Track day helmet needed. Where to order?

[Larry Callahan]

Mabe I should just order this one from Jegs? I would assume I could exchange it if it doesn't fit?

Impact Racing Super Sport

Features Include:

Lightweight hand-laminated aerospace composite shell
Wide Eyeport design for a panoramic view
Interchangeable cheekpads for a custom fit
Slick aero design for stock car or open wheel
Mounting platform for head and neck restraints
Adjustable forehead vents - both cools and defogs
Chinbar slots allow both fresh air and exhaled air to enter and exit the helmet directly
Chinbar vents allow fresh air intake and prevents fogging of the shield
Gray Matter™ liner. Impacts intelligent single-piece variable density liner, upholstered with a lightweight fire resistant fabric
Fire resistant Kevlar chinstrap with locking dual D-ring design
.125'' Clear shield standard with 3 position detent (Smoke and Dark Smoke available seperately)
Tear-off posts and metal shield pivot hardware
Snell SA2005 & SFI/FIA approved
Proudly made in the USA


http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...0002_759784_-1

[JEFFTATE]

Thanks Larry ! I'm in the market for a helmet also. This thread has been helpful. I'm gonna have a look at the Summit store just south of Atlanta soon.

[83hurstguy]

That Impact helmet should be a nice piece. I've seen a few people use them and like them.

You should be able to measure your head and approximate what size helmet you'll fit in. There's a helmet sizing chart on that Jeg's page that you linked to. It normally comes pretty close.

I have heard tracks say "snell approved", implicitly meaning an SA helmet. I know even when I have been out autocrossing they check for an SA helmet if it is being run under SCCA rules...

Just don't try one of these on... it makes you not wanna go back to your $300 helmet, lol...
http://www.winecountrymotorsports.co.../hjc/hx10.html

[Stu Seitz]

Mabe I should just order this one from Jegs? I would assume I could exchange it if it doesn't fit?

Impact Racing Super Sport

Features Include:

Lightweight hand-laminated aerospace composite shell
Wide Eyeport design for a panoramic view
Interchangeable cheekpads for a custom fit
Slick aero design for stock car or open wheel
Mounting platform for head and neck restraints
Adjustable forehead vents - both cools and defogs
Chinbar slots allow both fresh air and exhaled air to enter and exit the helmet directly
Chinbar vents allow fresh air intake and prevents fogging of the shield
Gray Matter™ liner. Impacts intelligent single-piece variable density liner, upholstered with a lightweight fire resistant fabric
Fire resistant Kevlar chinstrap with locking dual D-ring design
.125'' Clear shield standard with 3 position detent (Smoke and Dark Smoke available seperately)
Tear-off posts and metal shield pivot hardware
Snell SA2005 & SFI/FIA approved
Proudly made in the USA


http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...0002_759784_-1

This is the helmet I bought.

http://www.araiamericas.com/helmet_d...asp?model=GP5W

The company has won more awards then I can count. I would be a little weary about a company like Impact, who are relatively new. While it may be a gross generalization, I believe that, you get what you pay for. With regards to the most important thing that you can buy for racing; I bought the best thing I could afford; Which isn’t really true because I also bought a Hans device so I had to put it on a credit card, but I digress.

[Damn True]

You realize that "Impact!" is owned by Bill Simpson don't you? As in "Simpson Racing Products". A company that he sold years ago. If anyone know's what they are doing in terms of producing quality personal protective equipment, Bill does.

[David Pozzi]

Simpson/Impact knows safety, I think their liner is the CarbonX which is superior to Nomex. I usually wind up with a Bell helmet, they just fit me better.
David

[Stu Seitz]

You realize that "Impact!" is owned by Bill Simpson don't you? As in "Simpson Racing Products". A company that he sold years ago. If anyone know's what they are doing in terms of producing quality personal protective equipment, Bill does.

Yes, I know, and I do not have any real tech on whether or not Impact helmets are just as good, if not better then others, but you bring up a very good point. Being that Impact is owned by Bill Simpson, I would assume that he would want to distinguish he new company from his old one, In which case they probably have a different business plan and different target market. Based on there prices it seems the target market would be someone just starting off, or someone who is on a limited budget. While I’m not trying to offend anyone, it just makes think twice about someone’s commonsense, when they gladly plop down 5000 dollars for a supercharger, but they end up not wanting to spend much more then 150 on a helmet.

[David Pozzi]

The Snell foundation tests and sets standards.
http://www.smf.org/

I don't know that you can always equate expense with improved safety.

My Bell cost over $600. I opted for Kevlar to reduce weight which raised the cost.
David

Here's a good quote on helmet classifications.
"What are the differences between the SA, M and K standards?
The SA standard was designed for competitive auto racing while M standard was for motorcycling and other motorsports. The K standard was released to accommodate helmets used in karting. There are three major differences between them:

1. The SA standard requires flammability test while the M and K standards do not.
2. The SA and K standards allow for a narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA and K certified helmets may not be street legal).
3. The SA and K standards include a rollbar multi impact test while M standard does not."