Motorcycle helmets on Car Track days...

[kazman]

So i want to purchase a helmet over the next couple of weeks for when i start using my track day car.
I was wondering howe many of you use motorcycle rated helmets instead of SA rated ones? And are there any organisers that prevent use / check on the helmet rating?

This is not meant as a question to insight hatred / heated debate, just a genuine question in to whether organisers actually check / care or not.

[S26VE P]

I have always used a bike helmet, well until now as im about to buy a new one.

[kimducati]

If you're buying one anyway, go for the proper car type. Needn't be much more expensive, and if you decide to take things further into competition, then you've got the lid sorted!
IMHO of course.
Kim

[GreigM]

I've never seen an organiser check helmets at a trackday, so long as your lid doesn't look like its already been in an accident I reckon you'll be ok.

[kazman]

Thanks for the straight answers so far, much appreciated!

[Ricey155]

im using my bike lid also after a few laps you get used to the viewing area etc and it causes zero problems

if and when i will upgrade to and open face car type just so you can keep a little cooler as the closed bike style is hot hot hot

[Decky_Q]

I also use a bike helmet with visor and vent scoops removed, one thing that I do know though is bike helmets are designed for very high single impacts and abrasion, car helemts are designed to take repeated impacts so in the very odd chance of flipping your car, a bike one might not hold up as well if its bouncing off the roll cage/roof/body repeatedly, highly unlikely, that, that exact senario will occur tho so I feel safe enough.

[kazman]

Thanks guys.

regarding viewing area - i thought the bike helmets had a wider field of view than a car one. Is there any reason why a bike helmet would be harder to live with "in car" than a car specific helmet?

[Robb F]

kazman said:

Thanks guys.

regarding viewing area - i thought the bike helmets had a wider field of view than a car one. Is there any reason why a bike helmet would be harder to live with "in car" than a car specific helmet?

Might have a different profile to help aerodynamics, which interferes with the back of your seat. Also bike helmets have been designed to work with the head in a very different postion than car ones. Thats all guesswork, I have no evidence for it.

I reckon you'll be fine with a bike one tbh.

[David White 10]

Car helmets have a smaller visor aperture to give the face more protection from eg hitting the steering wheel. Either type are fine for track days.

[kazman]

Thanks guys, good informative info there.

Any standard i should be making sure it is approved to? Snell 2010M?

[spyderman8]

Here's a link to the relevant section of the 2012 MSA Blue Book:

http://www.msauk.org/uploadedfiles/msa_forms/blueb...

The standards are listed on page 164. Some suppliers could have stocks of SNELL SA2000 helmets left at a discount - these would still be race-legal until the beginning of 2015! Any new models should be SNELL SA2010 or SAH2010.

[kazman]

Thanks for the link.

[Dan Friel]

Full face highly recommended. Can be used in an open car - you never know when you'll have the chance. And it stops your lower face connecting with the steering wheel, I've seen the result and it's not worth risking.

[kazman]

Picked up a full face bike helmet today. Glad I went in, I had to try on about 6 before i found one that was comfortable for me. Got good service at the counter also, where they double checked the fitment and confirmed it was good.
Let's hope I'm let out on the track with it now!
Thanks again all.