Race gear - helmets

[Toobin]

Looking to get a leaving gift for a friend who is about to purchase his first track car on a move back to the UK .. I have no idea where to begin can anyone advise me on what to look for and somewhere to get one (ideally customized).

[CraigyMc]

Toobin said:

Looking to get a leaving gift for a friend who is about to purchase his first track car on a move back to the UK .. I have no idea where to begin can anyone advise me on what to look for and somewhere to get one (ideally customized).

That's not the sort of thing I'd do unless you know precisely the size and shape of his noggin. I have a "Large" head, but I find Arai helmets very uncomfortable, while fitting Bell ones quite comfortably.

Also -- how much are you thinking of spending?
The oft-repeated thing is "if you've got a $5 head, get a $5 helmet". My helmet cost nearly £500, and isn't customised.

C

[Toobin]

CraigyMc said:

That's not the sort of thing I'd do unless you know precisely the size and shape of his noggin. I have a "Large" head, but I find Arai helmets very uncomfortable, while fitting Bell ones quite comfortably.

Also -- how much are you thinking of spending?
The oft-repeated thing is "if you've got a $5 head, get a $5 helmet". My helmet cost nearly £500, and isn't customised.

C

ah good thinking, I was figuring a s/m/l scenario but I guess with safety there is more to it.

There is a group of around 10 of us chipping in between 30-40 a piece which I guess is within range. I suppose any race related kit would be tricky ...

Is there anywhere recommended that I could try for a voucher may be?

[Toobin]

Toobin said:

ah good thinking, I was figuring a s/m/l scenario but I guess with safety there is more to it.

There is a group of around 10 of us chipping in between 30-40 a piece which I guess is within range. I suppose any race related kit would be tricky ...

Is there anywhere recommended that I could try for a voucher may be?

and thanks

[e21Mark]

Nice idea but crash helmets can be quite a personal thing. I had to buy a Simpson as it was the only helmet that fitted me and they're a bit pricey.

How about getting him/her a track day and some pro photos to record the days on track events?

[Toobin]

e21Mark said:

Nice idea but crash helmets can be quite a personal thing. I had to buy a Simpson as it was the only helmet that fitted me and they're a bit pricey.

How about getting him/her a track day and some pro photos to record the days on track events?

Thanks Mark.

he has some experience from when he lived in the UK and is in the process of buying a track ready lotus for when he returns, not sure what he'd gain from the experience days ..

bit stumped to be honest ..

[Toobin]

e21Mark said:

Nice idea but crash helmets can be quite a personal thing. I had to buy a Simpson as it was the only helmet that fitted me and they're a bit pricey.

How about getting him/her a track day and some pro photos to record the days on track events?

Thanks Mark.

he has some experience from when he lived in the UK and is in the process of buying a track ready lotus for when he returns, not sure what he'd gain from the experience days ..

bit stumped to be honest ..

[CraigyMc]

e21Mark said:

Nice idea but crash helmets can be quite a personal thing. I had to buy a Simpson as it was the only helmet that fitted me and they're a bit pricey.

How about getting him/her a track day and some pro photos to record the days on track events?

Hrm.

I suspect he'd enjoy this even if he had a track-spec radical: http://www.palmersport.com/palmersport-formula.asp...

C

[CraigyMc]

e21Mark said:

I had to buy a Simpson

Mark, earlier

[Toobin]

CraigyMc said:

Hrm.

I suspect he'd enjoy this even if he had a track-spec radical: http://www.palmersport.com/palmersport-formula.asp...

C

Now that does look epic! you may have sold me on this .. thank you

[CraigyMc]

Toobin said:

CraigyMc said:

Hrm.

I suspect he'd enjoy this even if he had a track-spec radical: http://www.palmersport.com/palmersport-formula.asp...

C

Now that does look epic! you may have sold me on this .. thank you

Speaking from personal experience, it's on a different plane than "experience" days -- I don't know anywhere else with proper downforce cars available to the general public on this sort of basis.

I simply won't go anywhere else now. (My next day is 1 Aug... cannot wait).

C

[e21Mark]

I think the chance to drive something with slicks & wings would make an awesome gift. Back in the day I used to work for a Formula Opel team and couldn't believe how quickly you could go around a bend in those things. It gave me a whole new perspective on what it must be like to drive F3000 & F1.


Actually, I am the Stigs fatter, slower cousin.

[QBee]

And if he's not that quick, get him the landrover one.....

[Oilchange]

The amount you spend on a helmet is irrelevent really. I have a billion gazillion pound head but I aint spending that on a helmet!

I have a fully SNELL certified race helmet with HANS fittings and it fits like a glove.
Cost me about £170 (Black Cats Helmets)

Cost is irrelevent, fit and protection is paramount.

Here endeth the lesson

[flatfour]

Mate, give Grand Prix Racewear a call as they are very helpful.

Listed as GPR sometimes

[e21Mark]

If you do go with getting him a helmet, try and get a head measurement as sizes vary greatly between brands. I bought a budget helmet (which was perfectly adequate) and although I could get it on, it was very tight across my forehead and I couldn't wear it for long. Out of all the helmets I tried, the Simpson was the largest. I didn't really want a Simpson, because of the whole Stig thing, but in the end the need for comfort as well as safety won through. (I ditched the purple visor!)

[Toobin]

flatfour said:

Mate, give Grand Prix Racewear a call as they are very helpful.

Listed as GPR sometimes

this is great thank you. I am now thinking of getting a Schroth Hans Device Sport 2

http://www.gprdirect.com/Schroth%20Hans%20Device%2...

Assume this meets the needs of most amature racers?

and at 5'11 ft and slim build I assume a medium will do the tick?

[spikeyhead]

Toobin said:

flatfour said:

Mate, give Grand Prix Racewear a call as they are very helpful.

Listed as GPR sometimes

this is great thank you. I am now thinking of getting a Schroth Hans Device Sport 2

http://www.gprdirect.com/Schroth%20Hans%20Device%2...

Assume this meets the needs of most amature racers?

and at 5'11 ft and slim build I assume a medium will do the tick?

STOPPPPP!!!!!

The chances of you buying a lid and it fitting comfortably enough to be usable are negligible.

[Toobin]

spikeyhead said:

STOPPPPP!!!!!

The chances of you buying a lid and it fitting comfortably enough to be usable are negligible.

No not getting the helmet - getting the thing that holds your neck - seems to be based on collar size which I know .. not to see if I can get it to Hong Kong in 5 days

thanks for all the help folkes .. hopefully you'll see him on a circuit near you soon!

[FlyingTrotter]

Mmmmmm,.........you start the thread thinking helmet and end Hans - to be of greater use as a security device then a pack of smoked salmon the guys helmet will need the lugs to connect the Hans

Personally I would get him a voucher from Demon Tweeks so he can buy what he really needs that works with his existing kit