Thinking about going to the track this weekend. I gotta have a helmet. The flyer I have doesn't say anything about the helmet.

What's typically needed? Can I just go to Wal-Mart and grab a Bell (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3340484) and be good to go? Or is there a particular Snell rating or whatever that I need.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Last time I checked you needed a rating of 95 or greater - I think the required spec is "SA95" (it's been 6 years since I bought mine - I CRS). Some motorcycle helmets don't meet that standard. I bought mine at http://www.helmetcity.com/ . It was on my doorstep in a couple of days. I recommend them.

**edit**
I took a quick look at your link. Based on the price and the fact that they don't list the specific spec- I would be skeptical about them meeting the minimum spec.

And actually, the "cheapie" helmet would probably be O.K. at the drag strip. But if you ever take a driving school or run on a road course, they will require the SA95 helmet. Might as well only buy 1 helmet for all ocassions

SA95 Spec is 10 years old and expires for racing events in SCCA in 2007.

Get a new 2005 Spec and you're good for a decade!

Didn't know there was a rating like that! Is it on the tag of the helmet or something?

In the inside of the helmet usually underneath the padding. Also I have seen some marked on the outside of the helmet.

More info:
Snell Ratings: http://www.smf.org/

Info on Helmets: http://www.bellracing.com/faq/fq.htm

Impact Racing: http://www.impactraceproducts.com/

Simpson: http://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/

Hope this helps!

Story of my life

Got mine at Bellracing...

2007 huh? That's rather irritating since my Arai helmet is Snell M95, still in good shape, and was about 500 bucks new.

Was actually planning to get it painted Millennium Yellow if I can find a decent painter that doesn't want to slap artwork on it.

I found the local motorcycle dealers and/or accesory shops to have the largest selection of helmets and they are well versed in the types of helmets required. Prices werent outrageous and were actually competitive with online stores.

If your a weekend warrior doing it a few times a year you dont need the helmets that run couple of hundred bucks (hell those things have oxygen, cooling, communication hookups, etc - they dice,cut,chop, ya name it)

Just find one that gives ya the biggest protection for the buck - you will need to decide if you want open face or closed face (i.e. does it have a mouth guard) - Cheapest I found ran around 100 bucks

Being that i race SCCA maybe i should answer this one... First and foremost bell/pyrotect helmets are crap.. Now that SA2005 helmets are available, purchase an SA2005. (SA2000 will suffice) Do NOT buy an M2000 or M2005 as those are motorcycle helmets.. Most clubs allow them but they give way in a few categories (Like fire protection).

There are only really a few Helmet choices worth talking about.

Stand21 (Open Eye) (True carbon kevlar - Weighs next to nothing)



Arai GP5



Schuberth RF1 (Worn by Both Schumacher Brothers)




None of these helmets are remotely cheap.. The stand21 is 800, the Arai 1000 and the schuberth 1350..

But lets face it.. is your head the place you want to cut your budget?

The Arai GP5-K is a lower cost solution @ 650.

Absolutely Correct. Starting in 2007, no SA95 helmets will be allowed on any insurable motorway either dragstrip or road course.

I bought mine on ebay for 60 bucks after seeing the same thing all over for 150.250.etc.it's a bell helmet,snell 2000.i've had it for 3 or 4 years and it's fine.

For the drag strip or autocross, I use a $60 helmet. They have never checked to see it's rating. Let's be honest, running our cars at a drag strip or autocross is far safer than any driving we do on the street. This is not wheel-to-wheel competition I'm talking about.

I agree with the point that its somewhat safer then driving on the street but its FAR from smart to use a 60 dollar "Brain bucket". These cars do approx 110-115mph in a quarter.. Im sure it wouldnt be pleasant to have a tire let loose at 110mph with only 15 feet on either side of you before there is a wall.. Maybe you dont value your life but i value mine. Even the most skilled driver can lose control over a car if a front or rear tire goes at 100mph.. You couldnt even slow the car to remotely safe speed before hitting the wall.

As for autox, plenty of autox's run in lots with Poles.. (All events in NY run in stadium parking lots which have light poles).. I have seen last year alone 10 cars get totaled hitting a light pole at 45-60mph when the driver lost control.. again would you want to be using a 60 dollar helmet?

Alex, links to the STAND and SCHUBERTH sites please?
Thanks
Bob

Certainly..

http://www.stand21.fr

http://www.schuberth-usa.com

Thanks

I know when i was working for SCCA a few years back... if someone came to the track and tried to get a Motorcycle helmet through tech inspection, we confiscated it until the end of the weekend. It was completely against the GCR to use an M rated helmet...




--Josh

Case in point.. thank you