure these groups) require the most recent Snell rating to participate
in their events. Before buying a non Snell rated helmet, make sure the
group you will be racing with will allow it. Seems this is a way to make
people buy new helmet every few years.

Keep in mind a few things (that I have not seen anyone mention), it is my
understanding that some motorcycle helmets are not designed for multiple
impacts (just one major impact) where auto racing helmets are designed for
multiple impacts as well as motorcycle helmets may not be designed to retard
flame while auto racing helmets will.

The last time I went to auto cross, Iwent to my local club with my mint
Bell helmet with its outdated Snell 85 rating. The club required Snell 95 or
above at the time. I was forced to borrow a helmet that met this
qualification yet did not remotely fit me, way to big. How ridiculous is that? I
mentioned this to the club president and he said "its what our insurance
carrier requires". So rather than wearing a helmet that was in perfect
condition and fit me like a glove, I wore a helmet with a higher rating yet was
so loose it would have done nothing to protect my head, yet this was ok.

Check with the group, club or sanctioning body to find out what is required
of your helmet before you buy one.

Jaret


In a message dated 8/24/2009 9:49:11 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
rfrey at iupui.edu writes:


The advice saying you need to try on helmets is right on. Brand is
insignificant really. Fit is more important. When trying on helmets, grab the
back of the helmet and see if you can peel it off, forward over your head.
You'd be surprised at how many helmets can be pulled off that way. If you
can, obviously it isn't going to work for you. IMO, don't buy a helmet
with a snell rating. Snell has too rigid of standards on G forces and to get
that standard, the manufacturer needs to use Styrofoam that is too rigid
and won't crush enough and slow the deacceleration of your brain properly.
The motorcycle guys have debated this for awhile and seem to prefer DOT or
European standards. Interestingly, Snell 2010 standards have been relaxed
to conform to DOT and European standards, therefore, requiring softer
Styrofoam. They had to succumb to the argument that their Styrofoam was too
stiff. Snell 2010 helmets are supposed to be out in October '09. Avoid Snell
unless its 2010 s
tandards. Zues, Shark, HJC, Zox, Scorpion are brands that come in for
lower prices, check 'em out. Obviously, protect your brain, but spending
money on the name brands doesn't necessarily do that. ECE (euro) standards are
the most certain but harder to find here the States. If it meets those it
is a proper helmet IMO. If I were buying a helmet today, I'd seek the ECE
standard, they're available here. If you can wait for Snell 2010 you'd get
the safety that is advertised, something a DOT rating might not provide.
I am also a fan of the plastic shells rather than fiberglass or carbon
fiber. They're cheaper and dent rather than fracture. You can buy a lot of
protection for not much cash these days.

The graphics are up to you, :)

rick


-----Original Message-----
From: se-r-bounces at se-r-list.org [mailto:se-r-bounces at se-r-list.org] On
Behalf Of Jon
Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 10:31 PM
To: se-r list
Subject: racing helmet

Anyone have a helmet they really like that would be good for auto-x or
road race events? I have a Shoei motorcycle helmet that I like pretty
well, but it is time to replace it. I am limited to about an hour in
most helmets and my forehead starts to get sore. I don't mind spending
some jack to get something nice... but I don't like putting out money to
have a name brand on my head.

thanks,

Jon Davis
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