Do you have a current helmet...what certification does it meet? In general, I would encourage using the best helmet available now. Usually, the newer certification do not represent huge improvements, but improvements none the less; thus the reason most sanctioning bodies do allow 1 cert prior to latest. If you are racing regularly, I would replace my helmet every 5 years or sooner, just because of wear and tear...a newer helmet has had fewer exposures to things that are not helpful. It is nice to hear someone asking a good safety question!