Hey everyone,
I'm about to get really into the whole autocross/SCCA scene and the first step is to attend some driving schools...So I've already made plans to go to a few next month, and they all require a helmet to attend...I figured I might as well buy one helmet that will cover me for everything I ever plan to do with the car (it also runs sub 13 second 1/4 mile so I need one at the strip too), but I have no idea about helmet ratings and what I would need for this sort of thing...Which helmet would you all recommend for the things I'm planning on doing? Any help I get is greatly appreciated!

 

I believe there is a standard Snell and Dot Approval that you need to look up. There is also a different between motorcycle helmets and car racing helmets (I think car helmets are fire proof too which may be a requirement for track racing), but each one will protect your head.

Snell just came out with a new 2005 standard for both helmets which is M2005 and SA2005. My helmet is from my motorcycle riding days and that is M2000 which seems to be ok at the 1/4 mile track.

Here is the Snell website if that helps:
http://www.smf.org/

Besides that I have a full face helmet with a tinted front shield to help cut down on glare (I have the blue metallic shield - looks good too). Full face is a bit more of a pain, but when riding a bike faliing on your chin is more probably than in a car. I also felt that the more protection around my head the better chance of doing less damage to it, but I think it is a matter of preference. If you are allowed a motorcycle helmet then I would go visit a local shop and try some on. Get the model number and then look online for a discount (I know not the right thing to do).

 

step one is to visit over here
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=23
no offense to C5 gen, but the guys over there know a lot more about what you're getting into

you can get to types of helmets M or SA. M is a motorcycle rating, most drag strips will take it. SA is Special Application (auto racing), and has to go through more tests (roll bar impact, fire, ect).

the ratings are updated ever 5 years, so most of the ones you can buy now are SA00 (Special application 2000) SA05s will be released in October is you can wait that long, but it shouldn't matter. Every group that I know of will allow a helmet up to 10 years old, so SA95 and SA00 are good now and when SA05 comes out, SA00 and SA05 will be allowed.

Next step is open vs closed face. I highly recomend closed face helmets, when you go off the track a lot of dust can fly in the car (don't ask how I know that) and you don't want anything getting in your eyes, and God forbid I wreck, i still want to look pretty when I get out of the hospital, so I'll keep my face covered.

As for brands, that's a personal choice based on what you think fits the best. I have a Simpson Super Bandit and love it. I've been told that Bell helmets tend to fit people with rounder heads better and Simpson fit skinny heads better. I've never tried on a Bell, but I am a skinny guy and the Simpson fits me perfect. If you can try them on first, then order the same helmet from whoever has the best price.

remember that a helmet could save your life, so don't look for the cheapest one, find a good price on the best one.

 

i can tell you from riding bikes is that Arai is the best helmet by far... im not 100% sure if they make helmets for car racing but i have seen a few people at the strip use them... including my sister in her 11 sec race car...

 

My local SCCA requires SA rated helmuts. SA2000 or newer. I'd think a SA2005 would about cover everything. Also, put in a seatbelt bar and 4 or 5 point seatbelt on that puppy. With a corvette, you want to stay in the seat and not have to hold on. If you are going to use the stock seatbelt, give it a 1/2 twist before clicking it in. Then move your power seat forward until the belt is real snug. You want the steering wheel fairly close too. You'll have better leverage. Have fun until your grin has to be surgically removed.

 

Arai motorcycle helmets may not be a good idea. Ratings are M for motorcyle and SA for special application. i.e. kevlar shell and Nomex fireproof lining.

Ratings for helmets are good for 10 years. The current ratings are M2000 and SA2000 the new helmets come out in Oct of O5 with a rating of SA 2005.

Most car clubs will require a SA2000 or newer helmet and will not accept an "M" rated helmet from Jan 06 on. i.e. get a SA2000 helmet.

 

Just keep in mind that if you have a cheap head get a cheap helmet, if you have a high dollar head then get a high dollar helmet!

 

think about it this way, when was the last time you saw someone in NASCAR, CART, F1, ALMS, LMES, FIA GT, WCGT or any other professional road racing series wearing an Arai helmet. I'm not saying that they are not good helmets and that you wouldn't get away with it (so far, no one has ever checked my helmet) but it's a motorcycle helmet not a auto helmet.

You will see the Pros in Simpson, Sparco, Bell safety gear, to me that's worth something.

One note on a harness: a 5 point belt will not work properly with a stock seat unless you cut a hole in the middle of it.. The anti-sub belt (the one between you legs) should be mounted behind you. If it is mounted in front of you, you can still slide forward until your get to the front of the seat, and by that time, your legs will be in a million peices. I've seen too many C5s set of with a 5-point belt coming over the front of the seat and it's just a waste of time.

A 6-point belt can come up from the sides of the seat under your legs then be clipped into the buckle and keep you in-place.

 

[QUOTE=Lancer033]
[I]Next step is open vs closed face. I highly recomend closed face helmets, when you go off the track a lot of dust can fly in the car (don't ask how I know that) and you don't want anything getting in your eyes, and God forbid I wreck, i still want to look pretty when I get out of the hospital, so I'll keep my face covered.


There is a real problem with purchasing full face helmets. SCCA is considering banning them in closed automobiles. The word is that inflating air bags can cause serious injury when hitting closed face helmets. No word yet but our club is keeping a close ear as several members have full face helmets.

Frankly, I would rather have a closed face helmet and the air bag inventor can have the burns and injuries associated with air bags. The only injury I have ever suffered in an automobile was a nasty burn from the gases of an inflating air bag. (the seat belt and shoulder straps saved me and my occupant from a driver who backed directly out of a parking place and into the street.

Give me a good harness anytime.

 

Get the SA helmet.
Save some money: http://www.racerwholesale.com/catalog/
If you talk to them, tell them they should be a supporting vendor.

 

[QUOTE=WillK]The SCCA was looking at a study on possibly using Air bags in F1 cars and has decided that an F1 car is just a little bit different than a street car, so they are not going to do anything with it. Point the airbag at you chest or wear a HANS and pull the fuse.