What Safety Gear Do You Need for Autocross?
Autocross has one of the lowest barriers to entry in motorsport — and that extends to gear requirements. You do not need a driving suit, HANS device, or fire extinguisher to run SCCA Solo. What you do need is a helmet, and the details matter more than most new drivers realize.
This guide covers exactly what's required at SCCA Solo events, what's not required (but might still be smart to own), and how to make your gear purchase work for you if HPDE is ever on your radar.
What's Actually Required at SCCA Solo
SCCA Solo (the national autocross series) has relatively minimal gear requirements compared to road course events. The requirements apply to all run groups equally — SCCA Solo is treated as a single run group for gear purposes, unlike NASA HPDE which escalates gear requirements as you advance.
The minimum required gear for SCCA Solo competition:
- Helmet: Snell SA2020 minimum, or FIA 8860/8859. SA2015 is no longer accepted at most events. M-rated helmets vary by region — check with your specific club before assuming an M helmet will pass tech.
- Long sleeves: Required at most SCCA regions. A long-sleeve cotton shirt satisfies this requirement — no special material required.
- Long pants: Required at most SCCA regions. Jeans are fine.
- Closed-toe shoes: Required everywhere. Sandals, flip-flops, and open-toe shoes are never acceptable in any run car.
SA2015 helmets are being phased out and are no longer accepted at most events in 2026. SA2020 is the minimum. If you own an SA2015 helmet, check with your event organizer before showing up — don't assume it will pass tech.
What's NOT Required at Autocross
This is where autocross differs dramatically from HPDE and wheel-to-wheel racing. The following gear is common on road courses but not required at SCCA Solo:
- Driving suit: Not required. You can run autocross in street clothes (with long sleeves/pants).
- HANS device: Not required. Autocross speeds and the nature of the course (no walls, no barriers) mean HANS isn't mandated.
- Fire extinguisher: Not required in the car for competition runs, though many paddocks require one in the paddock area.
- Driving gloves: Not required, though many experienced drivers use them.
- Driving shoes: Not required; closed-toe street shoes are acceptable.
- Harness/rollcage: Stock seatbelts are required; no aftermarket harness or rollcage mandated.
SCCA regions have some latitude to enforce stricter local rules than the national minimum. Always check your specific region's supplemental rules before your first event. The national minimum is the floor, not necessarily the ceiling.
Autocross vs HPDE Gear Requirements
If you're considering doing both autocross and HPDE, here's how the gear requirements compare. HPDE escalates significantly as you advance through run groups, especially at HPDE 3 and 4 where a driving suit and HANS become required at most organizations.
| Gear Item | SCCA Solo | HPDE 1–2 | HPDE 3–4 | Road Racing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helmet (SA2020) | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Long Sleeves/Pants | Required | Required | Suit replaces | Suit replaces |
| Driving Suit | Not required | Not required | Req'd at many | Required |
| HANS Device | Not required | Not required | Req'd at some | Required |
| Driving Gloves | Not required | Not required | Not required | Req'd at many |
| Fire Extinguisher (in car) | Not required | Not required | Not required | Required |
GridLife Autocross Events
GridLife runs autocross-style events at venues like Road Atlanta as part of their Street/Track weekends. The gear rules for GridLife autocross follow SCCA Solo rules as a baseline — meaning SA2020 helmet, long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes — but always confirm with GridLife event organizers directly. GridLife events can be stricter than SCCA minimums depending on the venue and event format.
If you're running a GridLife Street/Track weekend that includes both autocross and track lapping, bring your best gear for the lapping portion — those sessions follow HPDE-style rules with suit and HANS requirements for advanced groups.
Jewelry and Other Notes
This comes up at tech inspection and surprises some new drivers: all jewelry must be removed before entering a competition vehicle. Rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and watches must come off. The reasoning is straightforward — in a fire, metal jewelry conducts heat and can cause serious burns. In an impact, rings and bracelets can cause lacerations. This is a universal rule across all motorsport formats, not just SCCA Solo.
Passengers are not permitted in competition runs at SCCA Solo events. Street-car-style autocross events (non-SCCA) may permit passengers, but SCCA does not. The car must have only the driver during a timed run.
Buying Smart: Think Ahead to HPDE
SA2020 is the minimum everywhere now — autocross, HPDE, and GridLife all require it. Buy SA2020 and you're covered for every event type without needing to upgrade.
The other gear that bridges well between autocross and HPDE: a basic pair of driving gloves. They're not required at either event type for beginners, but they reduce hand fatigue on longer sessions and protect against blisters. At $40–80, they're a low-cost quality-of-life improvement.
Recommended Gear for Autocross
Helmet
The Speedway Motors SA2020 is the go-to recommendation for first-time drivers at autocross. It's SA2020 certified (future-proof for HPDE), affordable, and a proven budget choice. It passes tech at every SCCA region and at GridLife events. See our full helmet guide for more options at different price points.
Gloves (Optional but Recommended)
Checklist: Minimum Autocross Gear
- SA2020 helmet — minimum standard; SA2015 no longer accepted at most events
- Long-sleeve shirt — any material, as long as it covers your arms
- Long pants — jeans are fine
- Closed-toe shoes — no sandals, no open-toe footwear
- No jewelry — rings, watches, necklaces, and bracelets must be removed
- Driving gloves — not required but reduces fatigue and blisters
- Driving shoes — thin sole improves pedal feel, even at autocross speeds
- Water and sun protection — you're standing outside all day