Discussion
Get a decent full face helmet and there is no way that it will be too hot due to proper vents.
My glasses sometimes steam up in mine in the assembly area, but as soon as I get above 10mph, clear and cool.
I'd always go full face, even in closed cockpit cars, after having broken my nose on a steering wheel in the past.
My glasses sometimes steam up in mine in the assembly area, but as soon as I get above 10mph, clear and cool.
I'd always go full face, even in closed cockpit cars, after having broken my nose on a steering wheel in the past.
daydreamer said:
Get a decent full face helmet and there is no way that it will be too hot due to proper vents.
My glasses sometimes steam up in mine in the assembly area, but as soon as I get above 10mph, clear and cool.
You assume there is airflow through the helmet but looking at Zoe's track machines, they're all tin tops I think, so the helmet vents become fairly ineffective.
Having said that, I agree with general sentiment that it's better to be hot in a full face helmet, even in an enclosed car, than having a face full of
in the event of a bad off. In the road car (i.e. full windscreen & therefore no airflow as such) on track, I always have the visor up to get some air into the helmet.
>> Edited by 55jnj on Wednesday 22 June 18:30
Once read an article about lids by a racing driver who recomended wearing a full face even when in a tin top due to ''broken jaws being very painfull''. Plus you can wear your own lid if you ever go to a kart track and not wear one of those old sweaty mingers they have hanging up for general use. 
I always wear my full-face bike helmet in the car on track days, even in the current weather. Having seen what can result from an accident when wearing an open lid, even though it was a bike accident (no lower jaw any more) I'll never wear an open helmet. Car is a 964 coupe, I just keep the visor open the whole time.
>> Edited by ian964 on Wednesday 22 June 22:17
>> Edited by ian964 on Wednesday 22 June 22:17
what is the situation with having an off when wearing a helmet? I realise that in many cases they can save yoru bacon but I thought I read somewhere that the additional forces placed upon your head and neck in the event of sudden decelleration can cause heavy trauma. I have a feeling that there is some kind of restraint system or even the kneck bolsters used in F1 to reduce or eliminate this but I have the impression that the average Jo doesnt use these?
Can anyone enlighten me on this subject?
Can anyone enlighten me on this subject?
you're talking about a HANS device - read the FAQ here - http://hansdevice.com/s.nl/sc.1/.f not seen many on track days yet and still not being used by the majority in club racing. seem to be a pretty good idea if racing.
if getting a new helmet worthwhile ensuring it's certified to at least BSI 6658 Type A or Snell SA95,SA2000 standards which some bike helmets arn't.
if getting a new helmet worthwhile ensuring it's certified to at least BSI 6658 Type A or Snell SA95,SA2000 standards which some bike helmets arn't.
Hmmm, I was thinking of buying one of 
I saw a guy on a chopper this morning with one of those - they look pretty cool, but again - i'd sooner save my face 
On the point made about the additional forces on drivers necks for those wearing helmets - Its a valid point but i think you have to weigh up the benefits a full face lid gives you (skull/face protection and reduced chances of glass/sharp objects hitting your eyes) against the chance of a heavy crash where the lid exerts more pressure on the neck in a particularly risky direction.
Hans devices in F1 are a good move forward due to the speeds involved, but on an average trackday, where the speeds are lower and the run off area is potentially larger - i dont personally believe they are necessary.
On the point made about the additional forces on drivers necks for those wearing helmets - Its a valid point but i think you have to weigh up the benefits a full face lid gives you (skull/face protection and reduced chances of glass/sharp objects hitting your eyes) against the chance of a heavy crash where the lid exerts more pressure on the neck in a particularly risky direction.
Hans devices in F1 are a good move forward due to the speeds involved, but on an average trackday, where the speeds are lower and the run off area is potentially larger - i dont personally believe they are necessary.
lockstock2sb said:
Hans devices in F1 are a good move forward due to the speeds involved, but on an average trackday, where the speeds are lower and the run off area is potentially larger - i dont personally believe they are necessary.
Isn't that what Dale Earnhardt Sr. once said, shortley before dying of neck injuries?
Just don't want you to tempt fate, thats all
They (HANS Devices) are becoming very popular in club motorsport too. Out of the 45 guys that race in our series, at least 7 or 8 are now wearing the device, with discounts on entry fees (one off) being given to wearers. OK, not the majority - but it is coming.
Even in a Ginetta, you can hit something hard at 100mph plus - which hurts (unfortunately from personal experience)
Even in a Ginetta, you can hit something hard at 100mph plus - which hurts (unfortunately from personal experience)
Hi,
I would go for a full face. I have just bought a new Bell Sport-4 full face for use in a close cockpit car. Very good value, £270 Snell SA2000 approved and FIA approved for use with HANS. The holes for the HANS device are predrilled and covered with a gromit so you can go to the hans device without needing to affect the helmets original structure.
Really good visibility for a full face helmet too.
I would go for a full face. I have just bought a new Bell Sport-4 full face for use in a close cockpit car. Very good value, £270 Snell SA2000 approved and FIA approved for use with HANS. The holes for the HANS device are predrilled and covered with a gromit so you can go to the hans device without needing to affect the helmets original structure.
Really good visibility for a full face helmet too.
why not try a neck brace first? They're only around 20 quid and loads of places sell them.
I think if you believe you may end up needing a HANS device, then make sure the fuel cell in your car is not out of date, your 3 layer nomex overalls and boots are OK and that your are firmly held in your 6pt harness and that the plumbed in extinguisher is close to hand!!
Sure, the unexpected can and will happen, but as already mentioned, there is an element of risk taking by participating in motorsport whether via t/days or racing.
Just take the visor off a f/face lid and it should be fine. You can always make some ducting to divert cool air to the drivers head area?
If you are spending a lot of money on a lid for a car, make sure you buy a nomex one. Bike lids are not fireproof. Check out the RAC blue book for requirements, specs, etc ....
I think if you believe you may end up needing a HANS device, then make sure the fuel cell in your car is not out of date, your 3 layer nomex overalls and boots are OK and that your are firmly held in your 6pt harness and that the plumbed in extinguisher is close to hand!!
Sure, the unexpected can and will happen, but as already mentioned, there is an element of risk taking by participating in motorsport whether via t/days or racing.
Just take the visor off a f/face lid and it should be fine. You can always make some ducting to divert cool air to the drivers head area?
If you are spending a lot of money on a lid for a car, make sure you buy a nomex one. Bike lids are not fireproof. Check out the RAC blue book for requirements, specs, etc ....
Not sure if I agree with fergus re the HANS device being the last thing that you should check regarding safety. All big offs involve a big shunt at some point (otherwise they are described as a minor spin 
), which will jar your neck - on that basis the HANS is the first thing that you should think about, before the FIA approved fuel tank or even the overalls (very few crashes result in fire these days)
However, he did make a very relevant point, in that the HANS requires a proper harness to work - therefore if you track your road car, with standard inertia reel belts, you can't have one!
Having seen three very big impacts in our races over the weekend - my helmet is being drilled forthwith!!!
Rich
), which will jar your neck - on that basis the HANS is the first thing that you should think about, before the FIA approved fuel tank or even the overalls (very few crashes result in fire these days) However, he did make a very relevant point, in that the HANS requires a proper harness to work - therefore if you track your road car, with standard inertia reel belts, you can't have one!
Having seen three very big impacts in our races over the weekend - my helmet is being drilled forthwith!!!
Rich
name said:
I think if you believe you may end up needing a HANS device, then make sure the fuel cell in your car is not out of date, your 3 layer nomex overalls and boots are OK and that your are firmly held in your 6pt harness and that the plumbed in extinguisher is close to hand!!
Competing in any form of motorsport what you have listed is the bare minimum of safety in my opinion. The hans device saves lives, FACT! If it didnt then it wouldn't be compulsory in many classes.
I really dont think safety should be taken lightly. You should always buy the best gear you can afford and make sure its suitable for what you want. Crashes do happen and its a good idea to be prepared.
Sorry guys, I guess it was partly a sarcastic comment, and I personally don't take safety lightly. However, especially on trackdays, the amount of highly modified cars you observe which have little or no regard for driver safety astounds me sometimes!
Agreed, HANS devices, where correctly used are proven to work. Given that not all cars used on a circuit would accept a full harness and hence would reduce the effectiveness of a full brace, the 'foam filled' neck braces available from sparco/OMP, etc make a sensible, although basic, alternative. These are only around 20 quid after all.
Agreed, HANS devices, where correctly used are proven to work. Given that not all cars used on a circuit would accept a full harness and hence would reduce the effectiveness of a full brace, the 'foam filled' neck braces available from sparco/OMP, etc make a sensible, although basic, alternative. These are only around 20 quid after all.
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff