Bill Pauling

I'm looking to become involved in DE events and need to get a helmet. Any recommendations as to the best place to buy? Will a motorcycle helmet do (they seem to be eaier to find) or should I get a Snell MA type? I only plan on doing a couple of DE events per year. I also enjoy riding snowmobiles in the winter while the 911 is hibernating, and would like a helmet that could work for both.

HarryD

Bill,

Many folks prefer to get a SA helmet since it is specificaaly designed/tested for in car use.

In my region, Snell SA or M 95 or newer helmets are required for all DE and AutoX events. I mostly AutoX so I went with a M helmet but if I was driving more than a causal DE I would include an upgrade to a SA Helmet in my car prep.

What is your head worth?

Bill Gregory

Bill,

This article might help answer some questions: <a href="http://tech.rennlist.com/performance/pdf/helmets.pdf" target="_blank">http://tech.rennlist.com/performance/pdf/helmets.pdf</a>
There are some other articles that might be helpful as you prepare to DE at <a href="http://tech.rennlist.com/performance/index.html" target="_blank">http://tech.rennlist.com/performance/index.html</a>

I'd recommend an SA2000 helmet, as some regions don't allow "M" helmets, and a full face version. I use a Bell M2 as it has a larger eyeport, which is handy if you wear glasses.

If you can't find someplace locally to try on helmets, OG Racing (www.ogracing.com) is a good source.

Drew_K

Good tips above. I would also recommend trying on the helmet in person rather than just mail ordering. It needs to be comfortable but also fit well to work properly.

I also recommend getting a full face helmet rather than open face for DE. An open face is much more comfortable but imagine your head going into the steering wheel at a DE event. Which helmet would you rather have protecting your face?

David69T

I recently bought a Bell M3 for DE, and I would highly recommend it. When choosing the helmet I went to a race shop (Pegasus at Road America) and tried on about 10 helmets before deciding. It seems that either your head is a Simpson head or a Bell head, and you need to try them on to determine which you are. The M3 comes sized for your hat size as opposed to Small Medium or Large. Don't skimp on the helmet, you will spend more on new brake pads and other wear and tear items in your first year than your helmet, and the helmet should last alot longer.

tomt

I'm tall, and wanted to lowest profile helmet possible to maximize the resulting headroom. I bought an Arai, and it fits the bill.

It wasn't cheap, but neither is my head!
Rgds,
TT

Bill Pauling

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'll definately go with a full-face Snell 2000 SA. I'd prefer to buy it locally so I can try them on. I'm located in the Philadelphia area - any fellow Philly Rennlisters with advice on where to buy?

Ed Bighi

I wear an Arai GP3K. They have been superseded by the GP4 and GP5 series. They are all very light and are have the smallest outside dimensions for the given head size. They are not cheap helmets, but I got one anyway because you get to keep them for a long time. I decided on Arai since I figured two thirds of Formula 1 drivers could not be wrong. Actually they are the most widely used helmets in the world, with the exception of Nascar.