helmets for 2011, and NJMP

[nateh]

Attention Racers (especially for NMJP) -

It's time to get your new helmet! Many of our members are buying new helmets now, because COMSCC, along with most other clubs, is updating their minimum Snell requirement from 2000 to 2005 - so please consider getting one that will serve you well for several years.

If you are hoping to participate in our August 1-2 New Jersey Motorsports Park Lightning event (and I hope you are!), please be aware that you must wear a full-face helmet with face shield.

If you are driving in our SS, ST, and SP classes, you can get away with an M2005 helmet. However, in automotive applications, SA is preferred, and we recommend SA for all drivers and passengers. SA2010 helmets are now available from all helmet manufacturers at reasonable prices.

May I also take this opportunity to remind you that if your helmet has been "used" - i.e., banged hard, especially if it has detectable damage - it is time to replace it, even if it is certified as SA2005 or better.

See you at the track!



PS: These are the NJMP rules for 2011:
(a) All drivers shall wear a properly secured, full face helmet, with face shield, which meets or exceeds Snell Memorial Foundation Testing Standards M or SA, incorporated by reference herein, as may be amended and supplemented, which has not reached the expiration date established by the Snell Memorial Foundation at the time of the event.
(b) "M" (Motorcycle) Snell rated helmets may be used in all motorcycle events and automobile events where fire ratings are not required.
(c) "SA" (Auto Special Application) Snell fire-rated helmets shall be used in all other applications.

[eastcoastbumps]

Someone interested in doing a COM event this year asked me if FIA certified helmets are legal. Can someone clear that up for me? There is no mention of it in the rule book.

[nateh]

Here's what the Snell Foundation says about inter-compatibility of the standards. I think this means that if the helmet meets FIA 8860, it is OK. Otherwise, it's hard to tell - further investigation required.

Have the person contact me or Bill F if he wants to go into it in more detail.

- Nate

___________________

FIA 8858 and FIA 8860 Issues for SA2010 Standard

SA2010 will incorporate a “head restraint” provision to test the load capabilities of helmet tether mounts. Helmets equipped with appropriate tether mount hardware will be subjected to loading tests similar to those of the current FIA 8858 standard. Qualifying helmets will be eligible for a “SAH2010" certification assuring that the tether provisions have also been met.

SA2010 is not compatible with FIA 8860, the FIA’s advanced helmet specification which describes the performance requirements for helmets currently used in Formula 1 racing events. However, FIA 8860 is compatible with SA2005. In fact, FIA 8860 certification requires also that the model be certified to Snell SA2005 or to one of the other standards in FIA Technical List 25. The Foundation will maintain SA2005 for as long as necessary to support the current FIA 8860. We look forward to working with FIA to revise the requirements of FIA 8860 and, possibly, to combine Snell and FIA test procedures for these advanced helmets to provide a simpler, more efficient certification procedure to the helmet industry.

FIA maintains programs to both FIA 8858 and FIA 8860. The Snell laboratory is one of three organizations accredited to perform the necessary testing. Please contact Gib Brown or Randy McCarty for details.

[SEISAN]

Nate:

aside from helmets - need a clarification please for seat belts

In class SSU which you can use stock belts. If installing a harness bar and a harness and still keeping stock seat belts .. can you still use an outdated harness. It does not say it in the rules and I was informed that you could but would like a clarification to make sure. thanks

S & B

[nateh]

Bob -

My understanding is that if you have harnesses, they need to be up to date.

- Nate

[chaos4NH]

Nate, that has not been the ruling in the past. If stock belts are used AND supplemented with out of date harness, that has been allowed. The stock belts are legal, so why not allow harnesses (out dated or not) to supplement them?

[nateh]

It would be nice to get Bill's comments, as Chief of Tech.

[StephanAlfa]

Humm Sam:
Not sure about this. I had to change my expired lap link 5-point belt once because it was expired... let's be safety concious too, right whether it's clearly stated or not.
Food for thought: have this updated in the rule book. Check the sticker on the belt for expiry date and you will know waht to do... my 2 cts.

[jlwhorf]

I think what Sam is getting at, what is safer; a set of expired straps used along with the OEM 3 point harness (that never expire and are legal in all classes except P), or remove the expired straps and only use the stock seat belts. If I remember correctly, I thought he said last fall at one of the board meetings, that supplementing expired straps with stock seat belts was OK for NJMP.

[nateh]

I wouldn't think a nice set of camlock FIA belts, which are in the $100 range, wouldn't be prohibitive.

[chaos4NH]

The official word from NJMP for our event last year was, that when 3 point stock belts were installed and used, 5 point belts, even if out of date, were acceptable when used in conjunction with the stock belts. Mr Chief of Tech, what say you?

[chaos4NH]

I wouldn't think a nice set of camlock FIA belts, which are in the $100 range, wouldn't be prohibitive.

Find me a set of cam lock FIA belts for $100 and I will buy! Or did I miss something on the Driver Supply site?

[nateh]

http://www.driversupply.com/cgi-bin/sto ... ce&pid=634

$135. I guess that's a little more than $100 range, but hardly ruinous.

[chaos4NH]

$35.00 is enough for a couple of 12 packs of Heineken! JEEEESH!
Actually, do these belts have the FIA 5 year tag? Are they bolt ins, or can the end clips be removed for roll bar mounting?

[nateh]

They do have the 5 year tag, and they can attach either way.