Motorcycle helmets are designed differently. It's not that one is safer than the other, they just both serve different purposes and have different standards. I do find it hard to believe that they won't allow motorcycle helmets. Most BMW chapters allow M helmets as long as it is Snell approved. DOT has always been not allowed.

There is all sorts of information on the Snell Foundation website.
http://www.smf.org/

 

Now I'm confused. What determines that it's a 'motorcycle' helmet vs. a 'car' helmet? I bought a Snell M2005 certified helmet, at a motorcycle shop. It says it meets or exceeds Snell 2005.

Edit. Just found out there's M2005 and SA/K2005 among others. M2005 motorcycle, SA/K for competetive motorsports and karting...

From the Snell site above

What are the differences between the SA, M and K standards? SA Standard was designed for auto racing while M Standard was for motorcycling and other motorsports. There are three major differences between them:

1. SA standard requires flammability test while the M standard does not;
2. SA standard allows narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA helmets may not be street legal);
3. SA standard has rollbar impact test while M standard does not.
4. The K standards are very similar to the SA standards, however the K standards omit the requirements for flame retardency.

Looks like I've got a useless (to me, for this purpose) helmet...

 

I would not say it's useless. The chances of a fire are slim and if you don't have a roll bar, you're fine.
I would also say a Snell rating is better than DOT.
I could understand not allowing DOT helmets, but not Snell M rated.

 

Except the qoute further above saying we couldn't use motorcycle helmets... I've read most SCCA Solo allow M 2005, but... Sounds like Sterling is saying 'no'. Unless they mean something else by 'motorcycle helmet' then the Snell M vs. SA. I'd agree it's probably the most appropriate for what I'll be doing and driving, but may not satisfy the rules.

 

I am confused...talked to Diane today and I told her that I had a motorcycle helmet that was Snell M2005 certified and also had a DOT cert....she did not say anything about it not being allowed.

I think we need a final answer...either this is allowed or its not allowed. I don't want to pad someones pocket for a rental if I do not have to.

 

she said she was gonna call everyone back and let them know that they cannot use the motorcycle helmets. She called me around 5:45 this evening. she also said something about buying a helmet for $100. I just told her that i would rent. If i am going to dish any money out towards a new helmet, it will be a new Arai helmet for my bike.

 

So if you can't use motorcycle helmets the only only ones left are Snell SA 2000 and SA2005. There is no way a SA helmet is going to cost $100.

 

The BSR Web site for "Friday at the track - Summit Point" states, " Helmets required. Any DOT-approved motorsports helmet is acceptable. Loaners are available.". http://www.bsr-inc.com/FATT.HTM

I would say motorcycle or auto helmets meet the requirement.

 

That would be fine if it was a FATT.
The organization hosting the event sets the rules, not BSR. For instance, most car clubs do not allow DOT helmets. BMW CCA insurance require Snell M or SA helmets at a minimum and chapters can make a further judgment and say SA only if they want to.

 

I don't want to take a chance on getting turned away at the last moment at this or some future event. So I'm returning my newly bought M2005 and getting a pyrotec SA 2005 open face from soloracer.com for $148... Seems I've read SCCA recomends open face helmets with air bag vehicles. So I'm hoping this will be the most likely to be accepted helmet.

 

SCCA does NOT recomend open face. Many autocrossers like open face. The racers tend to like closed. The SA rating is a good move. If it makes you feel better, when spending money on hard hats think what is going inside before holding out on spending more.
John

 

Actually there was an advisory by the SCCA about full face helmets because of the potential of an airbag going off and cracking the visor sending little shards of plastic into you eyes. I think was about 3 years ago though.

 

You really need to weigh in on everything. I have not seen an airbag deploy and I've seen rollovers, headon into tire walls, headon into dirt walls, backwards into armco. Of course that is not to say it can't happen.

My next helmet will be a full face again and this time probably a glare shield. I have had specks of dust get in my eyes.

 

I was only repeating what she told me. I don't know what the rating was of the helmet. She said she found "some" helmet that cost $100, and i think that was from OG.

 

I understand. OG sells/rents only SA helmets. I don't know what their rental rates are unless they are buying SA95 helmets.
OG gotta get rid of them because no one will accept them next year.

 

rentals are $35

 

I'm in.

Dianne says that this is still only half full (20 openings left, at least).

For those that were considering having two drivers per car (xizor), I wonder if it would be easier to do if there are only 25 participants.

 

Sharing cars is difficult. If there are enough instructors you might either be in class, on the skidpad or nothing. At some point a car will need to be in two places at the same time.

 

When I signed up I was told that I would get an e-mail confirmation. That was last Tuesday. Has anyone received confirmation yet. Also to the best of my knowledge my credit card has not been charged either.

 

All,

I have updated Jen's post (i.e. post #1) with the correct phone number. It read 571-434-2700 when it should have been 571-434-2400. The 2700 number gives a constant busy signal. I think it was just a simple typo.

 

I wouldn't sweat it, jr. Diane said they would be sending out email confirmations once they get the school filled (or a few weeks prior, if that doesn't happen) and at that time they would charge my credit card.

However, I signed up last week and at that time, there were about 20 openings, so if we still have that many openings one week later, maybe they will open it up to outside of DCMM members--that could be a possibility.

 

ohhhhh, well that could explain why registration is so low--hopefully the counts will pick up now...

 

Talked to Dianne on Tues, ended up with more questions than answers on helmets. Also she said she won't be handling this anymore as she was moved to pre owned BMW... Don't know who's taking over.

Now don't get me wrong, I love what Sterling is doing and has done for us lately. Go carts, more go carts, Nationals game, and now this to name just a few. I appreciate it I truly do and they're on my 'good list' for doing it. But it is frustrating, I left a manger a voice mail and emailed him to try to clear up helmet requirements on Tuesday. No Responses. Apparently they still don't have phone service in Sterling VA. Didn't when I bought my car either.

Funny, this is what happened last year when Towson did it too. Project got passed around and info was sketchy at best.

 

It's a shame to see things heading this way again. I know I have a proper helmet for an HPDE so I'm not sweating anything. For anyone still looking at getting a helmet it would probably be a good idea to make sure it's a SA rated helmet.

 

My card is showing a payment to BMW of Sterling as of today.