cottoneg

I'm 66 so looking for a full face SA2015 helmet. One question, The opening in my Simpson bandit seems small now. Any full face with a bigger opening?

If you have a link and they are on closeout for less than $250, shoot it my way.

Thanks!

96GS#007

What’s your timing? Reason I ask is that I have a new helmet on order. My Bell Sport has a large eye port and will be for sale. Never dropped, clean. New’ish clear visor. Factory installed HANS anchors. Only downside is it has speakers and a mic installed that I’ll need to remove.

If you want new, search Bell Racing helmets...plenty out there for $250 or so

blueray16

I've used the Bell M3 in prior years and have now retired my SA2010 Bell M4. Both have the larger opening which I too prefer and their size large fits me perfectly. So I've been looking for the next generation M 8 SA2015 but all the most popular sizes in SA2015 are long gone.

So looks like I'll be getting SA2020 helmet for next year. $500 but as is often said: My head is worth it. I'm 74 so it will definitely be my last.

cvp33

Pyrotect SA2015 Full Carbon fiber, 3.4lbs so easy on the neck. $339. Lots of closeouts with L and XL still available with full face SA2015’s in the $175 range.

$339 LINK HERE - > https://pitstopusa.com/i-23993358-py...met-large.html

~$175 CLOSEOUTS HERE - > https://pitstopusa.com/c-1219390.2-s...ance-sale.html

Jon B.

Lots of good options. I like my hjc ar-10, and I got it a few months ago as they started rolling out the sa2020. It's right around your price point as well.

96GS#007

Heck of a deal Zamp is another one

DaOtherOne

I wear glasses and just switched to the Bell Sport EV helmet and it works great.
https://bellracing.com/sport-ev-helmet.html

cvp33

I currently have that bell, same here with glasses. I really wanted C/F this time and the weight savings are great on the ol’ neck.

96GS#007

I have the Bell RS7 on order....2.9lbs

TrackAire

I use the Bell M8 Carbon specifically because of the bigger eye opening that lets me see down towards my lap easier if looking for harness belts buckles, etc even with a HANS device. I also have no problem wearing sunglasses with the M8.

I picked the carbon version to replace my standard M8 version strictly to save weight. At our age every few ounces help, especially if you have an accident. I didn't think the weight savings would matter much during track days but I was wrong, you could tell the helmet was lighter.

Here is the standard version:
https://bellracing.com/m8.html

cottoneg

I guess I should have mentioned, I am a Medium. My son is older now and I want to bring him to the track too. I will start off with driving schools on local road courses like Lime Rock. We were going to go to VIR, a hike from Long Island. We also had interest in a driving school from Summit Point. Both were canceled due to COVID.

I know there are close-outs. So I figure I might buy 2 helmets now.

Thanks for the info on bigger eye openings. If you have a specific link, let me know. Some of the sales I went to were out of medium size helmets.

Bill Dearborn

You will need to try helmets on to get a good fit. A medium in one brand may not fit as well as another brand's large. If you have a race shop near you they may carry several different brands that you can try on. Or maybe able to order in different brands and sizes to try on. A helmet that is a shade too tight is more than likely better than a helmet that is a shade too loose. Eventually, the tightness will become less as materials depress with usage. The too loose helmet will only get looser.

Bill

cottoneg

Nice helmet. But for the amount of times I will use it, out of my price range.

cottoneg

Looks like a large opening. Price isn't bad. Thank you for the link!

cvp33

Measure the circumference of your head to confirm your size. I’m a large but the cheek pads were too tight. The Pyrotect’s are removable for cleaning and trimming. Fits like a clove.

cottoneg

Please allow me to follow up on this post. I finally purchased the helmets yesterday at Competition Motorsports. I picked up two HJC AR-10 III Helmets (Thanks Jon B.). I was looking at the Bell Sport EV. But it was interesting that everyone that carried both helmets (Bell and HJC) recommended the HJC. It supposedly is lighter, has better ventilation. The price was comparable. So I will see how much I use it. I was glad to see guys like blueray16 are still tracking their car at 74. Maybe I may be doing this longer than I thought.

I will also get to see how my son likes driving the car on track. I will first take him to a driving school. I wanted something non-competitive like a Time Trial so it wouldn't be him against me. If he likes it, in 5 years he can get a better helmet. I tried to run the car at Summit point and VIR, but COVID cause the events to be canceled.

I realize that this is an entry level helmet in the $300 price range. But we will see how things work out.

Thanks to all who replied

blueray16

Your sound reasoning made me look hard at the M8 Carbon but, in the end, I didn't think the weight reduction was worth the additional $400 over the Composite versions I've been using since 2005. Given that i normally attend just 2 or 3 track events each year

blueray16

[QUOTE=cottoneg;1602605322] I was glad to see guys like blueray16 are still tracking their car at 74. Maybe I may be doing this longer than I thought.

I will actually be 75 when i go back to Watkins Glen next June. But who's counting. Paul Newman is my inspiration.

Summit point and VIR are great tracks and definitely should be experienced at some point. But know that there are closer options as well. NJMP here in New jersey has two tracks available and Pocono Raceway has numerous configurations combining parts of the Nascar oval and infield portions. Can't speak to the driving schools at any of them.


I usually do a spring tuneup at either NJMP or Pocono just to knock out the cobwebs from the long winter and make sure the car is ready for the big one at my favorite: Watkins Glen. Then one last random event before the weather changes, usually in October . Two years ago it was Club Motorsports in New Hampshire which was great fun and also took in the fall leaves while there.
Nothing at all this year due to the Corona virus.

enjoy the addiction

Captain Buddha

Kudos to y'all for keeping it on track! I'm 49, my TA2 team mate is in his 70's. He's definitely an inspiration!

Operations

This is my experience
The lighter the helmet the lower the lap time. If you give it serious thought it will make since,
This came from one of the professional driving coach's we had hired, he still drives for Audi I think, or Aston Martin I forget which we had several Pro's in working with us, anyway we came off a session and of course there were a dozen things he could have focused on what I need to work on, like brake deeper, etc. But no, the first thing he told me was, Mike, you need a different helmet, yours is heavy, your head is bobbing all around in the turns, your spending to much energy trying to keep your head where it belongs. He pointed to his helmet (Stilo) you need something light like this. I went out in the paddock to the Simson trailer I purchased a Stilo carbon fiber, total shock, the next session night and day improvement, now I was not magickly a pro driver but I no longer had my mental and physicals energy drained away because of this extra weight.
Not everyone would see the improvement that I did, yet some might see more.
-Operations