Snell rating for PCA or POC racing events?

[schubee]

I was wondering before I invest in a helmet, what Snell rating is required for DE, autocross, and time trial events? I was looking at a helmet with a Snell 2000 rating. If I recall reading somewhere, someone mentioned Snell 95. What's the difference and what would you recommend?

Thanks.

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John
'81SC Targa

[This message has been edited by schubee (edited 10-04-2001).]

[Z-man]

There's two different Snell ratings: M-95/M2000 and SA-95/SA2000 that are being used. M is primarily for motorcycles, but often are allowed for DE, almost always for autox. (My region allows M95 rating and up).

SA is primarily for CAR driving protection, thus it offers more fire-sheilding, and allows you to sustain more hits than an M-rated helmet. SA-rated helmets do cost a little more.

Check out: www.racerwholesale.com for some good buys on helmets.

I have a Shoei M95 RJ-Air that I have used for Autox and DE, but if you are going to get a helmet new, I suggest go for the SA rating: it is safer.

Also: check with your region or event coordinator to see if they'll even allow you to use M-rated helmets.

Hope that's not too confusing....
-Zoltan.

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PCA NNJR
My Toy:


[This message has been edited by Z-man (edited 10-04-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Z-man (edited 10-04-2001).]

[emcon5]

As I understand it, Snell comes out with a new rating every 5 years, ant the current one is 2000. Most organizations recognize the current and previous rating, so a SA2000 should last you to 2010. Make sure the helmet you get is SA2000, not M-2000. SA is special applications, and is the required designation for most groups for car racing, where "M" is for motorcycles. The main difference is the SA is fire resistant, where the M is not. The SA is also rated for multiple impacts, I think.

Some places will let you run with a "M" rating, but it would really suck to spend a couple hundred bucks and not be able to use your helmet at some events.

You can get more info on Snell ratings here:
http://www.smf.org/

Tom

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82 911SC Coupe