difference btwn. motorcycle and car helmet

[rrcrawford70s]

I know for AX/TT you ar required to use a SNELL 95 or new rated helmet.

What is the difference between a friends motocross helmet and mine? He wants to use his full faced motorcycle helmet during a AX??

[Jim Richards]

See: What are the differences between the SA, M and K standards?
http://www.smf.org/faqs.html#7

BTW, the PCA regions whose DE's I attend require Snell 2000 or newer, and some will not accept anything other than SA helmets.

[jester911]

The main difference is the SA type helmet has fire retardant material in the lining and the M type doesn't.

[Jack Olsen]

SA helmets have fireproof linings and are tested for repeated (versus single) impacts. Usually, the shells are actually the same for both types, but the lining is Nomex on an SA helmet.

[kurquhart]

This is the current Zone 8 PCA rule:

Approved helmets are required to be worn at driving events. The following helmets are approved for Autocross use: 2000 SA or M and 2005 SA. SA helmets are recommended. For Time Trial and DE use the following are approved: 2000 or 2005 SA; M helmets are not allowed. Helmets rated Snell Foundation 1995 or earlier and “DOT only” are not approved.

Check with your region for any variances.

[gestalt1]

motorcycle helmets also have mor padding around the cheeks and the back edge is usually cut a little higher for better fit on a sport bike.

[crashmy911]

I used a motorcycle helmit at my first De. No one said anything! It had one of those spyder man paint jobs though!

[Walt Fricke]

It slays me that some groups that put on DEs won't allow a Snell M rated helmet. The shells are the same - there is no money to be saved by having two moulds or two techniques for laying things up. The tests the Ms go through are punishing enough that something flimsey isn't going to pass. The SA helmets are tested with the same tests, plus one extra test - on a round form, perhaps simulating a roll cage bar. And then there is the fire resistant stuff. The one question mark might be a company that only made an M helmet, but the major brands make both.

Well, the typical DE allows stock seat belts, nomex clothing is not required, roll bars, far less roll cages aren't required, gloves and fire resistant shoes are not required, and window nets are not required either.

But oh, no - got to have that SA rated helmet.

Something is rather wrong with this state of affairs. And the answer is not to start requiring any of that other stuff, either. That's for racing where the temptation to take risks is a bit higher.

But if you want to drive, you have to meet the local rules, like them or not. Arguing won't do any good at tech.

Walt Fricke

[Jack Olsen]

Well said, Walt.