mspiegle

So my friend is getting into track racing. He went to a couple DEs and really loved it. I think he's got another one scheduled soon. His birthday is coming up and I thought it would be cool to get him a helmet, but i'm not really sure where to start. I think I have a budget of between $300-400 for it. Will that get a decent helmet? I've never looked into helmets before, so i'm kinda clueless of where to start. Are helmets custom fitted? Who makes a good helmet?

thanks!

hacker-pschorr

A cheap open faced helmet with all the current safety standards will only be a few hundred. So yes, you can get a good helmet for $300-400.

Post this also in the racing forum.

Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net

I have been using a Bieffe Predator for a few years, and am happy with it. It would be in that price range. You probably need to get your friend to try one on to determine the right size.

Drewster67

http://www.racerwholesale.com/catalog/

Heres a realy niceFull Face Bell SA2005 for under 400.00.

http://www.racerwholesale.com/catalo...roducts_id=553

Remember to have him/her get sized - Lrg = 7 /58

James-man

I think that racers preference is full face.

I also understand that fit is very important. This means you really need to try a few on to find what fits best.

Ketchmi

I use a Simpson Vudoo, 3 lbs, full face and really nice but not in that price range.

Find out the requirements of the organization he's racing in, they may require a Snell SA2000 rating. Much higher than a DOT or M2000 rating and they will be much cheaper as the Snell SA2005 rated ones will be available soon.

Only spend as much on the helmet as your head is worth...

GlenL

I'm running a Pyrotect SA2000 full-face model I got new off eBay for $189 delivered. Sold as "blemished" but I can't figure that out. Open face has better visibility, but I'm so damn good looking. Why take that risk?

To reduce accident risk the money should be spent equitably over the opportunities. That is, there's no (practical) point in having an $800 helmet if you don't already have a race seat and 5-point harness.

atb

Glen, it just means that the cracks in the shell are on the inside.

John Veninger

I use a full face Bell M2, reasonable on price.
Get a full face helmet.

Black Sea RD

I bought a G-Force full face helmet with a side port for forced air. Really nice quality, comfortable, good looking and reasonably priced compared to Bells and other full face helmets. As a few have suggested, you should try on a few different styles to make sure it fits well. Can't imagine having a bothersome helmet while trying to drive fast on a track.

Constantine

Joe F

I raced for about 10 years in an open E Production roadster. I used a Bell full face helmet. Rocks flung from cars in front of you can and do hit you in the face and head, not to mention lots of small and sometimes large bugs. I even got hit a couple of times by bumble bees. Hey getting hit in the forehead by a bumble bee at 100+mph will snap your head back, let me tell you. A guy needed a full face helmet. No bugs in the teeth for me.

I think if I raced a closed car, I would prefer an open face helmet. They are usually more comfortable to wear and the visibility is so much better. I don't know this from experience but in a closed car isn't it hotter? You don't have the air circulation you get in an open car and the visors are always prone to getting fogged up, particularly if it's damp or raining. Being in the open usually eliminated most of that problem, but inside a coupe, I would think that might not be the case.
Anyway, just my .02. Try several different types, configurations and brands, get one that fits correctly and is comfortable. You don't want to be worrying with your helmet and miss that braking point at the end of a long straight.

John Veninger

Full face protects you in case of a fire.

Joe F

I agree, but at the price of limited visibility. Because of both the eye slot and potential fog in the shield, your peripheral vision is impaired, making it difficult to see those beside you. The better you can see what's going on around you, the safer you are.

Fire in a race car is very serious and I am not suggesting it be taken lightly, but if you have prepared with good safety equipment, fuel cell, protected lines, proper maintance, vigorous tech inspectors and a good fire suppression system, there is not a large risk of fire in sports car racing.

I'm not saying John is wrong, just that you have a choice and can weigh the options. Talk to others who race closed cars. Particularly those who do so without a full face helmet. Ask them. Do your homework. After all, its your butt in the car.

Be careful out there.
JF

Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net

I race with full face, and can't say vision is an issue. I use my mirrors, and haven't had any vision issues.

Ketchmi

The only vision problems I have had with a full face helmet during ORR is that you can't turn your head fast enough to get full advantage of the female course workers flashing you. They usually have had enough to drink that they don't properly compensate for the speed being driven and all you get is a glance of bare midriff. Interesting yes, but I'm not slowing down for the full show...