OK, this is a bit off-topic, but there are a few racers here, and I found this very interesting, and a little disturbing... CAMS is talking about introducing the snell standard for helmets. This article (and test) is a loooong read, but very interesting. Seems that rather than the old "$50 helmet for a $50 head" adage being true, it's actually more a case of "more dollars then sense"

http://motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/hatz/

Silly Question, but can you use a motorbike helmet?
In a past life I used to race 250cc production class motorcycles & we had a similar standard to comply to, but were able to purchase off-the-shelf stuff that qualified to the racing spec.
I have also had the (dis)pleasure of trying on a CAMS approved helmet & found them to restrict vision a lot more than motorcycle helmets.

yes motorcycle helmets are the most commonly used in club level motorsports. I think minimum standards for up to State level events is ASA/DOT. National and international events would require FIA (or equivalent) standards.

After reading this article, I'm glad I bought a cheaper polycarbonate helmet. And the CAMS scrutineer visual inspection is clearly a joke...

I got a good helmet carbon/kevlar for karting which I still use for club level. I wanted an uprated helmet as there are far more injuries in karting than there is in club level. This was $600. But they can be alot more expensive than that....
I reckon just get a good helmet that fits comfortably some brands fit some people better than others and make sure it has A/NZ standards .....
Spend your money on your seat, harness, and cage and youre 90% there....

I think I will go and have a look at my helmet now...

Hey all,
here's another opinion ....
I have an $800 Arai helmet for my bike as there is quite some difference in the $100 end of the market Any decent outlet will explain what you get for your money and yes, sometimes you will pay a little more for "hero" graphics etc but overall if you are sliding down the road on your head then the cost becomes irrelevant I agree with Craig to a degree, in that your cage, seat, and harness must do most of the work and the helmet is to make sure there is no incidental damage. BUT, after reading an article on vehicle fires and the materials that are in your Aus standard approved helmets (even my Arai) I am not too keen to have my head "shrink wrapped" by nylon in the event of a fire Hence I have a Bell hemet lined with nomex, kevlar chin strap, brass mesh etc for racing which has the Snell rating. Cannot use it on the road however, because it has no Aus standard approval despite the Snell rating being superior - go figure
In short, buy what you can almost afford but make sure that it has the fireproof qualities above all else. That's my 2 cents anyway.
Cheers

I thought the reason you really shouldnt use a moto helmet is that they are not fireproof, when i raced karts i had a arai gp helmet, cost me like $650, and that wasnt fireproof, not that a kart could really catch on fire, but now that im building a car for the track, ive bought a snell approved bell sport helmet, just personal preference i suppose. I mean you have to wear them for a long time and the buckles on moto helmets dig into your neck and are generally pretty poor quality compared to a high end helmet. Personally i wouldnt wear anything else, but thats just me

as r-fastmotorsport said!! he just beat me to it