Helmet Certs

[RKO]

Got in a discussion today about helmet certs. He stated it had to be snell 2010 or 2005 and no older than 2 years old. After several trips through the rule book I cant find any certification requirement other than 3a which only notes the certification organization but not particular standard that the helmet must meet. Does anyone have any insight on this?

[mark5pa]

I've been wondering about too. Also color. Is yellow ok? Regs say it is. I am thinking about a hinged helmet with all the DOT & Snell approvals. Use one for motorcycle riding, might help with the bucket effect in a swim.

[RKO]

According to 3-A-1 yellow, orange, international orange or fluorescent red.

[mark5pa]

That's what I saw there. Thinking chrome yellow, should stick out.

[Howie Nichols]

If you goto the new APBA social page and find the Safety/Rescue thread there is some discussion there.

Kristi Ellison posted today that APBA is going to approve the Flourescent Yellow (looks Green) color along with red, yellow, and orange.

In 2013 the Helmets also have to be Snell rated, no year was specified. No more DOT only helmets based on safety tests performed.

I talked to a few helmet shops and they told me the flip helmets and almost all open face helmets do no have the Snell rating?????

[26V]

Howie
I think it was decided in the safety meeting to phaze out the DOT certified helmets in 3 years. but I will have to double check to be sure. Open face helmets DO meet Snell standards, if the helmet has been tested and certified.

[Andrew 4CE]

How about adding the Euro approved helmets at the same time... ECE? They have some nice helmets that come in orange or yellow... AMA Pro Road Racing accepts them.

Several companies go the ECE route instead of Snell.

AMA info:
http://blog.revzilla.com/2010/02/201...and-rules.html

Examples:
http://www.amazon.com/Nexx-XR1R-Oran.../dp/B003RIU2Q4

http://www.nitro-helmets.com/product...product_id=290

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...WT.MC_ID=10010

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...WT.MC_ID=10010

[Howie Nichols]

Gene good to know, now to find those brands...

Andrew not a bad idea, we will have to get Kristi or Wart to look into the ECE spec.

[Bill Huson]

flip helmets . . .

Closed face helmets with a flip up front do not have a Snell rating. It is possibloe they would pass Snell testing but last time I checked Snell did not have a test for the flippers. No test procedure, no test, no approval.

[Jeff Brewster 59s]

Guys,
Bob says the ECE rating is junk. Before you buy one you should talk to him first and he will explain.
If you have a Snell cert in your helmet you are good to go.

[sponsonhead]

Beat me to it

Jeff, thanks for posting. ECE is about as credible as DOT. Stick with Snell and there's no doubt.

R-19

[ram95]

What IS the DOT problem?

You guys are all talking thru your butts on this one. We have not had a problem with DOT helmets. We have problems with some helmets rivets rusting, straps being crummy, shields being mickey-mouse, fogging up badly, padding not being removable, poor ventilation slides, some being too heavy, etc etc. So now, out of virtually nowhere we make DOT illegal. Our biggest problem is with you racers who don't take care of your equipment in the first place. YOU morons are the ones to blame for a lot of rules which would not otherwise seem necessary. You are the ones who toss your wet helmet in the engine box or trailer so it can stew. You are the ones who paint your helmets with some cool paints having chemicals which affect the integrity of that $400 helmet which you brag about buying on Ebay for $280 bucks. You are the ones with the frayed steering cables. Go... go stand in front of a mirror... check yourself out. You're not part of the solution.... you're part of the friggen prohbleeM!! Dude!!

Alex
Mad Russian Racing 12A D hydro
Commisioner, Stocks Region One

[STEVE FRENCH]

"Let it be written......let it.....be done!"......RAMsies(95) has spoken!......LOL!

[Islandmon]

Closed face helmets with a flip up front do not have a Snell rating. It is possibloe they would pass Snell testing but last time I checked Snell did not have a test for the flippers. No test procedure, no test, no approval.

Just as an FYI I have a current SRP helmet with as you say a closed face / flip up front. It is clearly marked with both Dot and Snell approvals...............Hmmmmm ?

Sam,

[RKO]

Ask a simple question and get a civilized discussion on the topic and there always someone who gets an attitude because the rest of the world doesnt share their values. This is the kind of crap that's made me leave inboard and consider going back to outboard. But, I going to spend how much money and travel how far to get treated like this? Now ask why membership is falling?? If I want to paint my $75 craigslist helmet krylon orange, as long as it meets the rules where's causing hardship on YOU.