I have a motorcycle helmet and I thought if I can use that in an autocross. Is there a difference between track helmets and motorcycle ones??? Thanks

I'm no helmet expert but I've been looking into them alot lately. Anyway, you should be able to use your helmet at the autox as long as it has a Snell 95 or newer certification label on it.

Yep, get Snell Approved, as new as possible, you should be good to go (at the drag strip anyway)...

There may or may not be a difference between an auto and a motorcycle helmet from the same manufacturer, but there is a difference in the Snell standard used to test the helmet. The SA (auto racing) standard also requires flame resistance, tests using multiple impacts, and allows smaller eyeports. For more info, check out the Snell website at www.smf.org .

Now for autox, most clubs allow Snell M95 or newer helmets. The helmet must have the official Snell sticker - it's usually inside the helmet, under the lining. A lot of helmets have a manufacturer's sticker that says "Snell Approved" on the back of the helmet. That sticker usually is not enough (unless you get a tech inspector that isn't paying attention or lets you slide...) - you need to show the real sticker...

Jim

i would expect the standards on a motorcycle helmet to me more stringent since you're more likely to get injured and stuff like that.

But i'll look into my helmet tonight to see what's there. That helmet is pretty old, prolly early to mid 90's. It looks pretty tough (like a normal racing helmet you see everywhere)

Motorcycle helmets are designed to resist abrasion, sliding down the road and car helmets are geared to resist impacts. Personally I belive my head is worth the best protection you can buy. No EVER plans on crashing!
Paul

Supposedly Bell and Simpson helmets use the same shells for both SA and M ratings - in other words the M rated ones pass all the same impact tests as the SA rated ones. The only difference between them is the SA helmet has a fire rated lining where the M does not.

SA helmets have to stand up to multiple impacts where the M helmets only have to stand up to one impact, but some of the makers are now using the same shells for both to save costs so the M's are better now than they were before.

In the end if you'll only be using the helmet for autocross only then an inexpensive open face M2000 rated helmet is all you'll need, but if you ever plan to do big track events get a full face Snell SA2000 rated one and be ready to spend at least $200 or more.

Yes, get the newest/best one you can- like the old expression goes, "$10 helmet, $10 head..."

But, $50 (on sale) helmet =/= $50 head -- or, at least, $300 helmet =/= $300 head. When you start buying the more expensive helmets, for motorcycling, at least, you're mostly paying for the name and for added features, like light weight, better ventilation, and wild and crazy graphics. The protection in any reputable full face motorcycle helmet is generally pretty solid. In fact, I seem to recall that some of the cheapest offerings from HJC out performed some Shoei's and Arai's that probably cost four to five times as much.

Of course, I haven't checked out/priced car racing helmets and have no idea if this information applies there.

Originally posted by randywalters

SA helmets have to stand up to multiple impacts where the M helmets only have to stand up to one impact, but some of the makers are now using the same shells for both to save costs so the M's are better now than they were before.


No, that's not true.

Both have to take multiple impacts. The SA helmet is tested for multiple impacts in the SAME location, i.e. a roll bar in a car. M rated helmets are tested for multiple impacts in DIFFERENT locations, also for sliding. In a caged car, you definitely want an SA rated helmet, but for a car w/o cage, I don't think it is as much a factor.