Trackday helmets - how much to spend?

[fivesixseven8]

I've read all the "how much is your head worth" type threads but need some advice on the safety test standards, what's what, should I be buying something with FIA approval?

I'd seen this Sparco lid at GPR for £300 which would be doable, http://www.gprdirect.com/OnlineShop/Product.do?c=3...

The Arai alternative looks good but £600 is a bit more than I would like to spend.

[pikeyboy]

fivesixseven8 said:

I've read all the "how much is your head worth" type threads but need some advice on the safety test standards, what's what, should I be buying something with FIA approval?

I'd seen this Sparco lid at GPR for £300 which would be doable, http://www.gprdirect.com/OnlineShop/Product.do?c=3...

The Arai alternative looks good but £600 is a bit more than I would like to spend.

As has been said on all the previous threads about buying helemts buy one that fits your head best, if that means you can get away with spending a couple of hundred quid then great, if you have an arai shaped head like me then unlucky.... go try some on and see. In terms of helmet standards there are no requirements for trackday use so you could use a motorbike helmet, these can be alot cheaper too.

[Elderly]

pikeyboy said:

fivesixseven8 said:

In terms of helmet standards there are no requirements for trackday use so you could use a motorbike helmet, these can be alot cheaper too.

No longer true I'm afraid; if you want to do a Trackday at Silverstone or any of the circuits owned by MSV (Brands, Bedford, Cadwell,Oulton, Snetterton), you must now have a helmet that complies with one of the following standards:

BS6658 Type A/FR

BS6658 Type A

SNELL SA2005

SNELL SA2000

FIA 8860-2004

SFI Foundation 31.1A, 31.2A

[fivesixseven8]

I know from buying full face helmets for mountain biking that fit is the thing to pay most attention too. I've got a massive bonce too so can't get away with any brand.
I realize there are no safety standard reqs for track days but as I know nothing about the different standards which ones should I be looking for?

I'm going to try and pop into a bike shop to try some on as I've just seen gpr are now working out of silverstone only.

[fivesixseven8]

Elderly said:

pikeyboy said:

fivesixseven8 said:

In terms of helmet standards there are no requirements for trackday use so you could use a motorbike helmet, these can be alot cheaper too.

No longer true I'm afraid; if you want to do a Trackday at Silverstone or any of the circuits owned by MSV (Brands, Bedford, Cadwell,Oulton, Snetterton), you must now have a helmet that complies with one of the following standards:

BS6658 Type A/FR

BS6658 Type A

SNELL SA2005

SNELL SA2000

FIA 8860-2004

SFI Foundation 31.1A, 31.2A

Ah, that's good to know. I'm booked in for Brands in May too.

[chris7676]

I spent £60. Very comfortable and don't think less safer than ones for £500. Of course I may be wrong.

[pikeyboy]

Elderly said:

pikeyboy said:

fivesixseven8 said:

In terms of helmet standards there are no requirements for trackday use so you could use a motorbike helmet, these can be alot cheaper too.

No longer true I'm afraid; if you want to do a Trackday at Silverstone or any of the circuits owned by MSV (Brands, Bedford, Cadwell,Oulton, Snetterton), you must now have a helmet that complies with one of the following standards:

BS6658 Type A/FR

BS6658 Type A

SNELL SA2005

SNELL SA2000

FIA 8860-2004

SFI Foundation 31.1A, 31.2A

Didnt realise that, and i've never had mine checked on a trackday. However the spec's quoted still allow you to use a motorbike helmet though dont they? ie BS6658.

[GC8]

If tracks keep insisting on matching the MSA requirement (as some are this year), then a TypeA helmet wont do next year and youll need the extra expense of a TypeA/Fireproof (the MSA is falling into line withthe FIA and required a fireproof lining). Of course, this will be a nonsense seeing that people arent obliged to wear any sort of fireproof clothing, not even a Proban boilersuit.....

[Nurburgsingh]

So are we going to be returning back to the days of the "track" carrying out some sort of proper scrutineering?

Have the TDO's commented on this anywhere?

Calling Melindi and Jonny...

[Elderly]

It may be that next year SNELL SA2000 will no longer be allowed .
How can something be safe this year but cease to be safe in 9 months time .

As for checking, I had to sign a form to say that my helmet complied.

[Nurburgsingh]

Elderly said:

As for checking, I had to sign a form to say that my helmet complied.

So thats NO checking at all?? brilliant!

[Cafe Racer]

I use a Bell Motorcycle Helmet and have booked with numerous TDOs....NEVER had mine checked.

It should be up to mature, self-respecting drivers to protect their own head. If not, they're not mature enough to even be behind the wheel.

[minerva]

Go to as many shops as you can be bothered to do, try as many on as you can be bothered to try. But th eone that fits best/is most comfortable.

The beauty of having a heavily regulated country like ours, is it is very difficult to sell crap, so you should get a good product.

My recommendation is Hein Gericke. Although a motorcycle shop, it is very good and relatively cheap. I buy helmets from them and have had several accidents on motorbikes. I have always been protected well by my hein gericke sourced helmets.

[Stu_00]

I have a Sparco helmet (Formula) if I remember correctly. I have XS as a really small head, so it suited me well. Its was about 190 ish about 4/5 years ago, really pleased with it.

Advantage of sticking to Sparco etc, is that visors are easy to get.

GPR were really good too, delivered free of charge as not in stock in store etc.

Get a sparco baraclava thing too, best £6 I have spent!

Ah yes the price has gone up lol: http://www.gprdirect.com/OnlineShop/Product.do?c=3...

Edited by Stu_00 on Thursday 26th March 14:36

[groomi]

Always lots of recommendations to try before you buy, but looking around for somewhere to go with my hard-earned I have discovered that GPR appear to no longer have their Chiswick showroom.

Any ideas of anywhere else that stocks full face car helmets in the South East where you can try before you buy?

[EVLXGE]

The biggest problem I have (And im sure im not the only one) is I dont seem to live anywhere near any shops that stock this kind of thing. I know Demon/T offer a return service if it doesnt fit but its a bit of a ballache..

Anyone know of any around Newcastle or Glasgow?

[Munter]

Nurburgsingh said:

Elderly said:

As for checking, I had to sign a form to say that my helmet complied.

So thats NO checking at all?? brilliant!

See I wondered if that would be the case when the MSV rules and specs were posted on another thread. It's a case of the Trackday organiser telling you what you must have and letting you take the risk of ensuring you actually have it. The same as the cars which are trailerd in dont get actively checked. You sign to say it's track worthy and if it's not then it's your risk.

[chris7676]

groomi said:

Always lots of recommendations to try before you buy, but looking around for somewhere to go with my hard-earned I have discovered that GPR appear to no longer have their Chiswick showroom.

Any ideas of anywhere else that stocks full face car helmets in the South East where you can try before you buy?

I bought mine at a quite impressive shop in Ealing, just on the Hanger Lane (W5 side) corner when several other shops are, don't remember the name and it was 2 years ago, found it through yellow pages.

[fergus]

Although mainly bike related, there is a very interesting article on the SNELL foundation in the attached link..... May make people think before focusing too much on SNELL certification...

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcyc...

[Munter]

fergus said:

Although mainly bike related, there is a very interesting article on the SNELL foundation in the attached link..... May make people think before focusing too much on SNELL certification...

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcyc...

(I've read that before I think....) and my conclusion was in a car where you might repeatedly bash the same part of your helmet on a roll cage SNELL is a reasonable thing to look at. For a biker though (and thats who the article is aimed at) you want something that offers the best protection for a single hit on the ground. And the 2 are slightly exclusive.

I do wish there were more of these reviews to inform people though.