Can someone suggest a place in the NY / NJ / CT / PA Area where I can test fit and buy a helmet? I am planning on auto crossing my MINI in 06^ and the regulations require that I use a helmet.

 

Motorcycle dealers and most motorcycle shops stock helmets of various sorts. Check with your sanctioning body for certification requirements. Some require Snell certification, some don't. Not all motorcycle helmets are Snell certified, for various reasons.

 

The pro shop at Lime Rock Park has some. Not a great selection though. Remember, helmets for cars are different than hemets for motorcycles. I got mine on the web after going to a few motorcycle shops and trying them on for proper fit.

 

Really? How so? The testing standards are identical as far as I know, but I could certainly be wrong.

 

if you dont really wanna buy one....They have them at SCCA events for anyone to use.

Like they said b4.....Any motorcycle shop will let you test fit helmets.

 

He is right, but its not required but are tested by Snell.....Those helmets are just a safer product compared to the ones tested by DOT.

SCCA requires the use of Snell helmets only for use on there coarses.

 

Helmets for motorcycles are not the same as helmets for cars. I can't remember all the specifics but the SA2000 helmets (cars) are tested for multiple impacts which would happen if you got in an accident and bounced your head around the inside of the car. Tests for M2000 (motorcycles) test for impacts as well, although not to the extent the SA2000 ones are, the concern for the motorcycle helmets is more with skidding and glancing blows.

If you are buying a helmet for autocross or track days, buy one with SA2000 rating. Many places that cite Snell approval just say Snell 2000, but quite a few outfits that run track days state that the requirement is SA2000.

Another critical difference is that the M2000 helmets are not tested for fire retardance, and the SA2000 helmets are.

More specific information can be found on the Snell Foundation website. http://www.smf.org/stds.html

 

It all comes down to the AutoX rules on the types of helmets they allow.....Im yet to see anyone checking the helmets at any event ive ever been too.

 

If you intend to do motorsports, buy a motorsports helmet! As mentioned above there is a difference. The real difference (I have been told by several who should know that the crash stuff mentioned is an urban legend) is that the interior material is fire retardant, while bike helmets do not have this feature, not much chance of being on the bike while it burns...a car on the other hand...well. While a fire is somewhat unlikely, we're talking safety here, it is a real possiblity in a wreck (just ask Dale Jr.) so regardless your local club rules, unless you happen to have an bike helmet already, I'd be sure to buy an SA helmet.

The SA2005 Helmets are available now, if you buying now you should get one of those. You can get a bit of a deal on a SA2000, and my understanding is that there is little safety difference, so hte choice is yours, but five years down the road an SA2000 helmet will no longer be allowed. The SA2005 is good, at least from a sanctioning POV for ten years ( although many believe the effective life span of a helmet is actually about five years which might argue to buy the leftover to save some $$$). Buy a helmet bag. If you drop your helmet, throw it away, its probably no longer any good and the only way to find out is to send it back to the maker or test it in an accident (not advisable ). Even if you're only doing AX now, you'll probably like to at least try a drive at a track once in your life. Make sure you can use it there as well. Buy the helmet that fits and feels the best, not the one with the highest or lowest price tag. Weight is a significant concern if you do track as the lighter the less neck strain. If you are thinking of going to the track, you're keeping the helmet for 10 years and you think you might someday want a Hans, consider the manufacturers policy about drilling the helmet.

In NJ you might visit Stable Energies. I've never been to their store, they are primary a Porsche shop, but have a range of helmets. Not affliliated with them in anyway other than being a satisfied customer.

http://stableenergies.com/

 

I've been running autox with the NY chapter BMWCCA since '99 and during tech inspection they always check for the Snell rating on the helmets. I purchased mine back in early 2000 and couldn't find any SA2000 helmets at the time so I got an SA95. I bought mine at an oval track speed shop in Massapequa Long Island that caters to the riverhead raceway oval track events (can't remember the name of the shop though). In retrospect I should have waited a few months to get the SA2000 as my 5 year old helmet is now obsolete. For next season, I'll be getting an SA2005 which will be good till 2015.

As far as I know, the M2000/5 motorcycle helmets are OK as well, but you might want to get the SA rated helmet just in case you decide to do an event somewhere that requires it.