Da Groj

In some other thread, I suggested that our helmet rule was any helmet as long as DOT approved, to satisfy our insurance requirements.

After receiving some feedback, I'd like to revisit the issue, and get a more broad concensus.

How do we want to rule on helmets? DOT only? Snell M or SA - no more than 2 revisions ('95 right now)? half-lid or full coverage (open-faced allowed)? other?

We MUST adopt DOT-approved only - for insurance. Are we going to make other rules?

I'd like to hear what ya'll think, please.

At this point, a lot of HPDE's are requiring Snell M/SA 2000 or 2005. 95's aren't valid at a number of track days at this point.

My opinion is SA or M snell rated 95+ at a minimum, preferably 2000 or 2005 SA/M snell rated.

Open face or closed is a preference and for autocrossing open face probably isn't a huge concern. On the track, I'd go closed face for protection from flying debris, but we don't have much of that at SPC or brooksville do we?

For the type of events we run I'd say whatever the insurance requires of us is fine.

I agree. Being as flexible as our insurance allows us to be on helmet requirements allows us to be much more welcoming of newcomers. Yeah, we have loaner helmets... but a lot of people have cycle helmets around that may or may not be Snell certified. Let 'em run with those and they're happy.

Yeah, they'll have to get a better helmet to run with any other autox club. Yeah, they'll need a better helmet to do HPDE or club racing. But that's no reason to not allow a DOT helmet at our events.

What started the discussion was whether to allow motorcycle helmets skimpier than the regular open-face helmet -- skid lids and such. Some of those are DOT-approved...IMO, they're not suitable for autocross, where there are pieces of car in close proximity to the sides of the driver's head.

IMO, if the insurance didn't require it, there's no real "need" for a helmet in autocross. If anyone truly believes that there is... why don't you wear one on the street? There are far more obstacles, stupid people and dangerous situations to be found on the street... and it's the same car with the same things to hit your head on.

As I mentioned to Steve last week, I think the helmet thing is more psychological than anything else. It's a way to help you differentiate between "race mode" and "street mode" driving.

Jamie wrote:What started the discussion was whether to allow motorcycle helmets skimpier than the regular open-face helmet -- skid lids and such.

I call em' brain buckets and those won't fly, I don't think they are even DOT approved since they really don't protect you from anything.

Either way I'd say we should go with any open-faced OR closed-face that's DOT approved is fine.

Loren wrote:IMO, if the insurance didn't require it, there's no real "need" for a helmet in autocross.

Agreeeeeeed.

Charles wrote:I call em' brain buckets and those won't fly, I don't think they are even DOT approved....

I thought not, too, which would have settled the issue -- then I found several places advertising DOT-approved skid lids.

Loren wrote:IMO, if the insurance didn't require it, there's no real "need" for a helmet in autocross.

Not true. I've seen about a half-dozen incidents where the driver's head came in violent contact with the car. At least two of those were side impacts. I imagine there are more out there I don't know about.

There are days when I am tempted to wear a helmet in traffic....

Jamie wrote:There are days when I am tempted to wear a helmet in traffic....

Especially after seeing that wreck near SPC on Saturday...

Any one else have anything to add?

Yeah, DOT full or open face only, no "lids" that satisfies the insurance I believe, other than that I'd say any Snell (motorcycle or racecar) approved should be fine. The reason I say that is IMO an 85 Snell should still be better than a 2007 DOT.
I would also agree that the main issue in an autocross car is your head coming in contact with an interior car part, or the co-driver's noggin.