Helmet questions

Discussion in 'Meetups & Events' started by Kokopelli, Oct 18, 2007.

  1. Kokopelli

    Kokopelli Active Member

    I have a couple of questions about helmets and what is appropriate for differnet kinds of racing.

    What is the difference between SA2005 and M2005?

    What kind of racing can each of these be used for?

    Are there any restrictions on the use of open face helmets (giving they have the right snell rating)?


    Where can I get one by Sunday?
     
  2. mmtasty

    mmtasty Active Member

    I don't know about the above stuff, but you can buy G-Force in a store over behind the Kennesaw Hooters. The name slips my mind... I like open face, but went with a closed because it's safer and less wind to blow my contacts out or crap into my eyes.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 18, 2007
  3. BelvnAWD

    BelvnAWD I'm Vin, Bell-Vin...

    The big technical difference is that SA helmets are designed to withstand multiple impacts, like you might incur bouncing around the inside of a car during a high speed crash, as opposed to M rated, which are designed to withstand just one main impact, like you might sustain falling off a motorcycle. Thats also why SA helmets are more expensive. Summit has a decent selection of all these types of helmets. You will definitely want to test fit the helmet for comfort as well. Open face helmets leave your grill very exposed to steering wheel impacts. If you don't like your teeth, then open face helmets are great!
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2007
  4. monk

    monk <b>The Kitchen Ninja!!!!</b>

    SA is for cars M is for motorcycle if i remember correctly. i believe SA has nomex lining and M does not

    you cannot pass some techs with a M helmet, but you'll always pass with a SA, as long as it is made by the year spec'd (i.e. 2000)

    i know baller uses open face, so i'm guessing it's legal for most roadcourses (and rally folks).

    make sure you get a helmet you REALLY like, they ain't cheap. siegel will most likely have extra helmets at the track day.

    hope this helps.
     
  5. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    All track days accept SA2000 helmets. Stay clear of the older SA95 ones as they have officially "expired" but some track day places may still accept them. I dunno but if they do make an SA2005 or higher, get that one as you will be able to use it longer. I have no idea if they make anything newer than SA2000 though. The M(otorcycle) is not allowed at most track days either.
     
  6. monk

    monk <b>The Kitchen Ninja!!!!</b>

    yes, they're making 2005 which is what you should buy. i believe the expiry is evrey 10yrs so you would have it until 2015 and still be legal.
     
  7. FTZ

    FTZ ^.^

    I remember a debate about this last year within the SCCA. They were looking into changing the Helmet regulations for Auto X to require Open Faced Helmets.

     
  8. scooby_snacks

    scooby_snacks Active Member

    Damn that's quite scary. Has anyone ever been to an autox and witnessed airbags being deployed? Do other autox's get my specific about which helmets you can use? On my novice run no one checked mine, which was quite a relief as it's an English one and we use different standards.
     
  9. monk

    monk <b>The Kitchen Ninja!!!!</b>

    was this warning based on tests, events, or theory?
     
  10. scooby_snacks

    scooby_snacks Active Member

    Yeah it makes me wonder because I'm sure they should be strong enough to withstand an airbag impact when they're designed for bikers hitting the floor.
     
  11. mmtasty

    mmtasty Active Member

    I bet they're saying that it pushes the helmet into your chin.

    In a car with no airbag, helmet contact is better than steering wheel or hard object, but if you do have an airbag that's better than helmet contact.

    Side note, I've broken my collar bones while racing DH mountain bikes because I hit the back of my head so hard the chin guard collapsed down and snapped them both. But I was going about 50-55 and lost it over a 40' jump. so, i had it coming to me. :)
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2007
  12. pEd

    pEd This ain't no Piccadilly!

    I think it's AAR motorsports.
    http://www.aargear.com
     
  13. mmtasty

    mmtasty Active Member

    i think it was fast lap or fast tech... something like that... I know where it is but nothing else. :( They didn't have any open face versions in stock, but it's a good place to go to test fit G-force sizing. They fit odd.

    Mike, I have an extra motorcycle helmet if you need to borrow it. It's a Large.
     
  14. FTZ

    FTZ ^.^

    I have never seen an airbag deployed at an Auto X, period. I have never seen any Auto Xer hit anything other than cones. Maybe Brian or Mere have with their eleventy billion + auto x's under thier belts, but I have never in the 20-30 events I have been to.
     
  15. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    I've seen someone hit the big blue wall at Turner pretty hard. He's well known in the auto-x world. :D
     

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