Snell Helmet

[944EVer]

I'm looking for a Snell helmet for racing this summer and I'm having a hard time finding a local dealer. I looking for recommendations for online retailers or local businesses. I'm in Connecticut, but can't find anyone in my area. So any advice on websites or places to try or to stay away from is welcome. If the price is right I'd like to buy a 2010, but might have to go with 2005. I can't afford to spend several hundred dollars on a helmet I'll use 2 or 3 weekends in a year.

Any chance the rules will let me go with a Snell M2010 if I don't have any fuel on board and don't really need the fire protection?

Thanks

Dave Cover

[blackslax]

Just do a Google search for "Racing Helmet".  All the options you will ever need.

[DallasV]

I can't afford to spend several hundred dollars on a helmet I'll use 2 or 3 weekends in a year.

I don't mean to sound brash but this is like saying I can't afford to pay several hundred dollars for a fire  supression system I may never use. Try to find a bargain but don't settle for...

[blackslax]

You can get decent discount on 2005s, but they will become obsolete 5 years earlier.

I'd have to agree with the $10 heads need $10 helmets

[fastman614]

I bought one two months ago.... they had them on sale for a few bucks less than this.... maybe if you mention a sale price of $219.99, they will still honor it...

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Bell-Supreme-SA10-Helmet,47348.html

[fastman614]

and if you do order from Speedway, don't forget to tell them you looked them up through landracing.com

[ol38y]

http://www.thehelmetman.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=498

Try these guys

[Cajun Kid]

Snell M ratings are for motorcycles... For Cars you must have a SA2005 or SA2010  it does not matter if you run gas or fuel.

Charles

[Calkins]

What's your life worth?  I personally would only buy good 'name brand' equipment.  I have bought Bell helmets for years.  My last four or so have come from TFD's Bell Store http://www.bellhelmets.com which is like an outlet type store in California.  I like buying my motor bike helmets from them.  When I finally start buying gear for a car, Simpson will be my only choice.  I buy my Simpson gear from Brendan Murry http://www.racecarparts.com and straight from Simpson http://simpsonraceproducts.com

You can't put a price on protection.  The gear is not cheap in the pocket book, because it is designed to help save your life.  Don't buy the best you can afford, buy the best available.

[944EVer]

Thanks for the replies. I need a helmet for some SCCA racing before Loring, so I hope to get something soon.

Let me clarify my question about the M vs SA Snell rating. As I understand it the main difference between the two is fire protection. If it were just impact protection, I would guess the motorcyclist would need more protection. If they have a problem, there's no structure around them. Drivers in cars have a lot more between them and the road. But then you have the whole issues of fire and suddenly the person in a car can be in much more danger. That impact protection is now major liability. Fire is a much bigger issue in a car.

But what if you have no flammable liquids in your vehicle? I'm running all electric, no gas, no fuel. That was the only reason I mentioned the M vs SA helmet. I'm not the first to run electric, they've been doing that out on the salt for a long time. But I'm not facing the same dangers as a traditional racer, and I was just posing the question. Rules are in place for everyones protection and I'm all for them. But if I can be well protected by a $200-$300 helmet, I'd prefer not to spend $500-$700. That's all, just asking.

DAC

PS I'm hoping to get my license for 135MPH this year.

[fastman614]

spedway motors is about $260 and NO shipping.....the helmetman etc has SA2010 helmets for around $160 (and probably plus shipping).... do check out the links..... the prices are pretty good.... or ..... if you are only going to race for one or two years, yeah, you can buy a SA2005 helmet.... and used ones are pretty cheap on ebay.... an "05 helmet will get you through tech

[jdincau]

944
There is an aditional impact test required for the SA helmet. I believe it concerns roll bar impact vs flat ground.

[Bob Wanner]

Considering you said you planned on some SCCA competition, you have another reason for putting out the extra $ for a more expensive Brain Bucket. A lighter helmet, although it costs more, is far less fatiguing after 20 laps on a circuit, and even if only Auto-Xing, you'll feel a difference in maintaining focus and retaining that Safety margin.
I'm also currently  shopping  similarly, and will probably want something that is appropriate for other motorsports, and my process involves picking out a model and manufacturer and retailer, then price last.
Spend the Time looking and the $ on a SA 2010, good for 10 years, is the plan here.
MHO-FWIW
Bob W

[RansomT]

If I read the rules correctly, helmets are only good for 5 years after manufacture.  Correct?

So a SA2010 manufactured in Dec. 2010, is only good until Dec. 2015.  A SA2005 manufactured in Dec. 2010 is also good until Dec. 2015.   Of course after 2015, SA2005 won't pass tech (unless rules change).

Beware of SA2005 and M2005, because they could have been manufactured in 2005 or even early 2006 and won't be good to use is year.

[fastman614]

3.A.2    Driver’s Helmet:
Rewrite to reflect 2010 notice, 2nd sentence:
A Snell Foundation tag reading Snell SA2005(FIA 8860-2004) Competitors are encouraged to upgrade to the now available Snell SA2010(FIA 8860-2010), Snell SAH2010 or FIA 8860-2010 standard helmets if making a new purchase. The Snell rating label change date from 2005 to 2010 will occur in 2016.

This is the SCTA Rule from the archives on this site.

In 2016, SA2005 helmets will NO LONGER BE ALLOWED..... In the 2016 rule book, the sentence above would say to the effect that-

" A Snell Foundation tag reading Snell SA2010 (FIA xxxx-xxxx)....."


IN SCTA-BNI competition helmets are (at present) good for ten years from the year indicated by the Snell Rating... if it says SA2005, it is good through the 2015 calendar year.... a Snell SA2010 will be good through the 2020 calendar year.