10 replies to this topic

[Foxy]

My first trackday is looming and the organiser has said that I need an MSA approved lid. Can I use my bike helmet - it has the ACU gold sticker? Advice appreciated cheers

[Huntsman]

ACU and MSA aren't the same. Currently, helmets have to have the blue BS Type A sticker to be accepted (yes, I know this is now out of date, etc, but that's the MSA for you. Apparently the new ACU standard doesn't include one of the old impact tests) . This has been covered in some depth in earlier threads so do a search and you'll find all you need to know. Happy hunting! rally

[Foxy]

Thanks huntsman. I was looking for a specific MSA sticker but I'm sure it has the blue sticker as well. btw...couldn't find a thread on helmets....must be finger trouble cheers

[Thorney]

you 'should' be ok with gold standard bike helmet, which TDO is it? I've never been checked but there are good reasons why car specific helmets are now approved over and above bike helmets.

[P11 COV]

there are good reasons why car specific helmets are now approved over and above bike helmets.

Which are?

[Thorney]

Bike helmets are designed to withstand a single impact then be abrasion resisitant....ie withstand a smack on the ground then slide along the road and prevent your head being smeared accross the tarmac. Car helmets are designed to deform less on initial impact and offer equivalent resisitance to multiple impacts at the same spot....ie smacking your head against a window/roll cage/steering wheel. My old bike helmet was getting on 5 years old so was due a change anyway but as I only do car days now I figured I'd go specific car helmet for the above reasons.

[Turbo Head]

Recently bought a helmet the BS standards are now being replaced with the new European standard EC2205. I assume that these will excepted as the norm for trackdays.

Edited by Turbo Head, 19 February 2004 - 10:21 PM.

[Foxy]

Nice one guys! - just did a 'propper' search and found loads of stuff, so sorry to bore you all again!!! Thorney - organiser is RMA (Bedford 28th Feb). Some good advice there - seems like it might be worth getting an open face anyway Just pisses me off that I've spent thousands on bike helmets over the years, and as i don't have a bike anymore they'll just rot in the attic Ho hum... cheers

[cheeky_chops]

If your just going to do track days a bike helmet should be fine If you fancy doing a sprint you will need a BSA "type A". Or "Type A/FR"(fire resistant). Or above, but they get stoopid expensive!! I tried a few brands on at a bike shop and grand prix clothing at Silverstone (just around the corner for me). I then got mine off ebay brand new for 40quid.

[Thorney]

RMA are the strictest on helmets but they have always accepted my old bike helmet in the past. Cheeky is right you're probably OK with a bike helmet anyway. However, I wouldn't buy a helmet of ebay, it may say brand new but if you drop a helmet it can be wrecked and the only way you'll be able to tell is by x-raying the bastard thing (padding inside deforms when outside shell looks unscratched). Arai used to run a bike track roadshow where they would inspect your helmet for free (they didn't sell helmets at the site so looked pretty honest). They reckoned 20% had damage that the owner was unnaware of. I'm a fan of full face helmets after I saw a mate smack his face on the steering wheel when his harness slipped and hit a tyrewall (I had no idea broken nose kicked out so much blood but in summer they are a lot more comfortable as they don't get as hot.

[BogBrush]

I ended up going to a bike shop where the only helmet with a BS type A sticker on it was in the clearance sale. It's a nice helmet and it only cost me 40 quid