26/09/2010 20:55:27 John Lister [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Before I go out and buy a new helmet, I would just like to clarify the requirements for helmets for next year. [/FONT][/SIZE]

26/09/2010 21:24:39 Martin C Hi John, This is a difficult slightly grey are, we recommend that participants use a helmet to MSA blue book standards. However because of a change of the standards in 2010, all circuits this year have said either a suitable helmet? or a helmet that complies with MSA blue book standars for the 2009 year. This is the bit that may change next year, the standard of helmet the circuits require. So the advice we recommend is the route to go for anybody wanting to replace or purchase a helmet. The MSA blue book rukles for 2010 are, [FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Bold][SIZE=1][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Bold][SIZE=1][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Bold][SIZE=1][COLOR=#231f20][I][B][SIZE=2]Standards[/SIZE][/B][/I][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][SIZE=1][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][SIZE=1][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][SIZE=1][COLOR=#231f20][I][B][SIZE=2]. Helmets bearing one of the under[/SIZE][/B][/I] [I][B]mentioned ‘standards’ may be approved by the MSA[/B][/I] [I][B]subject to other criteria being met.[/B][/I] [I][B](a) INTERNATIONAL EVENTS & ALL MSA EVENTS.[/B][/I] [I][B]FIA 8860-2004.[/B][/I] [I][B]SNELL SA2005.[/B][/I] [I][COLOR=red][B]SNELL SA2000*.[/B][/COLOR][/I] [I][B]SFI Foundation 31.1A, 31.2A.[/B][/I] [I][B]BS 6658 Type A/FR.[/B][/I] [I][B]In addition the following are acceptable for:[/B][/I] [I][COLOR=red][B]*May be withdrawn with effect from 01/01/11.[/B][/COLOR][/I] [COLOR=black]So as you can see either a BS 6658 Type A/FR or SNELL SA2005 should be acceptable. We replaced our club helmets this year with the Hedtec Xtreme SNELL SA2005 helmet from Max Tyler at Racewear.co.uk, Max is offering all MGoT members a 10% discount on ALL purchases from him, just quote MGoT2010, when ordering.[/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000]Hope that helps,[/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000]Martin[/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#000000]Sorry about the font size going all pearshape, something to do with the copy & paste from the MSA site. The more I try to alter it the worse it gets?[/COLOR][/B] [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][LEFT] [FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][SIZE=1][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][SIZE=1][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][SIZE=1][COLOR=#231f20] [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [/LEFT]

27/09/2010 12:13:55 John Lister Martin, Thanks for the quick reply. That should save me a few quid, now what can my wife get me for Christmas now ..... Cheers John

02/02/2011 13:11:29 yellowzed I've booked onto Silverstone in March but I'm wondering if the helmet regs have changed. I'd like to know if I can still use the helmets I have. I did use them at Silverstone last year (And a few years before)? They are typeA BS6658. Cheers Andy

02/02/2011 13:29:12 Tim Guy Hi Andy I'm sure Martin will be along to correct me if I'm wrong but believe included in the waivers He has been able to obtain to the Silverstone standard contract includes the term 'Suitable Helmet' Yours and my BS6659 type A helmet should be fine.

02/02/2011 13:51:43 Martin C [quote=yellowzed]I've booked onto Silverstone in March but I'm wondering if the helmet regs have changed. I'd like to know if I can still use the helmets I have. I did use them at Silverstone last year (And a few years before)? They are typeA BS6658. Cheers Andy[/quote] Hi Andy, Yes helmets for this event must be to BS 6658 Type A minimum standard, so yours are fine. We have had to negotiate a concession in the contract with Silverstone to allow these type of helmets to be used. Obviously this can't go on for ever, i.e. negotiating concessions, the BS 6658 Type A, was excluded from MSA regs on 1st January 2010. I note that the 2011 MSA regs, are now stating that BS 6658 Type A/FR [B]may be withdrawn from 01/01/16.[/B] So I would suggest all members think about changing their helmets for Snell SA2005 standard helmets before 2012.

02/02/2011 14:00:14 Martin C [quote=Tim Guy] included in the waivers He has been able to obtain to the Silverstone standard contract includes the term 'Suitable Helmet' Yours and my BS6659 type A helmet should be fine.[/quote] Not quite correct Tim, see answer above, but the contract concession is for helmets to BS 6658 Type A minimum standard [B]not suitable helmets[/B], exactly the same as last year's concession. At the moment MSV, Goodwood and Castle Combe T&C's state suitable helmet. That may change as the time between when they were banned and now gets longer. Note it is BS 6658, not 6659 as your typo above ;)

15/02/2011 19:30:32 Ajay260 There are a number of helmets that are now listed against SNELL 2010 and with FIA 8858-2010 approval when fitted with HANS posts. Would I be correct in thinking that these helmets are OK for track days?

16/02/2011 09:02:08 Martin C [quote=Ajay260]There are a number of helmets that are now listed against SNELL 2010 and with FIA 8858-2010 approval when fitted with HANS posts. Would I be correct in thinking that these helmets are OK for track days?[/quote] Hi Andrew, This is the list from the 2011 Blue book, [FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-SemiBoldItalic][COLOR=#19398b][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-SemiBoldItalic][COLOR=#19398b][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-SemiBoldItalic][COLOR=#19398b][B][I]10.3.1. [/I][/B] [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Bold][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Bold][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Bold][COLOR=#231f20][B][I]Standards[/I][/B][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][COLOR=#231f20][B][I]. Helmets bearing one of the under[/I][/B] [LEFT] [B][I]mentioned ‘standards’ may be approved by the MSA[/I][/B] [B][I]subject to other criteria being met.[/I][/B] [B][I](a) INTERNATIONAL EVENTS & ALL MSA EVENTS.[/I][/B] [B][I]FIA 8860-2004.[/I][/B] [B][I]SNELL SA2010.[/I][/B] [B][I]SNELL SA2005.[/I][/B] [B][COLOR=red][I]SNELL SA2000*.[/I][/COLOR][/B] [B][I]SNELL SAH2010.[/I][/B] [B][I]SFI Foundation 31.1A, 31.2A.[/I][/B] [B][COLOR=red][I]BS 6658 Type A/FR**.[/I][/COLOR][/B] [B][COLOR=red][I]*May be withdrawn with effect from 01/01/15.[/I][/COLOR][/B][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][COLOR=#231f20][B][COLOR=red][I]**May be withdrawn with effect from 01/01/16.[/I][/COLOR][/B] [/LEFT] [COLOR=black]You will note the FIA helmet spec you quote is not listed? I guess that would require a call to the MSA to clarify. The two in red are the two that may be withdrawn in the future.[/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000]I thought it may help for those looking to buy a helmet to include the guidance on fit and security from the same blue book.[/COLOR] [FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-SemiBoldItalic][COLOR=#19398b][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-SemiBoldItalic][COLOR=#19398b][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-SemiBoldItalic][COLOR=#19398b][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-SemiBoldItalic][COLOR=#19398b][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-SemiBoldItalic][COLOR=#19398b][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-SemiBoldItalic][COLOR=#19398b][I][B]10.3.2. [/B][/I] [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Bold][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Bold][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Bold][COLOR=#231f20][I][B]Fit and Security[/B][/I][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][COLOR=#231f20][I][B]. To ensure satisfactory fit and[/B][/I] [LEFT] [I][B]security of your helmet, proceed as follows:[/B][/I] [I][B](a) Obtain correct size by measuring the crown of[/B][/I] [I][B]your head.[/B][/I] [I][B](b) Check that there is no side-to-side movement; a[/B][/I] [I][B]helmet should be as closely fitting as possible[/B][/I] [I][B]consistent with comfort.[/B][/I] [I][B](c) Tighten straps securely – the chin strap must be[/B][/I] [I][B]under tension at all times; ensure therefore that[/B][/I] [I][B]the strap cannot slip. Chin cups are prohibited.[/B][/I] [I][B](d) With head forward attempt to pull up the back of[/B][/I] [I][B]the helmet, to ensure the helmet cannot be[/B][/I] [I][B]removed in this way.[/B][/I] [I][B](e) Ensure you can see clearly over each shoulder.[/B][/I] [I][B](f) Make sure nothing impedes your breathing in the[/B][/I] [I][B]helmet and never cover your nose or mouth other[/B][/I] [I][B]than with a flame resistant balaclava or face mask.[/B][/I] [I][B]Helmets with life-support attachments must only[/B][/I] [I][B]be worn if they are connected to a life-support[/B][/I] [I][B]system.[/B][/I] [I][B](g) Never wear a scarf, tie or other loose clothing[/B][/I] [I][B]which could come loose and possibly cause an[/B][/I] [I][B]accident.[/B][/I] [I][B](h) Ensure that the visor can be opened with one[/B][/I] [I][B]gloved hand.[/B][/I] [I][B](i) Satisfy yourself that the back of the helmet[/B][/I] [I][B]provides protection for your neck.[/B][/I] [I][B](j) Do not buy from mail order unless you can[/B][/I] [I][B]satisfactorily carry out the above checks; return a[/B][/I][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][COLOR=#231f20][FONT=NimbusSansNovusT-Medium][COLOR=#231f20][I][B]helmet unused if it does not fit.[/B][/I] [/LEFT] If anybody would like to see the MSA 2011 Competitiors and Officials Yearbook it can found here. All the sections in it are available to download as PDF files. [URL="http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentviewarticle.asp?article=1101"]http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentviewarticle.asp?article=1101[/URL] [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT]

16/02/2011 19:01:31 Ajay260 Cheers for the prompt response Martin. As I'll only be using the helmet for track days and not using a HANS device I'm not too concerned about the FIA reference. I assume the "FIA 8860-2004" is the previous HANS device spec and that they've just updated it with the 8858-2010 one; much as SNELL have with their SA standards. Cheers, Andrew