Thinking about getting a HANS device in the offseason and i was thinking i needed a new helmet (SN(a) 1995 is what i have now)....i see the NASA CCR says that 1995 helmets or ok, any clue as to when they are going to mandate SN2000)

and is there any guideline on how old is too old for a helmet even if it's go the current label

Stephen "thinking about safety but still a tightwad on spending" Harper :-)

 

When you buy a new helmet buy a SA2000.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITAIntegraLS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When you buy a new helmet buy a SA2000.</TD></TR></TABLE>

that i know , really just trying to see if i can get away w/out buying a new helmet for a while since i am forking over money for HANS device

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dented Rx7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

that i know , really just trying to see if i can get away w/out buying a new helmet for a while since i am forking over money for HANS device</TD></TR></TABLE>


You should be fine with your old helmet as its still acceptable.

 

I was curious about this same issue, as I am using a Simpson Voyager with a SA95 rating. Has anyone heard when the SA2000 will become mandatory?

 

SA2005 will be out at the end of this year. I have an SA95, and will wait for the 05s.

SCCA/NASA seem to follow a 10 year rule for helments. The 95s will be outdated when the 05s come out.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SPiFF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">SA2005 will be out at the end of this year. I have an SA95, and will wait for the 05s.

SCCA/NASA seem to follow a 10 year rule for helments. The 95s will be outdated when the 05s come out.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yeah, that's what I've noticed. I've been waiting for helmets that meet the SA2005 specification to be released before buying a replacement for my current M95 helmet.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Targa250R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Yeah, that's what I've noticed. I've been waiting for helmets that meet the SA2005 specification to be released before buying a replacement for my current M95 helmet.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You are using a M helmet in a car? What group allows that?!? I'm also waiting for the '05s to buy a new one, with a head and neck restraint.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speedracer33 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
You are using a M helmet in a car? What group allows that?!?</TD></TR></TABLE>
For HPDEs and autocross

I have been looking for an SA helmet to replace my M since I intend to go to H4/ITA some day, but I wanted to wait for the 05 models first.

 

I would not do a DE with a M rated helmet. They are designed to absorb a single impact, like when a rider is thrown from a bike. If you roll a car, your head will have multiple impacts until it comes to rest. Do you really want a helmet that is designed to break and stop protecting you after one hit? For auto-x it's fine, but DE?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speedracer33 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would not do a DE with a M rated helmet. They are designed to absorb a single impact, like when a rider is thrown from a bike. If you roll a car, your head will have multiple impacts until it comes to rest. Do you really want a helmet that is designed to break and stop protecting you after one hit? For auto-x it's fine, but DE?</TD></TR></TABLE>
You're preaching to the choir.

At the same time, I think you're being a bit too ****.

 

motorcycle and auto helmets are not designed any differently in terms of impact. get your facts straight.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SPiFF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">SA2005 will be out at the end of this year. I have an SA95, and will wait for the 05s.

SCCA/NASA seem to follow a 10 year rule for helments. The 95s will be outdated when the 05s come out.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The SA2005 standard isn't due out until October 1, 2005.

See http://www.snellfoundation.org...3.pdf

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speedracer33 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would not do a DE with a M rated helmet. They are designed to absorb a single impact, like when a rider is thrown from a bike. If you roll a car, your head will have multiple impacts until it comes to rest. Do you really want a helmet that is designed to break and stop protecting you after one hit? For auto-x it's fine, but DE?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I am used to the primary difference between M and SA rating being the fire-retardent lining, but there are 3 (or 4, depending on how you count) primary differences, according to http://www.smf.org/faqs.html

"What are the differences between the SA, M and K standards?
SA Standard was designed for auto racing while M Standard was for motorcycling and other motorsports. There are three major differences between them:
1 SA standard requires flammability test while the M standard does not;
2 SA standard allows narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA helmets may not be street legal);
3 SA standard has rollbar impact test while M standard does not.
4 The K standards are very similar to the SA standards, however the K standards omit the requirements for flame retardency."

 

that, obviously is correct. and moreso, you should look into the numerous SIMILARITES of the two testing requirements, and youll see his comments to be ignorant.

 

When I was first looking into helmets about 7 years ago, the person I spoke to from Biaffe told me that the motorcycle helmet is based on the concept of a single impact. The helmet is designed to absorb that one massive hit, and often breaks to absorb a portion of the impact. Yes, he said that motorcycle helmets are designed to break in half after one impact. SA are designed for multiple impacts. Maybe it was specific to Biaffe, but that wasn't how it was explained. I assume that the guy from the company knows what he is talking about, but maybe it was his first day.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speedracer33 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When I was first looking into helmets about 7 years ago, the person I spoke to from Biaffe told me that the motorcycle helmet is based on the concept of a single impact. The helmet is designed to absorb that one massive hit, and often breaks to absorb a portion of the impact. Yes, he said that motorcycle helmets are designed to break in half after one impact. </TD></TR></TABLE>

What about the rider that lays his bike down at 100mph and goes sliding 100 yards down the track smashing his head mulitple times along the way? I would think you would want to have it the other way around.

 

guys...a few things from my experiences...
i too have an SA95 helmet and want to replace it with an 05....but when i talked to the vendors in the midway at the runoffs I was told not to worry about it until next fall. not sure if that story has changed at all.
also, one of the guys in my pit group is a brain surgeon.....and reccomends keeping a helmet for only 2 years. his idea is based on the breakdown over time of the components within the helmet. not sure if you all buy into that one or not....but if i rode a motorcycle or drove an open car i would go by that just based on UV exposure.
as for the different ratings of helmets, its as you said before: very similar tests, but different physical requirements. but then i was thinking about open cars and F1 and karting and motorcycles.... all are exposed most of the time but have different snell ratings.....so wouldn't they all be able to handle similar impacts???
my $0.02

 

If you are a morotcyclist and ride more than about 7,000 miles a year I would agree with the 2 year rule. Not only is there UV breakdown, but the simple wear on the padding from taking it on and off, and the vibration of riding. Not to mention your sweat. However, the amount of time using a helmet in racing compared to riding a motorcycle is much less. I would say you can get more out of them in the auto racing situation. However, I would not go more than about 5 years myself. It really all depends on use and care of the helmet.

 

I heard from a pretty reliable source that the SA05s will not be available until late summer of 2005.

SCCA will not allow the SA95s starting 1/1/07 according to one of the latest Fastracks.

Regarding the helmet aging issue- yes, all things age and deteriorate with age. I see no reason that a properly cared for helmet would not last 10 years, depending on how often it is used. Expecially if it is stored in a nice area and not left out in the sun, etc. That also means not throwing it around and banging it on things or dropping it, etc.

Devin, who still owns an SA90 and would love to wait until '05s come out but will mostlikely be purchasing an 00 soon!!!

 

The specs for a SA05 helmet will be out in late oct/nov of 05. Now the helmets also have to be produced after that so, you may not see a SA05 helmet until late
dec 05 or early 06.
If the helmet manufactors know the spec ahead of time ( and you can bet they do) they may be able to have some helmets produced by the time the 05 spec comes out and then all they would have to do is wait for the Snell foundation to send them the stickers they have paid for.

Bob

 

do you honestly believe a motorcycle helmet, (any helmet for that matter) is actually designed to SPLIT open upon one impact? both M and SA helmets are tested to the SAME impact requirements of TWO impacts of varying shape with the second force about 80% lower than the initial. SA adds the extra rollbar shaped anvil with an extra 3rd impact, but the impacts are all generally LOWER than the standard impacts.

its not that a SA helmet is designed to be more effective for "multiple" impacts, its just suited for the environment, which is why the distinction is made in the rollbar shape (pretty exclusive to auto racing). which is also why there is the fire-retardant layer for the SA, a Kart or motorcycle driver doesnt really have to worry about it. so if you dont have a forward mounted rollcage, and arent particularly concerned with fire resistance (if you were, youre better off suited in nomex first), a M helmet will suit you fine for when its NOT required (most HPDE and autox).

 

From the link that I posted earlier.

Release Date - October 1, 2005
The M2005 and SA/K2005 standards will be officially released on this date barring any unforseen complications. M2005, SA2005 and K2005 decals will be offered to certified manufacturers after June 30, 2005 but units bearing the new decals may not be distributed until the release date.