I want to sign up for an AutoX or Performance Driving School with my local San Diego Region PCA. It says I must have a Snell 2000 approved helmet. Well, I happen to do Baja Racing (on ATVs), so I have a helmet designed for off-roading, but it's Snell 2000 Approved as well as DOT Approved. Can I use this same helmet? Or do I need to buy one designed specifically for auto racing...

Here's a picture of the seal on the back of my helmet:




... Also, while I'm here asking stupid noob questions & wasting you pros' time, I'll go ahead & ask what is the difference between Autocross & Performance Driving School? Which one is more novice?

Thanks in advance,
Raphael P.

 

Autocross is in a parking lot at lower speeds. Driving school is at a race track, higher speeds. Auto cross is the way to start. I do not know for sure about the helmet.

 

Your helmet meets the requirements you are asking about. I'm not sure I know the difference between a "off-road" and "racing" helmet. Seems like if you are wearing a DOT-approved helmet, it was not specifically designed just for off-road.

 

If it has both ratings you'll be fine. Just check one final thing, some clubs/organizations have regulations on open face vs closed face helmets. I can't see the picture you posted so I can't tell if you have a closed face or not.

I would recommend starting out with Autocross and then graduating to track as the speeds are much slower in Autocross but you will be driving up to 10/10ths and sometimes more. Great place to learn your cars dynamics and car control. Once your comfortable with that, move to track as well. Both are tremendous fun and are challenging in different ways.

I've been autocrossing for about 8 years and find it still a ton of fun. I also try and do 1-3 Track (HPDE) weekends a year and find it just as addictive as these cars really shine at the higher speeds that track can offer. Track is amazing as well but in a different way. Tracking also has an entirely different risk and cost scale due to the increased speeds. They require the same basic skills set but the speed difference and one is competition makes it a very different experience.

Let us know how you liked it.

 

Do you know if it has a SA or M rating?

 

^^ That is what you need. If it only has an M rating, I don't think it will be acceptable. You can find that on the tag inside the helmet.

As for Auto-X vs Driving - I'd start with Auto-X, then do the driving school. You are going to love them both.

 

Best wishes at your autox event!

I believe your helmet should be fine as long as you have the snell 2000 rating emblem on it. They usually check out the helmet pretty well on tech inspection, especially if the tech person hasn't seen you at an event before. You may want to email that picture to your PCA autox chair person and ask them. Just an idea.

Good luck!

 

Well, on the SD PCA site it says that the driving school is also in a parking lot, look: http://www.pcasdr.org/porsche_events...hool/index.php


The design of an off-road helmet is actually quite different aesthetically, plus my helmet says "Motocross" on the side, lol.


Not only is it full faced, but as you can see it's a full on off-rading helmet. Personally, I would imagine that an off-road helmet protects more since there's a much higher risk. But I don't know.


No, I don't. To tell you the truth, I don't even know what that is. All I know is it's "SNELL 2000" & "DOT Approved"


Okay, I'll check inside the helmet when I get home, thanks for the info.


Thanks for the luck! Lol... That's actually a good idea, I'm going to e-mail them & ask, & if they say no, then I can buy an automotive helmet ahead of time.

 

ps....usually inside the foam part of the helmet, you can pull it back and there will be a reflective'ish sticker that has the snell rating on it. that's where our tech people check. i'd for sure email your pics to the pca autox chair and show them. they'll know for certain about your helmet.

 

Welcome RaphaelP,
I run AX/DE with PCA-SDR several times a year and also attended their PDS last year. Excellent organization and instructor base and fun group to hang out with. I went to the PCA-SDR website to confirm the helmet rules but their server crashed. It should be up and running in a few days. Here is the link:
Porsche Club of America - San Diego Region
From memory the Snell M2000 (motorcycle helmet) is approved for AX and PDS at Qualcom. If not they always have loaners available. When you are ready to run at the racetrack you will need a Snell SA2000 rated helmet for the added fire protection and multi-impact design.

My advice is to run 1 or 2 AX with instructors first and then attend the next PDS. You will get more out of the driving school this way. Your Baja racing experience will give you a leg up on the car control clinic (I used to ride with Larry Roessler many moons ago). You will still be amazed at the skill level of top SDR drivers.

Have fun. Maybe I'll see you in the pits next month.

 

I just purchased this helmet:


It meets snell 2005 requirements. Its a Bell Mag-4

My first auto-x is this Sunday, I am so excited.

 

The only difference between my moto x helmet and car helmet (other than the obvious asthetics) is the fire rating if I'm not mistaken.

In theory, you don't need extended burn protection when you fly off a bike!

 

I think there is more to the difference between a motorcycle helmet and a car racing helmet. It involves the types of impact the helmet is designed to withstand. On a bike, you need protection from severe impact. In a car, you need protection from crushing. At least, that is one of the differences I recall having explained to me.

I was in your same situation 2 years ago. I wanted to use my street bike helmet for DE. After some discussion, I decided that when dealing with my noggin, be best protection is worth the extra few hundred for the proper helmet. Afterall, I make money with my brain, not my looks....