TVRCC Cadwell day - helmet requirements
Discussion
Hi,
Thinking about going in my S, I'm a first timer and my helmet is to Snell SA2015 spec. The spec given is all helmets must conform to BS6658-85 type A or Snell SA2000 or 2005.
I don't know anything about helmets
- is my helmet OK? It's open face, but I'll have the roof up.....
Also, is it a good / worthwhile day for a novice?
Cheers!
Andrew
Thinking about going in my S, I'm a first timer and my helmet is to Snell SA2015 spec. The spec given is all helmets must conform to BS6658-85 type A or Snell SA2000 or 2005.
I don't know anything about helmets
- is my helmet OK? It's open face, but I'll have the roof up.....Also, is it a good / worthwhile day for a novice?
Cheers!
Andrew
It complies with the standard you quoted, so as long as it is in good condition it sounds as if it should be acceptable from TVRCC's point of view. I suggest you make sure you can actually fit in the car and drive comfortably with the helmet on and roof up to make sure it isn't interfering with the roof or headrest. Personally I prefer a full face helmet - smashing your face into the steering wheel can be quite traumatic in an open face helmet. This might be less of a concern if you have roll-over protection and a full harness to keep you clear of the wheel.
Cadwell Park is a great place for a track day and the S is well suited to this type of circuit. TVRCC days are always well run and I'm sure you'll have a blast.
PS I'm a little surprised TVRCC accept BS6658-85 type A.
Cadwell Park is a great place for a track day and the S is well suited to this type of circuit. TVRCC days are always well run and I'm sure you'll have a blast.
PS I'm a little surprised TVRCC accept BS6658-85 type A.
Edited by GreenV8S on Thursday 22 February 22:40
Cadwell Park belongs to MSV.
MSV insists that all open top car drivers use a full-face helmet.
They used to allow open face helmets, but had an incident a couple of years ago where a car suffered a catastrophic engine failure mid-lap.
Not a problem for that car, but the Caterham driver following close behind got a face full of hot oil.
Your head is your most valuable asset, so protect it properly. If in doubt about the helmet you have, pay the extra tenner and hire a helmet on the day - the MSV ones are good quality and new.
MSV insists that all open top car drivers use a full-face helmet.
They used to allow open face helmets, but had an incident a couple of years ago where a car suffered a catastrophic engine failure mid-lap.
Not a problem for that car, but the Caterham driver following close behind got a face full of hot oil.
Your head is your most valuable asset, so protect it properly. If in doubt about the helmet you have, pay the extra tenner and hire a helmet on the day - the MSV ones are good quality and new.
PS, you asked if it is a good track for a novice?
My advice is to avail yourself of the free tuition, and when on track, take it steady at first, and if they group us by speed and ability, put yourself in the novice group. Watch your mirrors and let the quicker cars through on your left on the straights.
Cadwell is an involving track, 14 corners in 2.1 miles, daunting at first - and with a lot of downwards sloping grass if you get it wrong. I would strongly advise against going on track if it is wet, as smooth tarmac is slippery, especially when cornering at speed. But having said that I have done about 10 track days there, including my first ever track day, and my only indiscretion was a trip onto the grass on the outside of Charlie's on my first ever track day. Treat it with respect and you will really enjoy it, especially treat the Hall Bends with respect, and remember that the car will tend to take off over the crest of The Mountain, jumping to the right in the process.
Can I say to all novice track-dayers that virtually everyone will be happy to give you a passenger ride, just ask. The morning is in sessions, so you will get 20 minutes on track and 40 off. So the moment you end your session, hot foot it down to the paddock and jump in with the experienced driver in the next session, who you asked before you went out. You will of course need your helmet.
If you fancy a ride, I will be in the Chimaera 4.6 turbo with the roof off. It's not too hard to spot.....
My advice is to avail yourself of the free tuition, and when on track, take it steady at first, and if they group us by speed and ability, put yourself in the novice group. Watch your mirrors and let the quicker cars through on your left on the straights.
Cadwell is an involving track, 14 corners in 2.1 miles, daunting at first - and with a lot of downwards sloping grass if you get it wrong. I would strongly advise against going on track if it is wet, as smooth tarmac is slippery, especially when cornering at speed. But having said that I have done about 10 track days there, including my first ever track day, and my only indiscretion was a trip onto the grass on the outside of Charlie's on my first ever track day. Treat it with respect and you will really enjoy it, especially treat the Hall Bends with respect, and remember that the car will tend to take off over the crest of The Mountain, jumping to the right in the process.
Can I say to all novice track-dayers that virtually everyone will be happy to give you a passenger ride, just ask. The morning is in sessions, so you will get 20 minutes on track and 40 off. So the moment you end your session, hot foot it down to the paddock and jump in with the experienced driver in the next session, who you asked before you went out. You will of course need your helmet.
If you fancy a ride, I will be in the Chimaera 4.6 turbo with the roof off. It's not too hard to spot.....
The question I have is, are helmets made today significantly better than those made 20 years ago (assuming the 20 year old helmet is in good condition)?
Around 20 year ago I did my first sprint and shortly after, my first track day. I bought a good quality helmet (not a bike one) which met all the standards in force at the time. For about three years, I used it a couple of times a month, either at sprints or track days. Since then it has been used, at most, half a dozen times when I have been on the back of a friends bike. It has never been dropped and never been in an accident. It still looks brand new. I know it probably doesn't meet modern standards, as it was made before they were written, but in reality is it as good as a modern equivalent, or has technology moved on so much that it should be replaced? If it should be replaced, what is better about newer helmets? Better design, or better materials?
I should add that this is hypothetical, as I am not planning on returning to the track any time soon.
Around 20 year ago I did my first sprint and shortly after, my first track day. I bought a good quality helmet (not a bike one) which met all the standards in force at the time. For about three years, I used it a couple of times a month, either at sprints or track days. Since then it has been used, at most, half a dozen times when I have been on the back of a friends bike. It has never been dropped and never been in an accident. It still looks brand new. I know it probably doesn't meet modern standards, as it was made before they were written, but in reality is it as good as a modern equivalent, or has technology moved on so much that it should be replaced? If it should be replaced, what is better about newer helmets? Better design, or better materials?
I should add that this is hypothetical, as I am not planning on returning to the track any time soon.
I don't know what happens to old helmets or whether it affects safety, but the MSA used to routinely expire old helmet standards and I believe it was specifically as a way to force people to stop using helmets that reached a certain age. For example the SNEL standards all seem to expire within fifteen years or so.
Yes, I had made that observation and was wondering whether it was scientific because the materials degrade, or just a way of phasing out old helmets that may have been dropped or abused over the years.
If I was ever to go on track again I probably would invest in a new one; it is one of those safety items that it seems daft to take short cuts with.
If I was ever to go on track again I probably would invest in a new one; it is one of those safety items that it seems daft to take short cuts with.
BIG DUNC said:
The question I have is, are helmets made today significantly better than those made 20 years ago (assuming the 20 year old helmet is in good condition)?
Around 20 year ago I did my first sprint and shortly after, my first track day. I bought a good quality helmet (not a bike one) which met all the standards in force at the time. For about three years, I used it a couple of times a month, either at sprints or track days. Since then it has been used, at most, half a dozen times when I have been on the back of a friends bike. It has never been dropped and never been in an accident. It still looks brand new. I know it probably doesn't meet modern standards, as it was made before they were written, but in reality is it as good as a modern equivalent, or has technology moved on so much that it should be replaced? If it should be replaced, what is better about newer helmets? Better design, or better materials?
I should add that this is hypothetical, as I am not planning on returning to the track any time soon.
Helmets, like tyres, have a shelf life and should be replaced after 5-7 years depending on usage. Around 20 year ago I did my first sprint and shortly after, my first track day. I bought a good quality helmet (not a bike one) which met all the standards in force at the time. For about three years, I used it a couple of times a month, either at sprints or track days. Since then it has been used, at most, half a dozen times when I have been on the back of a friends bike. It has never been dropped and never been in an accident. It still looks brand new. I know it probably doesn't meet modern standards, as it was made before they were written, but in reality is it as good as a modern equivalent, or has technology moved on so much that it should be replaced? If it should be replaced, what is better about newer helmets? Better design, or better materials?
I should add that this is hypothetical, as I am not planning on returning to the track any time soon.
I would wager that helmet design has noticeably improved over the last 20 years and I would expect modern helmets to offer better protection. Computer simulation has become a lot more accessible compared to 20 years ago so manufacturers can iterate through more designs than before as well as more impact cases (different angles, objects, forces etc) over and above what is specified in the standards.
QBee said:
PS, you asked if it is a good track for a novice?
My advice is to avail yourself of the free tuition, and when on track, take it steady at first, and if they group us by speed and ability, put yourself in the novice group. Watch your mirrors and let the quicker cars through on your left on the straights.
Cadwell is an involving track, 14 corners in 2.1 miles, daunting at first - and with a lot of downwards sloping grass if you get it wrong. I would strongly advise against going on track if it is wet, as smooth tarmac is slippery, especially when cornering at speed. But having said that I have done about 10 track days there, including my first ever track day, and my only indiscretion was a trip onto the grass on the outside of Charlie's on my first ever track day. Treat it with respect and you will really enjoy it, especially treat the Hall Bends with respect, and remember that the car will tend to take off over the crest of The Mountain, jumping to the right in the process.
Can I say to all novice track-dayers that virtually everyone will be happy to give you a passenger ride, just ask. The morning is in sessions, so you will get 20 minutes on track and 40 off. So the moment you end your session, hot foot it down to the paddock and jump in with the experienced driver in the next session, who you asked before you went out. You will of course need your helmet.
If you fancy a ride, I will be in the Chimaera 4.6 turbo with the roof off. It's not too hard to spot.....
Cheers for that, you've made my mind up, will book tonight! Glad you pointed out your Chim, I may have missed you, what with the car blending into the background so much! My advice is to avail yourself of the free tuition, and when on track, take it steady at first, and if they group us by speed and ability, put yourself in the novice group. Watch your mirrors and let the quicker cars through on your left on the straights.
Cadwell is an involving track, 14 corners in 2.1 miles, daunting at first - and with a lot of downwards sloping grass if you get it wrong. I would strongly advise against going on track if it is wet, as smooth tarmac is slippery, especially when cornering at speed. But having said that I have done about 10 track days there, including my first ever track day, and my only indiscretion was a trip onto the grass on the outside of Charlie's on my first ever track day. Treat it with respect and you will really enjoy it, especially treat the Hall Bends with respect, and remember that the car will tend to take off over the crest of The Mountain, jumping to the right in the process.
Can I say to all novice track-dayers that virtually everyone will be happy to give you a passenger ride, just ask. The morning is in sessions, so you will get 20 minutes on track and 40 off. So the moment you end your session, hot foot it down to the paddock and jump in with the experienced driver in the next session, who you asked before you went out. You will of course need your helmet.
If you fancy a ride, I will be in the Chimaera 4.6 turbo with the roof off. It's not too hard to spot.....
trev4 said:
The Tvr car club trackday is perfect for novices, I did last year's and the morning session was grouped into three groups novice, intermediate and experienced with 20mins each with the afternoon being open pit lane.
Come and have a go you'll love it.
Yep, you've all made my mind up! Will book now! Come and have a go you'll love it.
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