Sorry guys, Tom has been out of the loop since the whole SA rated thing came about. When the rule was changed, it was to take effect this year = 2007. Scott asked Savage to change it for 2010, as it made a little more sense to switch with the Snell ratings coming up expired too, and gave racers (and manufacturers) some more time to adjust to such an abrupt switch. We were only successful in getting the rule changed to 2008.
Here's some information to help try and clear things up for those who are confused.
We have this posted on our website and have told everyone we could as soon as we knew about this rule change, especially those calling in to buy new helmets. SCORE is the only one who has officially posted anything or printed it in a rule book. As of my research on 3/28, no other sanctioning bodies have posted anything official, all M rated helmets are still allowed and some sites even say M90 with no mention of any changes for '08! PCI has tried very hard to educate everyone who calls in wanting to buy the Shoei about the new rule because we figured all other sanctioning bodies would follow suit with SCORE. We apologize for any miscommunications or confusion about the rule, but please know this wasn't our idea at all!
What is SA and M rating? The difference is the SA rated helmet has a thicker (more expensive) shield, it screws on to the helmet, (not snap/clip), has a smaller shield opening, (less visibility), a fire retardant liner and different impact test ratings. Unfortunately, M rated helmets cannot be certified or changed to anything else. Just like a SNELL 95 cannot be recertified just because you used it once.
The Shoei helmet has been the #1 off road helmet because it is lightweight (lighter than the new carbon fiber HJC), inexpensive, and the most comfortable helmet on the market in most racers eyes. We are very sad to see this rule changed because of comfort and supply issues. We have asked Shoei to build an SA rated helmet, but the market is not large enough to start a new factory. HJC has a lot of production issues with stopping M rated production to build SA rated helmet. It's a much smaller market and most manufacturers don't make near as much as they do on the other helmets.
PCI still carries Shoei helmets for Prerunner helmets, CORR racers and sand car enthusiasts. It is still the most comfortable helmet.
Second to the Shoei in comfort is the HJC helmet. PCI has the HJC AR10 RaceAirSA helmet for $459.95, wired for intercom and blown for the RaceAir system. The most cost effective helmet, the Pyrotect is $399.95 wired and blown. This helmet is a bit heavier than the HJC, but it's a very cost effective helmet.
What do we do if we purchased helmets last year? Unfortunatly, it's one of those things that are out of our (I'm speaking as a fellow racer) control, just like other controversial tech rulings like tube size, firewalls, etc. It's something sanctioning bodies do with safety and liability in mind and it's our responsibility as the racer to know the rules and adhere to them. CORR racers had to buy new helmets because they are requiring closed face helmets now. Most racers purchased open face helmets last year. Another expensive one? CORR and MMR (Trophy Karts) are all required to run a $450 D Cell head restraint. So for 90% of CORR racers, that's a $1000 new investment on stuff they already had last season too.
There are 4 racers that work for us, and we're all in the same boat, I/we all have to buy new helmets too.
There is still one problem I can't solve and if anyone has any info on would be great. I have four racers who only fit into the XXX-Large Shoei. All SA manufacturers only make a XX-Large and it's not big enough. FIA-CIK helmets from Europe are two sizes smaller (I guess us Americans have big heads!) and I cant find anything that fits. Savage said we have to keep shopping, there has to be something somewhere and he said he's going to ask around, but if anyone has any info or has a big noggin and has found a solution, please let me know so I can help these guys out too.
If you have any other questions at all, please contact myself or Jimmy at 562-427-8177 or my email is [emailprotected] to help clear up misinformations about what is and what can be an SA rated helmet.
I will try to do whatever we can to help about this, please know we are not the bad guy here. PCI has educated so many racers and dealers about this. I have two suggestions for the racers in a bind, and I am open to more and want to help! I suggest that the sanctioning bodies who have not posted anything maybe give their racers more time as SCORE posted this last April, and there is still nothing official from the others? Only passing through tech...
The other suggestion is a way to get the racers in touch with the sand car guys who are just going too fast for headsets anymore. Also, all CORR racers now need closed face helmets, the open face helmets they purchased last year are no good this year.
For the CORR market, I'm willing to put your M rated helmet in the trailer at the next CORR race with a discounted price on it if you want to bring it by and pick it up. The inner liners are all washable, so clean up your helmet and drop it off at the trailer, we will take absolutely no commission, we just want to help you get some $$ if you are having a hard time with having to buy a new helmet right now.
For the sand guys, season is over, so it's best to wait until August/September, but let me see if we can get additional space at the Sand Sports Super Show, and we will do the same thing, bring your helmet by and see if we can help you sell them. Again, wash the inner liners, use some car wax and shine it up, and maybe we can make this sting a little less??? I need to check into the Sand Show thing, but the CORR offer is valid and stands for April 20th race in Lancaster.
Again, call Jimmy or myself if you need anything.
