Autocross Helmet - Open or Closed Face?

[nico_rsx]

I've always wonder why SA helmet are so ugly (not all, but most).
I mean, can't they do anything other than white or black...
After owning 2 awesome motorcycle helmets, no way I'm buying an ugly white helmet.
Of course since I don't have a cage and I own a motorcycle, I don't have any reason to buy an SA, but still.

[chkltcow]

Originally Posted by RJasonKlein

but because I’d like to be able to do DE or club racing eventually, I’ve been looking at helmets with an SA2015 rating.

Guys.... seriously.... STOP ADVOCATING FOR MOTORCYCLE HELMETS. In the first post, he says he wants to do track stuff, and most organizations won't allow M rated helmets on track.

Spend the extra money up front on a closed faced SA2015 that will be legal for every organization out there rather than getting a crappy M helmet now and having to re-buy something else later.

If you do motorcycle things, get a motorcycle helmet.
If you do car things, get a car helmet.

[Imp]

Originally Posted by chkltcow

If you do motorcycle (or ONLY autox) things, get a motorcycle helmet.
If you do car things, get a car helmet.

Fixed.

--kC

[chkltcow]

Originally Posted by Imp

Fixed.

--kC

It has come to my attention since I made my original post that M helmets could possibly be okay for only AutoX that some organizations (DriveAutoX) require SA helmets. No M helmets.

[Imp]

SCCA autox allows M and others. #goodenoughforme

But yes, always check with the sanctioning body beforehand.

--kC

[SCQTT]

Originally Posted by nico_rsx

I've always wonder why SA helmet are so ugly (not all, but most).
I mean, can't they do anything other than white or black...
After owning 2 awesome motorcycle helmets, no way I'm buying an ugly white helmet.
Of course since I don't have a cage and I own a motorcycle, I don't have any reason to buy an SA, but still.

About 10 million motorcycle riders in the US.

About 500K auto racers (including HPDE) in the US.

You do the math, the market is so much smaller there cannot be that many choices.

Same with marketing budgets. When Valentino Rossi wears his AGV it might help to sell another 50,000 units of a similar AGV helmet worldwide.

What do you think the potential is for an F1 driver to sell helmets? Its not like the masses in Corollas around the world are wearing helmets.

Motorcycle riders get screwed in the other direction when it comes to market size. Good motorcycle tires will be $600 to $800 a pair installed. That's a lot less rubber than what you get in a set of car tires. On top of that many motorcycle tires struggle to make it to 10K miles before needing to be replaced. There are simply so many more car tires made the process can be optimized for a better price.

[steverife]

If you autocross a lot, I almost recommend 2 helmets. Get whatever cheap M at your local motorcycle shop for autocross, then get an SA for other needs.

I couldn't stomach having grumpy fumble finger tech guys dropping, people in grid stumbling over, cars in grid punting, etc, etc, etc to an expensive helmet.

[bmxr]

Originally Posted by chkltcow

Guys.... seriously.... STOP ADVOCATING FOR MOTORCYCLE HELMETS. In the first post, he says he wants to do track stuff, and most organizations won't allow M rated helmets on track.

Almost every HPDE organization operating in MY state allows M rated helmets for HPDE. This includes: NASA, PDG, Chin, and SCCA.

Spend the extra money up front on a closed faced SA2015 that will be legal for every organization out there rather than getting a crappy M helmet now and having to re-buy something else later.

If you do motorcycle things, get a motorcycle helmet.
If you do car things, get a car helmet.

SA rated helmets have specific advantages, which are of debatable use to someone in a street car, with no roll cage, at an HPDE or autox, wearing a t-shirt. Saying that M helmets are "crappy" in comparison to an SA rated helmet is just plain incorrect, unless you are talking about fire retardant qualities.


Wear whatever helmet you want to, but let's stick to the facts.

[chkltcow]

Originally Posted by bmxr

Almost every HPDE organization operating in MY state allows M rated helmets for HPDE. This includes: NASA, PDG, Chin, and SCCA.

Jzilla requires SA
ChumpCar requires SA
LeMons requires SA
iTrack requires SA
AER requires SA
DriveAutoX requires SA
PCA requires SA
THSCC requires SA
JustTrackIt requires SA
Anything at Atlanta Motorsports Park requires SA

SA rated helmets have specific advantages

The specific advantage I'm referring to in this situation is being allowed to participate in an event because that is the required certification.

[nico_rsx]

Where I live (Quebec), M is accepted pretty much everywhere for HDPE and AutoX, as long as you don't have a cage. I'm also pretty sure it's the same for Ontario.


There is no point in requiring an SA helmet unless they also require a full racing suit, or you have a cage.
Having a fire retardant helmet when you're in jeans and t-shirts make no sense.

[bmxr]

Originally Posted by chkltcow

Jzilla requires SA
ChumpCar requires SA
LeMons requires SA
iTrack requires SA
AER requires SA
DriveAutoX requires SA
PCA requires SA
THSCC requires SA
JustTrackIt requires SA
Anything at Atlanta Motorsports Park requires SA



The specific advantage I'm referring to in this situation is being allowed to participate in an event because that is the required certification.

Then I guess I was confused when you referred to M helmets as “crappy”. I agree you should look into who you want to drive with.

[chkltcow]

Originally Posted by bmxr

Then I guess I was confused when you referred to M helmets as “crappy”. I agree you should look into who you want to drive with.

If it's not legal for the organization you want to run with, it's crappy.

[Imp]

Originally Posted by chkltcow

If it's not legal for the organization you want to run with, it's crappy.

But if it is legal, it's not crappy.

#glasshalffull

--kC

[venturaII]

I'm quite satisfied with the level of protection a Snell 15 M-rated helmet affords me. If it's good enough to be the ONLY thing protecting me in a bike crash, then I feel pretty safe with it protecting me while buckled into a car. And let's not forget the title of this thread, which is "Autocross Helmet - Open or Closed Face?".