I am looking to purchase a helmet over the next couple of days and I am not usre which way to go. It looks like there are more options for MA helmets than SA. I know that SA is for auto racing, but I am curious how regulated this is. I plan on doimg AutoX, Lap days, and Drag racing and I was curious if MA rated is allowed for each of these or should I just go out and get the SA helmet?

 

Only SA is allowed. M helmets are too heavy! They have crash protection (incase you head hits the ground) and no fire protection. SA has no protection for LARGE impacts...and HAS fire protection.

Stick to SA...they are mandated for a reason!

 

Thanks Chris,

Anyone have any recommendations or experiences with specific helmets. I think a few of you use the M2. WHy have you chosen this helmet? Anyone use the Bell SR-PRO or the KART X-15?

 

I have the Arai GP3K. Supposedly the fit for Arai is
I like it. IT's SA95 but the SA2000 is the new standard. Try
to find the previous one for a better price if you want.

but it depends how much you want to spend for your head.

I got mine from the only authorized Arai helmet dealer in California (they are in Redmond, Washington)
http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/helmet/arai.asp

-Aoib0t, who loves his helmut.

 

M helmets are allowed for Autox. Don't know about the other two, but personally I would go with an SA helmet if I was doing lap days.

Chris

 

I have been using the Bell SR-PRO for the last 3 years. I feel that it is a very good helmet and I highly recommend it. It has a large eyeport for a closed face helmet and it's SA rated. I got it from http://www.racerwholesale.com and I paid $199.

 

I went thru the same issues....I decided on the Bieffe F1 on sale at Helmetcity.com

Its 260 bucks, SA2000 rated, lightweight, nice white styling (im not a big fan of multicolored showy designs...anyway heres a pic, and i highly reccommend it...great value

 

I brought a Bieffe Integra GT for AutoX/Track...I think it's very popular among SpeedVisionWorld touring. It cost around $240 and instead of ungrading to a higher grade helmet later on, I'll simply buy a better one so I don't have to buy another in the future. This helmet is really comfortable, well fit, easy to breath (unlike Loaner's helmets) And a very handsome one as well. The drawback is, if you are over 5'8", once you wear it, you may hit the sun visor in the ITR...its dimension is above average.
http://www.helmetcity.com/helmets/im..._white_big.jpg

 

If you'd like to learn more about helmet ratings, check out the website of the Snell Memorial Foundation.

 

I just bought the bell X-15. I like it! It has a large eyeport for good visibility, and the overall fit and finish is excellent.
IMHO

 

This is true for actual racing with SCCA, NASA, and many others too. Note the key word RACING, not track days. Each group has different rules on tracks day (open track, HPDE, etc...) and autoX, some do actually require an SA helemet. Some even require a driving suit too. Check with the group you plan to run with to be sure.

If you want a better helmet (depends on how much your head is worth) you can always step up to an SA rated hemlet from an M rated one.

What ever you get try it on and make sure it fits.

I answered a similar question a while back on the NASA list. Check out http://www.nasaproracing.com/typ_chat.asp?ObjectID=6191 for that response.

Jerold

 

I have been using the Bell M2 all year at autocrosses and at one track-day.

I only have one complaint, and that is the fit and finish of the visor is rather poor. The edges of the visor are left rough, and the visor didn't sit nicely on the foam padding that "seals" the helmet when the visor is closed. I removed the visor and the foam around the eyeport, just leaving the black rubber trimstrip, which gives it a clean look. That also lets me adjust my glasses without an issue.

The visibiliy from the large eyeport is great, and the fit is good, too. I think I paid $300 from helemtcity.com

-Floyd