What Helmet To Use At NASA / HPDE
04-30-2003, 11:35 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What Helmet To Use At NASA / HPDE
I am attending my first HPDE event in a few weeks 
, and I need some advice. One of the requirements is a helmet, but I have had a very hard time deciding which helmet to use. 
Why would I choose full coverage vs. open face? What's the difference between a $200 helmet and a $900 one? How do you determine what size to get? Where did some of you buy yours?
It's not required, but would you suggest a racing suit or racing shoes? Being that it's an amateur event, am I going to be the only one wearing these things, thus making me stand out like a sore thumb? Also, are there any pointers on what else to bring?
Finally, I have dark tinted windows...drive with windows open or closed? Or is this simply a personal preference thing?
Much appreciated,
Ryan
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
, and I need some advice. One of the requirements is a helmet, but I have had a very hard time deciding which helmet to use. Why would I choose full coverage vs. open face? What's the difference between a $200 helmet and a $900 one? How do you determine what size to get? Where did some of you buy yours?
It's not required, but would you suggest a racing suit or racing shoes? Being that it's an amateur event, am I going to be the only one wearing these things, thus making me stand out like a sore thumb? Also, are there any pointers on what else to bring?
Finally, I have dark tinted windows...drive with windows open or closed? Or is this simply a personal preference thing?
Much appreciated,
Ryan
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
04-30-2003, 11:59 AM
#2
Super Moderator
Needs More Cowbell
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Needs More Cowbell
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Ryan,
The PCA NER has a very good introduction to DE (manuals, what bring:
<a href="http://www.porschenet.com/driving.html" target="_blank">http://www.porschenet.com/driving.html</a>
You may also check out the DE forum here on rennlist; there was a recent thread regarding what to bring.
As for helmets: BE SURE TO TRY IT ON! Can't stress it enough. I drove out to LimeRock CT to try mine on, sat around for a half hour with it on just to be sure. Different helmet manufacturers fit your head differently.
FWIW, I bought this helmet:
<a href="http://ompusa.com/images/0702.jpg" target="_blank">http://ompusa.com/images/0702.jpg</a>
Full face without the full visor, nice for Sedan racing, not for open cockpit stuff.
It was $400....I remember the saying: If you ahve a $50 head, buy a $50 helmet.
It's currently on its way back from being painted (Ren + Stimpy, along with my 2 cars....can't wait to see it, the guys who did it are incredible)
As for the windows, you will probably be asked to drive with windows open, so you can properly signal the car behind you where to pass.
Get plenty of sleep, pay attention to your instructor and have fun.
BEWARE: It is incredibly addictive
The PCA NER has a very good introduction to DE (manuals, what bring:
<a href="http://www.porschenet.com/driving.html" target="_blank">http://www.porschenet.com/driving.html</a>
You may also check out the DE forum here on rennlist; there was a recent thread regarding what to bring.
As for helmets: BE SURE TO TRY IT ON! Can't stress it enough. I drove out to LimeRock CT to try mine on, sat around for a half hour with it on just to be sure. Different helmet manufacturers fit your head differently.
FWIW, I bought this helmet:
<a href="http://ompusa.com/images/0702.jpg" target="_blank">http://ompusa.com/images/0702.jpg</a>
Full face without the full visor, nice for Sedan racing, not for open cockpit stuff.
It was $400....I remember the saying: If you ahve a $50 head, buy a $50 helmet.
It's currently on its way back from being painted (Ren + Stimpy, along with my 2 cars....can't wait to see it, the guys who did it are incredible)
As for the windows, you will probably be asked to drive with windows open, so you can properly signal the car behind you where to pass.
Get plenty of sleep, pay attention to your instructor and have fun.
BEWARE: It is incredibly addictive
04-30-2003, 05:56 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
Trojan Man; here's my two cents:
For the helmet, unless I was doing more real "track" events like at Willow I'd stick with the open helmet. The closed helmet offers more protection but most motor racing gets you warm to hot and an open helmet is that little bit more comfortable. I would also make sure the peripheral vision was cut off as little as possible. This is for two reasons in my opinion:
-It makes putting on sunglasses easier and more comfortable.
-When you are driving it is amazing how you can get such tunnel vision that you can drive right by a waving flag (for instance) without seeing it. And you don't need to close off that side vision any further than you will already do.
One of the reasons for the wide disparity in helment prices is materials of construction. The lighter the helmet the better generally speaking and really light versions with more exotic constructions are the more expensive. Typically a fiberglass helment will wiegh more and cost less, but it's fine for a weekend Walter Mitty type.
Always make sure to get a Snell Approved helment and then you can be sure that whatever the price it has been at least design tested to an internationally recognized specification.
As for the drivers suit versus shoes, forget the suit and get the shoes. You can get "Piloti" shoes and wear them around the pit quite comfortably. Other types like Simpson etc. work very well and you'll really like the better feel for driving so much that you'll probably wear them on the street for some weekend spirited drives.
Get a pair of gloves also so your hands don't sweat and so that you can get and keep a good steering wheel grip and you're in business!
For the helmet, unless I was doing more real "track" events like at Willow I'd stick with the open helmet. The closed helmet offers more protection but most motor racing gets you warm to hot and an open helmet is that little bit more comfortable. I would also make sure the peripheral vision was cut off as little as possible. This is for two reasons in my opinion:
-It makes putting on sunglasses easier and more comfortable.
-When you are driving it is amazing how you can get such tunnel vision that you can drive right by a waving flag (for instance) without seeing it. And you don't need to close off that side vision any further than you will already do.
One of the reasons for the wide disparity in helment prices is materials of construction. The lighter the helmet the better generally speaking and really light versions with more exotic constructions are the more expensive. Typically a fiberglass helment will wiegh more and cost less, but it's fine for a weekend Walter Mitty type.
Always make sure to get a Snell Approved helment and then you can be sure that whatever the price it has been at least design tested to an internationally recognized specification.
As for the drivers suit versus shoes, forget the suit and get the shoes. You can get "Piloti" shoes and wear them around the pit quite comfortably. Other types like Simpson etc. work very well and you'll really like the better feel for driving so much that you'll probably wear them on the street for some weekend spirited drives.
Get a pair of gloves also so your hands don't sweat and so that you can get and keep a good steering wheel grip and you're in business!
04-30-2003, 06:27 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Garey, I see that you're from H.B. I live in Diamond Bar, about 30 min away...do you have a local store that you can recommend on where to try on any of this stuff?
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
04-30-2003, 08:41 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
Yes, there sure is. Most of us down here use "Sube Sports" which is on Palmdale Street in Huntington Beach just off Warner Avenue. They have just about everything in the shop and you can try on helmets and etc. The owner was a pro rallye Suburu driver for some years and has relevant experience to draw on. You can go to this web site: <a href="http://www.subesports.com/." target="_blank">http://www.subesports.com/.</a>
The advice about trying on helmets by the way is very good!
Let me know if you come down and perhaps we can meet up sir.
The advice about trying on helmets by the way is very good!
Let me know if you come down and perhaps we can meet up sir.
