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Snell SA2025 Helmets

The Snell SA2025 certification for helmets introduces several important changes and enhancements aimed at improving safety standards for racers. Here’s a summary of what’s new:

Key Updates for SA2025

1. Enhanced Pre-Impact Protection

  • Chemical, Heat, and Water Exposure Tests: Helmets are tested for their ability to withstand various environmental factors that could impair performance during a crash.

2. Oblique Impact Testing

  • Real-World Simulation: The testing regime now includes oblique-impact tests, which better mimic actual crash scenarios.
  • Multiple Impact Locations: Snell specifies various impact areas on the shell to ensure the EPS liner provides optimal protection.

3. Post-Impact Protection Standards

  • Flame Resistance: Helmets must pass a flame-resistance test, ensuring that padding and lining materials do not exceed 70°C (158°F) during a 30-second exposure.
  • Thicker EPS Liners: A thicker liner aids in meeting the flame-resistance requirement.

4. Ease of Helmet Removal

  • Neck and Spine Safety: The design of cheek pads allows for helmet removal without significant movement of the neck or spine, promoting safety during emergency situations.

5. Rigorous Testing Protocols

  • New Acceleration Limits: The peak g-force limit is set at 275, aligning with the FIA 8859-2024 standard for international racing.
  • Increased Impact Velocities: First-impact velocities are raised to 8.70 m/s or 8.30 m/s (up from 8.50 m/s or 8.15 m/s in SA2020), ensuring that helmets undergo more severe testing.

Implications for Racers

  • Drivers will need to transition to helmets that meet the SA2020 or SA2025 standards as SA2015 helmets will be phased out.
  • The new standards drive innovation and improvements in helmet safety, contributing to better protection for drivers during races.

Conclusion

The Snell SA2025 standards represent a significant step forward in helmet safety, with updated testing protocols and requirements that reflect the evolving needs of motorsport safety. Racers and manufacturers alike will benefit from these advancements as they prepare for the 2026 racing season.

If you’d like more information on specific helmets or manufacturers adapting to these changes, just let us know!