Helmet standards

[BertBert]

My snell 2005 lid expires this year, so I need a new one over the winter (for UK circuit racing). Are there any standards to avoid that will be ended soon? Is it complex to get a helmet that is compatible with the tethers on my HANS? All info gratefully received.
Thanks
Bert

[df76]

All other SNELL standards expire at the end of 2023, so I'd be buying a new helmet with one of the following:

FIA 8860-2010
FIA 8859-2015

Don't believe that this would limit the use of any HANS tethers, but worth checking with the seller,

[shirt]

Hans intercompatability:

[BertBert]

Thanks both.
Bert

[HustleRussell]

df76 said:

All other SNELL standards expire at the end of 2023

Do they though? I have noticed that the expiration date of Snell standards pretty regularly get pushed back.

[BertBert]

When I googled the Snell standards, the expiry for 2005 often comes up as dec 31st 2017 which it clearly didn't do! So I assume that got extended.
Bert

[HustleRussell]

BertBert said:

When I googled the Snell standards, the expiry for 2005 often comes up as dec 31st 2017 which it clearly didn't do! So I assume that got extended.
Bert

Just checked the blue book, not so sure anymore, SA2005 was indeed extended but only to the end of 2018, and SA2010 and 2015 are both 'not valid after 2023'.

[df76]

HustleRussell said:

df76 said:

All other SNELL standards expire at the end of 2023

Do they though? I have noticed that the expiration date of Snell standards pretty regularly get pushed back.

My understanding is that the FIA is no longer happy with the way SNELL test the HANS device mounts. So they are no longer supporting SNELL certification. This is a global issue and filters down through Motorsport UK. Very much doubt that this date will be pushed back.

If you look at all the very latest helmets on sale, they all reference only the FIA certification, so shouldn't be an issue for those now buying.

[BertBert]

df76 said:

If you look at all the very latest helmets on sale, they all reference only the FIA certification, so shouldn't be an issue for those now buying.

That's good news!

[majordad]

I noticed at the CSCC Spa round n June the helmet standard was FIA not Snell.

[BertBert]

majordad said:

I noticed at the CSCC Spa round n June the helmet standard was FIA not Snell.

The euro races done under uk auspices (such as not needing an intl licence) are always complex. It's the same with fire extinguishers.
Bert

[kevski321]

this is a good understandable article on helmet standards

https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/knowledge_base_...

[BertBert]

shirt said:

Hans intercompatability:

Resurrecting this as I am looking in anger now, starting at Autosport tomorrow.

However, I'm not sure I understand the diagram.

Boxes on the left show which tethers can be in which HANS.
Boxes on the right show which HANS posts can go on which helmets.

Do the interconnecting lines say that any valid HANS/tether combination from the LHS can go with any valid Helmet/post combination on the RHS?

Thus if I have an existing valid HANS/tether setup (which I do - FIA 8858-2002), I can't really go wrong buying a new helmet with the posts fitted?

Although the diagram doesn't have FIA 8860-2018 helmets I assume the same applies?

Cheers
Bert

[BertBert]

although on looking further, 8860-2018 looks to be an ultra-safe F1 helmet, not even remotely in my price bracket!

[df76]

BertBert said:

Do the interconnecting lines say that any valid HANS/tether combination from the LHS can go with any valid Helmet/post combination on the RHS?

Correct.

The diagram is a few years old, so predates the very latest 2018 spec (for very expensive helmets!).

[BertBert]

df76 said:

Correct.

The diagram is a few years old, so predates the very latest 2018 spec (for very expensive helmets!).

Thanks for the confirmation and on the basis I am trying to be budget focused, I won't be buying a 2018 spec one!
Bert

[shirt]

You are correct, but I doubt you will see any current range which is 2002.

[BertBert]

Me again, so we have started the season with the normal debates with the Scroots. Miss Bert had the debate all last season with the scroots that a 2002 tether can't be used with 2010 posts. But they always debated and relented. Now I have a helmet with 2010 posts, we've both had the debate (with a different set of scroots than normal). Who again said, it's not allowed but we are ok for the one meeting.

Does anyone have a current definitive reference I can use to settle the debate and either take it to scrutineering every time, or show myself that 2002 tethers are not valid with 2010 posts and buy new ones.

Then of course we'll be debating 2010 tethers in a 2002 HANS I reckon!

Thanks again
Bert

[BertBert]

As you were everyone, with the help of google, I've found the above diagram in a current (17/4/19) motorsport UK technical doc and the same with commentary in a 2016 MSA news which explicitly states that both the two valid HANS/tether cominations on the LHS are valid with either of the valid helmet/post combinations on the RHS. I'll print out and laminate both as handy helper sheets for the next scrutineering!
Bert

https://www.motorsportuk.org/assets/msanews710215....
https://www.motorsportuk.org/assets/msastandardsfo...

Edited by BertBert on Tuesday 23 April 10:52

[Trev450]

Good to know. Thanks for posting.