Helmets
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: USA
ARAI GP5W with sun visor (Blue Helmet)
I would not drive anything without a full face helmet...
The "wider" opening of the GP5W works very well with improved visibility for closed cockpits cars, I use the GP6 (Gold Helmet) version for open wheel since the opening is much smaller in case....
I would not drive anything without a full face helmet...
The "wider" opening of the GP5W works very well with improved visibility for closed cockpits cars, I use the GP6 (Gold Helmet) version for open wheel since the opening is much smaller in case....
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 185
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte, NC
Reviving an old thread. I'm resigned to the fact I can't use my expensive motorcycle lid for DE or auto cross, so now I need to select a good one without the ability to try them on. Despite living in NASCAR's home town, I can't seem to find a racing store within an hour of Charlotte Motor Speedway that sells auto helmets.
I've owned HJC motorcycle helmets, so if an XL fit me 10 years ago in that brand, would it fit me now in the same brand. Similarly, I tried on a Bell motorcycle helmet at the Cycle Gear store, so can I infer that their auto helmets would fit similarly? Lastly, i could drive an hour up to Mooresville to the Simpson store, but not sure if it's worth the effort.
I've owned HJC motorcycle helmets, so if an XL fit me 10 years ago in that brand, would it fit me now in the same brand. Similarly, I tried on a Bell motorcycle helmet at the Cycle Gear store, so can I infer that their auto helmets would fit similarly? Lastly, i could drive an hour up to Mooresville to the Simpson store, but not sure if it's worth the effort.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 13
From: Australia
Bell Mag 1 Rally (with intercom connector) - this is an open face helmet.
I much prefer open face helmets and indeed have only ever driven with open face helmets in hard top cars.
I recognise and acknowledge full faced helmets are a safer option - however I wear spectacles and have never ever been able to find a full face helmet that fits correctly and allows good fitment of spectacles.
I much prefer open face helmets and indeed have only ever driven with open face helmets in hard top cars.
I recognise and acknowledge full faced helmets are a safer option - however I wear spectacles and have never ever been able to find a full face helmet that fits correctly and allows good fitment of spectacles.
Race Car
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 690
From: Austin, TX
Note that technically most motorcycle helmets do not have the same approvals as car racing helmets. Also, you'll want to try on helmets as their head shapes vary so the fitment is rather personal. For I've ridden motorcycles all my life and can tell you that the fitment differences between brands is very noticeable. Some are more round, some more oval, etc.
All that said, I have a Simpson helmet for my Porsche and the fitment and quality is very nice. It also has Hans device connectors if I ever get that serious.
One other note: The structure of the ventilation ports are designed differently in car helmets and motorcycles helmets, especially if you go full face like I do. Motorcycles helmets are expected to be out in the airstream and their air flow ports for both head cooling and breathing and designed for this. Similarly, car racing helmets assume you are shielded from the air flow and will ventilate better in a car.
All that said, I have a Simpson helmet for my Porsche and the fitment and quality is very nice. It also has Hans device connectors if I ever get that serious.
One other note: The structure of the ventilation ports are designed differently in car helmets and motorcycles helmets, especially if you go full face like I do. Motorcycles helmets are expected to be out in the airstream and their air flow ports for both head cooling and breathing and designed for this. Similarly, car racing helmets assume you are shielded from the air flow and will ventilate better in a car.
Last edited by StormRune; Mar 17, 2017 at 01:03 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,096
Likes: 48
You could probably just change "Snell M2015" to "Snell A2015" or whatever with a sharpie. Unless you're wearing a full Nomex racing suit, I seriously doubt that there are many situations where having a Auto spec Nomex liner in the helmet is going to be what saves you.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 335
From: NYC <> Boston
I think it's the fire rating and also the impact design that are different. Auto helmets are designed for multiple impacts as your head bounces off things in the car cabin vs single impact on the motorcycle helmets.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 185
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte, NC
I was prepared to get a Bell M.8 but apparently Bell can't actually supply the market. I was told I'd get it anywhere from July to October for an order placed today.
I ended up with an HJC AR 10 III from SoloRacer. I haven't received it yet, but they took good care of me. I ordered at 5:10 pm yesterday and they hustled to get it ready for UPS pickup 30 minutes later. It should be here in plenty of time for my first autox with the C2S.
I ended up with an HJC AR 10 III from SoloRacer. I haven't received it yet, but they took good care of me. I ordered at 5:10 pm yesterday and they hustled to get it ready for UPS pickup 30 minutes later. It should be here in plenty of time for my first autox with the C2S.
Drifting
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,096
Likes: 48
But a fire rating on your helmet won't matter to you if you're wearing regular clothes that catch on fire and burn you alive, and the multi-impact test included on the auto snell certification is designed to simulate bouncing around a roll cage, which you probably don't have. The design of the motorcycle helmet to protect your head while it bounces down the freeway is probably fine in a regular car cabin doing regular track day or autocross type events.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 298
From: Silicon Valley
But a fire rating on your helmet won't matter to you if you're wearing regular clothes that catch on fire and burn you alive, and the multi-impact test included on the auto snell certification is designed to simulate bouncing around a roll cage, which you probably don't have. The design of the motorcycle helmet to protect your head while it bounces down the freeway is probably fine in a regular car cabin doing regular track day or autocross type events.
As for regular clothing, you're right about that, too, which is why I went and got a racing suit, gloves, etc. I feel silly in it, and more than a bit embarrassed wearing it when that spec Miata flies by, but it's my skin, literally.