Getting down to the wire to buy a new helmet.

Question is, do I go ahead and purchase a new helmet now, or wait until the new certification comes out?

Jon, I'd wait til I got my car in the trailer, and pick one up on the way to the race! Bob

The SA2010 rated helmets will not be available for sale until Oct 1, 2010 per Snell. So you are looking at probably not wearing one until the 2011 season. All sanctioning bodies and most tracks observe the current standard and the previous one. So no matter which brand you wear/prefer, an SA2005 helmet bought today should get plenty of use and your moneys worth.

Steve Thomas
Racing Director
Bell Helmets

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!

I would just buy one now. Race as much as you want, and then when the new snell rating comes out. You can buy the new helmet when u feel the time is ready. Cause i wouldnt wantto wait till 2011 to race. lol