Autocross Helmet

[2g72]

Anyone have any suggestions for an autocross helmet?

[Steve Chryssos]

Open face helmets are good for autocross such as a Simpson Cruiser FR Open Face Helmet SA2005

I prefer http://www.saferacer.com as a source.

[chicane67]

X2 on the Simpson open face.

[novanutcase]

Depends on what you think your head is worth!

John

[mpozzi]

I use a closed helmet for track days and an open face for autocross. Much better visibility. Check www.solotime.com for deals on Simpson and Bell. My head fits Bell nicely and a Simpson isn't comfortable at all. Others like Simpson or other brands and hate Bell. As heads are different shapes, you've got to try them and wear 'em for at least 15 minutes to make sure it remains comfy.

If you plan to eventually track your car and just want one helmet, go closed face for your helmet as it's much safer for higher speeds.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[69Nova]

Maby I'm crazy but I think some closed face helmets still have killer visibility. I picked up my new helmet at a local bike dealership and it fits me great and I personally think it has just a good visibility as a open face would. Like Marry said "As heads are different shapes, you've got to try them and wear 'em for at least 15 minutes to make sure it remains comfy."

[GSXTRA]

Simpson Voyager, Full Face And Good Visibility

[GSXTRA]

[PARKERRS]

Coming from a background of 24 years on sport bikes, like novanutcase said, what is your head worth when it comes to helmet pricing. I;ve used Bell, Nolan, Arthur Fulmer(in the old days of the 70's on dirt bikes), Shoei, and Arai. For the last 8 years I prefer the Arai, they have several different models depending on the shape of your head and the closed face have different cheek pads available to tailor the fit for the ultimate comfort. Shoei is second on the list IMHO only because it doesn't offer the different styles and cheek pads to really tailor to your head. Both are SNELL certified as well as DOT, the Snell safety rating is much harder to obtain. I used Bell when they were still made in the USA, it was one of the heaviest helmets I ever owned, and wieght doesn't eqaute to safety, also you would be surprised at the difference a few ounces to a pound can make when it's on your head all day and your moving and turning your head. I haven't tried the Simpson so I have no opinion there. Your best research will be in the motorcycle mags as a helmet is an integral part of fast bikes and riding them. Check the mainstream mags that deal with sport and sport touring machines as the main stream Harley rider ( boulevard cruiser) is more into the pudding bowl poser look than actual functional safety headgear. Myself I just grab one of my Arai helmets from the garage on the shelf where I keep the bike before heading to a car driving event. If it's good enough for guys road racing near 200mph on a motorcycle then it should be more than adequate for inside of the car. Open or closed face is your call, if you have a roll cage with front down bars I would strongly suggest closed, as a hard hit to the face from one of those bars in the event of a belt failure could do serious damage. Also according to research within the motorcycle industry helmets should be replaced every 5-6 years due to the compressible liner made from foam deteriorating from sweat, heat, and ozone factors. The compressible lining plays as large of a roll in protecting your head as the hard outer shell. It is also suggested that if any helmet takes a considerable blow that it should be replaced due to the liner getting compressed in this area.The liner that I am speaking of is actually a layer of foam similar in appearance to styrofoam between the outer shell and the inner upholstery or lining which actually contacts your head.

Tommy

[chicane67]

Good call on the closed face stuff Mary...

Ill agree on anything that fits and that you are comfortable with... is your goal. Motorcycle or mainstream automotive doesnt matter... as I know a bunch of cats running motorcycle helmets because they have been offering some options that are only now becomming available in the mainstream market.

The five year replacement thing is also a factor. I just retired my Simpson Super Bandit and am in the market as we speak. I felt the Simpson SB had excellent visability and was a cost effective item. I mean, you can spend $450 to 800+ on a helemt really fast. Just keep doing your homework, as you are now... and educate yourself on the subject matter. Parkerrs nailed down some things that most dont think about, because it may be in a different circle... but IT JUST MAKES SENSE. Great post by the way Tommy...

Case in point for shopping around because of the competetion in the helmet world as of late... Impact racing, Bill Simpsons new company, make helmets with a lot of the new options... like adjustable cheek pieces and such.

Simpson, HJC, Impact, Bell, Arai, G-Force, RaceQuip, Shoei, Pyrotech and others are all there to look at. My best advice would be to swing by some of the local shops in your area... and start trying them on. Fit and comfort are big players... moreover than just looks alone.

Good luck... your head is worth more than you can afford to spend on a singular piece of saftey equipment though...

[David Pozzi]

Since I run an open vintage racer, I use the same helmet for Autocross. I found once I got used to a full face helmet the autocross use doesn't cause a problem at all. In fact, using my full face helmet for Autocross helps me get more used to it for Vintage racing. I just leave the visor up for Autocross.

If you will ever use the helmet where a headsock/balaclava is required, then wear one when you try on helmets. If you have facial hair, SCCA requires a double layer balaclava, instead of a single layer.

Make sure you get a car rated helmet, not a Motorcycle helmet. Nomex lining is the main difference. Also Motorcycle drivers lay forward to reduce drag, so the helmet rear lip may be higher.

Autocross only use is much more lax than any kind of racing, but you may do a high speed autocross, I've hit 105mph at an autocross with my 67 Camaro! If I'd hit something or broke an axle, it could get serious...
David

[PARKERRS]

Dave, good call on the fit with a balaclavva, it slipped my mind as I use them extensively during winter riding. I hadn't even considered the Nomex factor, I'm used to the motorcycle thing where fire isn't an issue due to the fact that when an accident occurs you are seperated from the machine unlike with a car. I'm used to considering body armor and high grade leather(such as Vanson) rather than fire retardant gear, guess I'll have to alter my priorities according to the endeavor.

Thanks,
Tommy

[MonzaRacer]

I used to have Nomex (was on tag) lined Simpson and as for Nomex after watching videos of a buddy of mines friend gettingburnt bad in Nomex crap I dont trust that stuff much as I used to.
Thiere used to be anothertype of flame proof product but you dont see much of it any more, a friend of mine was trapped in his car with race fuel raining on him with that stuff(and he had just bought the full meal deal in a one piece suit, underwear and shoes) and he was in the fire a true 3 minutes and 23 seconds and he came out smoking but not on fire except his right hand as he had gotten oil on the right glove and had pulled out one of his old Nomex ones, now it was melted and on fire.
Oh and the suit was not burning but the fuel on it had.