I live in Tampa and could not find anyone who stocked SA rated helmets; and I didn't want to buy a helmet I hadn't tried on. Here's what I did: went to a motorrcycle dealership and found the HJC helmet that fit me. I then went to < www.helmetshop.com > and purchased a HJC AR10 which is SA rated. It came and fit great. Many places helmet sales are final no returns. At the helmet shop you have two weeks to return it for a $6 fee. Hope this helps.

 

good info! i am also in tampa and yes it is hard to find local people who stock helmets to test fit. gearhead can order any helmet you need also like bell and such...

 

How much was that HJC, is it pretty light? If you wouldn't mind can you throw it on a scale and let us know? I'm looking to replace my M2000 Pyrotect full face and want a much lighter helmet that's SA approved.

 

You are better off with an M rated helmet for track days than spending the extra money on an SA rated one. The only exception would be if you wear a full NOMEX racing suit, balaclava, socks, shoes and gloves. The only functional difference in most cases is that SA helmets are fire rated and have NOMEX linings and a Kevlar strap.

 

I don't think "better off" is correct. There's not much difference, from a track day standpoint, and M helmets are usually cheaper. But aside from the price (which does vary), I can't think of a way in which you are "better off" with an M helmet.

My advice would be that once you have done this sport a few times and know you will keep doing it, then just buy the helmet that fits you best. An extra $100 or even $400 bucks is going to be meaningless over the lifespan of a helmet -- assuming you do 10+ track days per year.

If you only use it once per year, then that extra cost is pretty significant.

If you end up using a HANS, most SA helmets have attachment points pre-drilled.

 

IIRC...

M helmets are rated for one hit only. SA hats are tested and certified for multiple hits.

SA helmets have a smaller eye opening for increased fire/burn/schrapnel protection. The slight downside is less viewing angle, but this is virtually irrelevant in a car.


Also, if you're ever going to be in an open-wheel, the AR-11 generates much less lift than the AR-10. The AR-11 is designed for formula cars, hence it has functional aero and doesn't make you look like a retarded Storm Trooper.

AR-11 FTW...

 

FTMFW!!!

its what I use but I got a killer deal

 

This is true, but it doesn't mean the M helmet won't continue to protect for multiple hits. The different test standards don't necessarily imply a different construction. However, if you have a roll bar or roll cage in your car, that is another nice thing about an SA rating -- you know it has been tested for that purpose.

 

SA lids are held to a higher standard. Period. They are designed for multiple cage/body panel impacts, and for fire protection. M helmets have neither in mind when being designed.


There should be no debating/counterpointing here. There is no reason not to get a Snell Approved helmet.

*If you're involved in any kind of semi-professional competition, an up-to-date SA helmet is required. There's a reason sanctioning bodies don't allow motorcycle helmets.

 

They are both "Snell Approved".

And for manufacturing efficiency reasons, it is quite possible for a company to use a single shell design standard and just tweak it a bit for the M or SA ratings. Just because a helmet has an M rating does not necessarily mean it would fail the impact portion of the SA test.

However, if you want to be sure that it would not fail an SA test, then get an SA helmet.

And yes, of course you need an SA helmet if your rules require an SA helmet.