Hello All,

Recently joined PCA group and looking at upcoming driving events.

They require an SA2010 helmet, or one can be rented during event.

The new Porsche test track in Carson opens in 2015, this is what I am anxiously waiting for.

I would like to invest in a good helmet. Would appreciate some input here. I am driving a Cabriolet, so I am thinking of a full face helmet, just for added safety, but would like to hear all opinions here.

I don't think you can spend too much on safety, so appreciate all input.

Thanks in advance.

 

I would suggest you try on a bunch and find out what fits. I like a full face with large eye port. The best helmet is probably one that fits well, snug and comfortable.

 

We don't use the R-word, unless we are actually R-ing. Its called Driver Ed. Full coverage helmets are great, especially if you're into the whole BSD thing. Open face helmets weigh less, a difference your neck will appreciate at 1.3 lateral g's. In hot weather they are noticeably cooler. Talking is easier. Can't say they are cheaper since a carbon kevlar open may cost more than a good full coverage, but they do tend to be less expensive. Not that any of those eminently practical considerations amount to a hill of beans compared to the BSD factor, but there you go!

 

Thanks Chuck...I guess the only reason for the full coverage helmet was for the additional protection, but I can see the benefits you point out in the open helmet.

I prefer the open helmet, but do not want to purchase a helmet to only later find out the track may want a full coverage helmet.

Looking online shows a range of helmets from $200 - $2000. Something for everyone. I don't want to go through the whole, buy one, regret it, then end up with the more expensive one.

I know there is a helmet for me that fits my budget, is quality and won't need to be replaced in a couple of years because it is outdated...unless there is an updated Snell rating.

I am leaning towards the Simpson or Bell brands, both been around and probably know what they are doing!

 

I don't think you can go wrong with either of those. I have used a G-Force that was good too. After seeing a few folks whose airbag went off in their face, I decided to only use full face helmets, and have a communicator for talking with passengers or students.

Chuck is right about the open face being lighter and cooler for sure. Which ever way you go, try a few on first. The same size helmet in different styles from different manufacturers don't fit the same, and you can use your helmet for 5-10 years possibly so worth getting a good one that fits well.

I have not seen a DE require full face, at least not on the west coast, but I think most all racing organizations do, which says something as well.

 

Thanks John. Again, never thought about that airbag issue! Yes, will definitely spend some time at a brick & mortar shop trying them all on. Some big pros & cons to open vs closed.

 

CD, I dont know how close you live to San Berdo but if you can go to Chaparral-racing.com in San Bernadino they have a HUGE Store with TONS of helmets and lots of full face helmets. Now they feature alot of bike stuff, but you can get an idea of the fitment, the styles and features of helmets there. I havent been able to tell the diff between a Bike Street full face helmet and a car full face helmet so I have gone there and bought really cool looking Arai full face helmets for pennies on the dollar. And those are like $600-800 helmets for less than $300 with Troy Lee paint jobs on them. They carry another brand that I used to buy the kids HJC, they make a very nice helmet in the $100 range with all the cool paint jobs (or wraps) for less than a $100. All those helmets exceed the SNELL 2010 standards. If you cant go, then go to the website at chaparral-racing.com and you look like a pro at your first track day. Check this one out that matches your car for $99
http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Prod...5-922-951.aspx

 

If at all possible try to visit a place that sells them and buy there after trying on a bunch instead of purchasing online. For my coconut, different brands fit differently and I ended up with a Simpson because it fit and felt the best.

 

Go to a racing shop (if you can) and try a bunch of stuff on. Buy what fits and is comfortable.

Full face v. open face.... I think that depends on a few things. Do you think you'll ever do any other track driving? Karts? Take a course in an open cockpit car (aero lip on the front becomes relevant)? Full face will cover you for all of those things, and you can take the face shield off if you want to for driving closed cockpit cars. Closed face is more versatile in my opinion. Something else, a friend of mine was running auto cross in his C2 with his windows down, open face helmet, and was struck in the face by a small rock kicked up by his own front tire. Probably not ever likely to happen again.

If it's important to you (it is to me), some of the cheaper helmets are made in China.

 

Not to steal your thunder.... I just went to that website, and it appears it's a bike shop. Those helmets are Snell M2010, where an auto racing helmet is Snell SA2010. Out here in the east, SA2010 is required. M2010 wouldn't be allowed on track. I was never clear on the differences, but I've been told that bike helmets are designed primarily for impact protection, and that auto helmets are designed with a lot more fire resistance in mind......

 

Something I didn't think you mentioned is whether or not you wear glasses. If you wear prescription glasses, as I do, you will find a few full face helmets, such as the Bell M4 (My helmet choice) have larger eye ports which make it easier to put on your glasses after you don your helmet. If they have larger eye ports they will advertise this point. The same is true if you want to wear sunglasses instead of a tinted visor, which generally costs extra.

Also note that some brands offer many more sizes than others. Some just have S-M-L and some offer more in hat sizes.

I've found that most online retailers are liberal with their size exchange policy so give yourself enough lead time to get a helmet and be sure it's comfortable before your event date.

I agree with others that a full face helmet offers you more flexibility in the cars you drive or get a ride in. At DE's I have had frequent opportunities to get rides in fellow instructors cars that may be without tops. In those cases full face helmets are what you need.

 

http://hjc-motorsports.com/products/hx-10ii

Cant recommend this helmet enough, best one I have had ever.

 

Car helmets use fire retardant materials. Evidently the risk of being trapped inside a burning motorcycle is low enough that they don't require this. (Yet.)

Another thing, helmet liners. But as with a lot of the comments, so much depends on what you'll be doing- something very hard, if not impossible, for you to know right now. When I started out for example I did what most guys do, what most guys here are recommending, and got a nice full coverage helmet. Several years later, sick and tired of the weight, heat, hassle (nobody can hear you, see your face, etc) I got a nice lightweight carbon kevlar open face helmet.

But honestly, its a non-issue. As long as we're talking DE and autocross, then the plain truth is: helmets are required everywhere, used nowhere. In other words, it is something they make you buy for insurance and liability, period. (The R-word is a whole different story.) In terms of safety though, bathroom head injuries are far more likely. In the rare case of an actual accident, between airbags and everything else today a neck injury is more likely, whether wearing a helmet or not- and of course this only gets worse as the helmet gets heavier. So better get yourself a collar. On and on.

The whole thing is like what that Bjorg Lomborg fellow found out about global warming: whether its happening or not, you can improve more lives for a lot less money just getting people clean water. So it is here: buy your helmet- you have to!- but get only what you need, then get yourself some good driving shoes. Unlike the helmet you really will use them, and not only at the track.

 

As chuck911 points out, a liner or baclava. Amazon sells several that are fire retardant, order several and see what fits best, send the rest back.

I prefer wearing a baclava because it absorbs sweat, thus keeping some of it from soaking into the helmet liner itself. Between runs the baklava can dry out (along with the helmet) and the upside is you can wash it.

I used to wear one to keep warm when snowmobiling. I didn't think of it until my first instructor (a GT3 driver) mentioned that it's a great way to keep your helmet fresher. Unfortunately for me to wear one, I had to go up a size in helmets, so now I have a medium Bell Sport Mag in black sitting on the shelf with 2 DE's behind it that I need to sell.

 

And on that parallel topic for those of us starting out ..... driving shoe thoughts and recommendations?