Helmet ?

SlowWhite · 11-02-2005

I need to get a new helmet, along with racing suit. And I never realized there is a difference in SNELL Rating types.

I just thought as long as you have a Snell2000 or now 2005 rating you are good to go at the race tracks.

So today I found a decent looking helmet for $99.99 with a Snell2005 rating.
http://www.vegahelmet.com/ (Mach 1 Full Face in Yellow Graphic)

I called a local shop to get there price (ie: above) and through talking he said it wouldn't work for car racing because it isn't SNELL SA2000/2005 it's just Snell2000/2005 rated.

Is that true? I realize most place's would let me get race but if I ever went to an even where they actually check to make sure you are legitimate I just want to make sure I won't fail for anything.

Can someone give me a heads up on this? This guy is a Road Race guy and said his knowledge is just based off there rules not drag racing.

Onefast99gsx · 11-02-2005

Brian- The Snell rating refers to the year of standards that the particular Helmet you have is at. If you have anything higher than M90(which is what i have), you are good to go. Snell 85 is discontinued. If you look at any NHRA rulebook. Anything Snell M90 or higher is accepted. At some point M90 will be discontinued. So the higher rating you get for a helmet, the longer you will be able to use it.

Drivers of all 13.99 or quicker cars, and co-drivers in 14.00 to 14.99 second cars, must wear a helmet meeting Snell 85, 90,or SFI 31.1,31.2 specs. see general regulations10:7

10:7 as outlined under class requirements, drivers in all classes must wear a helmet meeting snell of SFI specifications.

Drivers of sportsman classed and et cars (14.99 or quicker) must use a helmet meeting snell 85, 90, 95, or SFI 31.1, 31.2, 41.1 or 41.2 specs. exception: Effective 1/1/2002, Snell 85 helmets will be discontinued.

Puhrot · 11-02-2005

There is a different snell rating for automotive racing. But as far as I know that is only required for things like high speed road course, open wheel, shifter kart racing etc.. For drag racing, any bucket with a snell sticker is good enough.

SlowWhite · 11-02-2005

http://www.nhra.com/contacts/tech_faq.html

according to this they didn't list Snell M2000/2005 which is what the helmet is that I was looking at.

I'm concerned only because a lot of the race's Moroso has if I want to compete actually check the cars for the most part. And I can get away with some but I just don't want to get to the track and have them say I can't race because of something. Which happened at nopi to an Evo guy I was parked next to. He had to spend most of the morning looking for a racing suit before they'd let him run.

And me I have to barrow Jenny's Bike helmet so I can pass tech and then switch to my old Black DOT helmet after I pass tech. And personally it's just time to get my own.

MATCHBX · 11-02-2005

What they should say is Snell M90 or better, which Snell M2000 is better. Like was mentioned before, the numbers after the "M" or "SA" is the year stamp (the years standards it conforms to). In Rallycross we have to have 90 or better. Which basically means it has to have a year number of 90 or higher of the "M" or "SA" rating. Simple DOT helmets DO NOT suffice. They are not made to withstand the higher impacts that racing can cause.

The higher the speeds and dangers in certain racing, the more rigid they are. In Pro Rally cars you have to have an "SA" or equivelant (I don't remember the number off hand, I believe it's 2000). An "M" will not suffice.

I would think just drag racing or autocrossing your Eclipse you could get away with an "M2000" helmet for quite a while. Now if you started running alcohol you would need to step up to an "SA". Hell, in Rallycross (same as autocross but on a non-paved suface) they just switched up to the "90" year stamp this year. So that's a good 15 years there.

So get the M2000 or M2005 and you will be set for quite some time. I picked up a real nice M2000 for rallycrossing and riding my cycle for about $80.

sideways motorsports · 11-03-2005

The SA means Special Application. And the M obviously stands for Motorcycle.

In basic theory the SA rated helmets are made to withstand multiple impacts, such as you would recieve in a vechicle while bouncing your head off of the interior. The M rated helmets are made to take a higher initial impact and supposed to be more durable while dragging your head on the pavement.

You can get a SA open face helmet for about $200 bucks. (Simpson or Bell)

Dan

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 11-03-2005

"Effective Jan. 1, 2006, where a Snell-rated helmet is required in NHRA competition, the Snell 90 helmets will no longer be allowed. In the General Regulations section of the 2006 NHRA Rulebook under Helmet and Goggles are expiration dates for all Snell and SFI-tagged helmets, including the Snell 2005 and SFI Spec 31.1/2005, 41.1/2005, and 24.1/2005 guidelines."

**Goat Blower** · 11-03-2005

I just picked up a Snell M2000 full face helmet brand new for $75. I bought an extra darkened shield so I don't have to wear my sunglasses. Unless you're racing three times a week, I can't see the justification for buying a $250+ helmet.

sideways motorsports · 11-03-2005

Well I dont have much of a choice, but I'm not racing on pavement in a straight line either.

The helmet that I use is a Peltor Pro Open Face in Carbon Fiber (g77) and retails for over $600. I don't race 3 times a week but when racing I may have to wear it for a couple of hours before I get a break. After putting this on for the first time and then breaking it in I will never go back to a cheap helmet again. It just fits better. That goes for the bike too (Shark RSX $450)

SlowWhite · 11-03-2005

Well I am racing probably every other week now, and I could be racing twice a week if I wanted to. Anyrate I appreciate all your guys post's.