I am going to do my first HPDE later this month and I need a helmet. I don't know much about them except that there are safety standards and stuff.

What's a cheap helmet that you would recommend. I don't have a lot of money so the cheaper the better.

 

check what snell standards your hpde requires. it will be either "M" or "SA" followed by the year (1995, 2000, 2005) that is the oldest certification they allow. M is for motorcycle and is cheapest, you can generally buy a good M rated helmet for 150 or so.
SA is higher up and for more dedicated racing, and will set you back at least 300.

 

One thing I and most people would suggest not to be cheap about is your safety. I would get the best SA helmet that can be afforded.

With that if you are going to be running with NASA you are required to have a Snell 2000 rating. I am not familiar with SCCA or other sanctioning bodies rules. You can find Snell and even SA2000 rated helmets on clearance at most places now becuase they are becoming expired for race application and most people are updating to SA2005. I just purchased a GForce helmet for $250.00 plus tax ($26X.00 total) that is SA2005 rated.

Your best bet is to go to an event where some of the regional sponsors are present and have products for purchase as well as fitment. That way you can get a helmet that you know is going to fit. After you find one you like then you can search around for the best price.

Here are a few places that cary helmets.
http://www.rfrraceparts.com/Sh...ID=25
http://www.saferacer.com/autrachel.html
http://www.helmetcity.com/
http://www.ioportracing.com/Me...ode=H
http://www.soloracer.com/helmets.html
http://www.northstarmotorsport...D1/13
http://www.pegasusautoracing.c...TSALL
http://www.racerwholesale.com/...41875
http://www.safedrives.com/products.asp?cat=81
http://www.tankslapperautosport.com/home.php?cat=3
http://www.discoveryparts.com/...s.htm

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tmitbyh &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">One thing I and most people would suggest not to be cheap about is your safety. I would get the best SA helmet that can be afforded.

With that if you are going to be running with NASA you are required to have a Snell 2000 rating. I am not familiar with SCCA or other sanctioning bodies rules. You can find Snell and even SA2000 rated helmets on clearance at most places now becuase they are becoming expired for race application and most people are updating to SA2005. I just purchased a GForce helmet for $250.00 plus tax ($26X.00 total) that is SA2005 rated.

Your best bet is to go to an event where some of the regional sponsors are present and have products for purchase as well as fitment. That way you can get a helmet that you know is going to fit. After you find one you like then you can search around for the best price.

Here are a few places that cary helmets.
http://www.rfrraceparts.com/Sh...ID=25
http://www.saferacer.com/autrachel.html
http://www.helmetcity.com/
http://www.ioportracing.com/Me...ode=H
http://www.soloracer.com/helmets.html
http://www.northstarmotorsport...D1/13
http://www.pegasusautoracing.c...TSALL
http://www.racerwholesale.com/...41875
http://www.safedrives.com/products.asp?cat=81
http://www.tankslapperautosport.com/home.php?cat=3
http://www.discoveryparts.com/...s.htm</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

SA2000 rated helmets on sale here:

http://teamdi.com/sa2000helmetsale.html

if you're trying to save money.

 

Try this website. I posted this info when I was at Racer Wholesale.

http://www.opentrackaction.com...t=103

Howard Bennett
HANS Performance

 

I agree buy the best helmet that you can afford. But on the filp side comfort and fit are just as important as the $$ that you will spend. If the less expensive helmet fits much better the the expensive one I would go for the one that fits better.

 

shameless plug:

i have a size L sparco sn2000 SA2000 rated helmet for sale for pretty cheap.

 

how much?