racing helmet

[JaretR1 at aol.com]

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Bell helmet with its outdated Snell 85 rating.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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