What helmets are you guys running?
Unless you are going to be using a harness every time you get in the car I do not recommend an aftermarket wheel without an airbag. With that being said, I'm guilty of doing it, but I know the consequences in the event of a front end collision. IMO 350mm wheels are the perfect size and it makes a world of a difference in how the car feels.
I'm 5'7" and my car has a sunroof. I have the HCJ AR-10 which is SA2005 rated and cost me around $300 a few years ago. The SA2005 rating is good for 10 years assuming you don't drop the helmet accidentally, so I'm good until 2015. The new SA2015 rated helmets are coming out soon so I'm betting some of the older helmets will be going on sale in the near future.
Unless you plan on racing competitively in top level motorsports it's not likely you need a FIA approved helmet. The majority of car clubs (I'm assuming you're doing HPDE) only require a SNELL SA (Sports application) or M (motorcycle) rated helmet. If you want to spend the extra money for a FIA approved helmet that's entirely up to you, but it is likely not required... If you were racing at that level I doubt you'd be on here asking for helmet advice anyway.
As far as seats go, my seat of choice is the Bride VIOS III with the low max rails which slide. This gave me plenty of head room even with a helmet on, but I'm also just a little guy at 5'7"
. As stated above the selection of seats that fit in the FD is a small one, but the VIOS fit great, though I did have to modify the rails very slightly. My seats are not FIA approved either, but again it's not required for the type of events I attend. They're very comfortable even on long road trips of 8 hours plus.
-Dan
I'm 5'7" and my car has a sunroof. I have the HCJ AR-10 which is SA2005 rated and cost me around $300 a few years ago. The SA2005 rating is good for 10 years assuming you don't drop the helmet accidentally, so I'm good until 2015. The new SA2015 rated helmets are coming out soon so I'm betting some of the older helmets will be going on sale in the near future.
Unless you plan on racing competitively in top level motorsports it's not likely you need a FIA approved helmet. The majority of car clubs (I'm assuming you're doing HPDE) only require a SNELL SA (Sports application) or M (motorcycle) rated helmet. If you want to spend the extra money for a FIA approved helmet that's entirely up to you, but it is likely not required... If you were racing at that level I doubt you'd be on here asking for helmet advice anyway.
As far as seats go, my seat of choice is the Bride VIOS III with the low max rails which slide. This gave me plenty of head room even with a helmet on, but I'm also just a little guy at 5'7"
. As stated above the selection of seats that fit in the FD is a small one, but the VIOS fit great, though I did have to modify the rails very slightly. My seats are not FIA approved either, but again it's not required for the type of events I attend. They're very comfortable even on long road trips of 8 hours plus. -Dan
Regarding the seats, it seems to me that one can get FIA specs for about the same as non-FIA so why not? Bride's are really nice so maybe the Bride Zeta IIIs? They are around $900 per seat or the same as the VIOS seats and according to the thread on seats that fit, no mods are required.
Here is the list of Bride FIA seats that are approved to fit in the FD using the Low Max seat rail system.
Low Max rails-
RH: R039LF
LH: R040LF
New Bride Japan style-
Vios III part # F42NNZ (not not old Bride Vios III)
Zeig III R part # F67NNZ
Vios III R part # F41NNZ
R models have a little different profile with a higher side at the hip.
Old Bride style as sold through Tees USA
Maxis III
??Note new Bride Japan site does not list Maxis III as fitting FD with Low Max option and old Tees USA does??
Low Max rails-
RH: R039LF
LH: R040LF
New Bride Japan style-
Vios III part # F42NNZ (not not old Bride Vios III)
Zeig III R part # F67NNZ
Vios III R part # F41NNZ
R models have a little different profile with a higher side at the hip.
Old Bride style as sold through Tees USA
Maxis III
??Note new Bride Japan site does not list Maxis III as fitting FD with Low Max option and old Tees USA does??
Here is the list of Bride FIA seats that are approved to fit in the FD using the Low Max seat rail system.
New Bride Japan style-
Vios III part # F42NNZ (not not old Bride Vios III)
Zeig III R part # F67NNZ
Vios III R part # F41NNZ
R models have a little different profile with a higher side at the hip.
New Bride Japan style-
Vios III part # F42NNZ (not not old Bride Vios III)
Zeig III R part # F67NNZ
Vios III R part # F41NNZ
R models have a little different profile with a higher side at the hip.
There's absolutely no downside to ordering FIA approved seats. As stated above they can usually be had for about the same price as non certified seats and give you that extra piece of mind. But the FIA certification is only good for five years after the manufacture date. That certification can be extended an additional two years I believe if you return the seat to the manufacture to verify the seats integrity. Again, unless you're racing competitively no one will be checking the certification date.
-Dan
FWIW I also had a Pyrotect full-face (SA2000) that I was happy with for Autox. Inexpensive, light enough, fit my fat face well and had decent ventilation even on hot days sitting on the grid. I'm only 5'8", so I had no clearance issues. Hope to get back to some solo events this spring, so I'll need something new. Following this for any other brands to try on before Christmas time.
FWIW I also had a Pyrotect full-face (SA2000) that I was happy with for Autox. Inexpensive, light enough, fit my fat face well and had decent ventilation even on hot days sitting on the grid. I'm only 5'8", so I had no clearance issues. Hope to get back to some solo events this spring, so I'll need something new. Following this for any other brands to try on before Christmas time.
I buy my helmets from Saferacer, good reputation and decent prices with occasional sales.
Personally I used the Bell open face Sport Mag 5 CF helmets for auto crossing (no longer made, only the FG version now) and now the Sparco WTX-7 Air CF for road racing.
That said the G-Force CFG is a great buy at $350; yes its got the China thing, but my last set of belts and firesuit were G-force… they see to impose some quality control whereas I don’t know where HJC is coming from.
Headroom is a problem and rather than compromise body with too much tilt back I seem to drive with a kinked/tilted head even with FIA seats. Probably not good for visual orientation.
Thread Starter
The never ending saga....
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: SLC, UT
*also, I'm not trying to be annoying. Just figure this all might be good knowledge for someone to be able to search and find easily*
How much is your head worth to you? Don't go cheap on a helmet. You can get a very good SA2010 helmet for a very good price. I would recommend the Bell M4:
Bell M4 SA2010 Auto Racing Helmet - SafeRacer
It's already prepped for HANS should you ever decide to purchase a head/neck restraint system. It's extremely light and ventilated very well. It's one of the best helmets you can get for the money.
Bell M4 SA2010 Auto Racing Helmet - SafeRacer
It's already prepped for HANS should you ever decide to purchase a head/neck restraint system. It's extremely light and ventilated very well. It's one of the best helmets you can get for the money.
I've heard some claim open face visablity is better for autox than full face, but I've worn both and didn't feel that was true.
IF you never plan to go to the track and only autocross, then HANS ready versions are probably overkill. For some reason that link above isn't working for me, but IIRC BELL makes a less expensive version full-face version that isn't HANS ready...although you can go back later and add the anchors if you want.
IF you never plan to go to the track and only autocross, then HANS ready versions are probably overkill. For some reason that link above isn't working for me, but IIRC BELL makes a less expensive version full-face version that isn't HANS ready...although you can go back later and add the anchors if you want.
How much is your head worth to you? Don't go cheap on a helmet. You can get a very good SA2010 helmet for a very good price. I would recommend the Bell M4:
Bell*M4 SA2010 Auto Racing Helmet*-*SafeRacer
It's already prepped for HANS should you ever decide to purchase a head/neck restraint system. It's extremely light and ventilated very well. It's one of the best helmets you can get for the money.
Bell*M4 SA2010 Auto Racing Helmet*-*SafeRacer
It's already prepped for HANS should you ever decide to purchase a head/neck restraint system. It's extremely light and ventilated very well. It's one of the best helmets you can get for the money.
Lots of good advice in this thread. Don't skimp on the safety equipment! If you have a shop close by, go in and try a bunch of different helmets on. Different brands have different fits and everyone's head is shaped differently. Also, some full face helmets have a better field of view than others, etc, etc, etc... Find what works best for you that's in your price range.
Thread Starter
The never ending saga....
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: SLC, UT
Couldn't agree more. I originally posted this thread for my own knowledge but quickly realized how this could really help a lot of people in the future.. There are a lot of very knowledgable people on this forum.
All your input is very appreciated!!
All your input is very appreciated!!
Thread Starter
The never ending saga....
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: SLC, UT
Wore my buddies HJC (C-15?) in my car, and it was against the roof, causing my head to be pushed to the side.
Noteworthy: I'm running bride VIOS III seat with modified lowmaxx rails. I think I may be screwed.
Oh and no my seats don't hit the doors.
Noteworthy: I'm running bride VIOS III seat with modified lowmaxx rails. I think I may be screwed.
Oh and no my seats don't hit the doors.
^ try removing the bottom cushions. That is what I did with my Sparcos and I can fit. Just like you though with the bottom cushion in.
Can you post up a pic of the seat and how it fits?
Can you post up a pic of the seat and how it fits?