CycleKarts GB

Forums => Off Topic => Topic started by: Moogie38 (Noel) on 20 Nov 22, 03:54 pm

Title: Helmets
Post by: Moogie38 (Noel) on 20 Nov 22, 03:54 pm
Is there any guidelines on the type of helmets to be used ? Open face, full face, British kite marked, Snell marked, etc.?
Can only find one reference to helmet quality regulations but it was a site you were going to, not the clubs requirements.
Title: Re: Helmets
Post by: Tinworm on 21 Nov 22, 12:03 am
I am interested in this too. What are your feelings, Noel?

My own particular prejudice is that modern helmets look anachronistic and out of scale in a cyclekart, whereas old fashioned pudding basin helmets look right. I know that at track days some drivers do not wear helmets at all, so that if older helmets don't provide as much protection as modern helmets, at least they are better than nothing, while being in keeping.

Fat Skeleton sell helmets which are sized, so that they are much more proportional. Other helmets tend to be universal sizes with various sizes of inserts to make them fit smaller heads.

Ironically, a potentially very tired 1960s helmet with a kite mark is legal (kind of grandfathers' rights, I suppose), while a newly made Davida pudding basin helmet is not legal because it doesn't meet current specs. I wore a '60s one to the Isle of Wight scooter rally in 1999 on a Lambretta and got no grief.

For cyclekarting, if it wouldn't be a problem with the club, I shall probably use a pudding basin - or even, if some are wearing nothing, a leather flying helmet.
Title: Re: Helmets
Post by: Moogie38 (Noel) on 21 Nov 22, 01:22 am
I'm torn between something that looks period correct and something that will actually protect your head.
I come from a background of rallying so I'm used wearing a helmet. Even so, one accident I had while wearing a full face helmet, I was knocked unconscious and lost four hours of my memory, so head protection is not to bet taken lightly.
I suppose if a helmet is road legal it should be of good enough quality to do the job.
Title: Re: Helmets
Post by: StefanN on 21 Nov 22, 05:39 am
You’ll see a range of things having gone on in the past.

Generally, for controlled and generally slower exhibition/display runs where we’ve been in front of an audience, people have gone with something period looking ranging from a flat cap to a pudding basin helmet. That’s when a lot of the photos get taken.

When we’ve been driving with any “enthusiasm”, we’ve worn street legal helmets.   Some venues have asked for full face helmets.

We’re negotiating insurance cover for the club for 2023 and there might be requirements about helmets in the policies associated with that.   I’ll take a look, but it would probably make sense to wait until details of the insurance are published before buying anything.

Title: Re: Helmets
Post by: Tinworm on 21 Nov 22, 11:00 am
sensible stuff
Title: Re: Helmets
Post by: Tinworm on 21 Nov 22, 11:03 am
I'm torn between something that looks period correct and something that will actually protect your head.
I come from a background of rallying so I'm used wearing a helmet. Even so, one accident I had while wearing a full face helmet, I was knocked unconscious and lost four hours of my memory, so head protection is not to bet taken lightly.
I suppose if a helmet is road legal it should be of good enough quality to do the job.

Blimey!

I crashed a gyrocopter and the bloke who rescued me told me there was a hole in the back of my helmet. He was amazed I survived without brain damage. That ought to have made me more sensible.
Title: Re: Helmets
Post by: Moogie38 (Noel) on 29 Mar 23, 09:40 pm
Any update on the helmet requirements now that NORA is in place ?
Title: Re: Helmets
Post by: RhysN on 30 Mar 23, 07:50 am
As I have difficulty with full face helmets, I asked Stretton about their requirement for full face. They said it was to avoid problems with grit in the eyes, so required them with visor closed, or goggles. Personally I use an MSUK/FIA/SFI approved one for the other events I take part in.
Title: Re: Helmets
Post by: ChrisS on 30 Mar 23, 06:11 pm
Noel, whilst a final version of our Nora standing regulations is not yet available, I am expecting it to refer to clause 14 of their Code of Practice which can be found on their website.

This states their requirements as:  BS 6658-A and 6658-B and UN ECE Regulation 22 ECE 22-05.

Also they have agreed that if we are only doing demonstration parades we can wear period headgear.

As Rhys points out we may be subject to other requirements when we run at another operator's venue.
Title: Re: Helmets
Post by: Moogie38 (Noel) on 30 Mar 23, 06:58 pm
Thanks Chris.
Title: Re: Helmets
Post by: synthpunk on 30 Mar 23, 07:10 pm
I bought a street legal full face helmet in the same shade of ‘Old English White’ as the car. I need to track down some matching overalls so I can be Magnolia Man.
Title: Re: Helmets
Post by: Graham Hill on 01 Apr 23, 01:00 pm
Noel, whilst a final version of our Nora standing regulations is not yet available, I am expecting it to refer to clause 14 of their Code of Practice which can be found on their website.

This states their requirements as:  BS 6658-A and 6658-B and UN ECE Regulation 22 ECE 22-05.

Also they have agreed that if we are only doing demonstration parades we can wear period headgear.

As Rhys points out we may be subject to other requirements when we run at another operator's venue.

Just to add, I have checked with Stretton Circuit. They 'prefer' full face but will accept open face (conforming to above).
They do have full face helmets for hire at £5 on the day.