Hey everyone.
I'm looking to buy a helmet for drag racing. My car should run high 11's. Anyway, what do I need to look for as far as being legal on most tracks, and cheapest place to buy them? Thanks

 

You'll want to make sure the helmet has a "SNELL" sticker INSIDE the helmet. It's usually hidden under a flap of the liner. Either an "M" rating or an "SA" rating is acceptable. Any new helmet you buy should have a "2000" rating or newer.

FYI, the M90 and SA90 helmets will probably not be accepted beyond this year, next year at the most, according to my sources.

The number relates to the year the standards were updated, so a "90" rated helmet could now be as much as 15 years old.

At any rate, the SNELL stamp on the outside of the helmet is not good enough. Must have the sticker INSIDE as well. A motorcycle shop is probably the easiest place to get one, you can try them for fit.

 

To expand on Jim's sage advice, I wouldn't even consider using a helmet more than 5 years old. The energy-absorbing material inside the shell degrades over time; ozone, gasoline fumes, heat, solvents, and even sweat and body oils gradually break down its ability to protect you in the event of a crash. Spending $200 on a new helmet every five years is nothing. For the cost of one Big Mac and fries a month, it's worth not having a shitty helmet.

 

Paul, is it merely coincidence that you would happen to compare the cost of a helmet to the cost of a Big Mac and fries?

Sorry. I couldn't resist! I know; paybacks are a bitch.

 

Actually, I just had a Quarter Pounder with Cheese for lunch.

And yes, you will pay dearly.

 

My personal helmet says snell 95 on the outside and ff/m95 on the inside. Will this helmet go out of date? I am pretty close...we have bonded

 

Get a new helmet, you cheap bastard! If I'm not mistaken, the latest possible date that could have been manufactured was 2000.

 

http://www.nhra.com/APCM/templ...eid=8

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
07/19/2005

Beginning Jan. 1, 2006, where a Snell-rated helmet is required in NHRA competition, the Snell 90-tagged helmets will no longer be allowed. NHRA is making this announcement more than five months prior to the expiration to allow the racing community the chance to update their safety equipment.

For the 2006 NHRA Rulebook, in the General Regulations under Helmet and Goggles, the section will list expiration dates for all Snell- and SFI-tagged helmets in an effort to notify the racing community of these expiration dates.

At the end of the year, Snell plans to release the 2005 tag for inclusion on helmets constructed after that point.</TD></TR></TABLE>

so don't buy a snell 90 from someone for a "good deal"

 

Thanks for your help everyone. Very appreciated

 

Buying a used helmet is like buying a used condom. I don't care how cheap it is.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PNG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Buying a used helmet is like buying a used condom. I don't care how cheap it is. </TD></TR></TABLE>

hahaha..