Can anyone tell me if there are any specifications for the helmet that you use. Does the helmet have to have a specific Snel rating. Can It be a motorcycle helmet (full face). I really appreciate your help.

check www.autox4u.com for rules and regulations in our region. i believe the SNELL/DOT rating on the helmet has to be 90 or higher now though...
i use a full face helmet w/ NO SNELL/DOT rating...just a SNELL/DOT sticker, but no one gives me any crap about it cuz it's brand new. i dont suggest a full-face helmet when it's hot. :D

I think it's snell 95 now. Mine is Snell 2000, I think. Payed 150 for it. Closed face w/ visor. I've seen the helmets my region uses as loaners for $60.

The Snell 90 rated helmets will be good until the end of this year.

No, they'll be good for another 4 years beyond this one assuming the rules don't change.

They specify a helmet no more than 10 years from the current Snell rating. For a while now Snell has been releasing new specs every 5 years and the current is Snell 2000. 2000-10 = 1990, so Snell 90 is legal.

So in four years, Snell 2005 will come into being, and you'll have to have a Snell 95 to be legal.

Thank you all for answering my question.

I just got my helmet last night and everyone told me that it has to be SNELL 95 or higher. I got my full faced Bell helmet for $119.

Steve

Note:

There are differences in Snell classifications, although often this is not strictly enforced:

"SA"-rated helmets (of which SA2000 is the latest standard) are specifically for auto racing use.

"M"-rated helmets are motorcycle helmets, not auto racing helmets.

SA-rated helmets must go through some additional testing (roll-bar impact test). Additionally, SA-rated helmets must demonstrate fire resistance. M-rated helmets have a more stringent visibility requirement.


Regarding full-face vs open-face. I personally use an open-face helmet. However, it may be argued that a closed-face helmet offers more protection. Also, a closed-face helmet would tend to limit the forward motion of the head in a collision, as the chin bar hits the sternum.

Go to the SCCA website. You will see that as of this year, the minimum requirement is an SA95 rating on your helmet. Using a SA90 helmet at an SCCA sanctioned event is NOT permitted. SA90 expired last season (10years).
Even if you bought a helmet in 1994 which is now only 7 years old, SCCA marshals have no way of knowing that it is not a 1990 helmet. Just to be safe, and to keep liablity away from inspection marshals, the SCCA minimum req't is SA95.
You can identify the helmets easily. SA90 helmets have a grey or charcoal lining, SA95 have a shade of tan brown, SA2000 have a light blue color.