Trackday Helmets

The Oily Bits S2 Specific Topics
1

Am going on my first trackday with L-O-T in May, but I am confused about what Helmets are allowed on trackdays… some say you need an MSA approved BSI 6658 Type A, others say a motorbike EU 2205 helmet is fine… can anyone confirm/deny ? I do not intend to do any motorsport for the time being… just trackdays, so just need something for those…

2

Either are OK, lots of people just use current bike lids. As long as it’s not over 5 years old you’ll be fine.

Although must admitt to never having had anyone even glance at my lid in years of track days…

3

Have a look at this LIFTING THE LID - Need a helmet for track days or racing? Let Andrew Noakes be your guide.

4

thats the helmet I just bought

except mine is white

5

There is chat that due to insurance reasons this may get tightened up. My understanding is that motor sports helmets are designed to take multiple blows unlike the bike ones. Plus most MS ones are fire resistant

6

There is chat that due to insurance reasons this may get tightened up. My understanding is that motor sports helmets are designed to take multiple blows unlike the bike ones. Plus most MS ones are fire resistant

Speaking to Snell as our lids don’t get the kite mark here.

The differences are: fireproofing for auto helmets, an added anvil test for auto helmets, and a larger field of vision for bike helmets.

7

Also, I think bike helmets are VAT exempt (or zero rated!), whereas car helmets attract the dreaded VAT.

8

Interesting that. Are bikes vat free

Seems odd that you buy a bike as a luxury item then get the helmet vat free due to it being essential. Only in Blighty i suppose

Tim.

9

Really? When I was looking at track helmets they all said vat free as there are classed as essential safety equipment. No vat on the one I bought.

10

thats the helmet I just bought

except mine is white

�3,500 - you didn’t pay that much did you?

11

Also, I think bike helmets are VAT exempt (or zero rated!), whereas car helmets attract the dreaded VAT.

VAT relief for clothing is to be found in Group 16, Schedule 8 to the VAT Act 1994. Items 1 and 3 of that Group already provide for zero-rating of children�s pedal cycle helmets and motorcycle helmets respectively.

Chapter & verse on why some motorcycle helmets but not all are exempt is HERE

12

VAT relief for clothing is to be found in Group 16, Schedule 8 to the VAT Act 1994. Items 1 and 3 of that Group already provide for zero-rating of children�s pedal cycle helmets and motorcycle helmets respectively.

Chapter & verse on why some motorcycle helmets but not all are exempt is > HERE >

Mr Green - again you leave me speechless

13

My understanding is that motor sports helmets are designed to take multiple blows unlike the bike ones. Plus most MS ones are fire resistant

BS6658:1985 Specification for protective helmets for vehicle users covers:

Vehicle users helmets, Helmets (protective), Protective clothing, Design, Field of vision, Shape, Performance testing, Straps, Marking, Labels, Environmental testing, Ageing tests, Solvent-resistance tests, Specimen preparation, Drop tests, Impact testing.

If it meets this standard it will have the sticker on the left below:

[image]http://www.mgs-on-track.com/images/uploads/BS6658-t.JPG[/image]

If the sticker is blue the helmet meets the higher type A standard suitable for racing; and if its green its type B which is suitable for road use only.

Part of the test is to subject the helmet to multiple blows, although I don’t know the detail for MS testing.

The European standard which is also applicable is ECE Regulation 22.05 (with effect from 1 July 2000).

However, if you want something different, then how about this:

[image]http://www.reevu.com/images/br.jpg[/image]

from Reevu

and if you are into a little lateral thinking…

you could mount your spa guages behind you and…voila!

14

so back to the original question… most Bike helmets are EC 2205, so does that mean they are ok for track days… dont want to buy a bike helmet and then find in 6 months that I cant use it any more…

15

As it stands now I believe you can use a bike lid but TD insurance seems to be getting tighter and tighter on their requirements and I was told that some tracks depending on insurers could make it a requirement soon.

16

so back to the original question…

Well there’s gratitude for you …if you are looking for a simple yes no response then you are not going to get it, well not with any guarantee.

From your original post you seemed confused about the different standards BS vs EC - read the stuff above - including the links - and you should be able to make sense of it now.

Buy a helmet that has either the BS or the E approval and you should be OK. BS Type A being better than BS Type B, but remember the primary reason you are buying a helmet is because what you are going to put in it, its not just to tick a box to be allowed out on track. Therefore, you do have a responsibility to educate yourself enough to buy the best kit you can afford.

A valid point was made above that an accident in a car is different to an accident on a bike, in terms of what is going to happen to a helmet, and so a helmet designed specifically for MS, whilst still meeting the same BS or E standards, may be a better choice.

To date I have never had a helmet checked on a trackday - and that’s a sample of several of the current providers.

17

[/quote]Well there’s gratitude for you …[/quote]

Apologies Steve… wasnt meant rudely… I guess I just wanted a yes or no answer and didnt realise it was so complicated… many different opinions… I am going to heed Jamie’s advice and get a car BS type A one… seems OMP actually do one for about �100 that quite a few others use from L-O-T so I will investigate that…

18

no offence taken - it is a complicated subject when you really get into it - helmets are designed to pass the approval tests and there is some debate as to whether the tests are an accurate representation of what actually happens in the real world.

A good type A with an ACU gold sticker seems a good choice.