Used Safety Gear: Yay Or Nay? UPDATE

"Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again." (sir-stig) 02/18/2015 at 16:15 • Filed to: Because racecar

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I'm looking at getting a helmet for autocrossing, and I came across a pretty good deal on my local kijiji: $400 CAD for a Simpson Speedway RX, G- force racing boots, a race suit, race gloves, and a collar, all in my size (apparently). Seems like a pretty good deal, assuming the previous owner doesn't have deadly BO. What do you guys think? Plus I can cosplay as Italian Stig!

Update:

I got the helmet for $300, it has a crack on the edge of the chin but otherwise it's in good shape.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 10:05

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as long as the helmet hasn't had an impact, it should be okay imo.

jkm7680 > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 10:05

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New helmet, every thing else can be used though.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 10:08

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I didn't know you were Canadian!

crowmolly > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 10:18

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Well, does the sanctioning body check certifications?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 10:21

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Look for traces of impacts since many helmets are designed to crush upon impact. I wouldn't be too worried about it for autoX, but if you're planning on doing anything more intensive, you're going to want a helmet that you've owned since new.

yamahog > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 10:31

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NEVER on a used helmet. You don't know how old it is, if it's been dropped, etc, and your brain is worth it.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > crowmolly 02/18/2015 at 10:33

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How would them checking affect me? Do they ask for receipts or something? We pretty much use the same rules as the scca I believe.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 02/18/2015 at 10:33

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Calgary bud!

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 02/18/2015 at 10:35

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It was used for indoor carting apparently, and he said it hasn't been in any crashes. I would only use it for autocrossing and occasionally carting.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 02/18/2015 at 10:36

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That's what I was thinking.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > jkm7680 02/18/2015 at 10:37

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Is there a specific reason beyond knowing the helmets history?

crowmolly > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 10:37

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If the gear is expired you won't be allowed to use it (and therefore probably wouldn't be able to participate). There will/may be tags sewn in showing a date or date code.

I'm more familiar with the NHRA than the SCCA and the SFI rules are enforced. Like replacing 5pts every 2 years.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > yamahog 02/18/2015 at 10:40

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Hmm, well I doubt I could convince my wife to let me get a brand new one, as she thinks 500+is too much for something I won't be doing often. Plus getting a non-simpson one goes against my religion (TG)

CKeffer > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 10:46

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So long as the certs are still good on them, I see no problem with buying used.

yamahog > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 10:54

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"But honey, isn't my brain worth it??"

Not that I know your budget situation, but if Simpson is really non-negotiable I suppose it wouldn't help to point out that you can get great deals on (white) motorcycle helmets with the requisite certifications and then throw a tinted visor on.

crowmolly > yamahog 02/18/2015 at 11:10

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Be careful auto racing with a motorcycle helmet. The lining on many of them is not fire retardant and is pretty easy to flame up. I believe it's the M rating that doesn't require fire or roll cage/bar impact testing.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > yamahog 02/18/2015 at 11:21

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"But honey, I already let you buy the new car, why do you need to autocross?"

I really like the Simpson look, I mean if I have to I'll find a cheaper alternative but if I can save 50% of the purchase price it's awfully hard to pass up.

yamahog > crowmolly 02/18/2015 at 11:21

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Yes, definitely have to confirm the specs.

nermal > yamahog 02/18/2015 at 11:21

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I agree on only buying new helments. Mine have a born-on date on them though. The rule I go by is dumping it after 4-5 years.

You are correct that you can't tell if it's been dropped - Sometimes a scuff on the outside is just a scuff, sometimes it means it's been dropped and needs replaced.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > crowmolly 02/18/2015 at 11:29

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It's one year old and SNELL so it should be SA2010. As far as I know my local autocross group only requires M2000 motorcycle helmets. will there be a SA2015 helmet cert?

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > CKeffer 02/18/2015 at 11:30

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It would be SA2010, is that good? or is it already expired?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 11:30

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Nice! I'm in Ontario!

CKeffer > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 11:35

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Would depend on your sanctioning body, but should be fine.

crowmolly > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 11:36

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Yes. SA2015 will not take effect until October of this year.

I can tell the Simpson above is SA rated. If your local group only requires M rated stuff then you are OK with a motorcycle helmet.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > crowmolly 02/18/2015 at 11:39

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Okay so assuming I'm not in any crashes I could use that helmet for the foreseeable future? At least as long as I'm not doing competitive racing?

Edit: they confirmed a used helmet in good condition is okay, I haven't heard back on whether certs need to stay current.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > CKeffer 02/18/2015 at 11:41

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They only require M2000, so I'm assuming I could use this well into the future?

EDIT: From the 2015 ASN FIA rulebook:

4.5.2 Acceptable helmets:

FIA 8860-2004

FIA 8860-2010

Snell 2015 SA, or 2015 M

Snell 2010 SA, 2010 SAH, or 2010 M

Snell 2005 SA, or 2005 M (expiry 31.12.2018)

SFI Foundation 31.1A or 31.2A or 31.1/2005 (expiry 31.12, 2018)

Would SA2010 be good till 2023 then?

CKeffer > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 11:43

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Probably. At least 5 years anyway, though possibly 10 if they allow safety certs that far back.

crowmolly > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 11:50

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If you are just doing autoX with your local group and all they require is a Snell M helmet then I'd say you are good to go. I wouldn't pay for a new one just yet since SA2015 is coming soon.

If you step your game up or have a few extra bucks getting a new one wouldn't hurt.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > crowmolly 02/18/2015 at 12:01

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That's what I'm thinking, this way my foot is in the door plus I'm potentially good for carting (assuming I fit everything, which is far from guaranteed).

ST8OMND > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 13:25

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$300 = good deal. Helmet alone is worth that, gloves are bout $120, suit is lots more I'm sure

ST8OMND > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 13:27

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HA! Land of milk and hummers! Great town for autospotting, lots o money. I live here as well.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > ST8OMND 02/18/2015 at 13:47

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Yeah I figure it's too good a deal not to do, at least if the helmet is in good shape.

jkm7680 > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 15:32

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Safety concerns, you don't want a helmet that's been pre broken, repaired or messed up.

Check Revzilla.com, they've got cheap helmets. Where I got mine from.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 02/18/2015 at 16:00

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I noticed some cracks in the paint on the chin, is that a no go?

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > crowmolly 02/18/2015 at 16:01

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I noticed some cracks in the paint on the chin, is that a no go?

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 02/18/2015 at 16:01

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I noticed some cracks in the paint on the chin, is that a no go?

Sam > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 16:23

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Just look for any obvious signs of large crash and repair. Honestly, in autocross, you probably won't be getting in any high speed collisions where the helmet will take a huge hit. Also, the chip on the chin looks mostly like it's just from knocking against something pretty lightly.

RallyWrench > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 16:26

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You can be that guy that drives up to track days & autocrosses in full regalia.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Sam 02/18/2015 at 16:28

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Yeah he thought it was from being tossed into a pickup bed. It's right next to a vent so it's not doing much structurally, and full face is already pretty overkill so I'm pretty happy.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > RallyWrench 02/18/2015 at 16:28

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Haha I ended up just grabbing the helmet, it's all I really need anyways.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 16:29

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Could just be wear and tear. Looking at the other pics you posted, I wouldn't be worried about it.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 02/18/2015 at 16:29

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Yeah the rest of the helmet looks good.

crowmolly > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 16:32

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They probably just dropped it or something.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > crowmolly 02/18/2015 at 16:35

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Yeah, that's what it looks like.

davedave1111 > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 16:36

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The chin ought to be OK, because that's not a padded area. The problem is the rest of the helmet may not show any damage even if the impact padding has been crushed.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 16:55

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I honestly cannot say.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/18/2015 at 17:26

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Just remember that a helmet is designed to be a "once and done" product. They are designed to take just one impact, and like a crumple zone, they apply those forces to a destructable material to dissipate them. That means that even a drop from about 5-6 feet can severely affect the safety of a helmet. You can check out any manufacturer's site and they will tell you the same thing.

Bottom line, brain catchers are the place to spend your mostest of your safety monies.