DE helmet?

[wcc]

I'm thinking of doing my first DE here pretty soon. What's a good helmet around a couple hundred bucks that would full-fill the requirements. Is there anything else that would be required instead of a helmet?

[JP911]

Pyrotect and G-force make some affordable helmets. If possible, find a place where you can try them on. Some clubs also require gloves, but in general you should only need to wear long pants, a long sleeve shirt, and a helmet.

Have fun!

[dondarnell]

Couple hundred huh? You might be better off with same foam and a roll of duct tape.

I just got a Bell H4 Pro from CDOC for about 500. Like it a lot.

[efhughes3]

I'd listen to JP911 above-both those brands offer fine helmets in your price range.

I do like to use gloves when I'm driving in anger.

[HarryD]

Bill,

I am sure the DE organizer requires it but in any case be sure you get one with a Snell Foundation Stamp. Get one with a 2005 stamp so it will be good for about 7 -8 years before you need another one.

Depending on your needs you may be able to get by with a M2005 (motorcycle) stamp instead of a SA2005 (Special Application) stamp. You need to check with where you think you will drive to be sure they will accept your helmet.

If the helmet has a Snell stamp, you are protected. The higher priced helmets offer increased comfort and other features but not necessarily increased protection. For a guy starting out, you may not want to pay for that.

You should go to a store and try them on. Each helmet fits differently and you need to find one that is comfy.

One other thought. My PCA Club offers loaners to first time folks so they can try a DE without the expense of buying a helmet. You might want to check on that or borrow one from a friend before you spend the money and find out this is not your cup of tea.

[Joe Bob]

How much is yer head worth?

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by wcc

I'm thinking of doing my first DE here pretty soon. .... Is there anything else that would be required instead of a helmet?

Not much,

A safe car.

Your ego left at home.

Not worrying about being the fastest.

The organizer can give you the information you need. Whose program are you going to try?

[edesign45]

After you have figured out your helmet, get some info on driving techniques and safety either online or through books ($15 or less). The idea is for you and your car to be prepared for the track. This way you may not have to find out what the helmet is for. Have fun, you may get hooked.

http://www.amazon.com/Speed-Secrets-Professional-Driving-Techniques/dp/0760305188/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214371454&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Driving-Techniques-Essential-Confidence/dp/0979381312/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214371534&sr=1-1

[Mad Mike]

Originally Posted by mikez

How much is yer head worth?

+1. It can save your life!

[Tut]

As my friend the ER doc says, "If you have a five dollar head get a five dollar helmet."

A helemt is not a purchase to cheap-out on.

[billybek]

I felt safer on the track than I do on some of Calgary's roads during rush hour!!!
I went to the DE a few weeks ago and had a great time... They are well worth checking out.
As far as a helmet goes, admittedly I cheaped out as I didn't know if I would use it twice...
I would like to do another DE, but I think too much time at the track and I would be hooked like a heroin junkie...
The DE really let me know that the car wasn't the weak point in the car/driver relationship. I learned a lot in a short period of time.. Don't think about doing one, just go do it!!

[JeremyD]

Try here

http://www.zampoutlet.com/

and as long as you have a Snell tag you should be OK - they at least are mfg to a standard.

and I will reaffirm that your most dangerous portion of your track day is the drive on public roads to the track.

[Jeff Higgins]

You guys that keep repeating the "what is your head worth?" question should take a look at the actual test criteria and data on the various helmet brands. As long as a helmet meets the applicable standard (in this case Snell 2005) it will protect your head as well as any other that meets that standard. More expensive helmets do not offer increased protection. That is a myth. They may not even offer increased comfort; that is far more dependant upon how it fits your head. And remember, at a typical DE day, you are only wearing it for 20 minutes to half an hour at a time.

Bill, just go to a local motorcycle shop and check out their Snell 2005 rated helmets. Very good ones can be had for $150 or so. The sky is the limit from there; spend what you want. Just don't let anyone make you feel like you "need" an $800 helmet to adequately protect your noggin. If you are just dipping a toe in the waters, and trying out DE's to see if you like it, it makes no sense to spend a fortune on a helmet. You can always get a fancy one later if you find you like doing DE's.

[GaryR]

I agree with Jeff except for the motorcycle part. Get a SA2005 helmet and you won't run into any issues down the line as some PCA Regions (and other groups) will not accept a motorcycle helmet. I use an old Bell M3 (SA2000) as I like the bigger eye-port. It's not super-light, and that is mostly what you pay for in more expensive helmets. Here is a new version for only $350 - http://www.ogracing.com/catalog/1-Driver/24-Helmets/74-Bell/83-Racing-Helmets/item-1182-BELL-SPORT-III-SA2005-RACING-HELMET

Open faced helmets are substantially cheaper and as long as your DE group is ok with them, and an option also (they are SA2005 also), but I would stick to full-face. - http://www.ogracing.com/catalog/1-Driver/24-Helmets/74-Bell/83-Racing-Helmets/item-1695-BELL-MAG-SPORT-SA2005-RACING-HELMET


Have fun!

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

You guys that keep repeating the "what is your head worth?" question should take a look at the actual test criteria and data on the various helmet brands. As long as a helmet meets the applicable standard (in this case Snell 2005) it will protect your head as well as any other that meets that standard. More expensive helmets do not offer increased protection. That is a myth. They may not even offer increased comfort; that is far more dependant upon how it fits your head.

+1 !!
Although I would suggest that you NOT buy a motorcycle helmet (M-rated). Many sanctioning bodies, including some PCA regions, now require that you use a SA-rated helmet. Buying a current SA rated helmet assures that you will not be turned away by any club.

I bought my SA-rated helmet from Summit Racing for $259



[edit: Gary beat me to it. Curse my slow typing!]

[Jeff Higgins]

Hey guys, I did specifically say "Snell 2005". Every bike shop in my area carries Snell rated helmets. I agree, stay away from the "MA" helmets. Most clubs do not allow them.

[GaryR]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Hey guys, I did specifically say "Snell 2005". Every bike shop in my area carries Snell rated helmets. I agree, stay away from the "MA" helmets. Most clubs do not allow them.

Yes, you did.. my bad.

[175K911]

FWIW, our local Audi Club chapter just bought 20 helmets from Bell for us to use as rentals at our DE and autox events. In conversation with Bell, their recommendation was their Bell Sport helmet, retail $259. SA05, and durable. Sure they have a lot more expensive helmets (I bought a new BR1 to go with my HANS), but it's just features, comfort and less weight that you're buying at that point. So if Bell's recommendation was the Sport, knowing the intended purpose, then that ought to be a good recommendation.

If you can fit into a Medium helmet, I have a brand new Bell Mag4 SA05 (open face) that I bought as part of our deal with Bell. Unfortunately, this Mag4 Medium is too small, while the SA2000 Mag4 Medium I'm replacing fits just fine. So I've got a brand new helmet I can't use. I'll sell for what I paid for it- $165+ shipping. (yes, we got a killer deal from Bell.)

[Jack Olsen]

The 'if you've got a hundred dollar head, get a hundred dollar helmet' makes no sense at all to me. The same test is given to all the approved helmets. Either they pass or they don't. No manufacturer that I'm aware of has ever made a claim that their more-expensive helmets are safer than their cheaper ones.

Pricier helmets are often lighter (which is nice) and sometimes have better air circulation (also nice). But safer? You can bet that if they were, you'd see it spelled out very clearly in their ads.

$250 will get you all the helmet you need. Beyond that, you're serving comfort and/or vanity. That's fine if you can afford it. But no one should imply that a $250 helmet is in any way unsafe. SA2005 is SA2005, any way you slice it -- in my opinion, at least.

$250 helmet, with free shipping and a helmet bag/baclava -- it's Snell SA2005 and SFI 31.1/2005 rated, and pre-drilled and threaded for a Hans device.

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by mikez

How much is yer head worth?

I'm not sure how much your head is worth cash but maybe you can ask Racerbvd what he will trade for it.