Helmet Suggestions

I'm in the market for a new helmet. I'm looking at an open face, I'm thinking they would be a bit cooler. Any suggestions on brand?

Bill

I think if your head is important enough to wear a helmet, you should wear a full face. Unless you're riding a bicycle. And I'm pretty sure you won't find a SA open face.

Dont the NHRA rules state that if you are running faster than 10.0 the helmet must be a full face type?

Dave De wrote:Dont the NHRA rules state that if you are running faster than 10.0 the helmet must be a full face type?

I do believe your correct. They are hot, but go with a full face. After being in a wreck with a open face I won't wear one again. Ther was a lot of glass and things flying around in the car. I hit hard don't remember much about the crash. Face was scratched up helmet was cracked open. I had a concussion but no other injuries. It was a Simpson helmet. I think it did its job. Best advice I can think of is buy a good one incase it is ever pressed into service

It really depends upon how much money you are willing to spend. There are some carbon fiber helmets over the $500.00 range which seem as light as tissue paper.

I'd suggest a full face helmet with a good visor and helmet sock worn underneath it.

Thanks for the input folks. I will look at the full face ones.

For the record, this is the one I was looking at: https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/bll-2154516/overview/?retaillocation=int Its a Bell, with the Snell SA2015 rating. Looks like what some of the nascar guys used to use.

Bill

I know it's hot, suited up in a racecar. Buckled in, waiting in the staging lanes, I'm usually next in line when an oildown happens...or so it seems. I'm not willing to give up my full face helmet, tho. My only solution is one of those little 12v fans blowing straight into the face opening. It sure helps.

maverick wrote:I know it's hot, suited up in a racecar. Buckled in, waiting in the staging lanes, I'm usually next in line when an oildown happens...or so it seems.  I'm not willing to give up my full face helmet, tho. My only solution is one of those little 12v fans blowing straight into the face opening. It sure helps.

That is a great point!! I was looking at some with a fresh air hose but most are in the top, at 6'5", I don't have a lot of room to spare lol!! I did find one where the air comes in the side.

Is the SA2015 rating what I should be looking for? The car will be running 11ish times in the 1/4.

Bill

DRIVER
Helmet:
For all 10.00 - 13.99 closed-bodied cars, either an open-face or full-face Snell M2005,M2010, K2005, SA2005, SA2010, SFI31.1/2005 or 41.1/2005 helmet with or with out a shield is mandatory.

for all 9.99 & quicker closed-bodied cars, a full-face Snell M2005, M2010, K2005, SA2005 or SA2010 helmet mandatory; shield permitted (goggles prohibited)

The super light SIMPSON "Carbon EV1" is only $1,500.00 and the SIMPSON "Carbon Drag Bandit" is only $1,000.00.
That is when they get compared to the Bell "HP7" which is around $3,500,00.

Helmet weight is important if your head is bouncing around in a roll-over or some such accident.

69bluehotrod wrote:DRIVER
Helmet:
For all 10.00 - 13.99 closed-bodied cars, either an open-face or  full-face Snell M2005,M2010, K2005, SA2005, SA2010, SFI31.1/2005 or 41.1/2005 helmet with or with out a shield is mandatory.

for all 9.99 & quicker closed-bodied cars, a full-face Snell M2005, M2010, K2005, SA2005 or SA2010 helmet mandatory; shield permitted (goggles prohibited)

Thanks,
Is the SA2015 just a newer standard?

Bill

billandlori wrote:

69bluehotrod wrote:DRIVER
Helmet:
For all 10.00 - 13.99 closed-bodied cars, either an open-face or  full-face Snell M2005,M2010, K2005, SA2005, SA2010, SFI31.1/2005 or 41.1/2005 helmet with or with out a shield is mandatory.

for all 9.99 & quicker closed-bodied cars, a full-face Snell M2005, M2010, K2005, SA2005 or SA2010 helmet mandatory; shield permitted (goggles prohibited)

Thanks,
Is the SA2015 just a newer standard?

Bill

I checked it out and the SA2015 regulations are just the newest, they update the tests and requirements every 5 years. Seems like a M spec would not be as good as the SA spec because the SA spec has a roll bar impact test also, the M doesn't.

Bill

M spec is for motorcycles

billandlori wrote:

billandlori wrote:

69bluehotrod wrote:DRIVER
Helmet:
For all 10.00 - 13.99 closed-bodied cars, either an open-face or  full-face Snell M2005,M2010, K2005, SA2005, SA2010, SFI31.1/2005 or 41.1/2005 helmet with or with out a shield is mandatory.

for all 9.99 & quicker closed-bodied cars, a full-face Snell M2005, M2010, K2005, SA2005 or SA2010 helmet mandatory; shield permitted (goggles prohibited)

Thanks,
Is the SA2015 just a newer standard?

Bill

I checked it out and the SA2015 regulations are just the newest, they update the tests and requirements every 5 years. Seems like a M spec would not be as good as the SA spec because the SA spec has a roll bar impact test also, the M doesn't.

Bill

All of the major automotive helmet mfg's (Bell, Simpson, Impact, etc) will tell you they use the same shell for both M and SA spec helmets. Both can pass either set of impact tests even though they don't list the tests if it's not required. The SA just uses a fire resistant lining. That said I use a SA rated Caron Fiber G-Force Pro. Great helmet and I like it as well or better than my 2 previous Simpson Bandit helmets. Ss an FYI, the year is good for 12 years. EX, any 2005 is good until the last day of 2016, (not 1-1-2017 as I have seen argued) A 2010 is good until 12-31-21, even if the helmet was made in 2014.

billandlori wrote:Thanks for the input folks. I will look at the full face ones.

For the record, this is the one I was looking at: https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/bll-2154516/overview/?retaillocation=int Its a Bell, with the Snell SA2015 rating. Looks like what some of the nascar guys used to use.

Bill

That's the helmet I have. I've been contemplating a closed face helmet after seeing some of the bad wrecks with the 275/315 Drag radial wars cars. I have a 2nd battery in my car now so I can put a fan in the car. FYI I'm right on the 10.00 mark now with my car making two high 9's passes in May so by the rules I need one anyways...and a window net too.

David Cole wrote:

billandlori wrote:

billandlori wrote:

69bluehotrod wrote:DRIVER
Helmet:
For all 10.00 - 13.99 closed-bodied cars, either an open-face or  full-face Snell M2005,M2010, K2005, SA2005, SA2010, SFI31.1/2005 or 41.1/2005 helmet with or with out a shield is mandatory.

for all 9.99 & quicker closed-bodied cars, a full-face Snell M2005, M2010, K2005, SA2005 or SA2010 helmet mandatory; shield permitted (goggles prohibited)

Thanks,
Is the SA2015 just a newer standard?

Bill

I checked it out and the SA2015 regulations are just the newest, they update the tests and requirements every 5 years. Seems like a M spec would not be as good as the SA spec because the SA spec has a roll bar impact test also, the M doesn't.

Bill

All of the major automotive helmet mfg's (Bell, Simpson, Impact, etc) will tell you they use the same shell for both M and SA spec helmets.  Both can pass either set of impact tests even though they don't list the tests if it's not required.  The SA just uses a fire resistant lining.   That said I use a SA rated Caron Fiber G-Force Pro.  Great helmet and I like it as well or better than my 2 previous Simpson Bandit helmets.   Ss an FYI, the year is good for  12 years.  EX, any 2005 is good until the last day of 2016, (not 1-1-2017 as I have seen argued) A 2010 is good until 12-31-21, even if the helmet was made in 2014.  

Good info David, thanks!!

Bill

BigRigTech wrote:

billandlori wrote:Thanks for the input folks. I will look at the full face ones.

For the record, this is the one I was looking at: https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/bll-2154516/overview/?retaillocation=int Its a Bell, with the Snell SA2015 rating. Looks like what some of the nascar guys used to use.

Bill

That's the helmet I have. I've been contemplating a closed face helmet after seeing some of the bad wrecks with the 275/315 Drag radial wars cars. I have a 2nd battery in my car now so I can put a fan in the car. FYI I'm right on the 10.00 mark now with my car making two high 9's passes in May so by the rules I need one anyways...and a window net too.

You've been making some good progress!! All the other extras you need to go just a bit faster really add up lol!!

Bill

maverick wrote:My only solution is one of those little 12v fans blowing straight into the face opening. It sure helps.

Yes it does,.........

I sweat like a damn pig and I need all the airflow I can get.

SO,.....
I installed this in mine.


Ghetto A/C,....

Copperhead wrote:

maverick wrote:My only solution is one of those little 12v fans blowing straight into the face opening. It sure helps.

Yes it does,.........

I sweat like a damn pig and I need all the airflow I can get.

SO,.....
I installed this in mine.


Ghetto A/C,....

Nice set up!!

Bill

Copperhead wrote:

maverick wrote:My only solution is one of those little 12v fans blowing straight into the face opening. It sure helps.

Yes it does,.........

I sweat like a damn pig and I need all the airflow I can get.

SO,.....
I installed this in mine.


Ghetto A/C,....

Same one I use.

This is the one I ended up going with: http://www.gforce.com/products/helmets/3123.php

Its a G-Force GF3 with the latest SA2015 rating. Fits nice and its pretty light too. I needed a XXL so the choice pretty much came down to what one they could get in that size, most of the companies didn't stock any that size.

Thanks for all the input!!

Bill