Helmets

[peterp1per]

Evenin all.

new to this karting business so i'm sorry for any newbie questions.

Whats the score with helmets in karting? can decent motorbike helmets be used or do they have to have a specific safety rating for karting?

cheers.

[ghinzani]

Welcome to you. Depends where you intend to race really. Give us some more details and we can advise acordingly.

[peterp1per]

were not planning to race it as yet being new to 2 stroke karting. we have a tkm extreme btw. but were going to attend some practise days at our local kart clubs then maybe progress to racing.

www.camberleykartclub.com and http://www.fekc.co.uk

trying to get suit, helmet etc sorted at the mo and didn't want to fork out for a helmet that i wouldn't be able to use.


cheers

[Sideswipe]

Have a look at this thread

http://www.karting1.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2080

I used to race at Forest Edge and Blackbushe and I now race in Easykart. Forest Edge is a really good track and everyone at both circuits are very friendly.

[davyboy]

If you're racing at MSA events, you need to be careful about helmets. Here is a list of MSA acceptable helmet standards.

o BS6658 Type A - Blue Label (May be phased out 1.1.2010)
o BS6658 Type A/FR - Red Label (Type B is not acceptable)
o Snell SA2005 or older SA2000
o Snell K2005 (Kart racing only)
o Snell-FIA CMH2007 (Junior only)

The ECE EN22 standard is NOT acceptable for kart racing.

Note helmets meeting these standards are not generally available in Bike shops. You'll need to visit a kart shop or one of the specialist motorsport racewear stores like Demon Tweeks or Grand Prix Racewear. They're all on-line and will happily mail you the lid you want and take it back from you if its the wrong size.

DO NOT under any circumstances buy a second hand helmet EVER ! Try not to compromise on cost either. Remember, its your own head you're protecting here.

Something else to remember. The helmet must also carry a blue MSA sticker (green for the K200 or the older K98 series helmets) which can be purchased from a scrutineer and cost £1.30.

Hope this helps.

[jjordan]

Please do NOT scrimp on your safety gear. Even though you are just doing practice days, the dangers are still there. When it comes to safety gear, I always recommend buying the best you can. As the old Bell Helmets commercial said: " If you have a $10 head, buy a $10 helmet."
On a different subject, got our new neck brace, the Team Valhalla 360+ Device, and, unfortunately tested it this weekend at the Rock Island GP. Flipped the TAG kart, scuffed our Simpson Vudo, but neck and head were stabilized as advertised and suffered no injury or even soreness. Good device.

[Sideswipe]

Sorry to go off topic, can you give me some more info on the Team Valhalla 360+ Device. I've seen the Leatt Brace and used to use a sparco one (which was basically a foam ring). I found out that half the time they make and injury worse and half the time better so its a gamble on whether it will actually be more safe than not wearing one at all!

[S.Moss]

Originally Posted by davyboy

If you're racing at MSA events, you need to be careful about helmets. Here is a list of MSA acceptable helmet standards.

o BS6658 Type A - Blue Label (May be phased out 1.1.2010)
o BS6658 Type A/FR - Red Label (Type B is not acceptable)
o Snell SA2005 or older SA2000
o Snell K2005 (Kart racing only)
o Snell-FIA CMH2007 (Junior only)

The ECE EN22 standard is NOT acceptable for kart racing.

Beware, from 2010 BS6658 Type A is not acceptable any more and possibly SA2000. It was published in the motorsports now magazine, http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/conten...0&category=805

[jjordan]

http://www.valhallaracing.com/360Plus.cfm
We looked hard at the Leatt also. This brace is very well made, very comfortable, and after testing it out in a flip this weekend, does what it is supposed to do. The price was very attractive also, which was a nice side benefit.

[peterp1per]

Originally Posted by Sideswipe

Have a look at this thread

http://www.karting1.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2080

Just been reading that forum/thread, one of the guys over there mentions kbc helmets? arn't these snell m2005 (like most m/bike lids) and not a suitable snell rating of sa2005?? confused...lol

[davyboy]

It needs to be Snell SA2005 [or older SA2000] or Snell K2005. Snell M2005 won't be acceptable.

[tator2001uk]

so am i alright using one of my 3 type A helmets next year they are all mint fm ones, never dropped and a shark one, what are we meant ot do from end of next year, spend 300 quid at demon tweeks???
I think that will be a no....was thinking bout quitting anyway...not enough people around anymore and thats exzactly why...msa
money sucking amatures

[tator2001uk]

looking atthe msa newsletter it states that the snell 2000 may be removed but doesnt really say the others are......just says to ensure 10 year old helmets are removed from use, one of my helmets was bought 2002 brand new so that is only 8 years old in 2010!! maybe they are trying to ensure of older helmets not being used which is a good thing maybe!