Helmet 'issues' - Need clarification on SNELL certification
 

So I need a helmet for a track meet next weekend, and looking to get an open face since I'm in Phoenix. When I went to a Ride Now Powersports store to try some on, the salesman there said that there are 'never' open faced SNELL certified helmets, as SNELL requires a closed face. This seems to go against previous conversations with fellow Arizonan @jasper, who told me that most of them wear open faced helmets due to the heat and for visibility. The Pyrotect Sportsman helmet I'm looking at getting is open faced, and the manufacturer claims it is Snell M2010 rated.

@jasper I know you are in Vegas but if you happen to be browsing and can chime in, I'd love to hear your take on this :)

There are plenty of SA2010 open face helmets.

The Pyrotect helmet you reference IS SA 2010 Rated. It's fine to use for any track event.

I ware full face because I also use mine for karting and those have to be full faced with visor.

I have a Bell open face helmet - Snell SA2005

I buy my car/motorcycle helmet from speedwayhelmets.com and have really good experience with them, tell them derek sent you
they're in AZ so you should be able to buy one for tomorrow.

Just look for the SNELL sticker under the padding. That's what the inspectors will be looking for anyway.

Thanks all!

I'm buying online, so can't look under the helmet until I receive it :)

Yes I always use an open face I can bring one for you for the next event I have a rather large collection of helmets. I like Simpson they seem to have the best products but they charge for them. For visibility I always use an open face. If you do one session in an open face and the next in a closed face you will see the difference even though many will tell you it's not significant to me it is worth it to have an open face.

Thanks! I actually ordered the helmet on Friday, so it will hopefully be here before Saturday. It seems I have a rather large head... XL and XXL helmets at Ride Now were fitting quite snug. I ended up ordering the XXL Pyrotect open face. If for whatever reason shipping is delayed though, do you have an XL/XXL helmet?

Is Snell required on tracks now?? The one I go to only requires DOT. I knwo SNell is better, but normally one would get those if they were karting or riding motorcycles.

Then again i guess it depends on the event you go to.

Many tracks / events specify SA certified over M

Snell is protection from penetration from a sharp object. These are normally required for a car track day but just a dot is required for a motorcycle track day. But each track and club has a different insurance policy requiring different safety equipment so always check before you go.

Sent from my Q10

I don't know if I have one that big I wear a medium so the biggest I might have would be a large. Message me Friday and I will go out in the garage and check for you if yours hasn't shipped yet.

Sent from my Q10

I purchased an open-faced helmet for my first track days. I'll be switching to a close faced helmet when I purchase my next one. Since your windows are open, there's lots of stuff flying into the car. I don't want any of it hitting me in the eye. And when you go off, and you will go off eventually, there's going to be all sorts of dust and grass and crap flying into the car. You want a close-faced helmet then, too. If heat is a concern, eventually you can splurge and get one with an AC inlet. Some jerry-rigging will give you a cool head.

I personally would never drive on the track with the AC on. I also wear glasses or sunglasses when I track the car so I have never gotten anything in my eye. I think the average person will be fine with an open faced helmet.