Stilo Helmet Standards Explained — FIA & Snell Guide for Australia & New Zealand

Stilo Helmet Standards Explained — FIA & Snell Guide for Australia & New Zealand

Written by Aaron Harris — Barcelona 24 Hour class winner, Bathurst competitor, MSNZ licence examiner for helmets and racewear. Authorised Stilo dealer for Australia and New Zealand.

Choosing the right Stilo helmet starts with understanding which certification your race series requires. The wrong standard means you won't pass scrutineering — regardless of how much you paid. This guide explains every current FIA and Snell standard relevant to NZ and Australian motorsport competitors.

📖 Part of the Harris Race Radios Helmet Knowledge Centre | Which Stilo model do I need? →

Current Helmet Standards at a Glance

Standard Who It's For Key Requirement
FIA 8859-2024 Most circuit, rally & club racing Current minimum for MSNZ & Motorsport AU
FIA 8859-2024 ABP Open-wheel / formula cars Mandatory FIA F4 from 2026
FIA 8860-2018 Top-tier professional racing Supercars, WEC, WRC, IMSA, AU GT Pro
FIA 8860-2018 ABP High-end open wheel (F1–F3) Advanced Ballistic Protection mandatory
Snell SA2025 Low to mid market; US series Some helmets dual-homologated with FIA
FIA 8878-2024 Karting (latest standard) Current dedicated karting homologation
Snell K2020 Adult karting No HANS posts or fireproof lining required
Snell CMR2016 Junior karting (under 16) Weight-limited; max 1250g (54/55), 1300g (57/59)

FIA 8859-2024 — The Current Standard for Most NZ & AU Racing

FIA 8859-2024 is the latest premium helmet standard, introduced in 2024. It improves energy management by 14% and energy resistance by 5% over the previous standard — without increasing weight or volume. For full-face helmets, an improved visor locking system and increased visor penetration resistance are required.

This is the correct standard for the vast majority of club and semi-professional competitors in New Zealand and Australia, including:

  • Motorsport Australia (CAMS) club and state championship events
  • MSNZ club and national championship events
  • Australian Rally Championship (ARC)
  • NZ Rally Championship (NZRC)
  • TCR Australia, S5000, Australian GT (most categories)

Recommended Stilo helmets: ST6 FN Composite, ST6 FN Carbon, ST6 GT Carbon, Venti4 WRC Composite, WRX Venti Dirt/Raid Carbon

FIA 8859-2024 ABP — Open-Wheel & Formula Cars

For the first time in an 8859-standard helmet, an ABP (Advanced Ballistic Protection) variant has been introduced specifically for single-seater, open-wheel, and formula car drivers. ABP reinforces the shell at the forehead area where it meets the visor, protecting against projectiles up to 225g travelling at 250 km/h.

Key differences from standard 8859-2024:

  • Reduced visor aperture (approximately 10mm shorter than non-ABP)
  • Increased shell strength above the visor zone
  • Mandatory for FIA F4 from 2026

Recommended Stilo helmet: Stilo ST6 FN Carbon ABP

FIA 8860-2018 — Top-Tier Professional Racing

FIA 8860-2018 is the highest FIA helmet standard — mandatory carbon shell construction, stricter impact testing, and significantly lower weight than 8859. Required for:

  • Supercars Championship
  • WEC, WRC, IMSA
  • Australian GT Pro class
  • Drivers who want the absolute highest level of impact protection

Recommended Stilo helmets: Stilo Venti WRC 8860 Carbon, ST6 GT Carbon 8860, ST6 FN Carbon 8860

FIA 8860-2018 ABP — High-End Open Wheel (F1 to F3)

FIA 8860-2018 ABP combines the highest FIA impact standard with Advanced Ballistic Protection. It has been mandatory in Formula 1 for some time and is progressively being adopted across FIA championships. Features include:

  • Energy absorption increase of 12% (22% for larger helmets)
  • Double and triple impact tests over an extended protection area
  • New chin strap design to aid driver extrication
  • Improved visor retention under lateral impacts

Recommended Stilo helmet: Stilo ST6 FN Carbon ABP (8860)

Snell SA2025 — Low to Mid Market & US Racing Series

The Snell Memorial Foundation was established in 1957 following the death of Pete 'William' Snell, and has since dedicated itself to head protection research, standards development, and helmet testing. Snell SA (Special Application) standards are required for US race series and are widely used at club level globally.

Snell SA2025 is the current standard. Some Stilo helmets carry dual FIA and Snell homologation — for NZ and AU motorsport, the FIA homologation takes precedence and typically has a longer validity period. Always retain the official homologation sticker in its original position inside the helmet.

Karting Standards

FIA 8878-2024 — Latest Dedicated Karting Standard

The current FIA homologation specifically for karting. Check your series regulations for whether this or a Snell standard is required.

Snell K2020 — Adult Karting

Snell's current adult karting standard, based on the SA standard but without the requirement for HANS posts or a fireproof lining. Snell K2015 was the first adult karting standard and is now superseded by K2020.

Snell CMR2016 — Junior Karting (Under 16)

Dedicated solely to junior kart racing. Focuses on minimising rotational mass in an accident — maximum permissible weight is 1250g for size 54/55 helmets and 1300g for size 57/59.

Please note: Full-face helmets homologated to FIA 8859-2015, FIA 8860-2010, FIA 8860-2018, and the ABP model are eligible for some karting events. Always confirm with your series organiser.

Recommended Stilo karting helmets: Stilo ST6 KRT Composite, Stilo ST6 CMR Lite Carbon

What About the Stilo ST5?

The Stilo ST5 is no longer manufactured. Harris Race Radios still stocks genuine ST5 parts and accessories for existing helmet owners, but the ST5 helmet itself has been superseded by the ST6 range. If you are looking for a new helmet, the ST6 is the current Stilo flagship.

Always Verify Your Series Regulations

Helmet standards and series requirements change between seasons. Always confirm the exact standard required with your series organiser, Motorsport Australia, or MSNZ before purchasing. Rex and Aaron Harris are MSNZ-certified helmet examiners and can confirm compliance for your specific event or series.

  • 📞 Rex Harris: +64 21 682 912 — Radio Communications Engineer
  • 📞 Aaron Harris: +64 27 449 9654 — Race & Data Engineer, MSNZ Examiner
  • 📧 Contact us online — free advice, fast response

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Written by Aaron Harris (MSNZ licence examiner, helmets and racewear), Harris Race Radios — authorised Stilo dealer for Australia and New Zealand. Reviewed and updated June 2026. Always verify current series regulations with your series organiser, Motorsport Australia, or MSNZ before purchasing.