Can a helmet come off?

A helmet coming off is a very rare but unfortunately possible event in sports where helmet use is required, including karting. For reasons that are still under investigation in this specific case (the FIA has launched an investigation, and we hope to update you soon), a helmet can come off if hit with enough force, at a certain angle, and under particular circumstances. This happened on Saturday during a heat of the OKJ category, when a classic first-lap race contact occurred: Dutch driver Luuk Taal (who, although unable to speak in detail due to the ongoing investigation, confirmed to us that everything was properly tight – Ed.) was rear-ended by another driver, whose kart then literally ran over Taal’s head. As a result, his helmet came off, and he suffered a deep head wound. Considering the horrifying nature of the accident, we can say it could have been much worse. Paradoxically, based on impressions shared with those involved in the incident and rescue efforts, in this particular case, the helmet coming off may have actually made the impact to the neck area somewhat less severe—excluding, of course, the deep cut to the head—though this remains speculative and still to be verified.

While zero risk does not exist, and motorsport will always carry danger, all helmets used in kart racing are currently SNELL-certified. This means they have passed a wide range of tests (conducted by FIA-authorized and certified centers), including those designed for rare but dangerous scenarios like the one in Viterbo. One such test is the Roll-Off test, which applies a forward rotational load to the helmet after securing it on a dummy head (weighing around 6 kg) using the helmet's strap. This test determines a threshold for how much a helmet can move without coming off entirely.

Another critical test is the dynamic retention test, which involves applying a 23 kg weight to a simulated "jaw." This downward pull helps establish strict safety standards in case of accidents and abnormal head pressure. There is also the chin bar test (a 5 kg weight is launched at high speed against the front of the helmet's chin area) and the visor penetration test (a projectile is fired from a compressed air gun at three different points on the visor at 500 km/h – 138 m/s). These complete the testing series that allows a karting helmet to earn SNELL homologation. The currently valid standards are Snell-K2020 and Snell CMR (2016). It is also worth noting that kart helmets—unlike motorcycle helmets (which are not permitted in ASN and FIA competitions)—use a double D-ring chin strap system, which further reduces the risk of the helmet coming off. Many motorcycle helmets, even high-end ones, often use micrometric closure systems, which are unsuitable for karting.

CMR Helmet Homologation for Young Drivers
In recent years, due to the large number of adolescent and very young drivers in karting, a new homologation standard was introduced specifically for them. Until a few years ago, helmets were designed, developed, and tested only for adult use. However, adult helmets tend to be too large and heavy for younger drivers. That’s why FIA and Snell developed a new homologation with revised sizing and fit starting from age 6. Helmets with CMR certification (which stands for Children’s Motor Sports) are specifically designed for drivers up to 15 years of age. These are the only helmets allowed in competition for young and very young drivers—but they are also highly recommended for those who are not yet racing and are just starting out with 50cc or 60cc karts.