O/T: Helmet for Racing (AutoX)

#1 08-21-2002, 11:06 AM

I know some of you guys are experienced in AutoCrossing. I am thinking of joining an AutoX club and I need a helmet. Which helmet is a good one to get? Thanks!

-Mike

SHISVX · #2 08-21-2002, 11:19 AM

you wouldn't be takin the SVX would you?????

Kelli

#3 08-21-2002, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SHISVX
you wouldn't be takin the SVX would you?????

Kelli

Kelli-

Yeah, I am. You would too if you wernt such a bad driver!!!

-Mike (waiting for the come-back)

rally · #4 08-21-2002, 11:32 AM

It can depend on the club. Some allow M rated helmets, some require SA rated helmets. Open face and full face are personal preferences.

My recommendation is to get the newest SA rated full face helmet you can find. My reasoning is safety related. SA helmets are tested for auto racing. Full face has more protection due to full coverage.

Go to a shop that has several helmets and try them on. Comfort and proper fit is very important.

SHISVX · #5 08-21-2002, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Green1995SVX

Kelli-

Yeah, I am. You would too if you wernt such a bad driver!!!

-Mike (waiting for the come-back)

how do you know i am such a bad driver

i have a perfect driving record....do you?

Kelli

BTW, don't make me come back down there again....i will have to beatcha up!

Aredubjay · #6 08-21-2002, 01:08 PM

H'yar in Kain-tuck, we jest find a big ol' watermellon what we thank is 'bout the same size as our heads. Then, we cut it in half and holla out half of it to fit, and slap it on. That way, y'get two helmits fer the price of won. Plus, y'got somp'in to eat after the race.

The final words of a Kentuckian, just before he dies: "Hey y'all! Watch this!"

newsvx · #7 08-22-2002, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Green1995SVX
I know some of you guys are experienced in AutoCrossing. I am thinking of joining an AutoX club and I need a helmet. Which helmet is a good one to get? Thanks!

-Mike

Hey Mike,

I believe SCCA now requires a Snell rating of at least "90" for their driving events. The group I autocross with does, and we pretty much go with SCCA rules across the board.

I have an open face helmet, I use, but I wish I had gotten a "full-face" one when I was buying it a bunch of years ago. It is great for autocross, but if you are planning to run at a track where you get some serious speeds, I would go with a full-face one.

But the "Snell Rating" is critical.

Harry

#8 08-22-2002, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by newsvx

Hey Mike,

I believe SCCA now requires a Snell rating of at least "90" for their driving events. The group I autocross with does, and we pretty much go with SCCA rules across the board.

I have an open face helmet, I use, but I wish I had gotten a "full-face" one when I was buying it a bunch of years ago. It is great for autocross, but if you are planning to run at a track where you get some serious speeds, I would go with a full-face one.

But the "Snell Rating" is critical.

Harry

Harry-

Thanks for the reply. Can you give me any suggestions as to where to get a helmet, and also what I should expect to pay for a good one.

-Mike

nvrmore100 · #9 08-22-2002, 11:24 PM

Motocycle shops of course.

Price depends on what you want quality wise. The cheapest helmet in the shop will be just as safe as the most expensive, but it will end up having a different fit/feel to it.

HJC helmets - bottom of the barrel in the helmet world, good fit (at least on my head, so I got one), but still going to set you back $150 or so for a half decent full face

http://www.hjchelmets.com/

Arai - argued the best helmet made to date. They are amazingly comfortable, and completely adjustable. I didn't get one simply because they fit people with more round heads which mine isn't. Cost ranges for about $250-$700 depending how nice you want.

http://www.araiamericas.com/home.html

Shoei - also a quite good helmet, but also has a very specific shape to it. This actually hurts my head, but to others it fits like a glove. If you don't have a very oval shaped head it probably won't fit you right. Costs about $250-$500.

http://www.shoei-helmets.com/

There are other manufacturers, but those are the most common you will probably see at your local bike shop. I personally would just grab a halfway decent HJC, simply for the price. The fit my head fine, and cost half as much as an average higher end helmet. The thing you have to think about is the fact that you aren't going to be using it much. If I still had my motorcycle and was riding all the time, I would buy an Arai hands down.

- Ryan

#10 08-22-2002, 11:41 PM

Wow, thanks Ryan!!

-Mike

nvrmore100 · #11 08-23-2002, 12:04 AM

np

#12 08-23-2002, 01:10 AM

So, I've been lurking a while... I've done a couple of track days with the car and quite a few actual road races with the Motorcycle. I thought the Snell 95 would be fine for car racing... Buuut Noooo! Car helmets have Flame retardant linings, Bike helmets do not. The Shoei I've got is a fantastic helmet and is allowed for car schools and track days but can't be used for racing. Rules may differ between clubs but the logic of the decision makes sense to me.

Collins 92 pearly
80 TR-8
91 FZR 600

newsvx · #13 08-23-2002, 05:38 AM

Mike,
NVRMORE covered it very well, along with the others. As implied, you can spend as much as you have on a helmet - my son knows a fellow that will paint a helmet anyway you want - for about $500. And you bring the helmet, of course!

I also use a HJC - just didn't have a lot of money to put into it at the time - about $140, but that was five - six years ago. As NVRMORE indicated, probably about $150 now. And he also made a couple of good points too - comfort and how often are you planning to use it. A motorcycle shop is the place to look.
Harry

#14 08-23-2002, 06:15 AM

As far which kind of helmet you want: open-face or full-face,
if you are just aotocrossing, and it's legal, stick with an open-face...especially if you aren't used to helmets!

SHISVX · #15 08-23-2002, 01:50 PM

when i race my car, i use my b/f's quad helmet. i don't want to use his motor cycle helmet cuz of the face thingy. it would just get in your way. i like the open face much better, it is also cooler.

Kelli