Autocross helmets
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
This is a good source for most of your Auto-x needs
http://www.soloperformance.com/Solot...fg_10-1-1.html
http://www.soloperformance.com/Solot...fg_10-1-1.html
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 490
Likes: 10
From: Macon Georgia
St. Jude Donor '08
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,727
Likes: 711
From: Bergen County, NJ
I bought my helmet from Raceway Park's store. It meets all their 1/4 mile and autocross specs, and has free shipping.
http://www.racewayparkstore.com/racersgear.html
http://www.racewayparkstore.com/racersgear.html
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,827
Likes: 5
From: Chino Hills CA
Autocross Helmet
If you have a $150 dollar head, then buy a helmet at that cost. More important than price is if the helmet is SNELL SA2005 certified or not. NCCC and more importantly the SCCA requires a helmet must have the SNELL certification. there are some Snell SA2000 helmets for sale out there but the helmet certification is only good for 10 years for racing in SCCA Solo or ProSolo. That simply means, don't waste your money buying a helmet that is a SNELL SA2000 because you will have to buy a new helmet in January 1, 2010. 
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,046
Likes: 13
From: Central Florida
If you have a $150 dollar head, then buy a helmet at that cost. More important than price is if the helmet is SNELL SA2005 certified or not. NCCC and more importantly the SCCA requires a helmet must have the SNELL certification. there are some Snell SA2000 helmets for sale out there but the helmet certification is only good for 10 years for racing in SCCA Solo or ProSolo. That simply means, don't waste your money buying a helmet that is a SNELL SA2000 because you will have to buy a new helmet in January 1, 2010.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 0
From: Upper St. Clair PA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09
These helmets are extremely well made, but the key is getting a good fit. It should be surprisingly tight; The skin on your face/forehead should move as you move the helmet.
I would not even wear an open face helmet to a bocce match.
Administrator
Joined: Aug 1999
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
It just makes sense to invest in a quality helmet. Although some organizations and tracks will let you run with a DOT approved motorcycle helmet, I wouldn't go that route. Buy a SNELL SA2005 rated helmet...you may get somewhere and find you can't participate without one.
A good source for helmets is www.saferacer.com.
An open-face helmet does not offer the protection of a 'full-face' helmet but IMO an open-face helmet suffices for those parking lot autocross events.
Without question, your best bet is to buy a SA2005 rated, full-face helmet. I personally would suggest one with a large eye-port for maximum visibility.
Some places even sell used helmets although I wouldn't do that unless you could physically inspect the helmet for damage beforehand. When it comes to safety and protecting your head in particular, go with quality gear.
A good source for helmets is www.saferacer.com.
An open-face helmet does not offer the protection of a 'full-face' helmet but IMO an open-face helmet suffices for those parking lot autocross events.
Without question, your best bet is to buy a SA2005 rated, full-face helmet. I personally would suggest one with a large eye-port for maximum visibility.
Some places even sell used helmets although I wouldn't do that unless you could physically inspect the helmet for damage beforehand. When it comes to safety and protecting your head in particular, go with quality gear.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 588
Likes: 63
if you disconnect your airbag, get a full face
I would really hesitate to get a full face if you do not disconnect your airbags. I believe that there was some study done that showed that an airbag inflating against a full face helmet caused injury.
I agree that you should only get a helmet with an "SA" rating, not the one for motorcycles ("M", I believe). I wold call a racing supplier and speak with a salesperson.
Good luck
I would really hesitate to get a full face if you do not disconnect your airbags. I believe that there was some study done that showed that an airbag inflating against a full face helmet caused injury.
I agree that you should only get a helmet with an "SA" rating, not the one for motorcycles ("M", I believe). I wold call a racing supplier and speak with a salesperson.
Good luck
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
My helmet is Snell M2005 from the motorcycle shop ($75). I do parking lot autox and occasional dragstrip. The worst that will happen is your head could bump the side window. It's not like your doing the Indy 500. You can spend $1000 for a helmet if you want (those rubber cones can be brutal). My understanding of SA is that it can take multiple hits while M rating is good for one. But I've also read that the difference is less than that.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
You'll need to go to the Head shop and have your head appraised or you can have your head examined for a small additional fee. The smaller your head, the smaller the fee. Pointed heads have additional fees.
Last edited by goatts; Jun 8, 2008 at 04:00 PM.
