Looking for helmet for autocross.

I'm planning on doing autocross. What should I look for in a helmet, I was thinking open face. I believe I have to have one that is Snell approved.

I'll take all the advice I can get on what to buy and where to buy it - obviously I don't want to pay more than I have to!

Thanks.

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Allan Broadribb
'70-911E, 2.2l with Webers

Get a helmet rated SA2000. The Bell M2 is a good all-purpose helmet, and sells for around $300. I don't think you can spend alot les than this. Avoid older SA90 and SA95 helmets, you might be able to get them at a discount but they will be useful for less time.

I am also looking for the same, to be approved for PCA events/ SCCA events.
I would also prefer open face. But $300 sounds a bit steep! ?
I appreciate we need quality/type approved etc. but there must be an alternative. (tight wad! )
Heh Allan just noticed you are from my neck of the woods, where is Bradenton? I am based out of Ft. Lauderdale/Key Largo.
Just found this site from a thread a few days back seems like a deal,
http://www.racerwholesale.com/Merchant/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RW1&Product_Code=MAT2307&Category_Code=BELL+M2000


[This message has been edited by 86ragtop (edited 03-13-2001).]

Bradenton is just north of Sarasota, really the same community - about 50 miles south of Tampa.

I'm tempted to go with a Snell 95 open face which you can pick up for around $100. I got these sites from a friend who races motorcycles.

http://volusiaonline.com/helmet/
http://www.accwhse.com/#PH

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Allan Broadribb
'70-911E, 2.2l with Webers

Hi Ben, remember me?
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If you believe that you will do DE and perhaps racing, in addition to AutoX, I would advise against purchasing an "M" rated helmet. (I assume the 2000 rated helmets are rated like the 95 and 90s, M and SA) Some PCA regions only allow SA rated helmets for their events, other than AutoX. If you intend to race with the PCA, then helmets must be SA and not M. Our PCA Potomac region requires SA for Drivers ED but does allow M rated helmets for AutoX. Check out the requiements of region or sponsoring bodies where you will be participating before purchasing.
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Cheers

Definitely get an SA2000 (not MA) helmet. Most sanctioning bodies around here disallow M helmets and these regs. are getting stricter all the time.

Personally, I like my face and would suggest a full-face helmet. I got a Bell (forget the model) for around $250 that is full face but visorless, so it is kind of in between. Great airflow without that "fish bowl" feel of a totally enclosed helmet.

If you run an open car (roadster/cab) then a full face helmet w/ visor is advisable. Even in a closed car, the visor is part of your fire & smoke protection should (god forbid) anything ever happen...

[This message has been edited by campbellcj (edited 03-13-2001).]

Hi Chuck
Are you sure you are not just my concience?
(Bit maybe I am schitzo and AM 'patalive?')
Oh well,
My concience agrees with Chuck but my wallet is quiverring at the thought of losing those hard earnt 'greenbacks'
I know it makes sense!

The thread I pasted last entry has the Bell Mag 4 : Snell SA2000 open face $212.
I appreciated the full face gives better protection as on motor bikes but I will be driving in the 'heat' all the time and hopefully top down if under 90mph. Above that it gets a bit 'blustery'.
The Full face gets too hot and reduces vision more than open face.
Keep that advice rolling in even from me

No mater what your choice, make sure you get one that fits properly. Too tight, and you will get headaches fast. Too loose, and its very danderous not to mention frusteration. The Bell M2 offers a larger opening with the full face extended coverage design. It is almost $300, but well worth me money. I must agree with the others here too in staying with a SA helmet. You may only be doing autocross now, but the time will come that you want to go on a real track. I also agree that there is less to hit in a car as opposed to on a bike, but there is still dangers. Why else would 98% of all race drivers choose the full face over an open face. Don't forget a collar with your helmet. Cheep hemets are not as light as expencive ones and even a 1.5 minute run will make your neck sour by the end of the day.

Lastly keep this phrase in mind when buying: "$10 head, $10 helmet".

I will again recommend HMS Motorsports. They have never let me down. http://www.hmsmotorsport.com/



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Dave
1970 914-6 (soon GT)

I have a HRC helmet-full face.Talk to someone who has gone off the track and ask them how much dirt got in their car.You have your windows open and I have never had anyone complain about having a full face helmet,
yes, it is more difficult to communicate with your instructor in a full face BUT you are safer.I'll say it the way it was put to me when I was looking for a helmet..... HOW MUCH IS YOUR HEAD WORTH ??

Allan,

I don't believe most rules require the use of the plastic shields. There used to be a special version of Bell's closed-face helmets for users of eyeglasses, and that is what I use, but I haven't looked in a Bell catalog recently. Surely, others make similar 'eyeglass' versions of their helmets.

In light of Dale Earnhardt's head injuries in what appeared to not be a serious accident, I don't think an open-face helmet is safe enough for autocrosses any longer, since I have seen a couple of cars rolled at them. It has to be considered a rare possibility, but I don't believe quibbling over $100 on a helmet is worth risking your life!

When I run in autocrosses, I don't use the plastic shield's and have never been questioned about it, but I do use the full-face Snell-approved helmet ... a little hotter head and hair is never noticeable while driving, a small benefit of the adrenaline, I suppose. My last set of stainless-framed prescription glasses with impact-resistant lenses were over $400, and I didn't much like the price, but didn't want to go back to one of the cut-rate places, as the one time I did in the early '70s what I got was fragile junk ... so back I went to the quality place I have been a customer at since 1957! Eyes and heads need the best protection possible, cut corners somewhere else!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

I just got a helmet for DE and autocross. Here is what I found out from PCA prior to purchasing.

PCA National rules require only an M helmet for Drivers Ed and Autocross. SA is only required for Club Racing, so if you have that in the near future, then get an SA. If you're just doing Autocross and DE for a few years, go with the M.

I would, however, check with your region first, maybe they have their own regulations. Here in Colorado, both our regions follow the PCA national regulations.

Currently PCA national requires M with Snell 90 approval. In 2002 they are planning to start requiring M with Snell 95.

It is my understanding that the only difference between SA and M helmets is that the lining in an SA is fire/flame retardant approved and an M helmet is not.

If you find that your region will allow you to run a Motorcycle (M) helmet, I just bought an HJC CL-12 helmet which is Snell95 compliant. It is full face with flip/removable lenses and pockets for a communications system and cost $134.00 at www.motorcycle-superstore.com

Good Luck!
Nick.

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_ _ __ _ _
Nick Shumaker
1982 911SC Coupe
nickshu@yahoo.com



[This message has been edited by Nickshu (edited 03-14-2001).]

I'm going to spend close to $350 - $400 for a nice Simpson full-face black helmet. (Gotta be black...it goes with the car, y'see?)

It is a 10-year investment which may save your life. Figure out how much dough you make in 10 years, and ask yourself if $400 is worth it.

I would never use a full face helmet - especially after what happened to Earnhardt.

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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2
1987 Escort 5-speed 1.9 RIP
The Porsche Owners Gallery

Thanks for all the good advice.

When I think about what I have spent on my teeth this past year I'm going with a full face.

Regards to all for sharing their experience.

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Allan Broadribb
'70-911E, 2.2l with Webers