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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Talk to me about Helmets

Posted by: Britain Smith Mar 20 2006, 09:44 PM

I am getting tired of fighting for the XL helmet when I arrive at each AX, so it is the time to bit the bullet and purchase one...oh, but the choices. What is legal? What is a good value? Can I get an open face, or do I need a closed face? What if the car happens to not have a windshield at some point down the road...do I have to used closed? Give me some ideas, thoughts, and suggestions.

-Britain

Posted by: i love porsche Mar 20 2006, 09:49 PM

good questions, i got one for this past christmas, i would assume that the helmets being sold at a reputable race shop will be legal for ax and DE events, and if not, the salespeople will know which ones are.

i got a helmet with no visor, but it covers the mouth, and has a small brim, i really liked the way it looked and since i have glasses, its easy to come off and on, also, ill be driving inside the car, no open cockpit yet, so ireally dont need a visor.

Attached image(s)

Posted by: bryanc Mar 20 2006, 09:50 PM

I bought a closed face helmet because I figured someday I might do open wheel racing. I was glad I did when I bought my car....

Most sanctioning bodies allow helmets from the last two http://www.smf.org specs. Example, current SA spec is SA2005, so most bodies allow SA2000 and SA2005. SA95 are still legal in many cases. Also, M95 and M2000 helmets are usually ok for AX.

SA2000 helmets will be good for a few more years and you probably can find a closeout bargain or two. I'd avoid anything older though.

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 20 2006, 09:51 PM

Every organizing group has different rules. What group do you usually run with.
Most groups for AX allow Mortorcycle (M) helmets or Automobile (SA)
M or SA 2000 should be legal for most and fairly easy (cheap) to aquire.
M and SA 2005 have just recently come out and can be found at decent prices from IOPORT and others. Most groups allow open or closed face helmets for AX in cars that have full windshields.

amount of money you spend is dependent on how much you think your head is worth Very good helmets can be had for under $200.

Posted by: TROJANMAN Mar 20 2006, 09:59 PM

i posted a poll on this subject not too long ago
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=44173&hl=helmet,and,face

Posted by: drgchapman Mar 20 2006, 10:00 PM

Hey Britain,

I bought closed face helmet for a/x-DE days and in case I raced an open car. Yeah, right. Don't got time and $$$$$$? Pamela got an open face helmet for a/x only. I steal her's every chance I get for a/x. Better visibilty, cooler, easier to put the sunnies on, etc. Just get the latest DOT/snell rating and go fast.

I've always trusted my melon to Bell. We bought Bell Helmets, online somewhere. Best price on line, just shop.

Gary

Posted by: trekkor Mar 20 2006, 10:57 PM

I like my Pyrotect open faced helmet.
Pyrotect is made by Bell I believe.

QUOTE
decent prices from IOPORT

Yes, they're prices are very good.

http://www.ioportracing.com/index.html

KT

Posted by: Andyrew Mar 20 2006, 11:01 PM

Just autox?

ebay, cheep as dirt..

DE+ ?

Watch ebay.. look for a sa 2005 aproved.. and stores...

I bet craigslist could have them as well.

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 20 2006, 11:03 PM

I purchased a Pyrotect from IOPORT in January. Good price.
Yes, Pyrotect is made by Bell.
Ken Meyer the owner of IOPORT is a former 914 racecar pilot.
Nice guy and really wants you to get the right helmet for your application.
I have been buying harnesses and such from IOPORT for 15+ years now.

Posted by: J P Stein Mar 20 2006, 11:14 PM

You'll need a SA2000 minimim for the Parade.....also for PCA
AX locally. I gotta wander out to the shop & look at mine. I may need a new one. I like Bell, also. Open face.

Posted by: Randal Mar 20 2006, 11:42 PM

Britain,

An approved open faced helmet is great for AutoX as they typically have a bigger opening so you can see better.

On the track a closed face helmet makes more sense given the possibilities that you might need the protection.

In any event I'd do some searching to find the best available unit, like the guys wear in F1 or NASCAR.

I mean why would you spend $20-$40K on a prepared car and then not spend it on the necessary safety equipment protecting the most important element, i.e., the driver?

Posted by: J P Stein Mar 21 2006, 12:04 AM

Hay Randal.
Did I tell ya I hired Britain to put the hurt on youz guys at the Parade & WCC? We gots to get him some butt time in the car, but he'll have it by the WCC.

The pressure's on, Brit

Posted by: Britain Smith Mar 21 2006, 12:11 AM

QUOTE (J P Stein @ Mar 20 2006, 11:04 PM)
Hay Randal.
Did I tell ya I hired Britain to put the hurt on youz guys at the Parade & WCC? We gots to get him some butt time in the car, but he'll have it by the WCC.

The pressure's on, Brit

Ah great...you have now gone and done it. I guess the cat's outta the bag.

-Britain

Posted by: Dave_Darling Mar 21 2006, 12:59 AM

QUOTE (J P Stein @ Mar 20 2006, 09:14 PM)
You'll need a SA2000 minimim for the Parade.....

Unless they've changed the PCRs in the last two years, an M-rating is quite sufficient.

That said, you really ought to check with your local rules-meisters about what is acceptable for the different types of events you want to run. AutoX, DE, wheel-to-wheel, full-windshield car, open-front car, yadda yadda yadda.

Open-faced helmets are much more convenient and comfortable than full-face ones. They're usually also cheaper. And they offer less protection. Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances...

--DD

Posted by: Howard R Mar 21 2006, 01:11 AM

Old school. Open face Sparco something or other meets all latest specs (and expensive, like abt US$500!). If the screen comes in Ratti goggles in the tupperware glovebox between the seats. They fit over the multi-focals.

Posted by: Terrance Mar 21 2006, 01:22 AM

Sounds like you need something universal:

My recomendation, you should plan ahead for the future, so I would get the new SA2005 helmets so it will last atleast 10 years with most of the sanctions, PCA, SCCA, NASA......

I do like closed faced helmets since I prefer to have my chin protected in the event of a crash. I also like visors too, so if you decide to do any karting, open cockpit stuff, or eliminate the use of sunglasses. If you ever plan on doing any club racing, you must get a nomex lined helmet, Otherwise, the $150 motorcycle helmet will go down the drain and become useless.

I bought a SA2000 closed faced nomex lined helmet back in 2000, with the intention of using it just for autoxing. 5 years later, I've used it for SCCA, and PRC races, many autoxes, couple of rides in a Radical SR3, using my shifter kart, and soon, will be running my open cockpit 914-6.

So, plans do change, went from only needing an open faced helmet to needing a full faced with visor, and my $350 Bieffe helmet (now out of business) was well worth the money, and will last me another 5 more years.

I have 3 visors, 1 clear for indoor karting and stuff, 1 tinted for very bright days, and a yellow one I'm not sure why I bought.

Check with the following places for helmets:

Hope this helps.
http://www.upracing.com
http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com
http://www.ogracing.com
http://www.cdoc.com
http://www.winecountrymotorsports.com

Posted by: anthony Mar 21 2006, 01:43 AM

I bought a $100 KBC off ebay for AX (snell M2000 rated). It fits well and I like it. You can get other KBCs for less than $50. Mine is like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8047166152

I don't buy the argument that you need to spend big bucks on a helmet. As long as a helmet is snell M2000 or SA2000 rated, a $100 helmet isn't going to provide less protection than a $500 helmet. With higher end helmets you pay for exotic lightweight materials, etc. For AX where you ware the helmet for 20 minutes a day, weight doesn't matter as much.

Posted by: Joe Ricard Mar 21 2006, 06:15 AM

OPen face will do ya. if you happen to cut the windshiled off you can always get a snap on face shield.

I have a M2000 full face and it is HOT made by Scorpion Very nice piece.
One good feature is a removeable liner. through it in the washer every other event in the summer.

Posted by: Randal Mar 21 2006, 09:20 AM

QUOTE
Ah great...you have now gone and done it. I guess the cat's outta the bag.

That was a very well kept secret.

Posted by: Randal Mar 21 2006, 11:18 AM

QUOTE
Did I tell ya I hired Britain to put the hurt on youz guys at the Parade & WCC? We gots to get him some butt time in the car, but he'll have it by the WCC

You picked a good guy to hire. When Britain was down here he was doing very well with his racing, considering he didn't have a rocket underneath him.

But it looks like the rocket is ready to land.

Posted by: lapuwali Mar 21 2006, 11:27 AM

Helmets really aren't all THAT expensive. Don't buy a full face for AX because you "might do open wheel some day". When that day comes, buy a good full face. Helmets also don't last forever, so plan on buying a new one every few years, anyway.

For AX, anything the rules makers will let you use is plenty adequate. For any full track use, I'd only use a full face helmet.

The M v. SA debate is mostly going to be determined by the rules you run under. Everyone will accept an SA helmet, and the bottom of the line SA helmets aren't all that expensive.

Posted by: jhadler Mar 21 2006, 11:31 AM

Britain,

If it's strictly autox, and you're not going into an open cockpit car, an open face helmet is nice. They're cooler under the heat of the summer sun, and are easier to put glasses on with.

Most sanctioning bodies will allow either M or SA rated helemts. DOT ratings don't matter. For nearly every sanctioning body in North America, SNELL is the rating that matters.

One big piece of advice that I haven't seen anyone post yet is this: "Try before you buy". There are a ton of helmet makers out there, but they all will have slightly different shapes, and not everyone's head is shaped the same. For me, Arai helemts fit me very well, Shoei helmets -hurt-. Bell helemts never seem to fit right etc... If it's for autox and the occasional DE, a closed face M rated helemt would be key. I really prefer closed face for track events. The extra protection is worth the minor inconvinience and discomfort. Anyway, go to a big motorcycle shop that carries lots of different helmets. Try 'em on. Find the one that's comfortable. If it's not comfortable, you won't want to wear it, and it will be a distraction at best when you are wearing it.

If it's _just_ autox in a closed cockpit car, then an open face M rated helmet is fine. Find one that fits, and enjoy. You don't need to spend a fortune to get a good, comfortable helmet. But you do need to try a few on.

The helemt should fit pretty snug. If you can move the helmet around without it pulling on your face/head, then it's too loose....

And the age old Bell advertising slogan still holds true for me today. "If you've got a $10 head. Buy a $10 helmet...".

-Josh2

Posted by: TimT Mar 21 2006, 11:54 AM

Take a look at http://www.gforce.com/products/helmets/index.html

Posted by: grantsfo Mar 21 2006, 01:06 PM

I have a Simpson open face that is very lightweight. Allows for great visbility and the lightweight aspect of the helmet is nice as well.

Posted by: J P Stein Mar 21 2006, 07:12 PM

QUOTE (Randal @ Mar 21 2006, 09:18 AM)

QUOTE
Did I tell ya I hired Britain to put the hurt on youz guys at the Parade & WCC? We gots to get him some butt time in the car, but he'll have it by the WCC

You picked a good guy to hire. When Britain was down here he was doing very well with his racing, considering he didn't have a rocket underneath him.

But it looks like the rocket is ready to land.

The kid shows promise.
All I gotta teach him is not the use my car as a coneplow
A 2X4 will serve, me thinks.

He whupped me by a couple seconds when he drove it......not counting cones. He said my brakes were too soft, so I asked him why he was flat spoting my expensive tiars.....who, me? says he.
He allowed as how hp took some getting used to....no more of this foot to the floor & steer BS.
He'll do better with butt time.

Posted by: Britain Smith Mar 22 2006, 10:49 AM

Thanks all for the great input. I think I am going to look into getting a SNELL2000 or better, open face helmet for AX'ing. Anyone know of a local place up here in OR that sells various brands so I can try to squeeze in my noggin?

-Britain