I am preparing for my first track event - free lapping.
The event organizers require helmet but do not specify any certification level.
They accept even motorcycle helmets.
I found used "Simpson V8" SA95 for $55 in mint condition. Manufactured in 1999.

Any reasons do not buy it?

 

Its a 17 year old helmet with an unknown history. I would not touch it with a 10 foot pole. Do you honestly not value your life more then buying a good new helmet? If you can not afford the $250-$500 for a helmet, you honestly should not be tracking your car.

 

That's surprising that they don't care about certification year. If you go for this helmet, that is likely the ONLY organization you can use it for, because you really should only be using SA2010 and newer.

 

You are absolutely right in terms of common sense.

But the helmet is new old stock - never used, unopened box with $500 helmet in prices on 1999. Just expired certification.

Do you know any significant differences between SA95 and SA2015?
except cosmetic changes to make PROFIT

 

From FAQ section of their site:
"Do I need any special equipment? Does my car need to be race-prepped? Is a helment required?
There are no requirements or limitations on our events. You can bring your stock car out or a tuned sports car. A helmet isn't required but you may wear one if you choose. Helmets are not provided.
All convertibles' drivers must wear helmets on the tracks!
Helmets is strongly recommended for safety reasons, you will have to sign a disclaimer at the track, for those who do not wear helmet and not following our lapping rules, the participants take full responsibility for their action. (if you have helmets, it won't hurt to bring them up). "

Maybe in Canada there are not too many lawyers as in US ?

 

Get out of here with this low rent garbage.

 

Hey guys, do you know any significant differences between a model year 1995 car and a 2015 car?
except cosmetic changes to make PROFIT

 

Materials heat cycle and age out. Resins for fiberglass, plastics, foam... The expiration dates are there for a reason.

Also, if your event organizers are allowing DOT helmets and 20 year old snell helmets that should be a red flag.

 

Truth is it is probably fine. Sitting at room temp for 20 years probably did not do jack in terms of its ability to protect you.

BUT - helmet tech is better now and even a basic low buck new helmet is probably superior.

AND - its a $55 paper weight for anything else besides Test n tune night at a drag strip. I have to buy a new helmet this year for fricken LeMons - and that's as low key a wheel-wheel racing environment as you get outside local dirt tracks. Hell LeMons requires a neck restraint system this year too.

Just get a proper 2015 helmet and be happy in the knowledge you don't have to buy twice to do anything cool.

 

Snell Foundation - helmet standards

This provides the different standards. Personally, I didn't see enough difference between SA2010 and SA2015 to upgrade, but this is HDPE only and not based on w2w or event rules. I did buy a new helmet, but SA2010 helmets got real cheap once SA2015 helmets were released.

 

You really can get an SA2010 helmet for pretty cheap. I know "cheap" and "helmet" shouldn't go together, but I picked up a concour helmet with an SA2010 rating for about 200 bucks shipped around christmastime. It's worth a look. Let's be honest, this probably won't be your last track event and like other people have mentioned SA95 won't cut it for many other organizations.

 

This shouldn't even be a point of discussion, don't buy the helmet. All common sense safety considerations aside, not a single legitimate track day or autocross operation is going to let you use it, so you'll have wasted the money anyway.

 

This guy decided what he was going to do before he posted the thread.

 

That helmet has been sitting in storage for 17 years allowing oxygen and ozone to degrade the foam and safety shell. Not only are SA2010/SA2015 helmets safer, but even if no changes at all were made, a new helmet would still protect you better than an old one. That helmet is absolutely worthless, and if you pay $55 for it, you're getting ripped off.

You won't last very long here with that moronic attitude. Wise up quickly

 

If you are not using HANS or other head restraints, the new(er) standards provide almost nothing. For HDPE, how many people use HANS? This is 2010 and 2015.

Depending on your head size and mass, 2005 standards may be just fine. Between 2005 and 2010 there were changes and head mass is now variable based on helmet size. This probably impacts me somewhat as I wear an XS helmet. However the impacts with XS helmets are probably such that a 2010 XS helmet wouldn't meet 2005 standards.

I am all with the mentality of you only put a $50 helmet on a $50 head. Spend more, get more. However sometimes spending more doesn't get you more, and sometimes "more" is simply more than you need. For a first track day, he will be out with the beginner group and quite likely low risk. The $55 price of entry is pretty low. Granted, no one stops at a single track day, and different organizations are going to require more modern gear. This hobby is a spiral of expenses; the more advanced you get the more money you spend.

 

Thank you very much, gentlemen, for stopping me to make a mistake.
I decided to buy new SA2010 helmet.