Shifter6

I know I can order one from several vendors, but I would like to try them on first. Are there any brick and mortar stores I can go to? I live in central CT.

If not what are the best online stores? What should I be looking for in a SA rated helmet? This is for my first track day, so I dont know if this will be a regular thing or one time.

TheKomoman

Can't comment on CT brick & mortar, but I bought my wife's from Finspeed and had a great experience with them. What you most want to look for is comfort within your price range. Helmets usually have swappable cheek pads and head liners to get the right fit for you. Weight is another thing to look at - the lighter the helmet the more comfortable it will be for long periods. For the typical 20-25 minute HPDE sessions I wouldn't spend the extra for carbon fibre, etc but it's a spec to look at when you're making your decision. My wife & I both wear HJC AR10's and I think they're a great value.

c4cruiser

Go to some of the helmet manufacturers websites. You can find measuring/sizing charts for their helmets But note that what is labeled one size by one manufacturer, may not the the same size from another company.

It's a good idea to know your hat size. Also, use a cloth tape and place it around your head at your forehead. Note the measurement in both inches and centimeters as a reference. Pyrotect helmets has a sizing chart that shows a good cross-reference for sizes and measurements.

Ask the track day organizer if they have loaner or rental helmets. If they do, get there early so you can try a couple sizes to see what fits. If there are events before the one you are attending, there may be companies there selling helmets.

Most places will have helmets with the current Snell SA2010 rating. For track use, look at full face helmets that have visors. The visor will keep pebbles from hitting you in the face. Most all track events require door windows to be down.

Shifter6

I am looking at the value end of the scale, just because I dont know if I will commit to many HPDEs.

It a shame I cannot use my Snell M2005 bike helmet. I spent $350 on that one. I definetly want to spend LESS on a SA helmet.

TheKomoman

http://store.finspeed.com/HJC-AR-10-II-HJCAR10-II.htm

I think Finspeed is still a forum sponsor so that link won't get killed... $300 for the AR10 II and it's SA2010 rated. Pyrotect comes in right around that price as well. Open face is the only way to go cheaper and I think a lot of clubs that run events require full face - and it's a good idea anyway.

I haven't seen one for sale in a while, but I caught a break when I bought mine and found one used. If you're not in a hurry you might want to keep an eye on the various sections of the forum for helmets for sale.

BEZ06

Well, many here will tell you that you get the protection you pay for (how much is your head/life worth?), and the cheaper "made in China" helmets aren't worth anything.

That being said, I've been wearing a Zamp FSA-1 for several years now.




It fits great and meets Snell SA2005 standards, so I feel well protected when wearing it. It's drilled for head-n-neck support tethers, and I wear a Rage R3 when tracking with my stock seatbelts.

They're probably available a lot of places, but here's an example (looks like the current SA2010 is called the FSA-2):

http://www.apexperformance.net/ProdL...lag=3&brand=84


If you'd rather buy American then buy something else, but I'm real happy with my Zamp.

Bob

c4cruiser

Don't think "LESS" money on an SA helmet. There are big differences between an M-rated helmet and an SA-rated helmet in terms of how they work in a crash. It's also been said may times that "If you have a $10 head, buy a $10 helmet". There are lots of good SA201 helmets in the $250 to $300 range and will work fine for starting out. It could be that you might wind up liking track days so that should be a consideration.

Might look here Look at Bell and Zamp. Or here My helmet is a Pyrotect Pro AirFlo helmet that's made in Oregon.

SoDiezl350

I bought a barely used medium sized HJC FS-15 Carbon for 175 on ebay last month. Helmet cost over $500 new. That's where I would look.

Crepitus

That would suggest that I will be fine with an open face helmet.

TKOGTO

Borrow one for your 1st track day to see if this something you'll want to do. Never knew anyone that wasn't addicted after day 1 but that is another story.

You definitely want to go to a place to try it on. The difference in fit of same size helmets from different mfg's can be enough to decide one vs the other.

I am in Fairfield Co so the place I use, Stable energies in NJ is probably too far for you. Try:
Hale Motorsports. 2 Custom Dr, Old Saybrook CT 06475 (860) 399 4603
Excelerate 998 West Main St Branford CT 203 483 - 6100
WGP Weapons Grade Performance 226 N. Plains Industrial Rd, Wallingford CT 06492 203-668-4765

These are the shops I know about north of me.

Bill Dearborn

There are some race shops in your area if you do a yahoo search. I found this one:
Racer's Performance Parts

• (860) 627-9730

38 Prospect Hill Rd, East Windsor, CT 06088
Cross Streets: Near the intersection of Prospect Hill Rd and Newberry Rd

Call them and ask them if they sell SA helmets. If they don't ask them if they know any places that do sell them. You are in the middle of Modified racing country so there should be one or two places that support the racers. If you know of any guys that run a modified ask them where they get their supplies.

Bill

63Corvette

Here! http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/c...ssories/?r=lrw

FKING1

Some race clubs and events allow M helmets.
Corvette club of Michigan allows M2005 and newer helmets at their events.
I purchased a Zamp last year and am happy with it.
Open face is $140 and full around 160.
go Amazon or their web-site.

jaa1992

Double check your helmet. Since I've done some recent helmet inspections I've seen several that have the DOT sticker, the M2010 and the SA2010 sticker on them. IIRC there were a few 2005 models that were the same.

IIRC my SA2005 a couple of years ago was around $300.

Also check the organizations you are going to attend an HPDE with. Some of them have rental programs that will get you a helmet for that event.

Shifter6

Thanks to all that provided info. I called all the locall numbers provided and nobody stocks SA helmets.

I will talk to the club to see if my M2005 will be OK.