I need to buy a new helmet for autocross & Drivers Ed events.

I have older Bell helmets of open and closed chin designs. I bought the closed chin
design last because I thought I would be safer but I found it less desirable in terms of speaking, ventilation and vision.

I want to buy an open chin helmet next. If I do so, it is a significant compromise in safety for my use?

The next questions are what brand and where to buy?

Regards,
George
In sunny Arizona

 

George, No offense, but ask Dale Earnhardt how he feels about an open face helmet. Buy a closed face one and get a NADY motorcycle communicator so you can talk with your passengers.

OG Racing has all you will need. Ask for Bill.

E. J.

 

George, I also bought a helmet for Autocross and DE. I got a Bell SR Pro, it is a closed face but with a large opening and no shield, so you get most of the protection of a closed face but a lot better ventilation. Bought it from OG Racing, very satisfied with them. Don't forget to get a helmet bag to go with your new helmet.

 

George, will have to go along with the others. I have used an open faced helmet since I started autocrossing back around 1980, but I think for my next helmet I'll be going with a closed face.

Friend of mine uses a closed face helmet with a face shield when driving or instructing. He was glad he was wearing it when at one event a rock somehow got thrown into the car and hit the face shield.

 

I'll agree with the others. Closed face. And put the visor down when you're running. One time I was running with the visor up and some dirt came in and got in my eye even though I wear glasses. That time it wasn't dangerous, lucky for me, but it sure hurt like hell.

Also, think about the helmet material. Lighter costs more, but your head won't bounce around as much under the g-forces. Less strain on the neck....

 

closed face 110% for roadracing/snowmobiling/dirt bikes. You should ask for enlarged eyeport for maximum vision. If autocrossing is your thing exclusively.....I could see wearing and open helmet otherwise its just plain stupid and Dale Earnhardt wouldnt have died if he had an enclosed helmet IMHO.

 

Thanks to all for inputs. It will guide my next helmet purchase.

I never heard Dale Earnhardt’s death was helmet related. I thought it was a broken
neck.

Can someone explain how a closed face (closed chin) helmet is an advantage in a 993
coupe when I am wearing belts? It seems to me the added mass to the helmet is a
disadvantage, the added structure also restricts ventilation, speech & vision while it seems to me only likely to be a benefit to a motorcycle rider.

Any advice is appreciated.

Regards,
George
In sunny Arizona

 

I know Earnhardt did not die from his ridiculous open faced helmet - it is just a sore subject for me having worked at LMS for 3 years. Earnhardts was actually a special custom made Simpson that was even more open that the one they sell. What flabbergasted me even more was that at Rockingham the following week, Dale Jr. was wearing his same open faced helmet ...

The point for me to have a closed faced helmet is for the fire protection. When you close the visor your are offered much more protection from fire. The other reason is to protect my pretty face... Finally, you never know when you are going to become friends with an open cocpit car owner and guess who doesn't get to drive one of those with an open faced helmet...

Finally, I will say (can you tell I am pretty passoniate about this) that comfort is of no issue when I am at the track - safety is. If you wear glasses or think you cant see out of a traditional closed face helmet, then get the Bell with the larger eyeport (I think the M2).

E. J.

 

Don't buy an open faced helmet. The communicators can easily be worn in a closed fce helmet. Buy a BELL M3 as i just suggested to another...this helmet fits very very nicely (at least on my head it does). Don't skimp on safety becasue you want to chat while you're trying to clip an apex. You'll regret it later on.