for anybody that tracks/autox their cars, what type of helmets work? im seeing SNELL M95 or SA95 or newer helmets are to be used, but will this work?

http://www.apexperformance.net/CartGenie/prod-1555.htm

its for a motorcycle but its M rated SNELL 2005... so im confused.
So what type of helmets are you guys using/suggest to use for tracking?

 

That helmet is fine for use, but if you're going to be road course driving, I'd really recommend buying an SA rated helmet. The SAs are multi-impact rated while the M helmets are more geared towards a motorcycle crash of your head hitting something once.
Either rating will get you through tech inspection without an issue.
Its definitely a good move to buy a 2005 rated helmet, because the ratings are good for 10 years, so some clubs are phasing out the 95s.
I would suggest going to a shop and trying them on though... if you buy it over the internet and its not comfy you'll have a problem, and trust me you'll want it to fit right.
The other thing I would definitely suggest while you're in the shop is to put the helmet on, and ask them if you can go out and test fit it in the car... some helmets are taller than others and you need to clear the roof. Also remember... its your head. Cheapest might not be best, and usually the more expensive helmets are lighter and breathe better.... so you may want to at least look at a $300 or 400 helmet before choosing a $200... there is a difference.
I've got a Bell, I think its the M4, its SA2005 rated.

 

some of us have harder heads than you justin so were good with cheaper helmets

 

try this website out, this is where i got mine from and the customer support is awesome. if there is and issue with your order they contact you immediatly and cut u a deal if something goes wrong. i highly recommend this site

http://www.extremesupply.com/Helmets...Automotive.htm

 

thankyou guys. so the helmet at the top will work for tracks right? cause i know its important to get a very well built helmet but i dont wanna spend too much on one now haha

 

Just remember, you are protecting your head. :-) The Pyrotech SA helmets are about $250, not that much more. Take a look over at SoloRacer.

 

Since 2005, every track event that I've gone to *DOES NOT* allow M-rated helmets. They required SA2000 or newer helmets. Also the general rule is that your helmet's cert/rating must be less than 10yrs old. So SA95 is too old and SA2000 is about to run out. So you definitely want a SA2005 helmet.

Take a look at the Zamp racing helmets. I've heard good things about them and they are pretty budget friendly.

http://www.soloracer.com/zampfsa1.html

 

thankyou!

 

most track days allow Snell M in california that i'm aware of. including speed ventures and NASA HPDE.

probably a regional thing if you cant find an event that doesnt allow an M helmet.

youre only "better off" with a SA just so you dont have to deal with ppl thinking you dont care about your head...

the REAL difference between SA and M is not "number of impacts" but simply an added rollbar impact test with 3 instead of 2 hits and lower overall impacts. M helmets still must go thru various tests of 2 impacts (2=multiple) hits of different shapes, same as SA. if you arent in competition and dont have a rollcage with bars close the head... then it doesnt make sense to bother if its not required. motorcycle helmets are usually more comfortable anyway, for the price.

the second difference is flame retardant fabric. but then again most ppl just drive with t shirts anyway...

 

Anybody know when the SA2010 helmets will start to go on sale? I need a new helmet but if a new standard is coming out soon I don't want to waste money on an SA05

 

In the past, the helmets didn't start really hitting the market until a good year or two after the standard after which they are named. I forget whether SA2005 helmets started becoming available in October 2006 or October 2005, but I know it was in October and not earlier than October 2005. If the past holds, you won't start seeing SA2010 helmets hitting the market until after this season AND next year. If you need one for this year and/or next year, you may as well buy an SA2005 now.

 

i see. good info guys. thanks! still debating whether to get an M or SA helmet, but i might as well make sure and email the tracks personally. so far.. none have replied back haha

 

its not the tracks that make the rules. its the organizers (eg NASA, speed ventures...)

 

so it reallly just depends on the track im going to..

 

Not so much the track, but the group that organizes the event. I would still say go for the sa if you are buying a helmet. You are guaranteed that everyone will accept it. That is not guaranteed with m rated.

I recently did the 24hoursoflemons with some buddies. One of our team members helmet didn't pass tech because it was m-rated. He had to share a stinky helmet for 2 days with another guy.

 

If you are thinking about wtw racing, i would get a sa05 helmet. i got a m05 only to be required to buy a sa05 when i started racing this year. the only good thing was i got the m helmet for $60 new. i got an HJC AR10 from OGRacing.com for $299 + shiping.

 

btw, what groups have you been to? just curious, really. im not familiar with east coast events.

that trackdaze groups allows M. they seem to be around mid atlantic track events.

 

Does anyone have any knowledge about how these helmets generally fit?

I know the best thing to do it try them on, but local dealers around me only carry Simpson, Pyrotech, and Bell. Which I will all try.

My crown really high so most baseball type caps don't fit my head because they "bottom out" so to say and just slide off. I've heard that G-Force might be better for people with large craniums but I might be mistaken.

Anyone have any fitment generalizations for helmets that you can't test fit?

 

Protecting your head is the utmost important when you do tracks or race. This helmet have procted me when things go bad.

 

Check with the clubs you will be doing events with. If you will be doing a variety of events with several clubs then SA is your best bet it will be accepted by more clubs than an M rated helmet. Also you may try new events over then next few years and an SA helmet will ensure you are set. I started on drag tracks and HPDEs, and now do HPDEs, Time trials, AutoX, and have my first LeMons race coming up. My original M rated helmet is collecting dust. I got a nice G-Force SA helmet from Charles at Safe Drives (safedrives.com) for a good price.

 

Thanks for the info. Actually I'll have my car ready for an SCCA IT race in August, so SA is the only way to go. I have an open-face HJC M-rated that I bought for AutoX over 4 yrs ago. I'm going to try a G-Force SA next, no local dealers so I'm waiting for it to arrive. If that doesn't fit me too well then I'm going to jump back to a Pryotech. For all the "features" the helmet is good deal. The XXL I tried on didn't feel too bad, I'll just have to get larger cheek pads is all.

I hope the G-Force works though, I keep hearing comments that "big-headed" people seem to like them...

 

Wow...not sure what the anger is about there, but Tyson does race in WCHC.

 

NASA-SE will let you use an M rated helmet for HPDE events as I'm sure many other organizations will. If you plan on moving up to time trial or even race groups in the future, I would go ahead and buy an SA rated helmet. SA2005 would be your best bet here.

Are you talking about the 24hoursoflemons event at CMP in Kershaw? I was working tech at that event and remember failing at least 2 helmets because they were M rated. That sucks that he had to share a helmet, but thems the rules!