Heads up: Street Machine Nationals Auto X is requiring a helmet

[Nicks67GTO]

I just got off the phone with Jeff Smith. The Street Machine Nationals Auto-X is requiring a helmet with a SN2005 or newer rating. They have a new management team and they require helmets for AutoX. It also sounds like the course is bigger and faster than previous years. Anyhow, I only mention this because as of last week no one was really sure if helmets were going to be required.....so if you're coming up to St.Paul, bring a lid.

[Typhoon1015]

Yes, I just talked with him yesterday and confirmed that as well. Sometimes the SCCA Club that sets up the track has loners helmets, but don't count on that and bring one along.

[LS7 Z/28]

I'm confused about this. Isn't Jeff Smith still connected to Car Craft, and wouldn't he be at the Car Craft Show in Milwaukee instead of the Street Machine Show in St. Paul?

I'm hoping you are right about the St. Paul course being bigger because it has been a joke in the past and now with the Car Craft show being the same weekend in Milwaukee, their big selling point was that they have a new venue with a larger more open autocross.

I still don't understand what happened between Car Craft and the Minnesota State Fairgrounds ownership, but regardless I'm happy there is still a show in Minnesota. It's an amazing venue.

[rohrt]

I won't be there but that sucks for us tall guys. My head is already almost touching the headliner as it is.

[Hotchkis]

We spoke with Jeff Smith yesterday, helmets will be required, however we will have a few loaners. There was some mention of waiving the helmet if a waiver is signed, but I'm not sure where we are with that. The track is in a much bigger location than in front of the grandstands and you'll see the upper end of 2nd gear on a couple occasions! Fastest run for me yesterday(Thursday Press Event) was a 42.8. Good luck and hope to see all of you out there!

[cactuss4]

I was wondering about this, the last few events, videos I've watched, no one was wearing helmets. There were required in SCCA for every class, even G stock. I was surprised to see this was not mandated before..

[IndyDave]

Where helmets are concerned, it all comes down to insurance. Most autocross events are in one way or another underwritten by K&K Insurance. They require helmets unless the top speed on course is kept under 35 mph. This is why Goodguy's Autocross courses are always so small and tight. On the other hand, SCCA courses are generally designed to allow speeds approaching 60-70 mph in places so helmets are required.

The requirements for helmets are generally the current SNELL certification or the previous 2 certifications or their equivalents. Currently that would be SNELL 2000, 2005, and 2010. Also most policies allow either M (Motorcycle) or SA (Special Application: read racing) helmets. Make sure the SNELL sticker inside the helmet is present and readable.

[BMR Sales]

I was wondering about this, the last few events, videos I've watched, no one was wearing helmets. There were required in SCCA for every class, even G stock. I was surprised to see this was not mandated before..

Agreed, just because you don't have to, doesn't mean you shouldn't