Drag Racing Helmet Requirements

The National Hot Rod Association, founded over 50 years ago, established standards and procedures governing the sport today. Concerned about the growth of illegal street racing during the 1950s, NHRA leaders took a Safety Safari across the U.S. introducing organized drag racing and car clubs. The intent was to encourage safe racing, which became the birth of a world-class motor sport. As racetracks have developed, safety standards for cars and riders have been adopted.

  1. Helmet Safety

    • Helmets are rated for flame and impact resistance.

      Rules requiring helmets are enforced and those with Snell, DOT (Department of Transportation) or SFI Institute ratings are required by official drag racing tracks. These helmets are rated for their fire retardant properties, impact resistance and ability to protect the brain, head and neck. The National Hot Rod Association implemented the new Eject Helmet Removal System in 2010. It requires a helmet with an inflatable bladder in its top, making its removal by safety personnel easier in case of an accident.

    NHRA Requirements

    • Ratings are given to both full and half-face helmets.

      The National Hot Rod Association requires the driver of any car running 14 seconds or faster in a ¼ mile to use a helmet. Some tracks will mandate a helmet with a Snell rating K96 or an SFI rating of 41.1A. A new NHRA rule in 2008 requires drivers running 9.99 seconds or quicker in the ¼ mile to also wear an NHRA-approved full-face helmet. Drivers of E.T. (Estimated Time) racing cars, 13.99 seconds or quicker, as well as Funny Cars, must use helmets meeting current Snell or SFI standards. Some tracks require a legible Snell label with a DOT or SFI label inside the helmet and will not accept a Snell label rating on the outside only.

    SFI-Rated Helmets

    • Safety-rated helmets are used in all types of motor sports.

      The SFI Foundation is a leader in setting minimum performance standards for all types of driver protective equipment. Helmets that are certified SFI have passed strict testing and are rated flame resistant and designated SFI Spec.31.1, Flame Resistant Motorsports Helmets. Nonflame-resistant helmets are 41.1 Motorsports Helmet. Both Spec 31.1 and 41.1 include open-face and full-face helmets.

    Snell-Rated Helmets

    • Snell was the first to establish helmet safety standards.

      The first Snell ratings were established in 1959 to address performance, not a specific design. Snell evaluates a helmet's flame resistance, protection against impact, stability on the head, whether it stays in place and the extent of head protection provided. A Snell certification of M2010 indicates the helmet meets the highest standards and offers the best head protection available.

    DOT Ratings

    • The U.S. Department of Transportation requires all motorcycle helmets sold in the U.S. to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. This defines minimum levels of performance to protect the head and brain in case of an accident. The DOT sticker goes on the outside back of the helmet, which also may carry the sticker of the American National Standards Institute. Because there are counterfeit DOT stickers, the design and weight of the helmet, thickness of the liner, quality of the chin strap and rivets identify safety helmets from noncompliant ones.