GoRacer

iTrader: (2)

Those are the only reasonably priced auto helmets I can find. I don't think I justify the price for a Beiffe right now or even Sparco. I chose Arai when I rode motorcycles for fitment and Simpson second. I never liked Bell helmets but used them riding dirt bikes.

The thing I most worried about after using the loaner helmets is weight. I'm not shure I can do anything about hitting the roof unless I change my seat to a low proflie racing seat.

http://www.pyrotect.com/product.php?...&cat=14&page=1

http://www.racerwholesale.com/produc...roducts_id=559

HedgeHog

I have a Pyrotect SA2005 closed face helmet...nicely made and great price. I heard that the same manufacturer that makes Bell makes the Pyrotect...they sure look similar. Only complaint is that the chin strap location causes it to dig a little into my throat.

Black91n/a

I also use a Pyrotect SA2005, they are made by Bell AFAIK. It's a nice helmet, I can't see why for an amateur it'd be worth paying soooooo much more for something that's just a little lighter, besides, most of our cars can't pull very many G's anyway. I don't find it tiring at all after 30 minutes on track.

GoRacer

iTrader: (2)

Cool, those were very helpfull replies. ^ did you have the chin strap problem to or does Hedgehog have a larger head or neck? I wear a large helemt myself. Both brands are about the same price at $250 and it's not worth it to me to save $50 for the SA2000 version. Have either of you guys tried the G-Force also? Anybody try the G-Force?

speedturn

iTrader: (1)

As the newer Snell standards get more stringent, all the helmets are getting bigger (because they have to put more foam in them) and bigger means a little heavier.

designfreak

I love my pyrotect helmet! I also have a G force suit and its great..better than my dads sparco IMO

HedgeHog

Oh...just for reference: My noggin is 23-5/8" and neck is 16-1/2". So it's not small but not a watermelon neither...i think. FWIW, my Arai Quantum (motor bike helmet) fits really nicely.

DamonB

I recently bought my second G-Force full faced helmet; a Pro Force Aero. For my head the fit is excellent. I have had absolutely no complaints about either of my G-Force helmets. I kept my first one for five years and did nothing to it but remove the liner for cleaning on occasion. Quality wise I feel they are excellent but different people have different heads so you may be more comfortable in something else.

For steals and deals don't forget to check http://www.gforceoutlet.com

I bought my $400+ helmet there for $125. Luckily I wear a small, so those guys insisting I have a big head are in fact wrong

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

Before committing to a purchase, try and find a local place to try this stuff on.

I bought a Pyrotect online and it didn't feel very comfy on my head when I tried it on. At a track event, they were selling helmets and I tried a few. The Bell felt much better than the Pyrotect I had just bought. Pyrotect and Bell share the same basic design but the differences are enough that you can feel it. A little more $ but worth it for the extra comfort.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

For just HPDE stuff, most motorcycle shops carry some SA rated helmets. They have to pass the same tests for the same rating and you can try them on. While they may not have the "brand names" of the more expensive ones, they passed the same tests and are MUCH cheaper. A good SA rated full faced helmet from a motorcycle shop will run about $150-200 (not sale/clearance priced).

Some of the racing helmets I've seen are upwards of 4-5lbs where the SA rated motorcycle helmets have been around 3-4lbs range.

However, if you are planning on true "racing", I would get a real automotive racing helmet has they include more protective linings.

Black91n/a

I don't recall any chin strap issues at all, but it's probably somewhat dependant on the size, I use an XL.

GoRacer

iTrader: (2)

I'm the same head and neck size as hedgehog. Well 16" neck but get 16.5" fitted shirts. Maybe I should try the G-Force then. I doubt there's any outlets for those brands but I will try calling them.

jimeby

iTrader: (1)

I think any helmet with a Snell 2000SA or 2005SA will be ok for safety. The rest is comfort... and everyone is a little different in that department. The only way to know if it's going to be comfortable for you is to try it on first. Personally, I use an Impact Air Draft. It was $800 but the best helmet I've owned. I have gone thru many Simpson Bandit helmets and liked them too. I'm kind of a heavy breather and heavy sweater so the vent is really nice for giving me cool air to breath and keeping my visor clear. The problem with the Air Draft is the vent hose connection is on top of the helmet which requires more headroom.
That brings me to another concern... You made a statement about "hitting the roof unless I change my seat to a low proflie racing seat". If your car rolls over and your head is barely below the roof then you run a very high risk of serious injury no matter how good your helmet is. As the roof of your car crushes, you run a great risk of smashing your spine. Personally, I'd put a priority on finding a body position that gets your head a safe distance below your roll cage.

turboeric

I think you're meaning M rated helmets here. The Snell M2000 and M2005 ratings are motorcycle helmets, the SA rated ones are for motor racing and have the fireproof linings and are rated for multiple roll bar impacts.

You are correct that motorcycle helmets (M rated) are fine for many HDPE events (but not all) and are OK for autocross as well. Being able to try them on is a big advantage, as each brand seems to have their own view on what a human head is shaped like.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

No, that's not what I mean. There are motorcycle helmets which also have SA approval (since the M approval is the base for the SA approval). I own one.

These helmets are not necessarily the big names like Bell, Arai, and the likes, but they have passed the same tests and are much cheaper.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

I would do my best to try on helmets and find the ones that fit. I have a long head, and most helmets feel like they're squeezing the front and back of my head way too hard. I have a G-Force, and the fit is much better for my melon. It's also quite affordable and a really good value.

While some people preach the mantra that being economical with a helmet is false economy, I think it's less important than good fit. No point spending $200-800 of money if you're not sure it will be comfortable.

As for the M- or SA- rating, it's not actually a cut-and-dry thing as to which one is safer. The SA helmets are tested for a double impact, and as a result they make the padding inside firmer and less crushable. But the tradeoff is less impact absorption - so while you might better *survive* a double-impact to the same spot of the helmet (worst case), you will have a more severe injury in a mild to moderate impact. Both are waaayyy safer than no helmet. So if you intend to attend a particular event or race, see what their requirements are. But for recreational / HPDE driving a motorcycle helmet can make sense.

Dave

GoRacer

iTrader: (2)

I don't think there's any local stores that carry these brands to try them on and with that being said, has anyone heard of RCI(Racers Chi=oice Inc.)? They are $200.00/ea.

http://www.soloracer.com/helmets.html

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Don't worry about the name of the helmet. Just go to a few local motorcycle shops and ask them if any of their helmets are SA approved. Most of them will have a small handful of them which are and you can try them on. If you don't find something you like, then I would buy online.

Imgon

iTrader: (9)

I just bought a Gforce helmet last fall, Pro 1 model I think. So far it has been comfortable, only worn it a few times but so far so good. I wear an Arai on my bike and they seem similar in comfort. I bought the G Force from Saferacer.com for somewhere around $150 I think.
One major issue I was not prepared for was roof clearance. At my first event I found my head was banging off the headliner so I just leaned the seat back a little further. Over the winter I purchased a racing seat thinking it would lower me closer to the floor. I was way wrong. With a slider bracket I was actullay taller and because the seat has no adjustment I couldn't even sit up with the helmet on. I am now building a special bracket so the seat is just barely off the floor. I hope that when I add the roll cage it will not cause more interference.
good luck on the helmet search.
Chuck

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

+1

I used an HJC purchased from a local motorcycle shop for kart racing and open track days for years

Black91n/a

I've tried on an RCI it felt fine, other than that I really don't know. We tried ordering one last year, but they weren't available in the SA2005 yet, so we went with the Pyrotect.

GoRacer

iTrader: (2)

Thanks guys. I was going to get G-Force but I went with RCI beginer package from SoloRacer instead. http://www.soloracer.com/autoxpackage1.html