Hey guys I was looking in to starting some SCCA and Track events and noticed you need a helmet for them. Can anyone point me in the right direction of 1) where to purchase one for a good deal and 2) What brands will work (it cant be a motorcycle helmet right ??)

 

www.racerwholesale.com

If you're just starting out, don't go overboard and go buying a $300 helmet... start small just in case you decide you don't want to do it anymore after a few events...

The G-Force helmets are probably the best value. Be sure to go ahead and get the 'SA' rated helmets as most automotive clubs running track events require them or will be requiring them in the very near future (as opposed to the 'M' rated helmets.)

Your choice as far as closed or open-face helmets. If you're gonna jump right into racing, go ahead and get a closed face... otherwise the open-face helmets can be more user-friendly for HPDE and Autocross stuff.

www.helmetcity.com is also a good one for name-brand helmets.

stacy king
HPDE Coordinator
Triangle Z Club / Tarheel Sports Car Club
North Carolina
www.timetrials.net

 

This may be a real dumb question ... but whats the differnce between a motorcycle helmet and a automotive one? Could you get away with a Motorcycle Snell Approved Helmet? As I already have a Arai Motorcycle helmet.

 

Not dumb questions...

The difference is 'SA' or 'special application' helmets are tested to different standards than motorcycle helmets... the very truncated explaination is that SA helmets are designed to absorb and protect you from multiple impacts, whereas an 'M' or 'motorcycle' rated helmet is tested to protect against a single impact. In a car there is a lot more stuff for your head to bounce off of (windows, a-pillars, steering wheel, roll bar, roof, etc) as opposed to a motorcycle where typically there is the one hit from the pavement.

Another very important difference, and probably a more common occurance, is fire protection. SA helmets typically have nomex liners that protect you against fire and heat.

Most organizations adhere to the Snell ratings - if you look under the inner liner of your Aria, you might find an orange and silver sticker that says M90, M95, or M2000 depending on how old your helmet it... if you can't find it anywhere, it may not be Snell compliant.

There are still clubs out there that allow M-rated helmets for HPDE, but none that I know of allow them for any competitive events other than Autocross.

-Stacy

 

Nice. Thanks for all the helpful info .... that makes a lot of sense since you explained it.

Too bad no one really makes Cool graphic helmets for automotive =( LOL

 

Don't waste your money on an M rated one, just jump right into an SA - the G-Force Hybrid is <$200 from many places.. I also recommend you find a place that has the helmet you want in stock and try several sizes on for ~20 minutes each. This will ensure it's good snug fit (should be VERY little side to side / up & down movement with it on tight) and also doesn't have any pressure points...

 

http://www.soloperformance.com sells graphics for helmets, though I don't believe they have them on their website.