So, I'm trying to find a helmet to purchase for running the local 1320 strip. I am completely novice at this stuff, so I need a little direction. According to the track's website, a helmet is required if your car is running 13.99 or quicker, and must be "Snell approved helmet, 80, 85, 90 of SFI 31.1 or 31.2 specs." I'm not sure if they meant to put
or instead of
of or not, but what's the "80, 85, 90" talking about?
Now, I've done some searching on this forum and I only found one thread about this topic and even it was somewhat vague. From my searching online I've found that most helmets are rated for snell or sfi, but not both. And Summitt Racing's website has helmets broken down by these safety rating choices:
DOT/Snell M-approved
DOT-approved
M2005
M2005 SFI 41.1A
Not DOT-approved
Not SFI-approved
SA05
SFI 24.1
SFI 31.1
SFI 31.1A / Snell SA2005
Snell 2005
Snell K05
Snell M
Snell SA
Snell SA2005
My question is, if I find a helmet that's SFI 31.1 approved, is it also SNELL approved? Are they comparable rating systems, or what? Also, my friend owns a motorcycle, and he said I should check out helmets by SHOEI and Arai. I found a couple SHOEI helmets I like, but one is Snell M2005 rated and the other is Snell M2010 rated, which as I understand it means they're not fire-rated helmets (because they're motorcycle helmets), which in turn means I can't use them in my car at the track. Am I correct? Arai has an automotive line of helmets, but they're expensive as hell, and I will be ignoring that brand entirely.
The G-FORCE Racing helmet I found on summitracing is SFI 31.1 approved, but is that brand a good brand? As a first-time buyer, I don't want to go and spend $250 and realize after I've put it on that this brand sucks or something.
Can anyone here break it down nice and simple for me?
