Acceptable helmet suggestions.

[CyberFormula]

A helmet is a bit complicated.

Most people have a wrong fitting helmet. Especially in the Squid motorcycle community. Not sure about the car community (probably too).

A helmet doesn't fit all heads. It is best if you TRY it on yourself and wear it a good 30min to see if there are any pressure point.

People try buying a larger size helmet, so they don't feel any pressure points, but obviously its a helmet that doesnt' fit their head in the first place.

Since you're buying a "cheap" helmet, i wouldnt' worry much.
Just get a SA2005 or SA2012 helmet that is open face (without chin bar), and you should be fine.

if you're gonna buy a full face helmet, you REALLY should try it on first, or you'll regret wearing a wrong fitting helmet for 20min track days.

[Miniata]

Originally Posted by SeattleJeremy

Also an "M" rated helmet isn't good enough, it must be SNELL SA certified.

Good enough for what? Snell M rated helmets have been accepted by every autocross club/region I've autocrossed with in the last 13 years, and for SCCA and NASA track days as well, although I hear that NASA has now started requiring SA helmets for HPDE's (but not autocross).

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

I like the HJC Si-12 (under 3lbs), that's what I race with. ($699)
Also the Arai GP5 and GP5-W are terrific. ($799)

Sure they're expensive but how much is your head worth?

worst argument ever

a 99 dollar HJC will protect your head just the same, it's just bigger, heaver, and has no features.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by SeattleJeremy

Also an "M" rated helmet isn't good enough, it must be SNELL SA certified.

M and SA are type of helmets

DOT and SNELL are certification bodies

SNELL M or SA is fine for SCCA autocross.

4.3 DRIVER’S SAFETY EQUIPMENT
4.3.1 Helmets
Helmets meeting the following standards must be worn while on course:
All helmets meeting the latest or two immediately preceding Snell
Foundation standards (SA2010, SAH2010, SA2005, SA2000, M2010,
M2005, M2000, K2010, K2005, K98), SFI standards 31.1, 41.1, 31.1A,
31.2A, 41.1A, 41.2A or British spec BS6658-85 type A/FR are acceptable

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

worst argument ever

ever? Sweet, breakin' records today!

Originally Posted by 7thgear

a 99 dollar HJC will protect your head just the same

Exaggerating to prove a point are we? Please include link(s) to the SA2005 or newer HJC closed face automotive for $99 that you think is equivalent to the SA2010 SI-12.

If there was an SA2005 HJC helmet that I could buy (used or unused) for $99 I would ABSOLUTELY recommend that to the OP and that goes back to what I said in my original post: "Or buy a lightly used higher end model..."

Originally Posted by 7thgear

it's just bigger, heaver, and has no features.

Exactly..


How's this:

How much is your head, your comfort, your neck and your in-car concentration worth? What's the price difference when measured out over the course of 5, 7 or 10 years?

You're preaching to the choir regarding saving money but helmets and racing suits I'll never skimp on again, and I wish I would have listened to this advice when I bought my first helmet and suit.

Like Dave said: Go try them on.

The difference in cost will be IMMEDIATELY apparent. After racing for several years I will never recommend the cheap items regarding racing suits or helmets to anyone who can afford otherwise. Not only do these things protect you (crash and fire) but comfort when competing inside a car is crucial and very important "luxury" that is worth every single penny.

7thgear, much of my recommendation on not "skimping" related heavily on the assumption that he might not stick to autox. If he wants to do track days, motorcycle helmets and open face helmets most likely don't apply. Most clubs around here require: Auto racing Snell SA2005 or new closed face helmet. So if he buys a $99 helmet for Autox and wants to go do something else he may find himself buying another helmet. In fact, that's why my post started off in bold asking, "What about the future?"

[SeattleJeremy]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

M and SA are type of helmets

DOT and SNELL are certification bodies

SNELL M or SA is fine for SCCA autocross.

Sorry for the confusion. Thank you for the clarification.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

ever? Sweet, breakin' records today!



Exaggerating to prove a point are we? Please include link(s) to the SA2005 or newer HJC closed face automotive for $99 that you think is equivalent to the SA2010 SI-12.

If there was an SA2005 HJC helmet that I could buy (used or unused) for $99 I would ABSOLUTELY recommend that to the OP and that goes back to what I said in my original post: "Or buy a lightly used higher end model..."


Exactly..


How's this:

How much is your head, your comfort, your neck and your in-car concentration worth? What's the price difference when measured out over the course of 5, 7 or 10 years?

You're preaching to the choir regarding saving money but helmets and racing suits I'll never skimp on again, and I wish I would have listened to this advice when I bought my first helmet and suit.

Like Dave said: Go try them on.

The difference in cost will be IMMEDIATELY apparent. After racing for several years I will never recommend the cheap items regarding racing suits or helmets to anyone who can afford otherwise. Not only do these things protect you (crash and fire) but comfort when competing inside a car is crucial and very important "luxury" that is worth every single penny.

7thgear, much of my recommendation on not "skimping" related heavily on the assumption that he might not stick to autox. If he wants to do track days, motorcycle helmets and open face helmets most likely don't apply. Most clubs around here require: Auto racing Snell SA2005 or new closed face helmet. So if he buys a $99 helmet for Autox and wants to go do something else he may find himself buying another helmet. In fact, that's why my post started off in bold asking, "What about the future?"

If all these sanctioning bodies (FIA< SFI<SNELL< DOT) didn't have a stranglehold on the industry I'd use my 10 year old hockey helmet for autocross and call it a day.

Remember that the majority of head damage is internal, your helmet isn't going to do anything to prevent your accelerated brain from hitting the inside of your skull.

In that regard I would only pay more for a helmet if the helmet was lighter, all the other bells and whistles have less of an impact in the scenario of you being inside a vehicle protecting your ass from the majority of the blunt force trauma, and any direct impact you might have with a flying object that happens to make it past the window or safety net will be easily absorbed by any SNELL rated helmet, HJC or FancyShmancy.

Racesuits are racesuits, lets not compares apples and organes now.


But really, I'm just peeved at the "how much is your head worth?", I don't know about you, but my head is priceless and neither a 100 or a 1,000,000 dollar helmet is going to come close to justifying my participation in a dangerous sport.

You gotta look at what's going to cause you harm given your activity.


BTW did you know some dude figured out a way to prevent a good protion of concussions by having Hockey players wear a small piece of string that applies a barely measurable amount of pressure around the main arteries so that your brain gets an extra padding of blood? Neat.

[diirk]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

If all these sanctioning bodies (FIA< SFI<SNELL< DOT) didn't have a stranglehold on the industry I'd use my 10 year old hockey helmet for autocross and call it a day.

Remember that the majority of head damage is internal, your helmet isn't going to do anything to prevent your accelerated brain from hitting the inside of your skull.

This would be incorrect. The helmet helps to disperse the energy of the impact reducing the momentum of your brain hitting the inside of your skull. That doesn't mean a $700 helmet will do this better then a $200 helmet. Above a certain price point, you're buying "extras". Like lightweight materials, graphics, upgraded liners, etc. All out race helmets were in the $300 range with the additional of comms and a blower inlet.

Originally Posted by 7thgear

Racesuits are racesuits, lets not compares apples and organes now.

Again, the basic racesuit provides a certain level of fie protection. Get a thicker suit or add additional layers for additional protection. More money buys you light weight materials, custom graphics and custom tailoring. For the racing we did, we were in double layer suits with an additional layer of fireproof underclothes.

Originally Posted by 7thgear

You gotta look at what's going to cause you harm given your activity.

That's a fact. 3 layers of firesuit are overkill for autocross or most HPDE.

Originally Posted by 7thgear

BTW did you know some dude figured out a way to prevent a good protion of concussions by having Hockey players wear a small piece of string that applies a barely measurable amount of pressure around the main arteries so that your brain gets an extra padding of blood? Neat.

Would love to get more info on this.

In general I agree with much of what you're saying. thanks for posting.

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

Racesuits are racesuits, lets not compares apples and organes now.


But really, I'm just peeved at the "how much is your head worth?", I don't know about you, but my head is priceless and neither a 100 or a 1,000,000 dollar helmet is going to come close to justifying my participation in a dangerous sport.

You gotta look at what's going to cause you harm given your activity.

Good points but there's loads of data that show a hockey helmet doesn't provide the same protection a road race helmet does, especially where fire is concerned.

I wouldn't rock climb without a rope, or tight-rope walk without a net. Knowing what I know now, I won't race without a HANS (or equivalent) device. Just because I participate in a dangerous sport doesn't mean I have to accept unnecessary dangers, like wearing a hockey helmet to race cars if allowed to do so, or heck even playing hockey with out pads.

Quality does matter regarding safety, even when price points are the same. Some racers really like the $500 Simpson Bandit helmet (the one the STIG wears) but several people have reported that just by dropping it on the ground cracks the casing! Turns out it's made in China in a facility with lower quality controls. The Simpson Bandit X (the more expensive one) is still made in a US facility and is a much stronger casing.

Also by using a heavier helmet you put more strain on your neck when G-loads are applied. Putting a 2.7lb helmet on your head vs a 4.5lb helmet is a big difference when hitting a wall at 80mph or rolling the car. So once again, how much is your neck worth?

So the $99 vs the $699 for equivalence in safety isn't always true but the "how much is your head worth" isn't just a comment regarding safety, but quality.

The racing suit is a fair comparison. It's something that you wear and protects from danger. But let's use Hockey equipment. If you wear bargain basement pads they may offer the same protection but offer lower functionality/maneuverability, maybe the wear out faster or chafe your skin. Maybe the cheap hockey helmet protects in a similar fashion but the chin strap keeps tearing at the joint or it doesn't sit over your ears well.

Ok good points.. I'll stop going round and round and let people get back to recommending helmets.

[7thgear]

hans means bar at least, a 5 point and proper helmet

this is beyond autocross

At this point you are venturing into muddy ground because you can build safety into infinity.. up to the point of simply switching to iRacing or something

When it comes to racing I'm a minimalist kind of guy, a bad crash will probably kill me, so let it kill me rather than leave me as an invalid for the next 50 years.

VIVA LA CHAPMAN!

[Steve35]

I found that there are 3 basic features with helmets. Price, light weight and comfort. Unfortunately you only get to pick two! I bought a lightweight Bell. OMG what a difference! I didn't feel like I was wearing anything at all.
FYI Try a cheap helmet on then try a top line Bell, Simpson, Shoei, etc on. The difference is amazing. Youll also find that some brands don't fit you at all. I really like Simpson, but Bell fits me much better. If you think you might be doing track days in the future, make sure to buy a SA Snell. Most track day groups don't allow M rated helmets.

Steve

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by diirk

Would love to get more info on this.

In general I agree with much of what you're saying. thanks for posting.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey...athletes-heads

[diirk]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey...athletes-heads

Thanks. That's pretty cool. So my helmet support/donut kinda does that too.