I'm thinking of getting a helmet for autox and road racing will a Arai or Shoei helmet meet the Snell requirements?

 

Generally newer motorcycle helmets are good for auto-x and HPDE type stuff, but they need to be SA2000 (fire resistant) for racing.

my 1998 motorcycle helmet (AGV) is good, but i had to buy a new one to actually "race".

 

I see so would one of the newer model Arai's be SA2000 certified?

 

the only SA certified Arais are the GP4 and up (GP4, 5 and 5K; i'm not sure about the GP3 if it's SA95 or SA00), NO Arai bike helmets are SA rated.

 

Check with the requirements of the group you want to drive with - many times a M-rated (motorcycle) helmet is acceptable.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nkkeisuke &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm thinking of getting a helmet for autox and road racing will a Arai or Shoei helmet meet the Snell requirements?</TD></TR></TABLE>
If you already own an M-rated helmet and you are just giving things a try, most organisations will allow a recently spec'd M-rated helmet in their CCR for track days, but not racing.

However, if you start to catch on and start to enjoy yourself so much that you want to make a hobby or otherwise common occurrence of being on the track at speed, you will want to consider updating your helmet.

The Snell requirements for automobiles are different for a reason, which is that the impacts sustained in automobiles is different from the impacts sustained from motorcycle incidents.

 

youll be fine with an arai, or any other M rated helmet on track.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nkkeisuke &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm thinking of getting a helmet for autox and road racing will a Arai or Shoei helmet meet the Snell requirements?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Arai and Shoei (and Bell, and whoever else) all make a wide array of helmets with both M and SA ratings. If you buy from one of these reputable companies you'll get a good helmet.

I suggest you ask whatever organization is hosting the event(s). For years now, a current M-rated helmet has been accepted at just about all the DE programs and certainly any autocross I've ever encountered.

FWIW, when I bought my first helmet, I bought an SA. I was only autocrossing at the time, but wanted the option, no matter how far down the road, to race, or do time trials, or whatever I wanted. The helmet has served me well for ten years of autocross, DEs, instructing, time trialing, and racing. Money well spent.

 

Thanks for all yoru help, I'm thinking of doing my road racing through Speed Trials USA

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nkkeisuke &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks for all yoru help, I'm thinking of doing my road racing through Speed Trials USA</TD></TR></TABLE>

From their website:

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Q: I got myself a used helmet for autocross, it's Snell-95 or M95. Will I be able to use it?

A: The track tech is very strict and will not allow any motorcycle helmets. The helmet must be Snell Auto 95 (SA95 or SA2000).</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

and from the florida citrux pca...http://www.pca.org/flc/DERulesProcedOct03.pdf

"Helmets must be rated Snell SA-95 or SA-2000. No M rated helmets will be accepted."

If you already own a M rated helmet, check to see if the event you're attending will allow you to use it. Some will, some won't. East coast seems to be more strict then west coast.

If you do decide to buy an M, buy my Bell M95 cheap and then buy a SA-2005 when come out at the end of next year. (shameless sales plug)


Modified by SpiceyRice at 6:43 PM 12/27/2004

 

are the Arai GP-3k's SA2000 rated?? I'm having trouble finding Vendors that carry the GP-2k, GP-3k or GP-4k line of helmets

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nkkeisuke &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">are the Arai GP-3k's SA2000 rated??</TD></TR></TABLE>

Look inside the bucket for the sticker

 

instead of dishing out $500+ or however much on a nice helmet.... wait until 05' for the new helmet specs... like, if the ppl your racing with is THAT **** about it... other than that whatever m-95/sa-2000 models would be kool....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by xMs. JaDie-Mx5 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> if the ppl your racing with is THAT **** about it...
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I am not sure that's really fair. There's a definite design difference between the M-rated and S-rated helmets, namely the nature of the impact from which they're protecting you.

Although it might be slightly excessive to absolutely require an S-rated helmet in Group One, I can't really fault anyone for making that determination, which is purely a matter of marshall's rights and attempts to limit liability, together with an honest desire to provide a safe driving environment.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by xMs. JaDie-Mx5 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ilike, if the ppl your racing with is THAT **** about it... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, why require helmets at all?

 

DO you guys know any Online vendors that Carry the GP-3k or GP-4k series?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by xMs. JaDie-Mx5 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">instead of dishing out $500+ or however much on a nice helmet.... wait until 05' for the new helmet specs... like, if the ppl your racing with is THAT **** about it... other than that whatever m-95/sa-2000 models would be kool....

</TD></TR></TABLE>

FWIW, the M and SA helmets are subjected to different test parameters. The SA helmet has a flamability test and rollbar impact test where the M rated helmets do not. Snell FAQ link http://www.smf.org/faqs.html

So to just make it sound like a sanctioning body is being rediculous about safety requirements is unreasonable and naive.

You'll have to wait till late 2005 and into 2006 before manufacturers start shipping products with 2005 ratings on them.

Rick

 

Its all about insurance. Whatever the insurance company wants it gets. Or there is no racing.

 

http://www.racerwholesale.com/...th=35

i know its not exactly what you were looking for but give them a call, im sure they can get the other helmets.

 

Thanks iggyracer

 

get a sa2000