Simpson Racing vs Bell

[mts]

Originally Posted by J-RAD

Yes, you most certainly can. Perhaps your region doesn't allow but I know mine does as does another region in which I occasionally attend events.

I absolutely buy into the "Got a $10 head? get a $10 helmet" argument but I don't see that as the case here. At the same time, I don't know that you necessarily need to spend the kind of money that Bell wants for some it's helmets either.

You'll have a tough time convincing me that a "M" helmet offers inferior protection than that of a "SA" helmet. They both offer significant protection. Have you ever seen a Superbike rider crash at 120+mph? In addition, I know people that, when given the choice, prefer the "M" helmet to the "SA" due to their wider field of vision - I'm one of those (and I have both).

Just my $.02.

Wow! I didn't know that. I stand corrected. I've run track events with 6 different PCA regions (track events, not autocrosses) and none of them will allow anything less than an "SA" rating. I thought it was a national rule, but I must have been mistaken.

In fact, most all the entities that I know that run track events (not autocrosses) require "SA" helmets. I know of only a couple that don't and they are run pretty poorly. I've always considered PCA to be at the very top of the safety chain for track events. What region do you belong to that allows "M" helmets for track events?

[J-RAD]

Originally Posted by mts

I've always considered PCA to be at the very top of the safety chain for track events. What region do you belong to that allows "M" helmets for track events?

I agree, PCA events are very well run and safety is paramount. I belong to the Nord Stern region. Your basic point is valid though, a person will be able to participate in more events with a "SA" rated helmet.

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

But, an M rated Helmet is simply less robust, period. For one thing, every M rated Helmet I've ever seen comes with the disclaimer cautioning that if the Helmet is dropped or subjected to an impact, "even though no damage may be apparent", that the Helmet should be considered compromised and replaced or at the least, returned to the manufacturer for proper inspection. I own 3 'M' rated Helmets (Bell, AGV, HJC) and they all came with this documentation. A Superbike rider may well crash at 120+mph, but I doubt the Helmet was reusable or even offered the same degree of protection that an SA rated Helmet would have.

My SA helmet comes with the same warning and if I ever had an impact that warranted it's use, I'd have it inspected as well.

[mts]

Yep, you learn something new every day, J-RAD, you are certainly correct and I am mistaken. From the Nord Stern region:

"All car occupants must wear a Snell approved helmet , which has the current available Snell rating or the one previous Snell rating."

In contrast, a few regions I run with:

Peachstate - "All Helmets must be Snell rated SA2000 or better".
Ohio Valley - "All helmets must meet minimum SA2000 requirements."
Kentucky Region - "All helmets must be SA2000 or SA2005 approved."
Central Indiana Region - "Helmets - Snell Special Application rating (SA2000 or SA2005) required. Snell motorcycle helmets (M95, M00, M05) or non-Snell rated helmets will NOT be permitted. "

I'm suprised it varies like that, but it does.

[racer_d]

Originally Posted by mts

Yep, you learn something new every day, J-RAD, you are certainly correct and I am mistaken. From the Nord Stern region:

"All car occupants must wear a Snell approved helmet , which has the current available Snell rating or the one previous Snell rating."

In contrast, a few regions I run with:

Peachstate - "All Helmets must be Snell rated SA2000 or better".
Ohio Valley - "All helmets must meet minimum SA2000 requirements."
Kentucky Region - "All helmets must be SA2000 or SA2005 approved."
Central Indiana Region - "Helmets - Snell Special Application rating (SA2000 or SA2005) required. Snell motorcycle helmets (M95, M00, M05) or non-Snell rated helmets will NOT be permitted. "

I'm suprised it varies like that, but it does.

You will see more standardization in the coming years. Look at the "new" harness/seat rules that PCA National has put forth to the local regions. I am sure helmets are heading that way (and in fact, I am very suprised they aren't already standardized).

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

I think issues over cost can be a false economy. If the venue you now participate in allows an 'M' rated Helmet as a minimum, it can also mean that you are restricted from participating in other venues requiring an SA rating.

In order to do so, you now have to get an SA rated Helmet in addition meaning that you have spent 1.5 to 2 times the cost of an SA rated Helmet to begin with. Buying an SA rated Helmet initially means that you have all bases covered...

Happy Motoring!... Jim

[J-RAD]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

I think issues over cost can be a false economy. If the venue you now participate in allows an 'M' rated Helmet as a minimum, it can also mean that you are restricted from participating in other venues requiring an SA rating.

In order to do so, you now have to get an SA rated Helmet in addition meaning that you have spent 1.5 to 2 times the cost of an SA rated Helmet to begin with. Buying an SA rated Helmet initially means that you have all bases covered...

Happy Motoring!... Jim

Couldn't agree more!