Helmets... full face?

[jackh707]

Hi, doing a trackday at Aintree next weekend with Liverpool Motor club, our first time round there in our caterham.
Previously we have used our motorbike helmets on track but the following rules apply at this event.

'Equipment Requirements
All drivers and passengers must wear a suitable... in open top vehicles must
wear full face helmets with visor, or goggles. Only helmets complying with the following standards are considered
suitable: FIA 8860-2004, BS6658 A/FR, SFI 31.1A, SFI 31.2A, Snell SA2000, SA2005, SA2010, & SAH2010.'

Now, if it can be avoided, we would like to not have to shell out (no pun intended) for a new car motorsport specific helmet. Can we just buy fireproof balaclavas for use under our existing motorbike helmets, or should we buy a proper one?
I think the answer is the latter but I am not sure, any recommended helmets that are not over £300 ?

[jackh707]

Any opinions on this

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/helmets/o...

Snell 2010 approved?

[fredd1e]

I was going to say dont you M'bike helmets comply with BS6658 A/FR? but none of my "current" lids have the sticker but faded memories think they used to have the BS sticker (not that it helps when they dont anymore) .

[GreigM]

I'd agree with the above, I'd maybe phone the organisers and check about motorbike helmets and they are likely to be accepted. If not I'd recommend these helmets which will meet the spec at significantly reduced cost:
http://www.plays-kool.co.uk/acatalog/Full_Face_Hel...

[Guillotine]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Helmet-Race-Trackday-Ral...
Full face TD helemet

Edited by Guillotine on Friday 18th May 14:17

[GC8]

fredd1e said:

I was going to say dont you M'bike helmets comply with BS6658 A/FR? but none of my "current" lids have the sticker but faded memories think they used to have the BS sticker (not that it helps when they dont anymore) .

ECE2205 has taken over from BS6658, thans to the EU. The irony here of course, is that the difference between a BS6658-A/Fr and a BS6658-A helmet is only the Nomex lining, which is of little use of relevance if youre driving in jeans and shirt sleeves!

ECE2205 is an inferior standard to BS6658-A, but an ACU Gold sticker will help you to differentiate between the BS6658-A quality lids, and lesser BS6658-B types, as they would have been (usually cheaper, polycarbonate and never approved for car or motorcycle racing, which the type A helmets were).

[sarahbee]

When I was last in the Mode Racewear shop at Silverstone www.moderacewear.com they had Snell 2010 full face helmets in there for I think about 170 quid. I tried one on and was pleasantly suprised at how light and comfortable it was.
Ive never had a helmet checked at a trackday and have seen over the years some right old pudding basins, so its probably about time the standards were raised