Helmet Guide - Time Attack Helmet Rules & Compliant Helmets

Everything you need to know about choosing a legal helmet for time attack, autocross, and track days — and exactly what you'll need to pass tech at the Prairie Crown Time Attack Festival. If you're brand new to track driving, start here.

The short version

For the Prairie Crown, and for most sanctioned motorsport, you need a Snell SA-rated helmet, 2015 or newer — that means SA2015, SA2020, or SA2025 — or an SFI 31.1 / 31.2 rated helmet. We require a full-face helmet for all car classes. That's it. Anything older than 2015, or a motorcycle-only helmet, will not pass tech.

Final technical requirements for your class are confirmed when you register to race. Always check your class requirements on the event page or with our staff before buying a helmet, and confirm the current standard with the IHRA rulebook.

What the rating actually means

Two organizations certify racing helmets in the US: the Snell Memorial Foundation and SFI. Their ratings are stamped on a sticker inside the helmet. A DOT sticker alone means nothing for motorsport tech — DOT is a street standard and is not accepted on its own.

Snell SA vs. M — this matters

Snell certifies two kinds of helmets, and for a car you need the right one:

  • SA (Special Application) — built for cars. It adds a fire-retardant test and a roll-bar impact test, because in a car you're belted in near a roll cage and a fuel source. This is the one you want.
  • M (Motorcycle) — built for riders who get thrown clear of the bike. No fire test, no roll-bar test. An M helmet is not appropriate for a caged, belted car and should not be your choice for time attack.

If you take one thing from this page: buy an SA helmet, not an M helmet.

Which years are legal

Snell updates its automotive standard every five years. The current cycle is SA2025 (effective October 1, 2025), and SA2020 is still fully valid and widely available. Sanctioning bodies typically accept a helmet for about ten years from its cycle, so an SA2015 helmet is generally still legal for now, SA2020 will be good for years, and SA2025 is the newest. Helmets stamped SA2010 or older have expired and will fail tech.

SFI equivalents

SFI 31.1 is the open-face equivalent of a Snell SA helmet; SFI 31.2 is the full-face equivalent. Both are accepted where noted, but again — for the Prairie Crown, run a full-face.

Compliant helmets by price

Every helmet below is Snell SA2020 certified, which means they all meet the same safety standard — a $200 SA2020 helmet and a $1,000 SA2020 helmet both passed the same Snell tests. What you pay more for is weight, comfort, ventilation, field of view, and features like forced-air and HANS/FHR clip compatibility, not a higher safety rating. Prices are approximate and, with the SA2025 changeover underway, many SA2020 models are on clearance right now — a good time to buy.

Always confirm any specific model appears on Snell's official certified list before you buy.

Budget (roughly $170–$300)

  • Zamp — RZ-59, RZ-56, RZ-42
  • RaceQuip — PRO20 full-face
  • G-Force — Nighthawk (often on sale near this range)

Mid ($300–$700)

  • Bell — K.1 Sport, GTX.3
  • HJC Motorsports — H10
  • Simpson — Viper, Devil Ray
  • Sparco — Air Pro RF-5W
  • OMP — Apex (note: OMP's GP-8 is an FIA-only helmet, not Snell — make sure you get the Snell SA-rated model)
  • Pyrotect — Pro Air Flow

Premium ($800+)

  • Bell — RS7
  • Arai — GP-7
  • Stilo — ST5
  • Pyrotect — Pro Air Flow Carbon

Buying tips for your first helmet

  • Fit is safety. A helmet should be snug with no pressure points and shouldn't rotate on your head. Buy from somewhere with a good return/exchange policy or try one on in person.
  • Think about HANS/FHR now. Most SA helmets have or accept the clips for a head-and-neck restraint. If you plan to keep going in motorsport, it's worth buying HANS-ready.
  • Check the sticker date before every event — know when your helmet ages out.
  • Replace after a real impact. A helmet that took a hit is done, even if it looks fine.

Planning your Prairie Crown weekend

Got your helmet sorted? Here's the rest: event details, tickets, and racing classes · Heartland Park track guide, directions, and lodging · the full Midwest time attack calendar.

Helmet brands: partner with the Prairie Crown

Are you a helmet manufacturer or distributor? We're building a recommended-helmet program for the Prairie Crown and DriveLine KC events, with media coverage, marketing support, and driver reach across the Midwest time attack scene. If you'd like to talk about a partnership, email business@drivelinekc.com.

This guide is general information to help drivers choose a compliant helmet. It is not a substitute for the official IHRA rulebook or the technical requirements confirmed at event registration. Helmet standards and their acceptance windows change — always verify current requirements before purchasing.