Helmets

[drifting240racer]

I need to pick up a racing helmet for autoX and other racing. want to know where i can look for one and how much they should run also what would be a good brand? What should i get as a minimum rating?


thanks
drifting240racer

[rotaryknight]

www.helmetshop.com

They have decent prices.

[Bbandit]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (rotaryknight @ May 20 2002,04:03)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">www.helmetshop.com

They have decent prices.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
how come they only sell motorcycle helmets? &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/nervous.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':nervous:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/huh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':huh:'>

[HippoSleek]

Racer's wholesale, Randy's racemart, or og racing are all good online sources. &nbsp;My recommendation, however, is to pay the extra few bucks and find a local place up there. &nbsp;Call around speed shops, etc. until you find a race supply store and go there. &nbsp;

Fit is a very important thing in a helmet!! &nbsp;WHen I bought my helmet, I wanted a Simpson, but wound up buying a Bell b/c the Simpson was too snug on my jaw. &nbsp;Had I ordered online, I would have never known.

As for what to get - I'd get SA2000, full face. &nbsp;Prices start at about $240 and go up to about $999.99. &nbsp;You may be able to run an M at an autox, but if you are going to ever do track days, etc. that $70-100 is just being thrown away.

[boosteds14]

try a bmx or motorcycle shop new you so you can get the right size for your head,
i raced motorcross for about 11years and the most annoying thing to have is riding with an non-comfortable helmet. it really distracts you and takes your mind off of concentrating on the race,NOT GOOD. then after you &nbsp;get your size for that brand helmet, (each brand has different sizing) then go purchase it from a place that is really cheap

[tnord]

i got my helmet from northstarmotorsports.com, they race porsches and i just happened to come across their website. i got a Bell M2 (for people who wear glasses) for $300, and they threw in a free helmet bag. they were good, i would buy from them again.

but i also agree that it can be very helpful to find a local race shop and buy from them. it may cost you a few bucks more, but if you have issues with the car or need other things in the future, they're more likely to help if you've bought things from them in the past.

[240 2NR]

I went to a local performance shop (they specialize in porsches so it wasn't cheap) because I really wanted to try on the helmet before I bought it. &nbsp;It's a 10 year investment so it better fit.

You might find a deal on an SA95 helmet since they will be no good in a few years but if you're serious get an SA2000 rated helmet. &nbsp;Most racing councils require a helmet to be no more than 10 years past its rating (not from the time you buy it).

Also, get an SA rated helmet instead of an MA. &nbsp;MA is for motorcycles and is designed to take one hard blow (though they will be a lot cheaper). &nbsp;SA is designed to take repeated impacts (imagine rolling your car and hitting the roof and B-pillar several times). &nbsp;They are also usually lined with nomex and more appropriate to the types of racing you will be doing.

[bbp]

I have had Simpson's (they are kinda tight around the jaw) and Bell's. &nbsp;Had an M3 for sevral years until the FDA and EPA made me get rid of it. &nbsp;I just purchased a Bieffe Predator. &nbsp;It was like 329. &nbsp;I got it at Summit Racing, I live about 15 mins so I could try it on first.

I did order a Predator Alesi, it was awesome! But they didn't stock my size( XL), Anywhere! &nbsp;I ordered a medium but it was a brain crusher. &nbsp;These are really cool, they come pre painted like F1 &nbsp;replicas. SA2000. &nbsp;I think they were like 100 more for paint (which is less than half of what it costs to get one painted).

Anyway, try a Bieffe, the build quality is great.

[sykikchimp]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (bbp @ May 20 2002,2:39)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I have had Simpson's (they are kinda tight around the jaw) and Bell's. Had an M3 for sevral years until the FDA and EPA made me get rid of it. I just purchased a Bieffe Predator. It was like 329. I got it at Summit Racing, I live about 15 mins so I could try it on first.

I did order a Predator Alesi, it was awesome! But they didn't stock my size( XL), Anywhere! I ordered a medium but it was a brain crusher. These are really cool, they come pre painted like F1 replicas. SA2000. I think they were like 100 more for paint (which is less than half of what it costs to get one painted).

Anyway, try a Bieffe, the build quality is great.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
My roomate has a Bieffe from racing go karts.. that thing is super hot. &nbsp;beautiful even. &nbsp;He likes it a lot.

[gh6o6]

i just got a b8 bieffe helmet thats rated for motorcycles/autcross/atv - you meen to tell me i wont be able to use it at the track in a couple of weeks?

[bbp]

it depends on who is the event is held by. &nbsp;SCCA req. SA rated helmets, while other organizers may not specify. &nbsp;What they will check is the Snell sticker, usually 95 and newer.

I have heard M rated helmets are constructed differently, for diffrent a type of impact than SA rated. &nbsp;Anyone know the difference, besides the nomex liner?

What is the event you are attending?

[rotaryknight]

Yea make sure you go somewhere and try one on first....they exact one you want to buy...

I know that ARAI sizing is tighter than Shoei. &nbsp;So make sure you try things on so your eyes don't get squeezed out at the track.

[HippoSleek]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (bbp @ May 20 2002,8:59)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">it depends on who is the event is held by. SCCA req. SA rated helmets, while other organizers may not specify. What they will check is the Snell sticker, usually 95 and newer.

I have heard M rated helmets are constructed differently, for diffrent a type of impact than SA rated. Anyone know the difference, besides the nomex liner?

What is the event you are attending?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Oh THIS topic. &nbsp;I know that they subject the SA to repeated impact testing rather than single impact testing and I know one or two of the weights in the test hits from a slightly different angle.

Everything I've heard, however is that the nomex liner is the big (and in many cases only) difference. &nbsp;Your odds of getting trapped on a burning motorcycle are not so great as a burning car!

And for the record, I would only buy an SA. &nbsp;Sooner or later you are going to want to do something just to find out that you need another helmet &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>

[tnord]

for the love of god.......

1) DO NOT buy an open face helmet, even if you drive a closed cockpit car. lets assume somebody crashes in front of you, i know i want my face protected from fiberglass shargs and long pointy suspension pieces. and if your harnesses fail, you'll end up eating steering wheel ala the late dale sr. if you buy a full face helmet you can get a ride in your friends Datsun Roadster GP race car <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>. open face helmets are not allowed in open cockpit cars.
2) don't go cheap. ask yourself one question;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;how much is my head worth to me?