Helmet requirements for sprinting?

[carl_w]

eastlmark said:

Chris71 said:

eastlmark said:

Sprint at Debden near saffron Walden this sunday, only 1 MX5 entered though, class B3 (road going saloon and sportscars 1401-2000cc. A great entry though as numbers have been a bit thin so far this year.

Yep, I know. Been speaking to HCAAC about becoming a member and I'm going to be coming along on Sunday (purely to spectate and pester people at this stage).

I am driving the Renault Spider, come and say hi.

Hey, I've seen you running twice at North Weald. Was hoping to do Debden this weekend but my gear's not arrived -- however I'm going to come along and take some photos. I'll be the guy with the black Z4MC.


Edit: this Renault Spider?

Edited by carl_w on Saturday 9th May 19:27

[eastlmark]

carl_w said:

eastlmark said:

Chris71 said:

eastlmark said:

Sprint at Debden near saffron Walden this sunday, only 1 MX5 entered though, class B3 (road going saloon and sportscars 1401-2000cc. A great entry though as numbers have been a bit thin so far this year.

Yep, I know. Been speaking to HCAAC about becoming a member and I'm going to be coming along on Sunday (purely to spectate and pester people at this stage).

I am driving the Renault Spider, come and say hi.

Hey, I've seen you running twice at North Weald. Was hoping to do Debden this weekend but my gear's not arrived -- however I'm going to come along and take some photos. I'll be the guy with the black Z4MC.


Edit: this Renault Spider?

Edited by carl_w on Saturday 9th May 19:27

thats the one, well it would be, not exactly masses of them sprinting! say hi tomorrow!

[Zumbruk]

GC8 said:

Whilst Im anti-fireproof helmets

As a matter of interest, why?

[carl_w]

Sorry, didn't manage to catch up with you. I was the guy wandering around in a panama hat. Not a great place to take photos (track goes away into the distance), but looks like a good layout.

[Norfolkit]

We're (son and myself) are about to do our first season sprinting so we've had to buy everything from scratch, so my opinion for what it's worth.

Don't ignore eBay for race suits, there are some cracking deals to be had, bought a brand new Sparco Sprint suit for uder £100 (didn't fit unfortunately), then got a brand new OMP Trend suit for £150 abd a second hand one for £120. You could really do with trying one on before you order to get the size right though (thing is if you buy off eBay and it doesn't fit you can probably sell it on at the same price).

As for helmet, only buy new. Cheapest place I found was Rallynuts but they were having a bit of a sale at the time, got a Sparco Formula helmet for £245 but again it didn't fit properly (I must be a funny shape!!), thankfully it fits my son like a glove otherwise that would have been an expensive mistake. Again there are some good deals on eBay, I bought a new Pyrotect (Snell 2005) helmet for £175 plus postage, it's a fair bit heavier than the Sparco one but fits perfectly.

[GC8]

Zumbruk said:

GC8 said:

Whilst Im anti-fireproof helmets

As a matter of interest, why?

Because theyre being introduced when you can still race in what is essentially a welders boiler suit with cuffs, no gloves, no boots and no underwear. Even if youre wearing a three layer Nomex suit, underwear, gloves boots and balaclava; Im sceptical about the benefit that a Nomex helmet lining has. If a fire is so severe that the lining in your lid is affected then Im confident that the rest of you will be so severely burnt that itll be the least of your worries. When the MSA let you compete in national events in a single layer EN533 Proban suit and no other fireproof protective clothing at all, then insisting on a fireproof helmet lining is farcical. Im all in favour of making competition safer, but theres a lot that they need to address before this; and they havent...

[Kevp]

If I can add to this thread.

I need a new bike helmet. Is there now a difference between bike & race helmet's. I know they used to be the same, but the bikers dropped the BS standard. Now it seems if they are totally different.

[GC8]

BS6658 TypeA is still the best bike helmet in my opinion; and the ACU will happily sticker it up (even though the MSA wont after this season).

[Kevp]

GC8 said:

BS6658 TypeA is still the best bike helmet in my opinion; and the ACU will happily sticker it up (even though the MSA wont after this season).

I only need a bike helmet for road & track days. I was hit by a van whilst on my bike saturday morning, cracking my helmet. So this needs to be replaced. Also as mentioned, my sprint/race helmet will not be passable next year. So can I buy one to do both jobs?

I was thinking from the style/shape point of view. As biker's (sports bike) lean forward, bending the head up. And in the car, if anything, Im led back slightly, tipping my head forward.

So car type helmets seem to be having more protection down the neck, (maybe required for fire protection). Bike type helmets seem to leave the kneck free for maximum flexability.

Just wondered if anyone knows of a current suitable dual usage helmet, or even if its possible nower days. Otherwise Im looking at perhaps £1k to cover 2 helmets.

Cheers

[eastlmark]

carl_w said:

Sorry, didn't manage to catch up with you. I was the guy wandering around in a panama hat. Not a great place to take photos (track goes away into the distance), but looks like a good layout.

did you walk up to the roundabout? good spot for photo's there and good to watch the variety of lines drivers take ie fast in and wide or slow in and tight around (or me, missing it all together!). Interesting stuff. Most airfields a like this, with only the start line near the paddock and the rest of the course way out in the distance. Not such a great event for spectating, unless you like looking at the cars in the paddock that is.

[carl_w]

eastlmark said:

did you walk up to the roundabout? good spot for photo's there and good to watch the variety of lines drivers take ie fast in and wide or slow in and tight around (or me, missing it all together!). Interesting stuff. Most airfields a like this, with only the start line near the paddock and the rest of the course way out in the distance. Not such a great event for spectating, unless you like looking at the cars in the paddock that is.

No, I wasn't sure it was allowed. I did have a little walk around some of the course during the lunch break. Only other event I've been to is North Weald, which is similar as you say. Big zoom lenses required.

[Zumbruk]

GC8 said:

Zumbruk said:

GC8 said:

Whilst Im anti-fireproof helmets

As a matter of interest, why?

Because theyre being introduced when you can still race in what is essentially a welders boiler suit with cuffs, no gloves, no boots and no underwear. Even if youre wearing a three layer Nomex suit, underwear, gloves boots and balaclava; Im sceptical about the benefit that a Nomex helmet lining has. If a fire is so severe that the lining in your lid is affected then Im confident that the rest of you will be so severely burnt that itll be the least of your worries. When the MSA let you compete in national events in a single layer EN533 Proban suit and no other fireproof protective clothing at all, then insisting on a fireproof helmet lining is farcical. Im all in favour of making competition safer, but theres a lot that they need to address before this; and they havent...

Ah, I see. And agree, to an extent. I only sprint/hillclimb, but I still wear a three layer Nomex suit, underwear, gloves, boots and balaclava. OK, it cost more (and you boil in the summer) but it keeps me happy. It astonishes me that people sprint in Proban, wearing plastic clothes underneath, loafers and no gloves. All that plastic is going to melt and stick to them in even a small fire.

[papercup]

GC8 said:

As above, and beware that some firms dont seem to be telling people that BS6658 TypeA helmets are only good for the rest of this year; and that nomex lined BS6658 TypeA/FR will be required from next season onwards.

Worth mentioning that my older Arai Quantum E bike lid (of early 90s vintage) is BS6658 and as such i use it for sprinting. My newer Quantum F (late 90s) is not.

As said though, only until the end of this year