Track Day Helmets

[Graz]

Looking at starting to do track days this year and so am looking at getting my own helmet. What is the general verdict - open or full face?

[Munter]

Full face for me. It means I can use it for more things. Say you want to hop into someones aero screen caterham it'd be irritating if you couldn't. Plus I think My jaw would hit the wheel on a heavy front crash. So I'll take the extra protection full face gives.

[Chris71]

It's not difficult for two people in full face lids to hold a conversation on a track day. Works in my TVR with the roof down at least. On those grounds, plus safety, plus versatility I'd go full face.

[Davey S2]

Full face without question

[Stu_00]

Full face - I have a sparco pretty boring lid but VAT Free

[WildCards]

Yoink, just to buck the trend then I have both, but prefer to wear the open face when in a tin top.

[Nobody You Know]

I use my closed face motorbike helmet, never had any problems with conversation and as said already it can be used in an open top car or on a bike.

Also pretty cheap from biking shops.

[mmm-five]

Full face with visor removed - that way you can use it in a tin-top, open-top or bike!

[A.Wang]

I have a full face Shoei RAID II, which I wear with the visor all the way up in tin-tops. Echoing what others have said, it doesn't make conversations difficult.

[agent006]

Full face. You never know whe someone might offer a lift in a caterham or the like.

[Birdthom]

Full face every time, particularly if you are ugly.

[tertius]

WildCards said:

Yoink, just to buck the trend then I have both, but prefer to wear the open face when in a tin top.

Same for me. Esp. when harnessed in with an airbag.

[foresterlad]

yep open face sparco for me in a tintop

[Graz]

thanks all.I guess it's a trip to GPR to try a few on.

[duncscz]

What's people's views on either of these for the occasional track day (and a limited budget) in a normal open-top sports car ?

url http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.200903... /url

url http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.200903... /url

TIA .......

[ginettajoe]

duncscz said:

What's people's views on either of these for the occasional track day (and a limited budget) in a normal open-top sports car ?

url http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.200903... /url

url http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.200903... /url

TIA .......

..... looked at them this morning!! I bought a tank bag, disc lock, intercoms, etc and I didn't need a helmet, but they are excellent quality & value. They are complete with spare cheek pads & visor!! HTH

[Porkie]

WOW that lidl stuff is cheap as chips!!! will get one as a spare for Passengers on trackdays I think!

[Bady]

Full face and the most expensive

[Jamz]

Bady said:

Full face and the most expensive

You only have one head

Full face all the way, can easily have a convo with a passenger with one

[Don]

Full Face - and a decent make - if you can have only one. It's the most flexible in terms of what you can use it for and is also the most protective.

Having said this many people find full face lids somewhat claustrophobic. I also have an open face helmet which I use when driving my Porsche on track. I prefer it and am willing to accept the tiny additional risk for the comfort over a day.

Consider a pair of shoes as well. You can get Sparco driving boots in black leather that don't stand out a mile like the red-flock ones do. So you can get the benefit without making yourself look like a wannabee. A decent pair of shoes is vital for small pedal boxes and big feet.

Having said this if you do get a full nomex suit, balaclava etc then WEAR IT. The likelihood of you needing ANY of this stuff in anger is utterly trivial but if you HAVE the protective gear, prang and you weren't wearing it? Du'uh.

I wouldn't bother with the suit myself. But the balaclava thingy makes your second track day soooo much nicer. (Absorbs the sweat).