A friend of mine is getting into the track scene and has a helmet question which I couldn't answer. He currently rides a motorcycle, so has a Suomy helmet and wants to use it for solo events and such. I know you can use a bike helmet for solo events as long as it's snell approved. Suomy, however, isn't snell approved, it has BSI approval. They're perfectly legal for riding as they're D.O.T approved, however I don't know if they'll pass tech at a solo event. My first instinct is no. Does anyone know?

 

Most clubs require SNELL 2000 or newer. Many also rent helmets, give them a call.

 

SCCA sanctioned events require a Snell rating. Current spec and previous two, so right now it must have a Snell05, Snell00, or Snell95 rating.

 

yeah he'll probably need a Snell-approved helmet

 

and after owning my own helmet for so many years, i would never go back to loaner helmets, yuck!

 

Thanks guys, I called my sanctioning body and they had no flipping clue what I was talking about. I did some reading about the BSI approval and it seems to be a different version of the same thing. It has it's advantages over snell, and disadvantages. The final answer was no, but I think that's because they aren't familiar with the ratings.

 

I think the Snell 95 spec is not allowed around the globe. Here in Australia and in Japan.

Snell 2000 and up are ok. 2000 spec and 2005 spec are not much different in material, so I cannot see y 2000 model will be faded before the next spec say 2010 or there about. How is that sounds in the US?

 

The BSI rating is the British/European equiviant of the American Snell ratting. I used to own a Suomy helmet for my street bike. They're made in Italy.

 

^Yup. I found out that one of the tests BSI omits, and that snell does, is the second and higher drop test. This test isn't representative of a motorcycle accident, but rather your head hitting a rollcage or some structure in a car crash.

 

Buying your own helmet is well worth it. Firstly you can get a proper fit. I forgot my helmet for a barber dodge race weekend and borrowed my dad's for a practice session. It was a little too big and it lifted up at the chin and completely blocked my view going into the big bend at lime rock. I ran off down the escape road and that was the end of that session with only 1 lap in!

Loaner helmets also usually smell funny.

Although I am a big advocate of light helmets as they help prevent neck and whiplash type injuries, a good quality bell helmet can be bought pretty cheaply and are certainly more than adequate despite being heavier than some of the priceier helmets. I think as little as 200 dollars for a full face.

Also, never wear leather shoes. They shrink if they are exposed to alot of heat. I knew someone who was in a mild oil fire which was contained to the foot well. He would have been fine but opted to wear loafers. The leather shrank up and caused bad burns and several broken bones in his feet.

Never skimp on safety stuff.