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<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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Bell helmet with its outdated Snell 85 rating.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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Check with the group, club or sanctioning body to find out what is required
of your helmet before you buy one.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Jaret</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>In a message dated 8/24/2009 9:49:11 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
rfrey@iupui.edu writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px"><FONT
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial><BR>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<BR>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.<BR><BR>The graphics are up to you,
:)<BR><BR>rick<BR><BR><BR>-----Original Message-----<BR>From:
se-r-bounces@se-r-list.org [mailto:se-r-bounces@se-r-list.org] On Behalf Of
Jon<BR>Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 10:31 PM<BR>To: se-r list<BR>Subject:
racing helmet<BR><BR>Anyone have a helmet they really like that would be good
for auto-x or <BR>road race events? I have a Shoei motorcycle helmet that I
like pretty <BR>well, but it is time to replace it. I am limited to about an
hour in <BR>most helmets and my forehead starts to get sore. I don't mind
spending <BR>some jack to get something nice... but I don't like putting out
money to <BR>have a name brand on my head.<BR><BR>thanks,<BR><BR>Jon
Davis<BR>+----------------------------------------------------------------------+<BR>The
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http://www.se-r-list.org/mailman/listinfo/se-r<BR></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></FONT><DIV CLASS="aol_ad_footer" ID="b40a26582ec0b7958e9513579ef1a053"><br/><font style="color:black;font:normal 10pt arial,san-serif;"> <hr style="margin-top:10px"/></font></DIV></BODY></HTML>