I haven't been to a track event yet and eventually want to try one out. I'm looking at helmets online but there are several options. What is the requirements for most tracks? DOT, or Snell? And if snell there seems to be different versions.
The proper style helmet for track use
- Thread starter BrianB
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you want a snell 2010 SA rated helmet, and not an M helmet. (SA) is fire retardant car, M is motorcycle. I wouldn't buy online, this is one item you MUST try on. Don't go nuts either for your first helmet. Get a somewhat modest one and if you like the track you then get an SA2015 helmet instead of 2010. you can only use these for 10 years, and 3 of the 2010 are already gone.
Ok thanks!
This is good advice.
Note, the year in the snell rating (that's what the SA2010 is) notes what year the Snell standard is officially for. By the time the standard is approved and helmets are made for that standard, it's often late the following year. So SA2015 helmets aren't available now, and won't be available until maybe late in 2015 at best, maybe even late in 2016. If you need to buy one now, get SA2010, which is the most recent standard available now.
Incidentally, SA-helmets are not sold everywhere, the way M-rated helmets are. In big cities, there are usually only one or two racing equipment shops where they're sold. They also sell them at shops at some racetracks. You can ask the folks who conduct track events in your general area where SA-rated helmets are sold (which means, where you can go try them on in person); they'll know.
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Just FYI, check with the group you plan to run with. Some allow M helmets for HPDE / open lapping type events.
That said, If you plan to go often, it'd be worth just springing for the SA helmet as there's no chance of it being rejected by any group. Also, +1 on trying them on. Nothings worse than having your face mashed for 20 minutes in a hot car.
That said, If you plan to go often, it'd be worth just springing for the SA helmet as there's no chance of it being rejected by any group. Also, +1 on trying them on. Nothings worse than having your face mashed for 20 minutes in a hot car.
also personaly i would not want to run an open face helmet......some groups might allow it,but with an airbag/glass flying around ect no good....comfort is key but a helmet needs to be snug so fitting one with a experienced person to check is helpful.
Thanks for all the great advise, I just went to Englishtown the other weekend I should of took the opportunity to try one on...
I just ordered this Sparco not a bad helmet sort of an inbetween full visor and open face, i dont have airbags to worry about in this sense.
If you wrap it in carbon vinyl you can make it look like the expensive one at 3 times the price......
If you wrap it in carbon vinyl you can make it look like the expensive one at 3 times the price......
Attachments
I don't understand what you mean by that. Both photos look to me like full-face helmets, not open face.
i meant it didnt have the full visor but a 'peak' and it has a wider port than a normal 'full face'
No it is basically a full face with a wider port and a peak instead of a visor so it is aimed at tin top cars not open wheelers.
Bell have a similar version.
it comes with HANS attachments and you can put the intercom kit in it for your passenger or crew if you want to get that carried away see http://shop.sparco.it/en/racing/helmets.html if you check out some of the models here you will see it says 'narrow visor' or 'wide visor' most helmet maunfacturers now are offering wider ports so they can be more like an open face helmet but with the safety of a full face.
Shark helmets are offering a new wide view similar to this but for road bikes.
I will check my motocross goggles to see if they fit if you want
Bell have a similar version.
it comes with HANS attachments and you can put the intercom kit in it for your passenger or crew if you want to get that carried away see http://shop.sparco.it/en/racing/helmets.html if you check out some of the models here you will see it says 'narrow visor' or 'wide visor' most helmet maunfacturers now are offering wider ports so they can be more like an open face helmet but with the safety of a full face.
Shark helmets are offering a new wide view similar to this but for road bikes.
I will check my motocross goggles to see if they fit if you want
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- 29 June 2011
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- 93
I wouldn't suggest to go crazy on your first helmet but don't settle either. Some brands just have better quality than others. My current helmet is the carbon fiber Sparco, but you can tell that my old Arai profile (motorcycle helmet) has superior quality such as the fabric staying more intact. I also had issues with the clear coat on my Sparco peeling before I got it painted, whereas my older Arai's paint still looks perfect.
Thats interesting how old a Sparco is it? their other products seem to be good quality.
heres another company that does this style http://www.orgmotorsports.com/
If you wear glasses these are a great option
heres another company that does this style http://www.orgmotorsports.com/
If you wear glasses these are a great option
yeah, just a full-face helmet with a "bill" attached instead of a visor. Seem to be popular with the Aussie V8 series. I plan to make sure my next helmet at least has that accessory option. My current has a visor, but I can't recall ever running with it down. I think the only time I've used it is while refuelling during a chump-car race...never while driving (no open-wheel for me)
i worry what will happen if i crashed while wearing sunglasses. might get a piece of lens lodged into an eye socket?
i like having a visor for those "off" moments in gravel and sand. all the hpde events here require all windows open.
tinted visors help for the really sunny days.
Very happy with my HJC Fi-10
For some reason, I couldn't get used to the fi-10. Granted it was a little on the small side fitment wise but the eyeport just seemed too small in comparison to some others.
That said, I didn't drive with it so I could be a little too particular.
That said, I didn't drive with it so I could be a little too particular.
Fi-10s run small. I'm a small Fi10 and a Large Arai GP6.
Not sure if the HX eye port is larger.
Not sure if the HX eye port is larger.
Helmets, like everything else have come a long way in the last 25 years. Weight, fit, finish and of course safety have made huge advancements.
Here's a study in contrast;
My trusty Simpson Bandit II from 1989 (Snell '85) which was THE helmet to have back in the day.
vs. my current 2012 Sparco WTX-5W (Snell 2010 / FIA approved)
The difference between a cheap helmet and a good quality helmet is fit, weight & survivability. The '89 Simpson has no cheek & jaw padding and it jiggles and rocks every time I move my head. The 2012 Sparco is snug all around with excellent face, cheek and jaw protection and even though it is considerably larger, it weighs about 1/3rd less. When its strapped on it feels like its attached to me with no movement or play. It is also Hans ready.
Here's a study in contrast;
My trusty Simpson Bandit II from 1989 (Snell '85) which was THE helmet to have back in the day.
vs. my current 2012 Sparco WTX-5W (Snell 2010 / FIA approved)
The difference between a cheap helmet and a good quality helmet is fit, weight & survivability. The '89 Simpson has no cheek & jaw padding and it jiggles and rocks every time I move my head. The 2012 Sparco is snug all around with excellent face, cheek and jaw protection and even though it is considerably larger, it weighs about 1/3rd less. When its strapped on it feels like its attached to me with no movement or play. It is also Hans ready.
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Ill play:
Heres last few years
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/xburnitallx/media/photo4-9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/xburnitallx/photo4-9.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo photo4-9.jpg"/></a>
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Here my new one for this season:
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/xburnitallx/media/20130526_001844_resized_zpscf7bbb91.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/xburnitallx/20130526_001844_resized_zpscf7bbb91.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20130526_001844_resized_zpscf7bbb91.jpg"/></a>
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Heres last few years
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/xburnitallx/media/photo4-9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/xburnitallx/photo4-9.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo photo4-9.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/xburnitallx/media/photo2-13.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/xburnitallx/photo2-13.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo photo2-13.jpg"/></a>
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Here my new one for this season:
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/xburnitallx/media/20130526_001844_resized_zpscf7bbb91.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/xburnitallx/20130526_001844_resized_zpscf7bbb91.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20130526_001844_resized_zpscf7bbb91.jpg"/></a>
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