SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1543953
HEADSTRONG ON RACING SAFETY Better Helmets And FHRs Help Make Off-Road Racing Safer Story by Stuart Bourdon The pursuit of excellence in off-road racing has consistently driven a cycle of innovation, resulting in new and improved materials, designs, and products that enable drivers to achieve higher levels of competition, success, and safety. Helmets are perhaps among the most significant of these safety products. Today, that push toward greater driver, navigator, and crew member protection continues as one of the key elements spurring new developments in helmet design and standards. In October 2025, the new Snell standards for helmet performance became concrete. Hong Zhang, Director of Education at the Snell Foundation, talked about Snell’s helmet testing benchmarks. “For auto racing helmets, the only change for the SA2025 criteria was to lower the acceptable highest peak g-force across the board, in every head size, from 300g down to 275g. The general push for the helmet industry is the same: Test the helmets a little harder and raise the bar for passing a little higher. There are no other changes in the update from SA2020 to SA2025.” The only difference for M2025 (moto) standards is a new oblique impact test that evaluates the rotational force. The standard is slightly tougher than that in the ECE 22.06 motorcycle helmet standard. Both SA2025 and M2025 standards are effective with newly certified helmets in retail stores. Consumers can check the Snell website for its currently certified models. NEW MATERIALS Many of the helmet manufacturers have new products in carbon fiber and composite materials. Some have begun using more advanced composites that have recently become available. Jonathan Gwinn, Senior Product Engineer at Simpson, told us, “The Simpson Vudo is one of our newest Snell 2025 helmets, and it’s geared toward the off-road racer. We offer it in a composite fiberglass Kevlar blend, which is incredibly light.” “Everyone thinks carbon fiber is the way to go, but a lot of the glass fibers that are available now are amazing. For what they offer at their price point, they can compete with previous-generation carbon fiber helmets in terms of weight. The progression of composites has been great to see, and we’ve been able to incorporate that into our helmets.” HELPFUL FEATURES A number of manufacturers have developed quick-release shield latches on their helmets. Steve Russell at Pyrotect Safety said, “Our helmets have a quick-release front latch that holds the shield closed. Pushing the clip up with your forefinger will release the shield. However, pushing it down, or a rock or something hitting the front clip, won’t open it.” Stand 21 just debuted its new lightweight Vision Lite carbon helmet featuring an optional photochromatic shield and a locking system that keeps the shield securely closed under severe conditions. Multiple choices in ventilation, such as top, left, and right air intakes, are available options on many new helmets. Removable interior pads that can be cleaned or changed to create a better fit have become common. Most new helmets can accommodate communication systems, and some helmet manufacturers offer their product with a pre-wired radio. Rugged Radios the official radio communication partner of SCORE-International, offers comm systems to fit any helmet, and they retail some top-brand helmets with their systems pre-installed. SCORE RULES According to SCORE International Technical Director Federico Montes, “All helmets must meet one of the following listings for approved helmets from Snell, SFI, ECE, or FIA. All helmets must be full-face design and in good condition. Competitors must present helmets for tech inspection at each event. Helmets are accepted for up to 10 years from the sticker date.” “That being said, the biggest update from SCORE is that we are allowing 2015 SFI-certified and newer helmets to be used for the 2026 season. This is due to inventory constraints across numerous companies and not being certified in time for the 2026 season. As far as our inspection routine goes, our tech inspection team continuously looks for damage beyond normal wear and tear in order to uphold the utmost safety standards.” SJ GUIDE TO THE LATEST HELMETS AND HEAD/NECK RESTRAINTS By Stuart Bourdon We Asked Many Of The Safety Manufacturers Withing The Off-Road Racing Industry, To Showcase Some Of Their Latest Products HELMETS ARAI VX-PRO4 Arai offers a broad spectrum of color and style when it comes to its off-road moto VX-PRO4 helmet (Flame Yellow pictured). The shell’s materials include Super Fiber for a 30-percent higher tensile strength and greater penetration resistance than standard fiberglass. The helmet features a top-rear-duct, easily replaced diffusers, stainless steel mesh mounted on the exterior vent cap for easy cleaning or replacement, and a removable neck roll for easy cleaning or replacement. Its Emergency Release CheekPad system is easy to access, and the vent cap is designed to break away from the chin bar in the event of an impact. MSRP: $819.95. BELL RACING GT6 ULTRA Bell Racing (Racing Force Group) offers auto racing helmets that include products specifically designed for off-road racing. The Bell Racing GT6 Ultra carbon helmet features a modern and aggressive design that delivers a wide eye port for extended vision, a lightweight premium carbon shell, and ventilation slots that can be connected to various types of air intakes for external cooling systems. The GT6 Ultra can also easily be fitted with optional earmuffs to provide noise insulation. Hydration systems and radio communication kits are available as options. The RD version of the GT6 Ultra comes pre-fitted with an integrated communication system. Both offer the Bell Racing SmartLock system. MSRP: $1,599.95. BELL RACING BR8 ULTRA The Bell BR8 Ultra (Racing Force Group) offers standard, left or right side forced air, three-quarter left or right top forced air, or top forced air. A double-screen anti-fog (DSAF) insert creates a positive visor seal and prevents shield fogging. A set of rear-facing venturi vents keep dust out of the helmet while allowing a free-flow of forced air into the BR8 Ultra. Its lightweight carbon shell’s multi-density liner maximizes impact protection. A unique air chamber creates an even airflow around the driver’s head, and channels cool air to the eye port when used with a forced-air system in the three-quarter left or right top configuration. MSRP: $1,399.95. BELL SPORTS Bell Sports is a company licensed to produce moto helmets under the Bell brand. The Bell Sports Moto-10 Spherical features Mips technology, a unique liner system that redirects impact forces for improved brain protection. Its ventilation system pulls in cool air while expelling hot air through the side and rear ports, a panoramic goggle port increases the field of view and visibility, and softer EPP bumpers on either side of the helmet compress under load but quickly return to their original form. The Moto-10 Spherical also features an emergency release cheek-pad system, a removable and washable liner, and a new visor design for improved airflow. MSRP: $949.95. HMS SP1 Carbon EVO This carbon fiber helmet meets FIA 8850-2024, FIA 8878-2024, SNELL SA2025 and K2025 homologations. A new locking system makes for easier opening and the helmet features easy radio communication connectivity. This comfortable helmet uses a black Nomex inner lining and a clear mirrored multilayer red visor with pinlock 120 fog-resistant lens. MSRP $2399 O’NEAL The lightweight and sturdy O’Neal 5 SRS Reseda helmet has an ABS shell construction that makes both of those attributes possible. The 5 SRS Reseda also offers the moto rider an ultra-plush, removable, and washable padded Coolmax liner that keeps you cool and dry by wicking away sweat. Other top-shelf features include an adjustable visor, multiple air vents to help the liner get its job done, and replacement parts that are readily available. Last but certainly not least, the durable multi-colored clear-coated graphics make sure your O’Neal moto helmet continues to look sharp race after race. MSRP: $179.99. PCI Race Radios PCI Race Radios sells a Stilo ST6 GT Carbon Fiber helmet equipped with RaceAir Fitting and Stilo Earcusp wiring installed. The helmet is Snell SA2025/FIA 8859-2018 certified and the included helmet adaptor will connect it to a PCI communication system. MSRP: $3085.99. PYROTECT PRO SPORT The Pro Sport helmet from Pyrotect features a lightweight composite tri-weave shell with an interchangeable six-pad headliner and cheek pad system, front venting for improved air intake and heat exhaust, and a fire-retardant Nomex interior. The large eye port with a rubber seal offers a polycarbonate shield, with a tear-off post that is compatible with Racing Optics or Ultra Shield tear-offs. The helmet comes with M6 inserts for head-neck restraints. The Pro Sport’s interior venting system features forced-air channels with ventilation ports directed at the face shield. The top ventilation ports also provide cooling throughout the helmet’s interior, adding to driver comfort. MSRP: $339. PYROTECT PRO AIRFLOW TRI-FLOW A step up from the Pro Sport is Pyrotect’s Pro Airflow Tri-Flow carbon helmet. The Pro Airflow Tri-Flow helmet features three channels of airflow, a Nomex interior, and a removable six-pad interior system that allows for easy cleaning and resizing for a perfect fit. A corrugated-ridge pad design offers improved heat transfer to keep the driver cooler and reduce fogging. The Pyrotect Pro Airflow Tri-Flow carbon helmet also features a generously sized eye port with a rubber seal, and a polycarbonate shield with a tear-off post that’s compatible with Racing Optics or Ultra Shield tear-offs. MSRP: $1,239. RACEQUIP NX25 The new RaceQuip NX25 helmet features a hand-laid FRP shell with an energy-absorbing EPS liner, a fire-retardant Nomex interior, and a Kevlar chin strap. A new Centerlock visor system solidly snaps closed with updated pivot hardware built to hold up under the toughest conditions. The shell has a wide eye port that accommodates eyewear and offers improved visibility. The distortion-free 3mm low-fog polycarbonate shield features tear-off posts. Inside, the NX25 delivers engineered channels for forced air, hydration, and communications systems. Strategically located top and rear venting is designed to maximize airflow to keep a driver cool under any conditions. MSRP: $499.95. SIMPSON VUDO Simpson’s updated Vudo offers an all-new ultra-lightweight composite shell, making it the lightest helmet in the Simpson lineup. Its no-vent, aerodynamic design is purpose-built for open-cockpit, dirt track, and off-road environments, with factory-ready accessory upfitting. Available in the new composite or carbon, the Vudo helmet includes a solid front chin bar to keep dirt and debris out, top and rear ventilation channels with optional top and left offset forced air systems, removable cheek and top pads, removable gel earcups that are compatible with Simpson communication kits, and a standard clear anti-scratch visor. An anti-fog/anti-scratch clear visor is also available. MSRP: $769.95. STAND 21 VISION LITE The Vision Lite is the newest helmet from Stand 21. Its carbon fiber shell is vacuum-bagged and cured in an autoclave (pressurized oven) for maximum strength and low (just under 3 pounds) weight. A top air intake showers the driver’s head with cool air through a proprietary air hose with a magnetic locking system. The large eye port features a polycarbonate shield with a locking system, and vents just below the eye port provide additional aur flow. Helmet pads are customized when ordered. An optional photochromatic shield darkens for bright sunlight and artificial light. Stand 21 built the Vision Lite to meet the highest helmet standard (8860-2018) for driver safety. MSRP: $2,950.00. STILO VENTI WRX DIRT CARBON The Stilo Venti WRX Dirt Carbon is one of the company’s most technologically advanced helmets for off-road racing. A wide field of view, multiple peak options, integrated side ports, and a variety of modular accessories, make it a serious contender for Baja or Dakar endurance racing. The Venti WRX Dirt comes standard with a “double-glazed” full visor, head-neck restraint posts, and integrated electronics installed. This helmet features Stilo’s signature lock-clasp design that keeps dirt and debris out of your face. A full accessory line is available, including an extended peak and visor, for the Stilo Venti WRX Dirt helmet. MSRP: $1,897. HEAD AND NECK RESTRAINTS HANS IV Offered in three different sizes, the new and improved HANS IV FHR (Frontal Head Restraint) is 10-percent lighter than the previous product. The Hans IV features custom molded pads that nest into the device to prevent the pads from slipping, and the pads are designed with an upgraded foam for improved comfort and support. Standard equipment includes two anchors (enough for one helmet), the pads, and a matching tether. The Hans IV FHR can be outfitted with a choice of post anchors (standard), QuickClick (SFI only), or M61. An available 20-degree option is perfect for the entry-level driver. MSRP: $434.95. NECKSGEN REV X The NecksGen REV X Carbon FHR is NecksGen’s newest head and neck restraint /frontal head restraint. It weighs just 1.8 pounds and is designed with driver comfort in mind. The chassis is hand-laid carbon fiber, with an adjustable-length tether to fit any seat angle and neck length, vertically adjustable chest straps, 3-inch-wide belt channels that allow for 2- or 3-inch shoulder harnesses, and the padding is breathable mesh. The X strap system holds the device securely in place while driving. The Rev X also offers generously sized dual horizontal adjustable chest straps with a lightweight tactical quick-release buckle that makes it easy to use. MSRP: $699.00. STAND 21 The “OG” FHR developed in the early 2000s by Stand 21 has been continuously improved and updated since its inception. It’s newest and lightest of the current three-product FHR line from Stand 21 is the Featherlite. Made of ultra-high-strength carbon composites with an ergonomic leg design for better driver comfort, the Featherlite FHR weighs in at just 11.5 ounces. It’s new belt loop design allows for perfect integration within the cockpit thanks to a unique shape reducing the interference between the helmet and the seat’s headrest. The Featherlite is available in medium and large sizes, and 20- and 30-degree angles. MSRP: $1,200.00 SOURCES Arai www.araiamericas.com Bell Racing (Racing Force Group) www.racingforce.com Bell Sports www.bellhelmets.com HMS hmsmotorsport.com HANS holley.com/brands /hans/ NecksGen necksgen.com O’Neal oneal.com Pyrotect Safety pyrotectsafety.com RaceQuip holley.com/brands/racequip/ Simpson Racing holley.com/brands/simpson_racing/ Stand 21 stand21.com Stilo www.stilohelmets.com