bsalie99

I need a new helmet this year for autox and drag strip use. I was looking at Zeronine Racing Z9-APX. has anyone used this or have any feedback?

FKING1

Don't know Zeronine but be sure to get a Snell SA 2005 or 2010. Many clubs require an SA helmet less than 10 years old.
Some OK MA helmets which are motorcycle ones.
DOT approval means nothing.

c4cruiser

Definitely go with a SA 2005 or SA2010 helmet. Some associations will accept a current M-rated helmet but an SA Rating will also let you run track days if you decide to do that.

You can get good open face helmets from G-Force, Bell, Simpson, Pyrotect and others in the $250-$300 range. A full-face version of the same models from these manufacturers can run an additional $50 to $75 more.

I bought this helmet from Pyrotect last year. The plain white version is $299. They are very similar to the Bell helmet. Made in the USA in Bend Oregon.

AverageVetteNut

agreed... I got my SA2005 helmet a while ago ... a Pyrotect open face for under $200. Just got my girlfriend a closed face HJC(?) for $150 ish ( it's a SNELL 2010M ).

Check the region you want to run in and see what the club's rules are. I would spend the extra $ and get something you can use anywhere IMO.

AU N EGL

SA 2010 Not the 2010M M is for motorcycle.

Motorcycle helmets also sit differently on your head the SA or Special Application ie car racing helmets.

Dont go cheap on a helmet. Get one that fits.

CONE RACER

A little more food for thought for you. For AX, your head does a lot of side-to-side scanning looking for the next series of cones. Sometimes you're looking back around a tight 180 degree turn. Helmets that have a valence on the lower edge are a bit longer below the chin and they tend to flare out a bit on the bottom. Good for drag racing, for those that need to wear a neck gaitor/helmet skirt on the drag strip. For AX, depending on your driving position, you might get some interference with your collar bone (or just below your collar bone) at extreme viewing angles that may restrict the amount of head rotation you can achieve. Not good in that scenario.

Definitely go with SA2010. It will serve you well for a long time.

autoxer6

For autox, I like the Snell M open face. The M rating is a lighter helmet than SA, and lower cost (generally). The open face is much nicer for autocross.

AU N EGL

M is Motorcycle, not for cars.

SA or Special Application is for car racing. and has a Nomex liner.

Most santioning bodies require a SA helmet.

Gas Junkie

I have always heard you should use an open face helmet unless the airbags are disabled. The story I've heard is the airbag can contact the "chin bar" on a full face helmet and injure the neck.

Black89Z51

I just bought a Pyrotech SA 2010 helmet on fleabay. I really like it, and the cost was very good. Very comfortable helmet and breathes good. Plus I can get tinted visors for it.

bsalie99

the scca disproved the airbag thing a few years ago, when they researched the proposed rule change

RAREBLU1

I vote for an open face Snell SA 2010 for autox and drag

AU N EGL

Then where you look at the head damage stats, 15% to 19% of head injuries are to the chin area.



You want a FULL face, with eye shield closed all the time.

Jason

I have been hit in the face with debris while autocrossing with my shield up.
Full face helmet, shield down, all the time.
Your eyes are more important than your comfort.

AU N EGL

Always wondered that guys who insists on open face helmets aren't a bit claustrophobic?


But hey, its your head, your safety, your life.

jaa1992

Thats why my very first helmet was an open face. My other concern was getting my glasses on and off. That helmet is now retired and replaced by a closed face SA2005.



Make sure you try a few on, fasten the chin strap and shake your head around. Its got to be comfortable and TIGHT.

gsxnut

I bought the Bell Sport SA2010 helmet from Saferacer.com http://www.saferacer.com/bell-sport-...productid=2210 It is well built in expensive SA2010 helmet at $279. If you are doing Autocross and drag racing I don't think you need to spend $1000 on a helmet but with any safety equipment you are protecting yourself. I have always though the full face helmets are the best way to go. You don't see many drivers in the pro ranks running open face. I think it provides maximum protection. I also think it is important to buy the most recent rating you can afford. If you buy a SA2005 you may be buying another helmet sooner than you wanted to and it is the latest in technology. This is only my humble opinion.

Mark

gsxnut

If you are an SCCA member you also get a discount at Saferacer

Mark

Wicked Weasel

yup the original report was regarding F1 cars and airbags which obviously has much faster speeds and different seating angles. BMW and SCCA both did testing on regular cars and found no difference.