Your Guide to Choosing a Race, Kart & Rally Helmet

Your Guide to Choosing a Racing Helmet

There is a wide variety of helmets for sale here at Demon Tweeks and it can be very confusing as to which helmet is suitable for the type of racing that you are doing.

The first thing to bear in mind when selecting a new helmet is which type of event you are going to be doing. As is the case in motorsport, there are a lot of regulations that need to be adhered to and helmets are no exception. 

Rallying, Saloon or single seater circuit racing, Karting or track days all have differing helmet requirements, so let’s look at each discipline individually and highlight the key points to look out for when selecting your helmet, including which standards you require. 

Continue reading for all the helmet regulations and requirements for race, kart, rally and more you need to know about when competing.

Choosing a Circuit Racing Helmet

If you are circuit racing in either single seaters or saloon cars the type of helmet that you need to be looking for is more of a straightforward choice.

Let’s focus on single seaters first. Every driver who is planning to race a single seater must wear a full-face helmet. There is one exception to this rule though in the form of historic single seaters, where it is possible to wear an open face helmet with goggles, as it was in period. In this case it is best to clarify with your series organiser.

For all other, non-historic, single seater championships a full face helmet is required, and it is recommended to wear a helmet which has a narrow aperture, the height of the visor, as to limit the possible impact of debris to the visor area. 

Your Guide to Choosing a Racing Helmet

For the very highest levels of single seater competition, the FIA introduced a new standard of helmet with advanced ballistics protection (ABP). These helmets have a reduced visor aperture which is 10mm shallower than standard helmets and features a reinforced panel just above the visor to protect from the hazards of flying debris striking the helmet. 

Although this is only a requirement for the links of Formula 1, Formula 2 etc, it is not exclusively restricted to those championships. Anyone driving a single seater is able to wear one of these helmets.

In saloon, or closed roof, circuit racing the choice of helmet type is less constrained, meaning that the driver can wear either a full face or an open face helmet depending on personal preferences and fit. 

Many drivers prefer to use a full face helmet but with a peak rather than a visor, this provides the extra protection of a full face helmet but without being as closed in as with the visor fitted.

It’s worth mentioning at this point is that certain championships prohibit the use of car-to-pit communication. This is important because some helmets are supplied with communication equipment pre-fitted. This will not be allowed and may cause you to not pass scrutineering.   


Helmet standards to look for:

If your helmet standard does not appear in the below then it has expired and no longer suitable for use.

 Event Type
Motorsport UK NationalFIA Regulations
HomologationExpiry DateClub RacingInternationalF1, F2, F3, FE
Snell SA201031/12/23 
Snell SAH201031/12/23 
Snell SA2015 
Snell SA2020
FIA 8859-2015✓ * 
FIA 8860-201031/12/28 
FIA 8860-2018 
FIA 8860-2018 ABP

What you will need to be aware of is that many UK club racing championships now feature rounds at overseas venues such as Spa Francorchamps or the Nürburgring. If your chosen championship features one of these events, you will need to ensure that your helmet has the relevant FIA approval, or you will find that you will not pass scrutineering. 

There are plenty of nuances to each of the stadnards above. For a more in depth look at FIA and Snell standards check out our FIA & Snell Helmet Standards blog.

Choosing a Karting Helmet

The karting helmet regulations are dependent on the age of the driver. Drivers under 15 need a Snell-CMR 2016 approved helmet for karting. This is due to the CMR homologated helmets being lighter in weight and, as such, exert less force on the neck. This is a requirement as younger driver’s necks are not as strong as an adults’ neck. 

If you are 15 and over, there are non-CMR approved karting helmets requirements which are suitable for use in all Motorsport UK karting. It is also possible to wear a Snell or FIA approved motorsport helmet.

Your Guide to Choosing a Karting Helmet

Helmet standards to look for: 

If your helmet standard does not appear in the below then it has expired and no longer suitable for use.

 Event Type
HomologationExpiry DateRequired for Drivers Under 15Karting Including Super 1Karting & Car Racing
Snell FIA CMR2007 
Snell FIA CMS2007 
Snell FIA CMR2016 
Snell K201031/12/23  
Snell K2015  
Snell K2020
Snell SA201031/12/23 
Snell SA2015 
Snell SA2020
FIA 8859-2015 
FIA 8860-2018

Choosing a Rally Helmet

When looking at Rallying you will most likely be looking to have a helmet which has intercom capabilities. Before selecting which helmet to buy, you need to know what type of intercom you have in the car, as each intercom manufacturer tends to use a particular type of connecting plug. 

Typically, the options include; Male Nexus style plugs which are found on ZeroNoise, Sparco and OMP intercoms, Female Nexus which are found on Stilo and also ZeroNoise intercom systems. Terratrip style plugs which feature on Terratrip intercoms and the entry level Sparco and ZeroNoise system. 

Once you have established what type of intercom your car has fitted, or which you are intending to fit, you then need to make sure that this will be compatible with the particular helmet that you are looking to buy.

Sparco helmets feature the Nexus style plugs while Stilo and Bell use a female Nexus plug. The only exception being the Stilo Trophy Des Rally Helmet which has its own unique connector which is only compatible with the Stilo Trophy Intercom.

Once you have established which type of intercom system you are running, you can then look at whether you would prefer a full or an open face helmet. 

Most rally competitors tend to prefer an open face helmet because of the better overall visibility and spatial awareness, but you can use either depending on which you feel more comfortable with.


Helmet standards to look for:   

 Event Type
Motorsport UK NationalFIA Regulations
HomologationProjected Expiry DateSingle VenueStage RallyInternationalF1, F2, F3, FE
Snell SA201031/12/23 
Snell SAH201031/12/23 
Snell SA201531/12/23 
FIA 8859-2015✓ * 
FIA 8860-201031/12/28 
FIA 8860-2018 
FIA 8860-2018 ABP
*Selected events

Other Styles of Motorsport Helmets

Of course, there are other forms of motorsport which do not really fit into the above categories. For disciplines such as Sprints, Hill Climbs, Drag racing, Cross Country, Trials etc, it is always wise to consult with the championship organisers to ensure that you are buying the correct type of helmet.

However, as a general rule, if you look to buy a helmet that is fit for circuit racing and carries the Snell and/or FIA approvals, you will not only have a helmet which is fireproof but also of a high standard of protection.

The same rule applies if you are looking at doing track days. As there is not a specific helmet standard listed, it is down to the discretion of the track day organiser, so always check before you book.

If you are still unsure about anything mentioned in this guide, or if your unsure how a helmet should fit please get in touch with our sales team who will be happy to answer your questions and make recommendations.


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