Helmet FIA vs Snell expiry and where buy?

[Duke Caboom]

Hi,

I am planning on returning to sprinting and hillclimbing after a break and need a new helmet. I'm only going to be in the road classes, probably standard class. Blue book says:

ALL MOTORSPORT UK NATIONAL EVENTS
FIA 8860-2004 (Not valid after 31.12.21)
FIA 8860-2010
FIA 8859-2015
SNELL SA2010 (Not valid after 31.12.23)
SNELL SA2015 (Not valid after 31.12.26)
SNELL SAH2010 (Not valid after 31.12.23)
SNELL SA2020

So I thought I'd go for a SNELL 2020. However, FIA 2015 are considerably cheaper. Some helmets with FIA 2015 are only SNELL 2015.

Question 1) If the helmet is valid via FIA is it usually still OK to use if its SNELL is not valid? ie could I use a FIA 2015 in 2027.

Question 2) where do you get your discount helmet - my local shop has closed down.

Thanks

[Trev450]

So long as the helmet adheres to one of the valid specifications listed, you will be fine.

I usually get my helmets from Demon Tweeks. They are not the cheapest but have an excellent returns policy if it doesn't fit or isn't comfortable.

[Duke Caboom]

Thanks Trev

[Dan BSCS]

Personally I would go for FIA 2015 as if you ever decide to race in Europe (however unlikely this may seem) a SNELL approved lid may not be acceptable.

Plus it has no current expiry date so it’ll be good for 7-8 years at least.

[df76]

I’ve always been impressed by OMP products, and good value here: https://www.ybracing.com/omp-sc785e-new1-sc785e-om...

You might get more money off our first order as well.

Zamp helmets also worth a look and decent discounts at the moment.

[Duke Caboom]

df76 said:

I’ve always been impressed by OMP products, and good value here: https://www.ybracing.com/omp-sc785e-new1-sc785e-om...

You might get more money off our first order as well.

Zamp helmets also worth a look and decent discounts at the moment.

Thanks - I went with this link. Unfortunately it was already discounted so didn't get my 10% but still seems good value to me.

[Duke Caboom]

All arrived, noticeably lighter than my old one.

Where is the FIA sticker? Can't find it and panicking!

[df76]

Duke Caboom said:

All arrived, noticeably lighter than my old one.

Where is the FIA sticker? Can't find it and panicking!

Have a look beneath the lining on the inside of the helmet shell.

[Duke Caboom]

df76 said:

Duke Caboom said:

All arrived, noticeably lighter than my old one.

Where is the FIA sticker? Can't find it and panicking!

Have a look beneath the lining on the inside of the helmet shell.

What am I looking for? I've got E1 sown to the strap, ECER22-05 on a sticker at the back but can't find any under the liner!

[Duke Caboom]

Scratch that - they've sent eh wrong one!

[df76]

Duke Caboom said:

Scratch that - they've sent eh wrong one!

That would explain it..

[944 Man]

Id opt for FIA. Snell lost the plot in 2014 so I wouldnt let the Snell approval on an FIA lid concern me.

[majordad]

Remind us please how Snell lost the plot in 2014. I think you’re right but don’t understand the details.

[stevieturbo]

Snell didn't lose the plot.

If anything it's MSUK/FIA that are trying to drive out grass roots and clubman competitors by pushing regs far too high and making everything far too expensive.

[df76]

stevieturbo said:

Snell didn't lose the plot.

If anything it's MSUK/FIA that are trying to drive out grass roots and clubman competitors by pushing regs far too high and making everything far too expensive.

Not sure I agree. MSUK has no issue with snell helmets being used within uk motorsport, and you can buy an open face helmet for as little as £150. That seems cheap for such a critical piece of safety equipment.

[944 Man]

The FIA (and MSA) had issues with Snell's testing standards/methodology and the SA2015 helmet could not be used with a HANS device, making it pretty well useless. I believe that FIA 8859-2015 was created specifically because of this.

This only happened six years ago: how can people's memory be so short?

[944 Man]

Also, I believe that an FIA 2015 helmet is going to be a good deal more impact resistant than a helmet needed to be to meet the Snell 2015 standard as well as being safe to use with restraints. The years are similar but the standards are very different, so a current FIA standard lid 'only being a Snell 2015' (rather than the latest Snell std.) is not a valid concern.

[stevieturbo]

944 Man said:

The FIA (and MSA) had issues with Snell's testing standards/methodology and the SA2015 helmet could not be used with a HANS device, making it pretty well useless. I believe that FIA 8859-2015 was created specifically because of this.

This only happened six years ago: how can people's memory be so short?

Pretty sure it can be used with HANS, it's just FIA have a different opinion on the matter ? Which is not the same as it cannot be used.

[majordad]

Is there a more recent Snell year , say 2020 ?

[944 Man]

I expect so, but I think that Snell approval is less relevant not. In fact, not relevant.

With regards to SA2015 and HANS and similar: yes they can be used but they can’t be used for motorsport which requires them.

So, alright for Speed events but technically not acceptable if you want to top up the minimum requirement with a restraint.