HELMETS

[crodgeracing]

good day all,

Im new to the world of motorsport racing, having just taken up Autocross, i was given a Ford Sierra 2.9 4x4 from my sister boyfriend. I now realise that any old helmet wont do.

Im struggling to find a decent priced helmet. What im looking for is a full face, i dont want to spend a fortune on something i can wear only 10times a year, preferably would be motorcross style, (if they even exist in a red sticker form) or alternatively road going bike style.

any help on where to look or know if there is such a thing would be greatly appreciated

cheers again

[AndyMil]

try Plays-Kool.co.uk(I think, could be.com)

[shoestring7]

Oh, I thought you were going to be upset with somebody.

SS7

[woof]

before someone else says, if you can't afford good quality safety equipment, then you can't afford to go racing.

A good quality helmet is essential - unless you don't value yr head that much
but seriously don't scrimp on safety.

[aeropilot]

crodgeracing said:

What im looking for is a full face, i dont want to spend a fortune on something i can wear only 10times a year, preferably would be motorcross style,

What you want is a proper motorsports open face ..... certainley not a motorcross style full face which you won't get anyway with a fireproof lining....which is what you need..... and thus will mean spending money.... not going to get a fireproof lined helmet for under 200 squids.

Edited by aeropilot on Wednesday 18th August 20:51

[ewenm]

It's all about fit. You need to try a few brands on and find out which fit the best.

[crodgeracing]

cheers for replies guys,
200 is cheaper than anywhere iv found. and like i say an open face helmet im gonna wear 10times a yr max, even a closed face i can use on the road bike!

[aeropilot]

crodgeracing said:

even a closed face i can use on the road bike!

I wouldn't...... with the regs and designs as they are now, usage isn't really interchangable for wearing on a bike.

[shoestring7]

My Arai open face m/sport helmet has a sticker on the back saying its not legal to use as a m/cycle helmet on the road. No real idea why andit doesn't stop me using it to pop down to the shops with.

SS7

[aeropilot]

shoestring7 said:

My Arai open face m/sport helmet has a sticker on the back saying its not legal to use as a m/cycle helmet on the road. No real idea why

Because the differing standards mean the helmets now have to be designed for totally different impact and shock absorbencey tests...... and also in the case of most full face motorsports helmets which have a reduced size appature for use in open cockpit racing, this is too small to meet the legalities of motorcycle use.

[Cragglea1]

Try:
www.v2sport.com

I just bought one. Not bad quality and its comfortable.

[TonyHetherington]

Will you have to buy an SA2005 approved helmet (are they MSA events that you will be racing in)?

If so, I have just bought an OMP Grand Prix from VBRacing - very impressed and excellent value at £300+ quid for the non-hans version (hans is £384).

My motorsport helmet specifically states do not use on motorbikes. (as others said - it's a smaller visor gap allowing less sideways visibility).

It's all about fit though - I tried on Arai / Bell / OMP and both the Arai and Bell jsut didn't fit my head right, whereas the OMP did really well.

Where in the country are you?

[shoestring7]

aeropilot said:

shoestring7 said:

My Arai open face m/sport helmet has a sticker on the back saying its not legal to use as a m/cycle helmet on the road. No real idea why

Because the differing standards mean the helmets now have to be designed for totally different impact and shock absorbencey tests...... and also in the case of most full face motorsports helmets which have a reduced size appature for use in open cockpit racing, this is too small to meet the legalities of motorcycle use.

The visibility issue I understand, although in this case its an open face (and the reason I sometimes use it for short local journeys). However, as a layman its difficult to understand why a tarmac/kerb/tree/fence post bike accident is much different to a rollbar/tarmac/rollbar/tarmac open wheel one (from a helmet's point of view).

SS7

[crodgeracing]

Yeah MSA regulations apply. Based in northumberland, and struggling to find a shop that actually stocks anything other than bike helmets.

And by the sounds of it im not goin to be able to multi use. so any one in the north east know of a good stockist?

[TonyHetherington]

I had to drive 2 hours to silverstone to Grand Prix Racewear - simply, no one does motorsport helmets, and I found myself in the same position.

Have a read of this thread it will help more;

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[crodgeracing]

Yeah MSA regulations apply. Based in northumberland, and struggling to find a shop that actually stocks anything other than bike helmets.

And by the sounds of it im not goin to be able to multi use. so any one in the north east know of a good stockist?

[aeropilot]

shoestring7 said:

However, as a layman its difficult to understand why a tarmac/kerb/tree/fence post bike accident is much different to a rollbar/tarmac/rollbar/tarmac open wheel one (from a helmet's point of view).

I believe it has something to do with penetration (think of Massa's incident and Senna's as well) also, the car helmet test IIRC is to do with tests involving multiple 'lesser' impacts from contact with roll cages etc., whereas a m/c helmet is IIRC primarliy designed for a very large single impact...... or something along those lines.

I've would never think of using my motorsport helmet for riding the bike - short journey or not.

[frodo_monkey]

crodgeracing said:

Yeah MSA regulations apply. Based in northumberland, and struggling to find a shop that actually stocks anything other than bike helmets.

And by the sounds of it im not goin to be able to multi use. so any one in the north east know of a good stockist?

Motoscope in Northallerton (www.motoscope.co.uk or 01609 780155) normally have some in but it won't be as good a range as you would find at Demon Thieves. Personally I normally go to DT as they have the biggest and widest stock

[frodo_monkey]

Also, if you order a helmet from DT and it doesn't fit, ISTR they will collect it for free and send you a different size. Check the catalogue though...

[aeropilot]

crodgeracing said:

Yeah MSA regulations apply. Based in northumberland, and struggling to find a shop that actually stocks anything other than bike helmets.

Unless someone can suggest somewhere, I suspect you will have to take the trip over to Demon Tweeks....?

Maybe worth enquiring at Croft Circuit to see if they know of suppliers in the north east area...?

Also ask some of the contacts at the local motorclubs.

Edited by aeropilot on Thursday 19th August 12:16