The Snell SA2020 standard is a motorsport helmet standard from the Snell Memorial Foundation, written in general terms for helmets worn in auto racing, and it sets out how a racing helmet should protect a driver in a crash, resist fire, and fit securely in a race car. SA stands for Special Application, and SA2020 is the version of the standard released for the 2020 cycle, replacing the earlier SA2015 version. If you race cars, your club or series will probably ask for a helmet that meets this standard.
What Is the Snell SA2020 Standard?
The Snell Memorial Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation that writes helmet standards and tests helmets against them. Its standards have been used in motorsport for many decades. The SA2020 standard is its standard for helmets used in competitive auto racing, covering cars on closed circuits, rally cars, and other four-wheeled motorsport in general terms.
A standard like SA2020 is not a law in itself. It is a set of requirements that a helmet must meet before the Snell Foundation will certify it, and racing organisations then choose to require helmets that carry that certification. In practice, that is what gives the standard its force: a helmet without that certification will not pass scrutineering. The standard covers the shell, the impact-absorbing liner, the visor, the chin strap, and the fire resistance of the materials, so that the whole helmet is judged as one piece of safety equipment rather than as separate parts.
Who Uses SA2020 Helmets and Where Are They Required?
SA2020 helmets are used by drivers in many kinds of car racing, from grassroots club racing and track days through to professional series. They are also worn by co-drivers and navigators in rallying. In general terms, any driver who sits in a car with a roll cage, a harness, and a risk of fire will be wearing a helmet built to a motorsport standard, and SA2020 is one of the most widely accepted of those standards.
Whether SA2020 is actually required depends on the organisation running the event. Many race series, clubs, and track day organisers list the helmet standards they accept in their rules, and SA2020 is commonly on that list alongside other standards such as those from the FIA. Check the rules of the event you plan to enter before you buy a helmet. Buying a helmet first and checking the rules afterwards is a common and expensive mistake, because a helmet that meets one standard may not be accepted where another is required.
How Does SA2020 Differ from Road Helmet Standards?
Road helmets and racing helmets face different risks, so their standards test different things. A motorcycle helmet standard, for example, is written for a rider who may be thrown from a bike onto a road, while SA2020 is written for a driver strapped into a seat inside a car, often with a roll cage close to the head. A racing helmet must protect against impacts with the roll cage and the inside of the car, and it must work with a head and neck restraint device, which is now a normal part of motorsport safety.
Fire is the other big difference. A racing helmet must resist flame for long enough to give a driver time to get out of a burning car, so SA2020 tests the shell, the lining, and the visor for fire resistance in a way that road helmet standards generally do not. For background on how helmet technology manages impact forces in a different kind of helmet, see what MIPS is for helmets.
What Does an SA2020 Helmet Need to Have?
In general terms, an SA2020 helmet needs a strong outer shell, an impact-absorbing liner, a secure chin strap, and a visor that stays in place. The shell is usually made from composite materials such as fibreglass or carbon fibre, which spread the force of an impact. The liner, normally made from expanded polystyrene foam, is the part that absorbs energy by crushing in a controlled way when the helmet is struck, and it must cover the parts of the head that the standard says must be protected.
The helmet also needs to be fire resistant, as described above, and it needs fittings that let a driver attach a head and neck restraint device. The eye opening must be wide enough for good vision around the track, including checking mirrors and looking through corners, while still leaving the face protected. Ventilation matters too, because a driver in a hot car wearing a fireproof suit can overheat quickly, so SA2020 helmets usually have vents that bring in fresh air without weakening the shell.
How Can You Tell If a Helmet Meets SA2020?
A helmet that meets the SA2020 standard carries a Snell certification label inside it, usually sewn into the lining or fixed to the shell under the padding. The label states the standard, in this case SA2020, and it is the proof that the helmet passed the Foundation’s testing. When you buy a helmet, check for that label before you pay, and be wary of any helmet that claims to meet the standard without showing it, or that carries a label that looks copied or badly printed.
It is also worth buying from a reputable motorsport supplier rather than from an unknown seller, because counterfeit helmets do appear for sale and they may look convincing from the outside while offering far less protection. If you are buying second hand, check the label, check the helmet’s history as far as you can, and remember that a helmet that has been in a serious crash should not be used again, even if it looks undamaged from the outside.
How Long Does SA2020 Certification Last and When Should You Replace a Helmet?
Certification does not last forever, and most racing organisations put a time limit on how long a helmet standard is accepted for. SA2020 replaced SA2015, and in time a newer version will replace SA2020 in the same way, so a helmet bought today will eventually fall out of date even if it has never been crashed. Cut-off dates vary between organisations, so check the rules of the series you race in and plan ahead rather than discovering at scrutineering that your helmet is no longer accepted.
Age is only part of the story. A helmet should also be replaced after any serious impact, after exposure to fire or extreme heat, or when the lining, straps, or visor show signs of wear that affect fit or function. In general terms, if a helmet no longer fits properly, if the liner feels compressed or damaged, or if the chin strap no longer holds firmly, it is time for a new one, whatever the date on the label says.
Is an SA2020 helmet legal for road use?
Not necessarily. SA2020 is a motorsport standard, not a road helmet standard, so a helmet that meets it may not meet the road rules where you live. Racing helmets are for the track; road use needs a helmet certified to the road standard that applies where you live.
Can you wear glasses with an SA2020 helmet?
Yes, in general terms, although it depends on the fit of the helmet and the shape of your glasses. Try the helmet on with your glasses before buying, and check that the arms do not press uncomfortably and that the visor still closes properly.
Do you need an SA2020 helmet for a track day?
It depends on the organiser. Many track day organisers accept SA2020 helmets, and some require them, but others accept a wider range of standards. Check the event rules before you go, and take your helmet’s certification label details with you.
Olivia
Writer at Helmet Today, covering helmet reviews, fit and riding safety.
