Racing of any kind requires a high-quality helmet that can prevent disabling or lethal head injury. Auto, motorcycle, kart and bike racing each require a helmet designed for that particular sport. According to Motorhelmets, inferior brands of helmets are not safe. These brands may mislead consumers. For example, some appear to have a full face shield but upon investigation, are only certified as open face helmets meaning the shield is cosmetic only.
How to Select Helmet
Snell certification is the gold standard for safety in helmets. The Snell Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to improve helmet safety. Not only does Snell set standards for the performance of helmets, it tests them. Once a helmet passes certification, Snell purchases helmets from a retailer over time for random sample testing. The helmet must pass the tests at every testing interval.
Racing Helmet Standards
Snell has different standards for racing, depending on the type and special needs of the activity. Standards for auto racing are called SA or special application standards. SA helmets must pass a flammability test, a multi impact test and are allowed a narrower field of vision. The M standard helmets are for motorcycling and motorsports. The K standard is for kart racing, and have a narrower field of vision and must pass a multi impact test. Racing helmets may not be suitable for street use due to the narrower field of vision.
Bicycle Helmets
Bicycle helmets by law have to follow Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The current Snell standards are slightly more rigorous than the CPSC standards. The major difference between the two certifications is that Snell pulls random samples off the shelf for continued testing and CPSC does not. When choosing a racing helmet that needs to perform at higher speeds, the continually quality tested Snell certified helmet is a better choice.
Tests for Racing Helmets
According to Snell, racing helmets must pass all standard testing in addition to special testing. Motorcycle, auto racing and kart racing helmets must pass the chin bar test to assure the strength of the chin bar. The multi-impact test drops helmets with a metal head form inside onto steel surfaces. They must also pass the shell penetration test, which drops a pointed striker that must not penetrate the shell. The face-shield penetration test also applies to motorcycle, auto and kart racing. An air rifle shoots pellets at the face shield and for racing applications, there cannot be a bump on the inside of the shield larger that 2.5 mm. The flame resistance test is done on auto racing helmets only. A propane flame is applied to the helmet for a specified amount of time and any flame must self extinguish. During this test the inside of the helmet must stay below 70 degrees C.
Considerations
To ensure your safety in a race, look for a Snell certification label when purchasing a helmet. The adhesive label will be found somewhere on the inside of the helmet, possibly under the flaps of the padding. The M and SA racing type helmets may have a cloth label sewn to the chin strap, explains Snell.
Replacing your helmet every five years is recommended by manufacturers and Snell. Materials can degrade, from wear or exposure to cleaners and other substances. Advances in safety are made continually, which means that a five-year interval will show an improved helmet design.
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