Buying a helmet for track days...advice please!
Discussion
Hi guys,
In an effort to try and ensure I finally get my car on the track this year I was thinking of getting myself a helmet partly to inspire me to do it, partly to hang on the wall of my man-cave in my new house and partly to actually wear on the day.
I know some tracks require you to wear a helmet on the day with rental helmets available for most novices such as myself. But as mentioned I'm quite keen to get my own.
Now here's the bit I'm not sure of... I've seen helmets go for as much as £300+ but in fact the one I like most is only £30! It's by a company called TMS. Should I steer clear or considering I'm only gong to be using it for amateur track use inside a car do you think I'd be ok? I'm guessing anything that would really test the strength of the helmet would probably mangle the rest of my unprotected body up anyway?
Cheers,
Nick
In an effort to try and ensure I finally get my car on the track this year I was thinking of getting myself a helmet partly to inspire me to do it, partly to hang on the wall of my man-cave in my new house and partly to actually wear on the day.
I know some tracks require you to wear a helmet on the day with rental helmets available for most novices such as myself. But as mentioned I'm quite keen to get my own.
Now here's the bit I'm not sure of... I've seen helmets go for as much as £300+ but in fact the one I like most is only £30! It's by a company called TMS. Should I steer clear or considering I'm only gong to be using it for amateur track use inside a car do you think I'd be ok? I'm guessing anything that would really test the strength of the helmet would probably mangle the rest of my unprotected body up anyway?
Cheers,
Nick
I'm looking at this one.
http://www.lidsdirect.co.uk/clearance-sale/clearan...
It's SHARP tested http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/testsratings/hjc-zf10 and got a 4 out of 5 with very good frontal protection.
Unless anyone more educated than me suggests as to why I shouldn't?
http://www.lidsdirect.co.uk/clearance-sale/clearan...
It's SHARP tested http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/testsratings/hjc-zf10 and got a 4 out of 5 with very good frontal protection.
Unless anyone more educated than me suggests as to why I shouldn't?
I am not educated but my trackday helmet is this one:
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/helmets/s...
Cheap, respected manufacturer and built for vehicle use so less sticky out bits. Not fireproof but neither are the jeans I'm usually wearing!
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/helmets/s...
Cheap, respected manufacturer and built for vehicle use so less sticky out bits. Not fireproof but neither are the jeans I'm usually wearing!
Whatever you buy, and I'm not commmenting on either of the two mentioned - make sure it fits. I know it sounds obvious but helmet shapes and fits are very different, and if it doesn't fit it's useless. We take four different manufacturers helmets along as our rental lids, because some shapes just don't fit some people.
This is the one I'm after: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Matte-Motorcycle-Street-He...
Very cheap! But is it too cheap?
I drive a BMW E30 325i so the helmet will pretty much be the only safety device in the car!
Very cheap! But is it too cheap?
I drive a BMW E30 325i so the helmet will pretty much be the only safety device in the car!
Stephanie Plum said:
Whatever you buy, and I'm not commmenting on either of the two mentioned - make sure it fits. I know it sounds obvious but helmet shapes and fits are very different, and if it doesn't fit it's useless. We take four different manufacturers helmets along as our rental lids, because some shapes just don't fit some people.
This is very good advice. I have an odd shaped head! The trouble is there are next to no places to try before you buy when it comes to motorsport helmets. I don't want a massive motorbike helmet and the protection they give is totally different anyway. Where is anyone in the SE to serve me?!?!NIX325 said:
This is the one I'm after: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Matte-Motorcycle-Street-He...
Very cheap! But is it too cheap?
I drive a BMW E30 325i so the helmet will pretty much be the only safety device in the car!
Think I'd steer clear of that TBH. £22 then £30 p&p from USA - what if it really is bad or ill fitting?Very cheap! But is it too cheap?
I drive a BMW E30 325i so the helmet will pretty much be the only safety device in the car!
If you just want a cheap one then I'd go for an OMP Star. Tweeks do them for about £45.
I have a V2 Full face which for about £150 is excellent but I am considering the OMP one too.
In my opion, bike helmets are tested and designed to protect your bonce bouncing along the ground and are not designed with being worn in a car, I'm a biker of many years and have always bought top notch helmets at £300+. Now I'm getting into car track days, comfort would be my main priority. Lets face it, most of us won't be driving at such a limit that we will overturn our cars and need the protection of a helmet in the event of a spill, infact we only wear them because the track day organisers insist so - how many of us wear them when on the road driving spiritedly and not knowing whats around the corner or spilt on the road????
Edited by orangeknight on Thursday 3rd January 20:27
Get yourself to the Autosport show. You will be able to try on loads of helmets there from cheap to dear. I did and found my head didn't fit a Headtec helmet but did fit a V2 pro. They compete at the budget end and I am very pleased with my trackday lid.
Apart from that, it's a great day out.
Apart from that, it's a great day out.
silverthorn2151 said:
Get yourself to the Autosport show. You will be able to try on loads of helmets there from cheap to dear. I did and found my head didn't fit a Headtec helmet but did fit a V2 pro. They compete at the budget end and I am very pleased with my trackday lid.
Apart from that, it's a great day out.
That's a great idea. I might be able to make it over on the Friday and try a few on as I need a helmet myself!Apart from that, it's a great day out.
IIRC someone once said that you're either an Aria or Belle shape head?
nick_j007 said:
silverthorn2151 said:
Get yourself to the Autosport show. You will be able to try on loads of helmets there from cheap to dear. I did and found my head didn't fit a Headtec helmet but did fit a V2 pro. They compete at the budget end and I am very pleased with my trackday lid.
Apart from that, it's a great day out.
That's a great idea. I might be able to make it over on the Friday and try a few on as I need a helmet myself!Apart from that, it's a great day out.
IIRC someone once said that you're either an Aria or Belle shape head?
Best to try them on, nothing worse than an ill fitting helmet. I'd guess a lot of manufacturers will be at the autosport show at the NEC.
Ive got a V2 pro full face circa £170 and an omp openface circa £50, both decent good VFM helmets for the odd track day but i prefer the V2.
Its snell2005, comfortable and has lots of vents in it so you don't get too hot, very happy with it. Sent out next day and fits my head spot on.
Ive got a V2 pro full face circa £170 and an omp openface circa £50, both decent good VFM helmets for the odd track day but i prefer the V2.
Its snell2005, comfortable and has lots of vents in it so you don't get too hot, very happy with it. Sent out next day and fits my head spot on.
nick_j007 said:
Just a thought about this again before I go to the Autosport show to try a few on. Are people most inclined to full face or open face?
Thanks.
That greatly depends on what car you have as well, closed roof and you can have either but if it's open then you're better off getting a full face nowadays.Thanks.
nick_j007 said:
Just a thought about this again before I go to the Autosport show to try a few on. Are people most inclined to full face or open face?
Thanks.
You run an Elise iirc? In which case go for a full face as some circuits won't let you take the roof off in an open face. Also allows you to blag rides in 211s.Thanks.
Stephanie Plum said:
nick_j007 said:
Just a thought about this again before I go to the Autosport show to try a few on. Are people most inclined to full face or open face?
Thanks.
You run an Elise iirc? In which case go for a full face as some circuits won't let you take the roof off in an open face. Also allows you to blag rides in 211s.Thanks.
Yes an Elise 111r.Right full face it is then. Just wondered if it might be a bit hot on the hotter days or if I should go back to LeMans Bugatti for example, but other reasons are good to go full face.
Thanks again,
Nick
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