GettReal

Over the last couple years I have only done a handful of DE's and Lap days and found that my old motorcycle helmet worked. I just spent the winter prepping my car (mainly safety items) for hopefully a full season of HPDEs and now its time to modify my personal safety items. Looking for a new helmet and curious as which way most people go and why. I see alot of both. Is it just personal preference? Ive been learning a lot from you guys and am dying to get out on the track and learn more so help me decide. Ah, and feel free to suggest actual models. Thanks

Steve

gilly6993

I think it's just personal preferance....I like the open face helmet....I don't feel as clausterphobic....

97C5inSD

you may wana check with your local outfit club that you run with. Some of them will allow you to run openface and others want you to have a full face. that is something you will wana look into also. On alotta the Track days i have been too i have seen mostly closed face helmets. But like i suggest you may wana look through the rules of the track or the club that you run with

AU N EGL

Full face with eye shield down. Too much stuff flies into you car and hits you in the face,; bugs, sand dirt, track turds, birds.

Miaugi

Hey Steve, I'd say your best off with a full face as well. Make sure it has a SA2005 rating.

When you know what events you're doing let me know, maybe we can hook up? So far I'm booked for an afternoon at the new racing school/track at Mirabel and two events at Tremblant. Mosport, Watkins Glen and Calabogie are all on my short list for this season.

Steve

GettReal

Hey Steve, What are the Tremblant events? can I get into one of them?, would love to get out there and since I have to be in Mtl a couple times this summer for customer stuff, I could make it work. I have 2 Shannonville lap days and a Mosport School day booked. I'm really looking for whatever events I can swing. Mid week is much better for me then weekends, let me know.

Lan.Jet

I have a Simpson super voyager full face and love it. you should also use a neck support with a full face they are only about $30.

waddisme

G-Force has what they call a bybrid. It is what I got. It works pretty well for me. Then I just wear my sunglasses. Hope this helps.

mgarfias

Full face. An open can't protect you from **** flying in the car.

Kanmer

Full Face for safety reasons. You have to run with the windows down and if you ever have to pull a track turd off you helmet about where you forehead is you will not regret the choice. Also if someone goes off in front of you and kicks up sand you will have more protection. I use the G Force Graphix SA 2005. Retails for $279.00 US. I have 2 shields that I alternate depending on the day. One clear one dark. What ever you decide just make sure it has a SA2005 rating.

Bob

Joy of 6

I wear glasses and so don't use the shield. I really like to eat and all it takes is one bite out of the steering wheel or other part of the car and you at best would need major jaw reconstruction with an open face. I do agree it is less claustraphobic, but it is far safer to use a full face. Yeah,, we all plan on nothing happening, but racers always feel that way too and I thihnk you wold find that the pros would not go back to open facees. The HANS is another consideration. Not required but is worth while

David A

I prefer an open face helmet mainly because of heat and the cost of a open face helmet is more in line with my budget. Yes it is a $10 head and even at that I probably still owe some change.
A short time ago the SCCA suggested an open face helmet if the vehicle was equipped with a functioning SRS (airbag) system. I believe that statement was retracted within a few weeks. I never heard why they made the statement in the first place or why it was retracted. Speculation is that some unnatural movement of the head/neck may occur if the airbag interacts with the lower chin portion of a full face helmet. I am also sensitive to wind in my eyes so I always wear goggles. The Simpson Spex goggles have a lexan lens that is extremely strong. This is not a recommendation, simply what I have decided to do. YMMV.

Good Luck
Dave

AU N EGL

a few years ago, I decided to try my hand at running in the wet. Not too many cars on the track so it was wide open. Put on the street tires and just took it easy out there.

first session, no problem, second session was getting a bit slippery and fouth lap, I slowed down though the lower esses, and off into the left side tire wall.

My left side mirror folded in, the glass popped out bounced off my chin guard and landed over on the right side on my dash.

Put a big dent on my helmets chin guard. My guess it would have broken my jaw.

ghoffman

An open face helmet is fine if you don't care about your nose, teeth, chin, etc. I wasn't aware that anyone permitted open face helmets anymore at track events.
I have been using the lightweight Bell kevlar helmets for years, and found out that sometimes you have to actually use it. Kevlar is an amazing fiber for penetration resistance, and I unfortunately, did a real world test at Loudon a few years ago. I got my bell rung pretty good, but survived. I have no problem spending $450 for a helmet after this:

Bill Hetzel

Gary, that's the same helmit I use, actually on my second M3.
I'm with Gary on the quality of Bell helmits. I have a Bell AFX hanging on the wall with similar damage, hit the asphalt upside down in a formula car.

ghoffman

Correction, they aren't $450, it is $559 now! Still worth every penny.

John Shiels

yea but your not protecting a 10 dollar head

RAFTeRACER

Mmmnm..Open face club sandwich

mikahb

The other time I've been happy to have a full-face with a visor is running in the rain. Enough water comes in when you're going 120 in the rain that a visor keeps it out of your face. I suppose goggles would at least keep it out of your eyes, but you could drown if your mouth was open.

jlcvt