At 04:09 PM 10/17/2002 -0700, Ronald Phillips wrote:
>Anyway, I bought a new helmet recently, an HJC model FG-12, size XXXL,
>that shows as Snell approved on their (www.smf.org) website, but does not
>have the tag inside the helmet. The question is: - will this helmet be
>acceptable for use in Solo2 competition? Should I print out the page and
>bring it with me that shows the helmet as being approved? Or, does the
>helmet absolutley have to have the Snell tag?
The helmet absolutely needs to have the official Snell sticker. A
manufacturer's sticker on the back that says "Snell Approved" is not
acceptable - it must be the real Snell sticker, either stuck inside the
helmet or sewn onto the chinstrap. Printing out the page and bringing that
isn't acceptable, either.
What was explained to me by the late EJ Bayliss was that in forms of road
racing, if a competitor is in bad enough of an accident, the Snell sticker
is removed from their helmet - they either have to buy a new helmet, or
send it back to the manufacturer for inspection/recertification. Thus the
need to see the actual sticker on the helmet - to prevent people from using
knock-offs, imitations, or damaged decertified helmets.
Your best bet is to take another look inside your helmet. If you can't
find the sticker, take the helmet back to where you bought it, and ask them
to show you the sticker. If they can't find it, then exchange it for one
with a sticker.
Jim
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