Snell Foundation issues new update to auto racing helmet standards
In 1959, Snell Foundation published the first helmet standard in the United States to evaluate helmet performance. Since then, each new Snell standard has been setting a higher bar for the helmet industry to strive for the best head protection by using available manufacturing technology and materials. Today racing communities count on Snell Foundation to recommend the best headgear for use in motorsport activities.
Every five years the Snell Foundation issues a new standard to update its auto racing helmet standard. The Snell SA2025 for auto racing helmets takes effect October 1, 2025. Snell SA2025 standard is more stringent than previous Snell auto racing standards. By reducing the peak g force criteria from 300g set in SA2020 to 275g in SA2025, the new standard allows less peak g forces to reach all sizes of test head forms. SA2025 also calls out more impact severity by increasing the impact energy on the first of the two impacts at each impact site, which is more demanding especially for helmets in larger sizes that are tested in heavier test dummy head forms. In other words, Snell SA2025 requires tougher pass/fail criteria (lower peak g limit) while subjecting helmets to a harder impact test (higher impact energy). Helmets with the SA2025 label will be in the market starting October 1, 2025. Manufacturers will stop production of SA2020 helmets by the end of 2026.
Gradual and incremental changes in Snell Standards have always been the approach that the Snell Foundation has taken to continuously demand more protective helmets based on scientific and medical research as well as available technology and materials. As a not‐for‐profit organization, here at Snell we have maintained our focus on the same mission when the Foundation was established in 1957: Encourage the development and use of better headgear to reduce and prevent unnecessary brain injuries.
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Every five years the Snell Foundation issues a new standard to update its auto racing helmet standard. The Snell SA2025 for auto racing helmets takes effect October 1, 2025. Snell SA2025 standard is more stringent than previous Snell auto racing standards. By reducing the peak g force criteria from 300g set in SA2020 to 275g in SA2025, the new standard allows less peak g forces to reach all sizes of test head forms. SA2025 also calls out more impact severity by increasing the impact energy on the first of the two impacts at each impact site, which is more demanding especially for helmets in larger sizes that are tested in heavier test dummy head forms. In other words, Snell SA2025 requires tougher pass/fail criteria (lower peak g limit) while subjecting helmets to a harder impact test (higher impact energy). Helmets with the SA2025 label will be in the market starting October 1, 2025. Manufacturers will stop production of SA2020 helmets by the end of 2026.
Gradual and incremental changes in Snell Standards have always been the approach that the Snell Foundation has taken to continuously demand more protective helmets based on scientific and medical research as well as available technology and materials. As a not‐for‐profit organization, here at Snell we have maintained our focus on the same mission when the Foundation was established in 1957: Encourage the development and use of better headgear to reduce and prevent unnecessary brain injuries.
For more Industry News, please Click Here
