[Full Trucker]

My apologies if this has been posted already!

USAC has changed the rules concerning full face helmets and gated events, meaning that now they REQUIRE THEM. We were told by the USAC cycling official that this rule change will be enforced this weekend at Chalk Creek Stampede here in Colorado, and from here on out in the Mountain States Cup series. Not sure if this rule will be enforced in your local series, but if you plan on hitting and of the MSC races this summer (which you oughtta) or possibly racing the National Champs at SolVista (which you also oughtta) then definitely bring on the full face for 4X/Slalom.

If you think you're gonna line up in the start gate with a half-shell on, think again. Bring the D2, moto helmet, or whatever you got, the USAC official at the MSC races (and probably others) will NOT LET YOU RACE without a full face helmet.

 

[stoney]

about damn time.

 

[Prettym1k3]

I imagine that in 3-5 years, Leatt's will be mandatory for DH...

It's progress on safety, and then safety equipment will have to step it up as far as comfort and mobility.

 

[ska todd]

The helmet rule was changed for 2009 in accordance with UCI rule changes. The rule as is listed in the rule book states:

"1N2. For downhill and 4X events, a full-face helmet must be worn."

This rule specifically pertains to 4X where the chance of contact is much higher than in dual slalom.

-ska todd

 

[Leppah]

Cool. I personally think people look goofy out there racing with their skate lids. Especially with goggles.

 

[caballero]

thats why lopes retired ...

 

[Leppah]

Cuz he looked like a goofball?

 

[Kntr]

Cuz he looked like a goofball?

No, he made everyone else look like one.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Cool. I personally think people look goofy out there racing with their skate lids. Especially with goggles.

But....but....but what will Cedric do now?!?!?!?!?

Why won't you think of the children??!!!

 

[mccdh]

I imagine that in 3-5 years, Leatt's will be mandatory for DH...

It's progress on safety, and then safety equipment will have to step it up as far as comfort and mobility.

Well I don't think its mandatory even for SX yet. I see it being mandatory for that before DH. But strong recommendations are a step in the right direction, just like a pressure suit/safety jacket (ie good spinal cord, kidney protection etc) I do think its a good idea and I am defintiely not against the brace, just the rules on usage.

 

[stiksandstones]

Well I don't think its mandatory even for SX yet. I see it being mandatory for that before DH. But strong recommendations are a step in the right direction, just like a pressure suit/safety jacket (ie good spinal cord, kidney protection etc) I do think its a good idea and I am defintiely not against the brace, just the rules on usage.

There is no rule about having to wear a leatt in moto, not even talk of it being mandatory.

 

[Prettym1k3]

There is no rule about having to wear a leatt in moto, not even talk of it being mandatory.

Well, falling on a MTB at 45-50mph, a Leatt could definitely safe your life.

But even a Leatt, as well built as it is, I can only imagine it wouldn't save a Moto-X rider hitting the ground from 60 feet in the air doing 80-100mph. At least, that's my thoughts.

 

[kylechs5]

ok if your going 45-50 on your bike u must be one of the fastest in the world heck even minnar only clocked 39 mph in the south Africa world cup round. and second i dont think ive ever heard of a supercross racer doing 80 to 100 mph maybe 60.

 

[Muttely]

SA Wasnt exactly a flat out track. lets say, bottom of Schladming, they are going alot faster.

 

[Staplerzzzz]

Personally I hate wearing full face helmets for dual slalom. For about 75 percent of courses (around here at least) it's overkill since a lot are made out of a soft dirt mixture and the top speeds are pretty low. I also find that full face helmets impair my vision greatly, especially since there are a lot of tight turn where I'm trying to spot my next gate ever second.

 

[RaID]

Personally I hate wearing full face helmets for dual slalom. For about 75 percent of courses (around here at least) it's overkill since a lot are made out of a soft dirt mixture and the top speeds are pretty low. I also find that full face helmets impair my vision greatly, especially since there are a lot of tight turn where I'm trying to spot my next gate ever second.

read the thread it's for 4x NOT dual slalom

 

[Bicyclist]

read the thread it's for 4x NOT dual slalom

Read the thread title (and the thread, for that matter). While the USAC/UCI may not enforce full-face helmets for Dual Slalom, it sounds like other series might on their own volition.

Full Face now required by USAC for gated (4X and slalom) events

 

[Staplerzzzz]

read the thread it's for 4x NOT dual slalom

"Full Face now required by USAC for gated (4X and slalom) events"

Have a good day.

 

[RaID]

ill shut up now

 

[Bicyclist]

Ska Todd did say that a full-face isn't required for slalom per the rulebook, but it sounds like that rule will still be enforced.

So you're partially right.

 

[ska todd]

The rule now specifically says that full face is required for 4X. They are not mandated by USAC for dual slalom. However, if a promoter felt they were needed for their event or track it would be in the promoter's best interest to require their use. Better safe than sorry, right?

-ska todd

 

[Beast]

The rule now specifically says that full face is required for 4X. They are not mandated by USAC for dual slalom. However, if a promoter felt they were needed for their event or track it would be in the promoter's best interest to require their use. Better safe than sorry, right?

-ska todd

That is silly. Make it required if you're going to give promoters the authority to require it. Showing up to a DS event with only a half shell (which is technically allowed per the rulebook) only to be told you can't race would tick me off.

 

[ska todd]

A promoter should be allowed a reasonable degree of flexibility to require full armor, or full face in Super D, etc if they feel obligated due to safety concerns, in my personal opinion. If a promoter goes out of their way to require something like that, there is generally a good reason. If their land owner or insurance or the course conditions call for it, then yes I would say they should have the final call; providing that they announce it in due time and on their race information.

How hard is it to throw a piss pot in with all the other crap we regularly cart to a race? Most of these events happen in conjunction w/ a DH which mandates a full face anyway, right?

-ska todd

 

[Prettym1k3]

ok if your going 45-50 on your bike u must be one of the fastest in the world heck even minnar only clocked 39 mph in the south Africa world cup round. and second i dont think ive ever heard of a supercross racer doing 80 to 100 mph maybe 60.

Nobody ever said that I do 45-50. But I'm saying at 1/2 the speeds, and 1/4 the heights, of some Moto-X riders, a Leatt is much more likely to save your neck. But the sheer 50-60 foot fall from a botched Moto jump is enough to stop worrying about your neck, and worry more about all of your internal organs exploding when you hit the ground.

Just saying.

 

[Full Trucker]

USAC rules are indeed mandating full face for 4X, not for slalom. We had both this past weekend as the gravity opener for the MSC series, and our local USAC official did inform us that they would be enforcing the rule... for 4X.

I intentionally slanted the thread in an attempt to get any and all knuckleheads coming to our race to just bring their full face regardless of what they were entering, so they wouldn't be turned away on the gate for not knowing - or trying to say they didn't know and/or bending the rules. "But Little Johnny was only going to race slalom, so we didn't BRING his full face helmet, but he wants to enter 4X now, can you just let him race with his skate lid?" Ummmm... no.

We (as promoters of the race) also had a couple of spare full face helmets hanging around in case a few folks didn't know of the rule change, and we were taken up on the offer. My favorite part of the whole deal is where I was just trying to let the unwashed masses know of a rule change, and it turned in to a gripefest about having to wear protection.

Probably my fault, I suppose...