Racing Helmets: Where to get, and what to get?
 

So I am looking around for a racing helmet.
So far I have looked at the Simpson line up.

What other brand do you guys recommend and where to get them?
Local or from a website. ?

Post some pics of your favorite helmets.
:thumbsup:


http://assets0.saferacer.com/images/P/129_1_lg.jpg

http://www.2dayblog.com/images/2008/...t_helmet_1.jpg

:D

you can always go with Bell,Alpine star,Shoei, Arai as well.

Arai is sickkkk
:thumbsup:

It's important to be aware of what standard of helmet you are buying.

Helmets come in 3 varieties... cheap Chinese shit not certified for anything, Snell M2000/2005/2010 certified, and Snell SA2000/2005/ certified.

Non certified helmets are not legal in any form of motorsport. Snell M rated helmets are allowed for autocross, but not for any sort of high speed event such as time attack at Mission Raceway, Knox Mountain hillclimb, etc. Also, any "2000" helmet will be expiring in the next year, so better not waste your money on an M/SA2000 helmet, instead go for an M/SA2005.

If you want a cheap crappy helmet, there are a few places in town to check out. If your head is worth more than that, then the guy you want to talk to is Frank at Driver's Edge Autosport. www.driversedgeautosport.com

-Mark

Frank at Driver's edge is awesome. He's stayed late after closing to help me more than once. He has a nice upstairs showroom and will help you test fit what helmet fits you properly. AND he is a racer, and knows what you need, from experience. Fit and comfort is more important than saving a couple hundred dollars.

Overseasauto is one of our sponsors, and I believe they carry helmets are well.

Oddly, the two most comfortable helmets for me are the $1000 Arai helmets and the $200 RCi helmets. (I have one of each) The Bells and OMPs do not fit my eggplant shaped head, they leave a pressure dot on my forehead. :(

and if you really want a stormtrooper helmet:

http://www.kralscreations.com.au/ima...helmet_078.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4...t502sv5tp4.jpg

Keiichii Tsuchiya's

Stig uses the simpson

Just stoped racing but when i did i always used Arai and it never failed me.

driver's edge autosport ftw.

If you are able to go to Seattle you should swing by Speedware motorsports, they have an awesome shop.

can i just use my motorcycle helmet? or they don't have the same safety rating?

For autocross yes, for anything else, no.

So your best bet is to get an SA2005. The cheapest I've come across is RCi which is actually available at your local Lordco auto supplies.:D

It comes in all white so you can play around with it
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._4342453_n.jpghttp://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._1979289_n.jpg

LOL sorry guys at Gearheads that I haven't come down at all after the opening but I haven't done anything to my car that needs a shop to do lol...

Check with the organization that's running the event that you're attending.

Mission (1/4 mile) may have a different helmet requirement (once your car is fast enough) than, say, the VD Society who might not have one at all.

i thought it was alpine star?

Interestingly Mission does not require a helmet until your car pulls off a ET faster than a certain time.

Which makes a lot of new car owners lift off before getting to the finish line....Just so they don't have to wear a helmet.

I believe it is 14.99 or faster and/or if your car is a convertable or has a roll cage.

Don't worry HK20000, none of those will apply to you. ;)

Alpinestar does not make helmets. They only specialize in protective racing apparel such as race suits, boots, and gloves.

My next helmet is gonna be an arai, check it.

http://imagenes.solostocks.com/z1_24...iken-verde.jpg

Depending on how much you plan to spend and how serious you plan to dwell into the sport.

Personally, I use a cheapo no brand unit (Snell/DoT approved) from Lordco think it cost like 150-160ish, for Go-Karting and those short 1/4 Mission runs.

Stick to my x12/crossair when I have longer track days as it has a way better fit/comfort.

Can't you just go to some bike shop like RMS and pick up a motorcycle helmet?

What's the difference (if there is one) between a motorcycle and racing helmet?

my understanding is that motorcycle helmets with an M rating are not required to have fire resistant linings. The lining and chin straps on an SA helmet must all be fire retardant/resistant material. Also, more recent SA helmets are designed with beefier chin protection to protect against potential impacts directly in the lower face. (like from a steering wheel)

I've read that motorcylce helmets are designed to withstand several hits and drags vs SA helmets, but that is an urban myth.

Fill yer boots!

http://www.smf.org/stds.html

Look at the SA2005 and M2005/M2010 standards.

When I look at helmets, I look at weight and comfort as being the most important, after I decide on an open face or closed face helmet. Depending on what type of racing you plan on doing, the heavier improper fitting helmet will make things less enjoyable especially if it is a 20 min trackday session.
Price is second, and graffic design is last on my list.

Different brands of helmets fit different types of heads. I am an Arai head, no way in hell can I wear Shoei's or Shark helmets.

Protech helmets are relatively cheap and fit similar to Arai helmets from what I have been told.