racing helmets?

scottyboy · 16-05-2005, 11:07 PM

Does anyone knowthe regulations for helmets to be used for basic races? Im assuming they have to be fibreglass to paint them orange anyway but do they have to have 'E' marks or anything??

Cookee · 17-05-2005, 08:12 AM

As far as I know they don't - if you have any technical questions about the regulations, you can contact the RYA, thier details are on the website at www.rya.org and they will give you a definitive answer.

BluFin · 17-05-2005, 09:28 AM

Just FYI
There has be a change in the last two years, in land based motor sport. ACU approved helmits must now have a double boarder for compertition use the old single boarder gold sticker is not accepted

Wayne Kerr · 17-05-2005, 10:11 AM

I was talking to one of the Thundercat boys at Ventnor the other weekend, He said they use helmets made with a fibreglass/Kevlar construction, very light, very strong.
My HJC helmet weigh's in at 2kg, now I know why I need a collar size 4 times bigger than before.
Does anybody know of a lightweight & LEGAL helmet? I would like to retain the "flip front" idea on a new one as we tend to spend ages in the Muster Area these days.

scottyboy · 17-05-2005, 07:44 PM

werent there a thread on this a while back? think silversurfer started it?

Cookee · 18-05-2005, 08:32 AM

Wayne - Thats where your problem is - the flip up ones are heavy! I use Geckos, but some people they aren't strong enough - very light, easy to put an intercom in, one size fits all (they have an inflateable bladder system), and they have a decent size visor to let the air in when your mustering!

Matt · 18-05-2005, 09:13 AM

So what's really the score with gecko helmets then? Are they or aren't they as good as a 'traditional' crash helmet in protecting yer bonce from an impact, and why?

BluFin · 18-05-2005, 09:26 AM

see above post on the ACU sticker for applicablity as far as strength & comparason. Should have a double boarder if you value ya bonce

Matt · 18-05-2005, 10:19 AM

Yeh, I read that bit, it seems there is BSI 6658 Type A (blue label), now replaced by ECE 22-05. ACU Gold and BSI 6658 Type A seem to be similar with many helmets carrying both, plus you're also saying there's a double gold standard now as well, which I dunno anything about.

But the gecko open face helmets appear to meet BSI PS 028:2002, which is a 'marine safety helmet' standard. I'm not intimate with the different standards, so I dunno what the difference is between the tests the helmets must pass to meet any standards, hence my question.

I should have been more specific, what's the difference between BSI PS 028:2002 and ACU double gold? Is BSI PS 028:2002 as good for impact protection? One assumes cookee values his bonce, but ya never know, maybe he's already had one knock to the head too many!

MIKE HUNT · 18-05-2005, 12:36 PM

have seen the ghecko helments used where if you enter the water backwards at no apparant speed the helmet slips off your head,you can actually pull the helmet off your head with it done up so you can`t breath,also very light wieght construction!!

Matt · 18-05-2005, 12:53 PM

Interesting.

I've just fired Ghecko an e-mail asking them how it compares for impact protection against a traditional helmet (Type A, gold, double gold etc), since they're using a different BS standard. The obvious answer is that it's so much more lightweight that it will be inferior, but nothing wrong with getting the facts from the horses mouth.

Silversurfer · 18-05-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by scottyboy
Does anyone knowthe regulations for helmets to be used for basic races? Im assuming they have to be fibreglass to paint them orange anyway but do they have to have 'E' marks or anything??

Been through all this! I have two orange painted brand new Fibre Glass helmets ACU Gold Standard Nitro Race. Used them once for half a basic race approx 30miles before engine blew up. Both with Helmets bags and will chuck in the intercom set as well also used for 30miles only!

If you are interetsed pm me for a price.

BTW they meet all the regulations I still have the lables in the box to prove it and are full face with clear liftable / removable visors. Simply remove the boat number stickers off the top and put yours on it instead!

Got a nice retirement flag as well - But may keep that it came in usefull!

BluFin · 18-05-2005, 01:39 PM

Single boarder with gold ACU sticker is fine not a problem fos BS standard / road use/ marine use or even riding on ya lawn tractor.
Its just that they have updated with the newer regs / standards and made it a requirement for Motor Sport use to have the latter type with the double band on the Gold ACU sticker for racing.
Bear in mind it is good practice to replace a lid every couple of years anyhow even if it has not had a severe impact. (Another one of their guidelines not rule). Seems from PB1 its not a reg only advice. maybe get away with a bicycle helmet !!!!!!! For nobbas like me.

Matt · 18-05-2005, 02:23 PM

What's your view on the 'bucket' effect of full face crash helmets?

Matt · 18-05-2005, 02:24 PM

What sizes?

Quote:

Originally posted by Silversurfer
Been through all this! I have two orange painted brand new Fibre Glass helmets ACU Gold Standard Nitro Race. Used them once for half a basic race approx 30miles before engine blew up. Both with Helmets bags and will chuck in the intercom set as well also used for 30miles only!

If you are interetsed pm me for a price.

BTW they meet all the regulations I still have the lables in the box to prove it and are full face with clear liftable / removable visors. Simply remove the boat number stickers off the top and put yours on it instead!

Got a nice retirement flag as well - But may keep that it came in usefull!

Silversurfer · 18-05-2005, 02:33 PM

Both Medium

BluFin · 18-05-2005, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Matt
What's your view on the 'bucket' effect of full face crash helmets?

Have big fat chunky neck muscles!!

I prefer an open face with goggles in aboat anyway,
A. Better vision than with a visor, much easier to look through salt covered goggles than the former as it's further from you eyes. Find it easier to tear off the cling film as well. Though now you have the roller system & proper tear offs.
B. You can have a smoke at the same time.
They were two things the late old boy had a habit off 2 taps on the right shoulder and he would pass over a somke on a longer leg, the other was I could feel when he took one of his heart pills which I had taped to the back of the lid so I could just keep an eye !

scottyboy · 18-05-2005, 09:58 PM

Bucket effect???

Matt · 18-05-2005, 10:02 PM

Yeh, a full face helmet makes quite a good bucket, and dragging a bucket through the water has loads of drag - enough to break your neck.

It's swings and roundabouts though, cos a full face does give better protection from a frontal impact.

So you pays yer money and takes yer pick.

scottyboy · 18-05-2005, 10:20 PM

Nice! i hope im never fortunate enough to put that to the test!