The track says I need a helmet "Snell 90" or newer. I did some research on Snell and there are different classifications. One for motorcycles, another for off road, etc. The lastest version is 2000 and they make new standards every 5 years. I found that the IHRA is not going to allow Snell 90 next year, and 95 (i think) will be the new minimum requirement.

So I guess my question is can I just get a Snell M2000 motorcycle helmet? I know pretty much all tracks have the same rules.

 

Best thing to do is Contact the track you plan to run on or club hosting the event and ask them what the requirements are.

The main safety difference between a Cycle helmet and a Car helmet is fire resistance, with a Cycle helmet having none to very little and car helmets required to last a period of time in a burning car providing protection.

Buy a helmet that fits what you intend to do with it. IE if you plan to drag race, get the best auto helmet that you can afford.

Don't cheap out on safety equipment, but there's nothing wrong with doing things on a budget as long as the budget doesn't compromise quality & safety.

And above all get out on track and have FUN

 

Helmets, in general, are only good for 5 years according to most roadracing organizations standards. A Snell 90 helmet would be really old, and I wouldn't bother paying for one. Snell 95 would still be old.

I'd get a Snell 2000, and be done with it. Most motorcycle shops can sell you a descent helmet for under 100 bucks, or ebay is full of them. I've never heard of a motorcycle helmet not being allowed on a car track/drag strip. If it says Snell 2000, you should be good to go. But I would call your local track, like Chef said, and ask them.

 

Unless you only run this one time, get an SA 2000 - some tracks and driving schools won't allow M helmets. (talking road tracks here, not the strip) Actually, rules vary by track and by organization running the event..

I recommend you check out http://www.helmetcity.com/ - Kyle helped me out quite a bit a couple of weeks ago and I got a Pyrotect helmet that fits perfectly. BTW - no affiliation, I'm just a very happy customer of theirs.

 

I have a Snell 2000 made by HJC (CL-14), http://www.hjchelmets.com/cl14_solid.htm#. Even though it is a motorcycle helmet, it is perfectly legal at all the tracks I have been too (three so far).

 

Hey that's funny I went to the cycle shop today and picked up that exact same helmet in the Wine color. It almost exactly matches my redfire car! The helmet will look nicer after I give it some Zaino love. I got it for $135.

The CL-14 is much more comfortable than the Cl-12 or C-12 or whatever it is.

 

We went with black... the blue didn't match my sonic blue car. haha

I was able to get two of them for about $145 total... my daughter worked for a cycle shop, and got them at wholesale cost for me.