RaleighSS

Hey guys... Lookin at this helmet for my first HPDE... Whats your thoughts...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pyrot...73141004QQrdZ1

VetteDrmr

Only problem with mail order helmets is the fit. Not every size X helmet will fit a size X head comfortably. Other than that, go for it!

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

94ZR1#444

Don't buy it. I saw a guy hit a tire wall at which time the rear view mirrow popped off and proceeded to directly impact his full face helmet. If he had an open face helmet, he would have been F$%^&*D. Don't skimp on safety equipment.

Random thoughts....

You going to THSCC or NASA ar VIR in Feb??? If so, give me a call. I'll be there instructing.

RaleighSS

true.... will measure my grape and hope their fitment guide is accurate

robvuk

Open face helmets are for getting shot out of a cannon.

AU N EGL

I have a decal on my chin guard of my full face helmet. why? so much crap flys in the drivers side window and has chipped the chin gaurd. Not to mention the flying drivers side mirror that hit my chin guard when I hit the tire wall in the rain.

Full face helmet with eye shield is best.

Wicked Weasel

I would suggest full face - they do a better job protecting you and the new ones are light weight.

look at racerwholesale.com they have good prices on helmets...

dmwhite

full face (with shield)...unless you just dont like your face

Bill Dearborn

I ran with an open face helmet until last year when I purchased a new Simpson Full Face helmet. There is a lot of small track debris (speedy dry, small stones, pieces of rubber) that can come through the window and get into your eyes if you have an open face helmet so I had to wear goggles if I wasn't wearing sun glasses. I find the full face allows me to partially close the face shield and keep my eyes clear of dirt and if I run into a large patch of blowing speedy dry (like last year) I can flip the visor down all the way to keep the dirt out. I like running with the face shield slightly open since I can breathe better.

You definitely need to buy your helmet at a shop where you can try several ones on. When I bought mine the dealer had 2 brands for sale (Simpson and Impact) and I found that I had to try on 4 different helmets before I found one that fit the best. I tried one that fit the top of my head but didn't fit around my face. Another went the other way.

One thing to note on helmet size. For several years now the lower priced helmets have stopped being available in specific sizes and are only available as small, medium and large. When I bought my last helmet in 97 I got it in the exact size now you can't get an exact size unless you pay more than $400.

Bill

AUTO_X_AL

I would be a bit wary of a full face if you have an airbag. Just think about what could happen if the bag goes off and catches the chin guard. ouch. I use a full face but no ye shield but I dont have airbags either. Good luck

Al

The Spark

I don't know anyone that has taken an airbag to the face in a full face helmet but I don't see where it could be any worse than taking it full face without a helmet.

My daughter was hit in the face with an airbag. It scraped up her face and blew debris into her eyes and scratching them (no permanent damage). She was ver close to the steering wheel reaching for something in the floor so the impact was more on her face than if she was sitting up.

I would think the full face helmet would offer more protection to your face and eyes than an open face if the airbag did deploy.

Just my thoughts.

AUTO_X_AL

Ok picture this. The airbag deploys and catches the bottom of the helmet(Chin guard area) and pushes it up at the rate of deployment. Physics tells me thats gonna hurt like hell and break something. just my $.02
I know a good few people we race with feel the same way and prefer an open face if the vehicle has a working airbag. Matter of fact i am kind of shocked nobody said this before I did.
Al

TedDBere

There was an SCCA advisory that came out on this a few years ago, but was recinded due to incomplete science. Data was from F1 cars, airbags, hans devices, full harnesses and full faced helmets. Data didn't relate to us and in F1 they stoped experimenting with the airbags.

John Shiels

I was in a car where the air bag went off and I thought it was no big deal or big force and it was the older style,

robvuk

What's the difference if it catches your helmet or catches your chin? I'd rather be wearing a full face helmet any time.

gkmccready

I thought this ended up being an urban legend? I'll dig around and see if I can find the papers that disproved the whole airbag vs full-face helmet... but I'm sure Google will beat me to it.

94ZR1#444

tcmc5

FWIW, I had a head-on with a pit wall last year wearing a full-face and did not suffer any ill effects from the air bag deploying. I think the above scenario unlikely. If your're properly restained with a good harness the airbag doesn't really do much. Besides upon impact your head/helmet will move forward and down. I don't believe the bag is going to deploy under the chin guard. It didn't in my case.

Olitho

I am not agreeing with any premise that an open face helmet is better than a closed face, etc., but I did want to add a comment about what happens to your head in a front impact.

I got a HANS device last year, before and after buying the HANS I studied their literature and videos. If you watch their videos, you will understand how Dale Earnhardt got his fatal brain stem injuries.

Upon high force impact your head certainly does move forward quite a bit, BUT it does not rotate down much at all. So as your torso is well restrained in a harness system, your head simply move horizontally along a level plane. When it move far enough you get separation from the brain stem, crushing of the C1 and C2 vertebrae and almost certain instant death. Only at the last stages of head movement do you get the downward rotation. At least that was my understanding and interpretation from watching the video.

Surprisingly, I could not find the video online anywhere, but I did find this good article.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/nascar-safety4.htm

AUTO_X_AL

Well first hand is the best info. First gen bags weren't very kind either. I heard of the advisory but did not know of the retraction. I have not had any air bags blow up in my face and I hope to keep that way!
Al