Track Day Helmets

[ChrisMCoupe]

I'm currently looking for a track day helmet with a budget of around £300 - £400. For this price you are really looking at helmets which conform to Snell SA2005 regulations, which currently seems to be fine.

Howver I have heard various rumours that track day helmet regs are due to change, but haven't found any hard evidence to back this up. Any ideas?

The helmets i'm looking at are either a Bell, Sparco or the Simpson Bandit (Stig-esque). Opinions on any of these would be great.

Also, does anyone know any places in the South East, Ideally Surrey, where I can try some helmets on, rather than relying on ordering over the net. So far I'm only really looking at Demon Tweeks or GPRDirect for online sellers.

Thanks.

[V8mate]

Save your money for the track.

These are evry bit as good as the brand names you quote.

www.v2sport.com

[ChrisMCoupe]

Thanks for the link, they certainly look very nice.

I guess you have one, how comfy compared to more expensive alternatives?

[TonyHetherington]

I don't think you'll get an SA2005 Bell or Arai for £3-400.

I recently had exactly the same question - helmet retailers in south-east; http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

the answer - there are none. I made the 2 1/2hour journey to Silverstone to GP Racewear to try some on. Ended up getting an OMP Grand Prix from YB Racing which I'm really really chuffed with - price was very good too (more in your budget).

[TonyHetherington]

ChrisMCoupe said:

how comfy compared to more expensive alternatives?

Comfort has nothing to do with expense - it's all to do with what shaped head you have - I wanted an Arai but after trying on realised I didn't have an Arai shaped head. As such, no matter what cost of Arai I got it wouldn't have felt comfortable. Turns out I have an OMP shaped head

[V8mate]

Plenty of PHers have them (I'm not in any way affiliated with the company but I believe they offer tremendous value for money and good customer service, so I always peddle the link in 'what helmet' threads)

Both my son and I use them and both find them comfortable across a whole track day. I daresay people will point to little gizmos and gadgets which brand helmets have, but given they are usually three or more times more expensive and I'm a track dayer rather than a motor racing driver, I'd rather spend the money of fuel, brakes and track day entry.

[V8mate]

TonyHetherington said:

ChrisMCoupe said:

how comfy compared to more expensive alternatives?

Comfort has nothing to do with expense - it's all to do with what shaped head you have - I wanted an Arai but after trying on realised I didn't have an Arai shaped head. As such, no matter what cost of Arai I got it wouldn't have felt comfortable. Turns out I have an OMP shaped head

Having met him, I can confirm that Tony definitely has an OMP-shaped head.

[TonyHetherington]

Agree with V8Mate as well by the way - have heard good things about them, and they offer exceptional value. So if you're just looking for a track day helmet, it's got to be worth considering.

[A911DOM]

I have a bandit 'style' helmet, which although quite comfy and perfectly safe, it does have quite a 'limited' opening - ie the vision out of it is slightly restricted due to the design of the helmet.

Personally, I would go for something with a standard shaped aperture - just so you can more easily keep your eyes on your mirrors etc. Once strapped in to your car (particularly with a harness as your movement becomes quite restricted) having a nice clear view from your own head gear will leave you to concentrate on whats going on around you more.

Just IMO of course.

(I bought my Helmet some years ago purely for its appearance rather than its practicality, and I am considering a standard shaped helmet now if I manage to get some more track days sorted).

[TonyHetherington]

V8mate said:

Having met him, I can confirm that Tony definitely has an OMP-shaped head.

[ChrisMCoupe]

Thanks for the help guys.

The V2 helmets looked good value for money, so i've ordered a Pro helmet from them and will see how it is. Lets hope I have a V2 shaped head

I have a track day in under 2 weeks, so wanted to get it asap just incase of problems.

[V8mate]

I'd have gone with an open-face helmet given your car has a roof.

But if it makes you feel more Stig-like...

[TonyHetherington]

V8mate said:

I'd have gone with an open-face helmet given your car has a roof.

I completely agree - in a tin top it's the right helmet. But so many occasions at a track day you get offered a drive in a windscreen-less caterham, or something equally as crazy, and you instantly regret the open-face. I use my helmet for karting too which open face wouldn't be possible with.

[V8mate]

TonyHetherington said:

V8mate said:

I'd have gone with an open-face helmet given your car has a roof.

I completely agree - in a tin top it's the right helmet. But so many occasions at a track day you get offered a drive in a windscreen-less caterham, or something equally as crazy, and you instantly regret the open-face. I use my helmet for karting too which open face wouldn't be possible with.

I don't suppose for a second that I'd fit in Caterfield-type cars

[ChrisMCoupe]

Like Tony said, I went for a full face because there is always the chance I met get to go out in something open topped, as well as being able to use this for karting etc.




Oh who am I kidding... I just want to look like the Stig

Edited by ChrisMCoupe on Thursday 18th November 15:49

[Gillet]

Hey guys, sorry to hijack, but is the general consensus that if you are only driving tin tops you should go for an open face? Sorry I've never worn a helmet in a tin top before, only for karting, so is it primarily to do with vision and comfort? Full face will restrict the view and be less comfortable?

thanks, and apologies for the newb style question

[V8mate]

Gillet said:

Hey guys, sorry to hijack, but is the general consensus that if you are only driving tin tops you should go for an open face? Sorry I've never worn a helmet in a tin top before, only for karting, so is it primarily to do with vision and comfort? Full face will restrict the view and be less comfortable?

thanks, and apologies for the newb style question

Yep - vision and comfort. You'll be wanting the air con horses at the wheels and most organisers insist on 'windows up'.

[Gillet]

Cheers V8mate, open face it is then, apart from the odd spot of karting where I'll use their helmets I can't imagine anyone offering me an open top test drive anytime soon

[silverthorn2151]

Gillet said:

Cheers V8mate, open face it is then, apart from the odd spot of karting where I'll use their helmets I can't imagine anyone offering me an open top test drive anytime soon

Possibly not, but you may well get a passenger ride in an open car at a track day.

I really do like the look of those lids. My Sparco lifts terribly in the Radical. I have found that I can get a spoiler kit for it but I'm half inclined to go for one of these with the in-built aerodynamics.

Anyone got one, and does it do what it says on the tin?

[PetrolHeadSeb]

I'll give +1 for the V2 Sport helmets. I searched for ages to find a helmet that would fit my head and this one is better than the Bell and OMP that I'd previously tried.

I agree that open face is more comfortable, but I also went full face, partly for the option of going out in open top cars, but also because I have an annoying habit of sticking my tongue out when concentrating... Full face helmet saves the embarrassment on the photo's