Excuse my ignorance, but what differentiates a motorcycle helmet from a racecar helmet?

 

Ventilation and aerodynamics.

 

I believe it is, SA helmets are fire-retardant, and also designed to take multiple hard impacts (think banging against a roll cage in a rollover) vs 1 hard impact (think motorcyclist crashing into the pavement).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by "SMF Website (ie, Snell)" &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
What are the differences between the SA and M standards?
SA Standard was designed for auto racing while M Standard was for motorcycling and other motorsports. There are three major differences between them:
SA standard requires flammability test while the M standard does not;
SA standard allows narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA helmets may not be street legal);
SA standard has rollbar impact test while M standard does not. </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jon7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Excuse my ignorance, but what differentiates a motorcycle helmet from a racecar helmet?</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you really want to know, read the SA and M standards at Snell and the DOT standard.

Construction of the two helmets are similar, but testing protocols differ. The 3 aforementioned standards hit at the same place twice. The largest difference between DOT and Snell M standard differ on coverage (test line), impact energies and pass/fail criteria, visual field, testing equipment requirements are different and the head forms differ slightly. Also there is the addition of one hazard (edge) anvil to the Snell standard. I believe there are differences between teh conditioning and retention system test also.

The Snell M and SA standards are similar, but there is a change in the last anvil and a flame retardency test. Finally the shield test differs between teh SA and M standards I believe.

Those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. What standard is "best"? I think the Snell standard is more stringent in terms of requirements, however if you have a motorcycle helmet, it is required to pass DOT standards, not necessarily Snell. Although it is possible to find a helmet that will pass both. However there are differences betwen the SA and M rated helmets so...

Bottom line is if you are going to be racing your car or taking it out to a track day, get a SA helmet. Don't cheap out either: your car gets the top dollar upgrades and your head gets the $50 special?

--
George

 

well cheaping out isn't bad really. Generaly more expensive helmets are simply lighter, which is great, but wont always protect better than a cheaper, heavier helmet. More $ != better protection really.

 

Get the SA rating. You can use it during track events. If you don't have alot of dough, check out the G-Force helmets. I got a M rated just for auto-x and it's fine with me. I wish I had got SA because I'd love to do some HPDE's this summer, oh well...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave-ROR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well cheaping out isn't bad really. Generaly more expensive helmets are simply lighter, which is great, but wont always protect better than a cheaper, heavier helmet. More $ != better protection really.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is true, they all pass the standard that they claim (or at least should). But, with a lighter helmet, your neck isn't as tired at the end of the day, less fatigue lets you be more alert so you can stay out of trouble perhaps? If anybody doesn't believe you can get tired driving, they haven't driven karts...enduro style.

Just spend your money accordingly/wisely...

--
George

 

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

This is true, they all pass the standard that they claim (or at least should). But, with a lighter helmet, your neck isn't as tired at the end of the day, less fatigue lets you be more alert so you can stay out of trouble perhaps? If anybody doesn't believe you can get tired driving, they haven't driven karts...enduro style.

Just spend your money accordingly/wisely...

--
George</TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh I certainly agree that you'll be slightly less tired. The biggest difference I've noticed is the lack of neck muscle tightness/headaches with a lighter helmet. Don't get me wrong, if you have the cash to spend then by all means get a nicer and lighter helmet. Just not practical for most HPDE students.

 

A good neck brace does wonders for neck fatigue.

http://www.ogracing.com/eshop/...ake=1

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A good neck brace does wonders for neck fatigue.

http://www.ogracing.com/eshop/...ake=1

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

And is a cheaper solution than a lighter helmet. However, a real neck restraint is better for protection. I really want to try out the ISAAC setup, looks pretty interesting.

 

Yeah but then we get into the grey area of "whats the proper amount of safety for a track car".

Should we gut and cage our cars, wear fire suits and HANS devices? Probably not... The obvious solution is just dont hit ****, but doesnt always work out that way.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah but then we get into the grey area of "whats the proper amount of safety for a track car".

Should we gut and cage our cars, wear fire suits and HANS devices? Probably not... The obvious solution is just dont hit ****, but doesnt always work out that way.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, but I want to try that system for a race car, not a hpde car. A helmet is all that's needed for HPDE cars.

-Dave, who goes to Cali to borrow GhettoRacer's firesuit to look cool.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave-ROR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">-Dave, who goes to Cali to borrow GhettoRacer's firesuit to look cool.</TD></TR></TABLE>

hahaha....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A good neck brace does wonders for neck fatigue. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Got one for Christmas!

 

as long as it meets min snell reqwuirements they will usually let you pass tech, ihear SCCA is harsher, but they let me go with expired helmets already., ijust got a new GForce helmet. Snell M2000 for $100 for racerwholesale. Its a sweet *** helmet for the price and i know it will pass tech .

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by geometro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you really want to know, read the SA and M standards at Snell</TD></TR></TABLE>

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