[CrewChief]

Different makes have slightly different fits. Trying on for fit is a real plus. So, in this area, I always recommend OG Racing. They have a showroom where you can try on to make sure.

Having done that, I buy from them. They have the investment to provide a place for me to test and I'll support them to the extent that I took advantage of that service. Also, I suppose there is a good chance you have rented helmets from them and they will apply a nominal amount to purchase (one rental I think?).

If cost is no object then by all means get the super lightweight helmets. That is what changes the price. A $700 Bell is essentially a $300 Bell but using carbon/kevlar in place of fiberglass.

If cost IS a factor then as a DE driver I would not worry about getting the super lightweight helmets. You only wear it for around 18 minutes at a time, 4 times a day. Maybe one other ride thrown in.

As an instructor I have vowed my next helmet WILL be pricey. At a Potomac DE I may run 8 or more sessions a day. At FATT I may wear the silly thing almost continuously for a couple of hours.

And, the "$10 helmet for a $10 head" argument can be more than a little specious. RATIONAL risk management/avoidance does reasonably take into account hazard and exposure frequency.

[Don Wohlfarth]

Couple sites about Snell Foundation:
http://www.smf.org/faqs.html
http://www.mmsp.org/helmets/snell.htm
Tony, I seem to remember that the M and SA testing is different.
FWIW it would not surprise me that M and SA helmets are exactly the same helmets but with different testing procedures.

[DAR951]

Originally Posted by Don Wohlfarth

Tony, I seem to remember that the M and SA testing is different.

As much as it pains me to say this, Don's right.

Test standards of SA helmets ADDS this test to what is otherwise the same proceedure for M helmets (three different shell tests and another set of proceedures each for retension and solvent resistance, as well as a host of others):

"c. There shall be three impacts at each site tested against the roll bar anvil. Sites selected for roll bar anvil impacts must lie behind the fore plane and above the test line of the helmet. For the first impact and second impacts, the impact energy shall be 150 J and 120 J respectively for all testing regardless of headform size or weight. For the third impact, the impact energy shall be 100 J for all other testing regardless of headform size or weight. Given an ideal frictionless mechanical test facility, the certification impact energies represent 3.0+, 2.4+ and 2.0+ meter drops of a 5 kg headform and supporting assembly."

(pasted from the SNELL site)

[APKhaos]

Originally Posted by Don Wohlfarth

Tony, I seem to remember that the M and SA testing is different.

NO! The Snell test for SA and M are identical!
he four impact and penetration tests are the same for S and MA standards. The S standard adds a fifth test for flame resistance

Lets kill this urban myth!
Snell SA2000 standard and test procedure - http://www.smf.org/standards/sa20std.html

Snell M2000 standard and test procedure
http://www.smf.org/standards/m2000std.html#EXTENT

Take a look at Sections E4 through E8 of both standards - they are identical!

[Jase007]

Tony ...

Perhaps I am missing something but ...from snells own site in their FAQ ....

What are the differences between the SA, M and K 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.
The K standards are very similar to the SA standards, however the K standards omit the requirements for flame retardency.

Jase

[DAR951]

Tony,

Wish it was this easy to beat you on the track... (BTW, if you haven't already, talk to DD about removing all your penalty weight for the last race weekend...)

From your links:

SA Test Impacts: NOTE Section "C"

E4.3 Test Impacts

Test impact sites shall be on or above the test line. Rivets, vents and any other helmet feature within this region shall be valid test sites. Each impact site will be subjected to a group of one, two or three impacts according to the anvil selected for that site.

The impact site for the first impact within in a group is the target for all successive impacts in the same group. However, if an impact group is sited closer than 120 mm to any previous impact group, the later impacts shall be declared invalid.

There is no restriction regarding test anvil selection. The impact energies for each test impact are as follows:

a. There shall be two impacts at each site tested against the flat anvil. For the first impact, the impact energy shall be 150 J for all testing regardless of headform size or weight. For the second impact, the impact energy shall be 110 J for all testing regardless of headform size or weight. Given an ideal frictionless mechanical test facility, the impact energies represent 3.0+ meter and 2.2+ meter drops respectively of a 5 kg headform and supporting assembly.

b. There shall be two impacts at each site tested against the hemispherical anvil. For the first impact, the impact energy shall be 150 J for all testing regardless of headform size or weight. For the second impact, the impact energy shall be 110 J for all testing regardless of headform size or weight. Given an ideal frictionless mechanical test facility, the certification impact energies represent 3.0+ meter and 2.2+ meter drops respectively of a 5 kg headform and supporting assembly.

c. There shall be three impacts at each site tested against the roll bar anvil. Sites selected for roll bar anvil impacts must lie behind the fore plane and above the test line of the helmet. For the first impact and second impacts, the impact energy shall be 150 J and 120 J respectively for all testing regardless of headform size or weight. For the third impact, the impact energy shall be 100 J for all other testing regardless of headform size or weight. Given an ideal frictionless mechanical test facility, the certification impact energies represent 3.0+, 2.4+ and 2.0+ meter drops of a 5 kg headform and supporting assembly.

d. There shall be one impact at each site tested against the edge anvil. For each impact against the edge anvil, the impact energy shall be 150 J for all testing regardless of headform size or weight. Given an ideal frictionless mechanical test facility, this energy represents a 3.0+ meter drop of a 5 kg headform and supporting assembly.

e. If the impact energy for any test impact exceeds the energy specified by more than 3%, that impact shall be declared invalid.



M Test Impacts: Find the above Section C test (Roll Bar Anvil) in this description... Hint, It's not here...

E4.3 Test Impacts

Test impact sites shall be on or above the test line. Rivets, vents and any other helmet feature within this region shall be valid test sites. Each impact site will be subjected to a group of one or two impacts according to the anvil selected for that site.

The impact site for the first impact within in a group is the target for all successive impacts in the same group. However, if an impact group is sited closer than 120 mm to any previous impact group, the later impacts shall be declared invalid.

There is no restriction regarding test anvil selection. The impact energies for each test impact are as follows:

a. There shall be two impacts at each site tested against the flat anvil. For the first impact, the impact energy shall be 150 j for all testing regardless of headform size or weight. For the second impact, the impact energy shall be 110 j for all testing regardless of headform size or weight. Given an ideal frictionless mechanical test facility, the certification impact energies represent 3.0+ meter and 2.2+ meter drops of a 5 kg headform and supporting assembly.

b. There shall be two impacts at each site tested against the hemispherical anvil. For the first impact, the impact energy shall be 150 j for all testing regardless of headform size or weight. For the second impact, the impact energy shall be 110 j for all testing regardless of headform size or weight. Given an ideal frictionless mechanical test facility, the impact energies represent 3.0+ meter and 2.2+ meter drops of a 5 kg headform and supporting assembly.

c. There shall be one impact at each site tested against the edge anvil. For each impact against the edge anvil, the impact energy shall be 150 j for all testing regardless of headform size or weight. Given an ideal frictionless mechanical test facility, this energy represents a 3.0+ meter drop of a 5 kg headform and supporting assembly.

d. If the impact energy for any test impact exceeds the energy specified by more than 3%, that impact shall be declared invalid.

[BillJ]

I know others have said this - but the lighter the better. I switched from fiberglaqss to Kevlar and my neck REALLY thanked me for it. With driving all weekend (not to mention intructing too), you would be surprised how easily your body gets sore. Now only my right butt cheek gets sore from bracing against the floor while instructing (wide open for comment i realize so be gentle)

[APKhaos]

I stand corrected, humbled, and contrite.

[Jase007]

Now only my right butt cheek gets sore from bracing against the floor ...

Wow .... somebody jump on this ...

Jase

[Vicegrip]

Too easy!


No G force at all due to no motor makes the helmet feel lighter too.