I'm looking to get into some weekend track stuff, racing school, autox, etc...
I know there is something called an S rating.
To me, it would make sense to buy a helmet with the highest rating required for the type of events i wish to got to. Which of the events i mentioned have the highest ratings? What are they? What kind of Brands are good? Where should I look for these brands? Any links would also be apprecited for more education and info!

(sorry, i dont know what section this belong in)

 

Not sure about an S rating. I have a Bell Sport II EC and it's sweet. The Be''s are a little more comfortable and attractive then the Simpson's. You have to choose between a Open-face and full-face, I selected the latter in case I grab some open wheel time in the near future. Just look for Ansi or Snell certification and don't buy an M class helmet obviously, that's for motorcycles. I'd suggest a Mag 4 Open face I guess for your purposes. Right now you can get a deal on the 95 Certified helmets on closeout because the 2000's are out. But if you by a 95 then it's only good for competition use til' 2005 whereas the 2000 is good til' 2010. Try visiting Racerwholesale.com for the best prices. Cheers

 

Sunshine,

Ok, there are two standards in helmets

M - Motorcycle

SA - Special Applications

Most auto events require an SA helmet, but not all. I can't tell you which you need, you need to find out what your events require. However, chances are, they'll require SA helmets (the higher of the standards). Then you have to worry about the year of the helmet. They come out with revised standards every 5 years. The latest standard, 00, is a good buy. Some events require a minimum of 85, some require a minimum of 95. But regardless, a 00 helmet will last you a long time.

Finally, try them on. One size in one brand does not necessarily translate to other brands, and it's important to have a good fitment.

http://www.bellmotorsports.com is a good place online

PaulC

 

www.helmetcity.com

Remember when buying a helmet(brain bucket) "Your head is worth what your helmet is worth." Get the best you can afford.

 

I believe the "S" rating you are referring to is the initial for the Snell Institute. It may be spelled Snellen. It is a non profit agency that tests helmets for the degree of protection.

There will also be an ANSI rating on the helmet. Both of these ratings denote a good quality helmet.

Many years ago a Bell racing helmet was relatively inexpensive. You could get the best helmet made for fourty dollars. In the seventies a few shyster lawyers managed to convince juries that the teenage kid on a Kawasaki bike would have lived through a 160 MPH crash into a concrete bridge wall if the helmet was made better (this is a true story by the way). This is called product liability. Now the manufacturers have to factor in liability insurance premiums into the cost of making the helmets. This is why a single engine airplane that costs $50,000 to build sells for $450,000 and a helmet that should cost 100 dollars sells for 450 dollars.

I remember reading an article over fifteen years ago where a Cessna official stated that liability insurance for the company added $17,000 to each airplane they sold. This was when a 152 trainer cost 38,000 bucks. No telling what it is now.

 

Doesn't a helmet with an SA rating have fire proof(retardant) material for the lining were the M doesn't or atleast not all of it? I thought that was one of the differences between the M helmet and the SA helmet. You can us an M rated helmet in SoloII but for most track events like SoloI you need an SA rated helmet.

 

Yes, but also note that the top of the line helmets usually cost more because of aerodynamics rather than safety. If you have a hard-top RX-7, then you have no need for helmet aerodynamics. I recommend a helmet with a large eye port and a good air vent like the Simpson Super Voyager N.
http://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/h...helmetset.html

 

You may also wish to consider more than one helmet of you're truly going to do everything you listed.

While a closed face helmet is safer than an open faced helmet, it may obscure your visibility a bit more. This isn't any big deal on a track, but can be annoying on a tight or busy autocross course.

If you're on a budget and plan on starting with autocross and working your way up, there's a very inexpensive helmet out there that's Snell rated. It's the THH T-390 Snell and can be found at www.ridegear.com - the exact page is :
http://www.ridegear.com/cgi-bin/Soft...ort=color,size

 

http://www.racerwholesale.com

I bought a helmet yesterday...



GF750 Open Face (SA2000) -- $150

I decided to go with an open faced helmet because I know how stuffy it can get inside a closed face helmet in the middle of Summer in Alabama. That and I find that closed face helmets restrict your vision more than closed face.

 

Just wanna add my 2 cents to the whole discussion...

Yes, difference between SA and M rated helmets is typically fire protection.&nbsp I've also heard of multiple impact protection in an SA rated helmet, since most motorcycle accidents are from a single blow.

Like everyone else says TRY THE HELMET ON YOURSELF!&nbsp Size guidelines should be thrown out, as proper fit goes a LONG way to comfort and SAFETY!&nbsp Most people don't know what a PROPER fitting helmet is supposed to feel like - once the helmet is on your head, you're not supposed to be able to yank down or up on the helmet and make it move.&nbsp This prevents the helmet slipping and exposing your chin or the back of your neck during a violent accident!

I want to include a WHOLEHEARTED endorsement to the folks at Bell Motorsports in Oakland, CA.&nbsp These guys are super nice folks with very good prices - I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these guys to anyone.&nbsp Hell, the owner use to race rotaries - RX-3's and 1st gen RX-7's!




-Ted

 

also one final thing to consider is weight. in an impact a lighter helmet will reduce some of the neck popping forces involved. buy the lightest, best fitting, SA-00 helmet you can afford. if taken care of it will last ten years. I use a Simpson LX and will be buying a Voyager or Bell in the near future to use a forced air system. I have also found that I wish I had a shield to reduce debris from getting into my eyes.

 

SCCA requires SA for (I think all) auto racing events, even autocross? M is usually cheaper, but only for motorcycles.

When you get one, make sure you can BARELY AT ALL move it, it shouldn't squish your head to the point where you get a headache, but it should be pretty tight on there.

 

Snell "M" helmets are allowed in Solo 2 autocross events, as long as they meet the helmet age limit set by the SCCA.