I came across this thing for ultra cheap so I did an impulse buy on it. I looked at arai's website and I could only find this model on the Japanese page, not the american. It is model # GP-2K, it is SFL rated, I just want to make sure it will pass US tech as well.

 

If the rules require Snell rating - M or SA - you are dinked. Frankly, you probably ARE dinked.

Understand that the Snell tag might appear on US helmets that are exactly like the one you have but without that sticker, you can't use it in competition. The sticker, by the way, costs the manufacturer money. The actual sticker. And that's after Arai has paid for the required tests necessary to GET the sticker...

Welcome to the world of civil litigation and liability protection.

K

 

i have the same type helmet, but mine was bought in japan and has a JAF sticker on the back. Japanese Auto Federation.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Primo. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i have the same type helmet, but mine was bought in japan and has a JAF sticker on the back. Japanese Auto Federation. </TD></TR></TABLE>

...and it's pretty much illegal for anything requiring a Snell M or SA rating...

 

Does it have a SFI rating? If so what is it exactly?

How about a British Standards label?

I can't read the letter on the back of the helment, please clarify.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Grumpy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I can't read the letter on the back of the helment, please clarify.</TD></TR></TABLE>

My Japanese -&gt; English skills are a bit off, but I believe that it roughly translates to "JDM bling y0".

 

I would try contacting Aria to determine if the JDM model is manufactured *exactly* the same as the U.S. version.....If so, *maybe* they will send you a letter stating that. Then I would take it to your Steward or Chief Tech Inspector and have them review it for approval.

Good luck!

 

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

My Japanese -&gt; English skills are a bit off, but I believe that it roughly translates to "JDM bling y0".</TD></TR></TABLE>

As anyone who's into motorcycles would agree (Arai's main market), ANY Arai helmet is far from being bling. This one just doesnt have the necessary certification stickers on it, which is too bad for the owner. Shoulda done the research beforehand rather than buying on impulse...

 

Might be out of date, looking at the Arai site the one availble now is the GP-5k [has snell Rating]..

 

I can tell you from experience that many inspectors won't care what ratings a helmet DOES have if it lacks a Snell sticker.

Road racing groups may be a little more willing to research different ratings (such as SFI) for various equipment and make determinations but in an autocross, chances are if there is no Snell rating then you are using a loaner.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jisu009 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would try contacting Aria to determine if the JDM model is manufactured *exactly* the same as the U.S. version...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry - this is a waste of a stamp. No sticker = not legal for racing that requires one.

The sad thing is that the sticker doesn't buy additional protection for your noggin - only decreased liability exposure for the sanctioning bodies. By deferring the definition of "sufficient quality" to a third party, they are protected to a much greater degree than if they made individual brand/model eligibility decisions themselves.

K

 

i thought there was something in the fastrack about accepting SFI helmet ratings.

 

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

As anyone who's into motorcycles would agree (Arai's main market), ANY Arai helmet is far from being bling. This one just doesnt have the necessary certification stickers on it, which is too bad for the owner. Shoulda done the research beforehand rather than buying on impulse...
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm not questioning the quality of the helmet, just why you'd buy it when its lacking the necessary certifications.

 

No sweat, I can still use the helmet here. God knows I need it too
Here is the ANSI rating


Thanks all for your input. And it isn't jdm till i slather it with stickers.

 

After doing some research it appears that the ANSI standard there was their 1971 standard which was tested with completely different equipment than anyone else used. The DOT standard was based on the ANSI standard but changed in 1972 to follow more closely the Snell test procedures.

Snell is still by far the highest minimum standards for helmet protection out of anyone out there (In the entire world - not just the U.S.).

Like I told you in an IM - make sure it says Snell on it.

 

It will make a cool mantlepiece now

 

Let's see. 1971 spec helmet, Now we are on 2004 specs. 32 years.

Let me take a wild guess here......

 

You guys all suck.

I am selling the helmet on ebay to fund a lambo door kit for my skyline.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Grumpy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Let's see. 1971 spec helmet, Now we are on 2004 specs. 32 years. </TD></TR></TABLE>

But since it is a JDM helmet that 1971 standard is a much higher quality than even a 2000 U.S. standard.

 

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

But since it is a JDM helmet that 1971 standard is a much higher quality than even a 2000 U.S. standard.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Drew brings up an excellent point. 1971 Japan was a bustling time, with the americans in vietnam, and the USSR an ever growing threat combined with china and north korea, the JAF (Japan Auto Federation) Specified that all helmets be rated against both thermonuclear and chemical forces, in the event of an attack during race day.

You guys poke fun at me for my 1971 spec Arai, but when WWIII comes around, you will all be sorry.

 

whats the date of manufacture on that? it should be printed on the chin strap.

 

April 8, 1992.

 

I spraypainted camoflauge without any identifiable snell or DOT markings or stickers. it's fine for HPDE track events. No problems tech'ing it.

I dont think you should have any problems using a helmet without a snell rating sticker... but I'm stupid, so who knows.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ChrisOnePointSix &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it's fine for HPDE track events.</TD></TR></TABLE>

*News Flash*

The Snell sticker we as inspectors care about isn't on the outside of the helmet.

And I would like to know what groups you are running HPDEs with who aren't checking your helmet's rating. If they aren't checking that then there are much bigger things they are ignoring and I don't want to be on track with them.

 

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

*News Flash*

The Snell sticker we as inspectors care about isn't on the outside of the helmet.

And I would like to know what groups you are running HPDEs with who aren't checking your helmet's rating. If they aren't checking that then there are much bigger things they are ignoring and I don't want to be on track with them.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've never had my helmet inspected at any Speed Ventures or Redline track events.

There is a Snell / DOT stickers on the outside of my helmet, that I painted over, which is the only reason I brought it up...