saibel

Can anyone recommend a helmet for track days. I am also hoping to run the Big Bend Open Road Race.

Their requirement states...

A SNELL Foundation M2000 or SA95 helmet in good condition with shatterproof eye protection is the minimum standard.

a. Shatterproof eyeglasses will be the minimum standard.

b. If open cockpit, a full face SA2000 helmet will be required.

Thanks in advance

davidfarmer

I'm a big fan of the Simpson Voyager line......doesn't look as cool as some of the other models, but they give great visibility.

jaa1992

I was looking at a Bell M4 full face this past weekend.
I wear glasses and the eye port was large enough.
I think thats going to be my next helmet.
My current is a Simpson open face SA2000 I bought in 2001.
The Bell SA2005 was lighter than my Simpson, guess thats what happens when you go a few years between helmets.

c4cruiser

I have a Bell Mag-4 Racer Series SA2000 that is an open face design. I wear glasses and I change to prescription sunglasses as needed, An open face design seems to work the best for me. Having a full face helmet with a shield does help if you get marbles or other debris flying inside the car from an open window. Some people feel a bit claustrophobic with them and some say that peripheral vision is not as good depending on the helmet.

Bell and Simpson both make good helmets but try them on if you can. The helmet should fit like a good hat; not too tight and not too loose.

The current SA rating is 2005 and the rating period is updated every 5 years. The 2010 helmets will probably appear in the fall of 2010. Most associations will allow the current and prior rating periods so if you get a SA2005 helmet now, it will be good up through 2015.

The M rating is for motorcycles and the SA is for motorsports. Get the SA rated helmet as it's designed for vehicle use. If you ride a bike, the SA helmet will probably not be acceptable for street legal motorcycle use.

Joe_Knesek

I recently purchased a Zamp Racing RZ-21 and like it more than the Bell M3 it replaced. It Hans ready & meets Snell SA-2005 & FIA8858 standards.

http://www.zamp-racing.net/2009autoRZ21.html

saibel

Great stuff so far and I am grateful for the info. Learning lots.

Thanks

Last C5

I have a Bell Mag 5 and a Bell M4 Pro. Both helmets are the lightweight weave material that pays off when you've spent a long day at the track. You pay a little more, but your neck will thank you and you're a lot more comfortable.

ajderzie

Do not buy any M helmet or any SA95/SA2000. Most groups do not allow M (motorcycle) helmets or SA95 first of all. An SA2000 is only good until next year. After that you will have to buy another helmet.

Your choices are either an SA2005 now or wait for an SA2010. Its always best to try on the hemet as sometimes different makes can be tighter or looser given the same size. The good thing about the visor is that you can use the helmet for other types of racing if you ever get into it. Carts or other open cockpit.

cgh1

I absolutely love my Arai GP5 because it is super light and flat out the most comfy helmet I've ever had on my head.

AND...

As ajderzie said - TRY THEM ON BEFORE YOU BUY! Every helmet mfg has their own definition of what size means, be it L/M/S or actual size in inches. The pads in different helmets contact different areas on one's head and some are snug, some are not, and some are downright blood squeezing - all from the same size helmet. So you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't go and try them on to see which works best for you.

Kubs

I got a killer deal on a new Simpson Stingray SA2005. It is carbon fiber so its very light, come pre-drilled for HANS, and couldnt fit better on your head. Visibility is good too. I did not pay the original price of $800 for it but if you can afford it I would say its worth it.

Lancer033

in other words...different people have different shaped heads and you need to try it on the make sure. I like Simpson helmets, but my head isn't going in your helmet, so that doesn't do you any good. Other than that, just make sure it's an SA05 helmet or you'll just end up replacing it sooner.