Snell 2015 Helmet

[OkieSnuffBox]

I used to wear a Shoei X-11, yes it's been awhile since I had a sportbike. For the price, I've now got an HJC auto helmet.

I drove up to SafeRacer to try on different helmets, and for $300 out the door, it was by the far the most comfortable, lightest, best fitting for me head.

[paiceyfan]

Originally Posted by paiceyfan

If you're headed to the track for the first time, you can always borrow one. I have been twice last year and going again this year and I rent one from ORP for $20. The first two were free.


Until I am sure I am going regularly, this is the best option for me.

Update: If you're interested in going to one of the Track Night In America events nationwide, you can pick up a helmet on the cheap. I have an open face helmet from Black Armor through SCCA for $150 going this route, but I cannot vouch for the quality, but I have one now and it looks good to me.

[Lynxis]

Can't speak about Arai or Shoei but I can also vouch for HJC for a good budget option. Found one with SA2015 rated full faced helmet from a local motorbike shop for $150 CAD a few years ago when I was planning on starting tracking. I found it a bit on the heavy side initially but I'm used to it now.

Edit: My mistake it's a 2015M helmet. This is fine for the local events I attend anyways since a helmet isn't even considered mandatory at most of them.

[stevesnj]

I'm an SCCA member and they require a specific helmet.

4.3.1 Helmets
Helmets meeting the following standards must be worn while on course:
All helmets meeting the latest or two immediately preceding Snell Foundation
standards (SA2015, SA2010, SAH2010, SA2005, M2015, M2010, M2005,
K2015, K2010, K2005); SFI standards 31.1, 41.1, 31.1A, 31.2A, 41.1A, 41.2A;
ECE R22.05; FIA standards 8859-2015, 8860-2010, 8860-2004; or British
spec BS6658-85 type A are acceptable.
Full face or modular helmets shall be worn while competing in an openwheel
car, formula car, or kart. Face shield, goggles, or similar face protection
(conventional eyeglasses are not sufficient) shall be worn while competing in
any other vehicle with less than the standard-size windshield.
Formula Junior drivers must use helmets meeting the above, SFI 24.1 (Youth
Helmets), Snell CMR2007 (Children’s Motorsports Restricted), or Snell
CMS2007 (Children’s Motorsports Standard) specifications. Also, Formula
Junior helmets must be of closed face design incorporating full face shields
and chin bars.
For maximum protection, helmets must fit securely and should provide adequate
peripheral vision. The chin strap must be securely fastened. Loaner
helmets should be available to vehicle occupants not having their own.

AutoX and other non circuit track venues may have different rules regarding helmets. If I remember correctly the inside material must be fire resistant.

[renfield90]

Originally Posted by paiceyfan

Update: If you're interested in going to one of the Track Night In America events nationwide, you can pick up a helmet on the cheap. I have an open face helmet from Black Armor through SCCA for $150 going this route, but I cannot vouch for the quality, but I have one now and it looks good to me.

Black Armor is a good company, enthusiast owned. Very light helmet for the price.

Keep in mind Snell certified helmets are all independently tested by the Snell Foundation. Any helmet with a Snell sticker will protect you. The more expensive brands, you are paying for extra features like cooling ducts, drink tubes, radio communications attachments, etc.

[Seiryuu]

I'll post my situation here as to not have to make a new topic.

After extensive research, I think I'm fairly certain I want to get a Snell M helmet for casual track use - some autocross (2-4 times a year), casual HPDE (also 2-4 times a year), all for fun. No competitive track driving. With the intention of using it for double duty when I get into motorcycles. I figured spending $500 on a quality M helmet (Shoei RF-1200) would theoretically be a better value than two separate dedicated helmets for the same money ($300 HJC AR10 III, $200 some other M helmet). Another reason for this decision is that I've looked through multiple autocross and HPDE events throughout the PNW, and all but one (Hooked on Driving) allow both SA and M helmets.

Most HPDE and autocross have helmet rentals so it's alright for the most part but I did ran into a couple that I would've like to join but couldn't because I didn't have my own helmet.

So here's my concern. SNELL 2020 is just around the corner. Most events allow as old as SNELL 2010 (few odd ones even allowing 2005) and SNELL 2015 is at its half life. So if I were to buy a helmet now, it seems that I'll only be allowed to use it for about 6 years at most.

So should I wait for the 2020 (perhaps to get deals on 2015's)? Or really doesn't matter because it'll "need" to be replaced anyway?

I appreciate any feedback on this. Thank you.

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by Seiryuu

So should I wait for the 2020 (perhaps to get deals on 2015's)? Or really doesn't matter because it'll "need" to be replaced anyway?

I appreciate any feedback on this. Thank you.

Don't worry too much about saving a couple hundred dollars. You're going to participate in something where A) the activity is expensive, B) it's a 1 time purchase for the next several years and C) comfort and safety are mistakenly undervalued too often.

I've never had to consider a helmet for both car and motorcycle but when I started racing I bought a used helmet and I "noticed it while driving" and that's NOT ok. Since then I never bought a helmet I didn't try on first. My previous was a HJC Si-12 and it was crazy light and wonderful and I tried it out and bought it from 425 Motorsports in Bellevue. My current helmet is the ROUX because I needed integrated Radio/Water/Cooling lines and helmet fit great.

If you get a Snell2015, you'll save money on a higher end helmet if the 2020's are out or soon to be. That's good for you because it will still be valid for another 5-6 years and that's plenty of time with a helmet especially if it's a <$1000 purchase. If you're spending $1k or more then sure, it makes sense to wait and get a 2020.

I raced with inexpensive helmets and cheap driver suits and I'll never go back to that so long as I can afford to. To put in perspective - it cost me more in fuel to tow to and from the track once than I spent on my first helmet - so helmets and driver suits are not a place I pinch pennies anymore.


Edit: if you're thinking about the doing the HPDE with IRDC at Pacific Raceways on July 17th then you can try on helmets with Andy @ Armadillo Racing. He brings his shop to the track and sells a variety of helmets. He's a trackside-business and has been supporting the racing/lapping world for decades! https://armadilloracing.com/

https://www.motorsportreg.com/events...-events-194399

[Seiryuu]

Thanks for the tips. So it turns out the earliest any SNELL 2020 helmets can be released is in Oct, 2020 and 2015 helmets to be discontinued in March, 2021 so that's quite some time to wait for any close-out sale (and missing out on some events).



And unfortunately, I am not qualified to enter that event. I have no experience (as required) on that track . I have only did one track day in my life so far so just getting started ahah.

[Tristor]

This thread is a bit old, but I think it's CRITICALLY important that I say something. You should NEVER use an M rated helmet for motorsports. M rated helmets are rated for single impact, the type of helmets which are rated for motorsports use are multi-impact rated. This is critical because of the types of things that happen in vehicle accidents. You only have one life and one noggin, don't be a cheap bitch when it comes to safety. Go buy a decent helmet that fits you properly and try it on first at a local shop. Support your local racing gear stores. Jesus.

[Ultramaroon]

Goddammit.

[nico_rsx]

Originally Posted by Seiryuu

Thanks for the tips. So it turns out the earliest any SNELL 2020 helmets can be released is in Oct, 2020 and 2015 helmets to be discontinued in March, 2021 so that's quite some time to wait for any close-out sale (and missing out on some events).



And unfortunately, I am not qualified to enter that event. I have no experience (as required) on that track . I have only did one track day in my life so far so just getting started ahah.

Where have you seen that snell 2020 can't be sold before oct 2020? Are you sure?
If that's true I may need to buy a 2015. I would have prefered to buy a 2020 before the 2020 season start.

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by Seiryuu

Thanks for the tips. So it turns out the earliest any SNELL 2020 helmets can be released is in Oct, 2020 and 2015 helmets to be discontinued in March, 2021 so that's quite some time to wait for any close-out sale (and missing out on some events).

The vast majority of sanctioning bodies go with current rating +1 back, making the rating good for 10-11 years. If you buy a 2015 now, it will be through the 2025 season and some sanctioning bodies give a grace year after that so you could use it through 2026. If you're buying a (relatively) inexpensive helmet, you're very likely gonna want to upgrade in 5 years anyway.

[Seiryuu]

Originally Posted by nico_rsx

Where have you seen that snell 2020 can't be sold before oct 2020? Are you sure?
If that's true I may need to buy a 2015. I would have prefered to buy a 2020 before the 2020 season start.

Got it right from SNELL's site. https://www.smf.org/standards/sa/2020/SA2020_cover.pdf


So upon more thinking, I guess I'll settle with a cheaper SA helmet instead of doing double duty. 5-6 years is no biggie I guess.

[nico_rsx]

Originally Posted by Seiryuu

Got it right from SNELL's site. https://www.smf.org/standards/sa/2020/SA2020_cover.pdf


So upon more thinking, I guess I'll settle with a cheaper SA helmet instead of doing double duty. 5-6 years is no biggie I guess.

This is for the SA helmets though.
I found the similar document for M2020, and they say they can begin selling october 2019, with the end of sale for M2015 in april 2020.


https://www.smf.org/standards/m/2020...inal-Cover.pdf