[Shotimes] RE: (OT) Airbags & Helmets: from Ford and SCCA

[Donald Mallinson]

Just in case some wonder:  A Ron pointed out, The SA rating 
is for automobiles  and M is for Motorcycles.

Here is the short version from the Snell foundation of the 
main differences Quoting the Snell web site:

1 SA standard requires flammability test while the M 
standard does not;
2 SA standard allows narrower visual field than M standard 
(Some SA helmets may not be street legal);
3 SA standard has rollbar impact test while M standard does not.

End quote

Most SA helmets have Nomex liners for fire resistance.

Don Mallinson


Ron Porter wrote:

> Absolutely. And not just any helmet. They most typical must be Snell-rated
> (I think at least a 1990 rating at this point), and more tracks are
> requiring "SA" rated (Standard Application), and not "M" rated (Motorcycle)
> helmets. Naturally, the Snell SA-rated helmets are more expensive than the
> Snell M-rated. You will see ratings on helmets for sale that will say Snell
> SA2000, which means it's an SA with a Snell 2000 rating. I suspect that
> Snell's 2005 ratings will be out soon (they do them every 5 years)
> 
> Ron Porter