Helmet certification for 2021 (Page 1 of 2)

And what constitutes "first use"?  I have worn it a few times on a kart track (not anything professional just a local place) but never in a car let alone competition.

I imagine it's going to be useless after this season which....bummer.  Hate to toss a perfect condition lid for no reason

Your SA2010 helmet cannot be used for competition in 2021.  Its a couple hundred for a SA2015 so just get one and move on.  I've got a few dated out helmets.  Its all part of the deal.

I have not seen anything from Lemons that states SA2010 helmets will expire at the end of this year. It only says:

     Undamaged, full-face Type SA helmet, Snell SA2010 or newer, mandatory. SA2010 helmets are legal throughout the 2020 season. 

It does not say they are not allowed in 2021.  With COVID, SA2020s were delayed, perhaps they will give us some more time.

The Lemons rule states 2010s are usable through the end of 2020 but does not give any indication of future restrictions. My base assumption is it will be outdated by next year and I will replace with a 2020 if necessary but if not necessary even better.

Also hello to a fellow Raleigh member!

Thanks for the replies everyone, I guess we'll see what the rules say for next year. No sense sweating it until the time comes, I have plenty of other gear to find in the mean time

Yeah, the wording of "SA2010 helmets are legal throughout the 2020 season" is telling you that they are good for 2020, no longer. The historical precedent has been set that helmets get 10 years from the SA date, no reason it would change now.

The rule updates usually come after the schedule release, but should come out before the end of the year. I almost guarantee one of the changes will be to simply update to "Driver’s Helmet. Undamaged, full-face Type SA helmet, Snell SA2015 or newer, mandatory."

Lots of options already out there, for a large range of prices. First link result for "SA2020 Helmet" search
https://store.windingroad.com/drivers/s … 20-helmets

Might want to save the outdated helmet for refuel use. We have an old one (marked "refuel-only") that we keep with the fuel cart for new crew who don't have their own helmet yet, or for that time when somebody left theirs in the truck that just went to the parts store and the car is about to come in to the pit for gas.  XL size makes it universal fit for refueling.

+1 for refueling - thanks Stan

There is such a rule, so it's really more of a question of enforcement:

Can a driver wear an outdated helmet? No. Therefore neither can a fueler, as it isn't the same as what a driver must wear. As a matter of enforcement, however, I've never been at a race where someone is checking for a current helmet sticker anywhere except for getting on track.

That's one reason HQ has finally taken to regularly changing the design of the helmet sticker. An expanse of old stickers is meaningless without the current one in there somewhere.

I just got an ad from one of the big online racing car parts, equipment, etc. for SA2020 helmet for $189

Looks like my old Zamp helmet....probably re badged....

Speedway

Actually they sell Zamp for $175, I just saw

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Zamp-RZ- … 18738.html

But I ordered their brand, since I did not see the Zamp

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway … 25828.html

Seems like the Zamp has holes on top for a hose to attach for ventillation
Speedway has holes on chin

quality probably similar...

but check availablity....their brand said will ship in February....so I suppose I could cancel my order and re order a Zamp if I wanted to go cheaper and save $14....I wonder who makes the helmets for Speedway..probably Zamp since the hinges on the sides of the visor look similar...

I kind of like the idea of the thing on top of the helmet where you could plug in a hose for venting...for those hot Thompson races....but I'm really at the limit of clearing the roll bar with the top of my helmet....so I wonder if they will not allow it, since
Rules....
--On all sides, all drivers’ helmeted heads must be at least two inches inside the area enclosed by the cage
--you need at least two inches of clearance between the top of the tallest guy’s helmet
and the area enclosed by the cage.

No one can tell when a helmet was "first used". (i.e. when it was taken out of the warehouse and exposed to UV)

What I look for when I check any helmet (Lemons, autox, rallyx, carting, ...) no obvious signs of misuse (eg. it hasn't been washed in gasoline), no deep scratches, no cracks of any kind anywhere, no burns or melted spots, no discoloration, the interior padding is all there and firm but springy and isn't soaked with anything. HANS anchors have to be secure and correct for the HANS being used. (I've actually pulled someone from the car for using the wrong anchors.) And of course, look for the correct (not fake or transplanted) SA / FIA seal.

(Checking a HANS is a similar process, but there's also straps / webbing to check for any breaks or wear. [I only recall failing one.])

(In case anyone is wondering, the incorrect HANS was a post HANS with quick release helmet. That's a Hell No! The post strap ends greatly concentrate force to a very small contract area that will snap a quick release. Plus it requires a 90deg twist in the strap greatly reducing the rating of the strap.)