helmet for Solo I

[Stan944]

I recently started autoX-ing, and want to do Solo I next year.
I have Snell M 2000 helmet. Is it OK for Ontario events, driver's ed., etc., or I need Snell SA 2000 ?
Thanks, Stan

[Marsh]

Stan the Solo-1 helmet rules are very similar (if not idetical?) to those for solo-2. You only need SA for caged cars, and maybe open top cars as well, I can never remember that one? You'll be fine in the Porsche with the helmet you've got.

[Stan944]

Thanks Marshall,
This is good news.
I believe WOSCA is organizing a drivers ed. or similar event this spring. I presume the same helmet would be OK too?
P.s. It's cool to get a reply from somebody I actually know!

[gearbear]

Hi,

I'm new on the block, but have 25 years experience in motorsports, from solo, to endurance racing, to hill climb etc.

I will be returning since I retired this year. Yeah! I'm 60 and strill in love with motorsports!

My suggestion on a helmet is this. How much is your head worth? Also, it is my bet that after the solo experience you might be dragged (no pun intended), into road racing. It happened to me, so.....

The SA is your best bet. This is what I will buy for my return anyways. It's more money but shop around, '...the head you save might just be your own.

Gear Bear

[CobraStang]

What is the difference in construction between a 'M' motorcylce helmet, and a 'SA' special applications helmet? Is a 'SA' helmet legal for use when operating a motorcycle?

Surely its better to invest in one good helmet, instead of two crappy ones.

[maxrpm]

Read it at http://www.smf.org/

What are the differences between the SA and M standards?
SA Standard was designed for auto racing while M Standard was for motorcycling and other motorsports. There are three major differences between them:

1-SA standard requires flammability test while the M standard does not;
2-SA standard allows narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA helmets may not be street legal);
3-SA standard has rollbar impact test while M standard does not.

[exST165]

Originally posted by maxrpm
3-SA standard has rollbar impact test while M standard does not.

I was surprised when I bought my helmet in the price difference as I thought the chance of head injury in a motorcycle accident would be higher than in a car but I was told that the difference in impact tests is that motorcycle accidents are assume to have one big hit followed by progressively smaller impacts (falling from the bike and then rolling), while an automotive accident can involve a series of big impacts (repeatedly hitting the interior as the car rolls multiple times).

If that is true that I can see why it could be more expensive to make a helmet that could pass a SA impact test and economies of scale take care of the rest.

Thomas

[ctenche]

I've heard this multiple hits theory before but I'm not sure if that's the reason for the higher price. I really think it comes down to market. The market for motorsports SA helmets is much small than that for motocycle helmets and that's my guess for the discrepancy in price. That, plus maybe the SA certification process costs more.