Autocross Helmet - Open or Closed Face?

[wparsons]

Since you mentioned DE or club racing events, your only option (for a single helmet) should be closed face. If I did more than 1 auto x event a year (teaching at a school), I'd consider an open face one for just auto x, but for track use I'd only want closed.

[SCQTT]

Stilo Zero

[RJasonKlein]

Originally Posted by SCQTT

Stilo Zero

Yeah, I’ve really been having a tough time deciding between the Stilo Zero and the Schuberth SF2 PRO - decisions, decisions...ha, ha! Get real - both of these helmets are way beyond my budget!

https://www.schuberth.com/en/product...g/sf2-pro.html

[chkltcow]

If the ONLY thing you intend to do is autocross... you can MAYBE get away with an M rated open face.

If you want to do literally anything else, even rental go-karts.... get an SA rated closed face. If you have glasses or sunglasses, take them and try them on with it. Make sure it's comfy with them and you can get them on. Do like I did and do the opposite.... take your helmet with you when you buy new glasses. The people at LensCrafters are gonna look at you like you're crazy when you bring your helmet in, put it on, and start trying on frames..... but screw it... it's important.

Brand preference is up to you. But try them on before you buy, and go with SA rating instead of M or ECE

[SCQTT]

MA (motorcycle application) & ECE helmets are designed for motorcycle use. SA (special application) are designed for auto use.

Snell Memorial Foundation update their standards every 5 years. I'm not certain when they started the 5 year system, but I have seen Snell 1975 helmets and am old enough to have worn Snell 1985 helmets when they were current.

There have been Snell updates every 5 years since. The current standards that are typically allowed in competition are Snell 2010 & Snell 2015. When Snell 2020 comes out (standard specifications late 18 early 19 & product on the shelf in fall of 2019) racing organizations will stop allowing the use of 2010 helmets.

So, it you buy a Snell 2015 helmet you can expect to be able to use it until fall 24/ spring 25.

The impact standards for Snell SA & Snell MA are similar. Not exact, but similar.

The FOV (field of vision) "eye port" is larger on MA helmets because FMVSS no 218 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 218) has a minimum eye port size for DOT helmets and that standard dictates eye port size for all motorcycles helmets.

In layman's terms - Impact standards are similar. Auto eye port is smaller than motorcycle. Auto helmets (all components) are fire rated (retardant) Auto helmets may have integrated or at least dedicated anchor points for a head and neck restraint system (Hans or similar device)

In my opinion the biggest difference is the fire resistant nature of the interior components of the SA helmets when compared to MA. You are never strapped in a motorcycle and being trapped inside one would be impossible right?

[wparsons]

^^ SA is also rated for multiple impacts (head vs roll cage in a crash), M is single impact. Most sanctioning bodies won't let you in caged car without an SA helmet.

[SCQTT]

Originally Posted by wparsons

^^ SA is also related for multiple impacts (head vs roll cage in a crash), M is single impact. Most sanctioning bodies won't let you in caged car without an SA helmet.

Actually both are subjected to two impacts. Obviously a double impact is sort of expected in an auto helmet for reasons you stated and would be rare in a motorcycle accident.

[RJasonKlein]

Wow - I’m so glad I asked for input here, because you guys really know your stuff! @chkltcow, @wparsons, @SCQTT thanks for the great information, and thanks to everyone else who threw out their thoughts and experiences - I definitely am better prepared to make decision now than when I started.

[kevman_101]

I just bought an HJC X7 for 170$ can to my door. Snell M2015. Just remove the mud shield and it's perfect. I've been using a Fox MX helmet since 2014, just the Snell rating is no longer allowed.

OH and when you put your helmet on, you can that the head rest out and install it in the opposite direction to make it WAY more comfortable when you have a big helmet on your head.

[darkonion]

I personally have a Black Armor Helmet. Here's my thoughts:

1. Fitment is important. Not everyone's head is the same. Try a bunch a helmets. Look for one that is snug fitting, but comfortable.

2. Purchase a helmet that is rated with the most recent standard. SA2015 or M2015. No point in getting an older standard to save money. My first helmet, I used for the better part of 10 years.

3. I don't think you need to spend a ton of money, but at the same time, I wouldn't cheap out either. I think something that is normally in the $200-$300 range is reasonable. Keep in mind that you'll easily be using it on and off for the next 10 years. I think something more expensive is fine also as long as you KNOW you will get a lot of use out of it. I wouldn't recommend newcomers to buying a helmet just because autocross isn't for everyone. Spending a lot of money on a helmet, then finding out you hate autocross (there are people out there...), is not fun financially.

I think it's different for everyone, but there's definitely a point where you get value out of your helmet. For example: Spending $500+ on a helmet and using it only once or twice a year is bad value in my opinion. Now... if you are using it 10-15+ times a year... year after year... then you are definitely getting your money's worth. Different for everyone, but something I consider.

As for open face versus closed face... I have no idea. I have a closed face one, and it works for me. Maybe try both and see what you like better. I do like that the closed faced helmets, I can use it for more things, but... I would prioritize fitment/comfort over usage.

[bmxr]

If you are driving a street car (no cage) in street clothes (nothing fire rated), I don't see any reason to require SA over M unless you run a HANS device. This probably covers 95% of all HPDE drivers. I also don't see any reason to make one sound "unsafe" in comparison to the other. Peripheral vision is better in an M rated lid.

https://www.smf.org/standards/sa/201...nal3252014.php

https://www.smf.org/standards/m/2015/M2015FinalFinal

FWIW, I have both types of helmet, and with an unlimited budget, I would have a top of the line Arai SA helmet. Since I don't, I feel just as safe in a good M helmet. M helmets are significantly easier to find to try on, and a bit less expensive, so requiring SA is a silly hurdle for getting new people to experience HPDE, IMO. Let people make that Stilo their second helmet purchase!

[chkltcow]

We're not talking a huge difference in cost between M and SA thought. My G Force SA2010 was like $250, and I've seen them under $200. Nobody NEEDS a $2000 Stilo helmet or event a $600 Black Armor.... but if you're in a car, it's worthwhile to get a helmet rated for car instead of motorcycle.

A quick look at Saferacer shows an open face SA2015 G-Force for $180 and a closed face Racequip for $220. If you're buying a helmet, just go ahead and get the SA rated helmet first, unless you just happen to have an M helmet already lying about the house.

[bmxr]

Originally Posted by chkltcow

We're not talking a huge difference in cost between M and SA thought. My G Force SA2010 was like $250, and I've seen them under $200. Nobody NEEDS a $2000 Stilo helmet or event a $600 Black Armor.... but if you're in a car, it's worthwhile to get a helmet rated for car instead of motorcycle.

A quick look at Saferacer shows an open face SA2015 G-Force for $180 and a closed face Racequip for $220. If you're buying a helmet, just go ahead and get the SA rated helmet first, unless you just happen to have an M helmet already lying about the house.

If you set a minimum price at $300-$350, then I might agree with the "just buy an SA" advice. Below that price point, auto helmets tend to be junk. Fit is not good, and that is the most important factor in making sure the lid will work. The SA rating alone does not make it safer than M, it just adds fire retardant materials. The SAs are also made in MUCH smaller volumes, adding to the price.

Case in point - those Racequip helmets are not comparable to a $220 M helmet, more like a $90 one. They fit like garbage regardless of size choice, to such a degree that I consider them unsafe. Cheek padding is too loose and way, way too soft. If you take an impact, it's straight chinbar to the mouth. I owned one and tried all the sizes.

By contrast, a $200 M helmet will have much better finish, by a long shot, and since you can find them in stores, it's a lot easier to get fit correctly, which is the most important part of helmet choice. I have an HJC M that fits that bill, and there is no comparison to the Racequip.

Full disclosure, I also have another HJC, which fits great and is rated SA, but is >$300...

[ZionsWrath]

Originally Posted by kevman_101

I just bought an HJC X7 for 170$ can to my door. Snell M2015. Just remove the mud shield and it's perfect. I've been using a Fox MX helmet since 2014, just the Snell rating is no longer allowed.

OH and when you put your helmet on, you can that the head rest out and install it in the opposite direction to make it WAY more comfortable when you have a big helmet on your head.

Yea the curvature on the back of the headrest is pretty much perfect when you flip it around and wear a helmet.