Trackday Helmet - Exige - Specific Question

[cyberface]

OK lots of threads about recent TD regulation changes re: Helmets. Hopefully this won't be shifted to Motorsport or whatever since I can't afford to do proper motorsport yet and this applies solely to Track Days in my Lotus. And there are LOTS of Lotus drivers here who do trackdays

I have three bike helmets (I ride as well) and always choose Arai as they fit my head shape perfectly. Also there's the taken-on-trust 'confidence' of buying Arai, who are a top brand and have a great reputation.

However I now have an Exige S2 S, which being a hardtop car I'd be more comfortable with an open-face Rally-style helmet.

I have two full-face bike lids - the newest Arai has the Gold ACU motorcycle sport sticker, but nowt else other than a ECE22-05 badge. It's what I wear on the bike. I have an older Arai full-face with Gold ACU sticker and the Blue BS6658.1985 Type A sticker. I also have an open-face Arai lid which is much comfier in the Exige, this again only has ACU gold and the ECE22-05.

Now am I SOL with the ECE22-05 designation helmets? They are good helmets, but at their cost I don't want to pay £300+ every time the trackday 'rules' change.


Serendipitously, I've had Demon Tweeeeeeks email me with offers for 'Track Day Essentials' - first thing that caught my eye was a Sparco open face, peaked rally-type lid. Looked perfect, and sold as 'Track day kit' - the blurb on the advert claimed 'designed for Clubman use' and had the BS6658-85 A approval.

I'm assuming this affordable, nice rally-look open-face lid is only actually at the same 1985 version of the old BS6658, which is being phased out at UK circuits?


What's the real deal here - I want a very similar helmet to the pic above, but I'm not paying for more £3-500 Arais for track use when the rules keep changing

I know there's the OTT option of buying a WRC spec lid at ££££ but I'd like to avoid that, I have too many helmets as is....

[S Works]

I have what I believe to be the closed-face version of that one. Very comfy, not too heavy, and meets all the standards I understand it needs to. I've never, ever had a lid checked on a trackday, and doubt I ever will. If you choose to sprint or race however, you may need to pay more attention to the specific requirements as laid down (I presume) by the MSA or relevant regulatory body(s)?

[cyberface]

I thought LoT were doing strict helmet 'sticker' tests, and all MSV events also required 'latest standards' - just concerned that the 'Clubman' lid will only last another season before new rules are introduced

I've not yet been tested on a trackday, and have always used bike lids, but there's a lot of FUD about....

[bogie]

I got a type AFR Stilo open face rally jobbie a few years back, specifically for inthe car ...reason being I got into sprinting and was doing quite a few per year as well as trackdays...and the scrutineers WILL check your helmet and you have to pay once a year to get that years approval sticker on there (only a quid or so) and makes it easier for them to check it all season

anyway, IMO its worth getting one thats FIA approved - they are different to motorbike helmets - the tests are different and they have fire proof lining

I think demon thieves sell em still as I thats where mine came from ...by chance they had a single, end of line carbon jobbie going real cheap at the end of the season a few years back

http://www.nickygrist.com/stilo-helmets-49-c.asp

[shangani]

I would never use an open face helmt in prefence to a full face. I found it made no difference to visibility and the added facial protection of a full face (not to mention fire) tips the balance. I have both and always take my full face even if the hard top is on.

FWIW I do motorsport doctoring and run a large AE Department, so I have treated quite a few motorsport injuries.

Edited by shangani on Wednesday 13th May 23:56

[The Bandit]

The £139 V2 Pro(full face)helmets meet all the latest regs(MSA approved)and seem to get good feedback.
They seem to sell out quickly apparently.
I'll be getting one late this year as my Arai wont comply for some circuits next year

Cant find the right link but this one gives you the general idea:
http://www.buckmoreshop.co.uk/content.php/21020228...

[mylesmcd]

shangani said:

I would never use an open face helmt in prefence to a full face. I found it made no difference to visibility and the added facial protection of a full face (not to mention fire) tips the balance. I have both and always take my full face even if the hard top is on.

FWIW I do motorsport doctoring and run a large AE Department, so I have treated quite a few motorsport injuries.

Edited by shangani on Wednesday 13th May 23:56

that would be the clincher for me right there.

[HereBeMonsters]

I have that exact helmet, and it's great. Not too heavy, fits well and very comfortable (I did spend about an hour trying it out different ones though!). Done over 20 trackdays in it, always meets whatever regs its asked to comply with.
TBH I got it as it was cheaper than hiring one over a summer, cheapest certified lid I could find. I recall I paid about £60 for it.

[braddo]

If Silverstone and MSV are all saying they are going to insist on a minimum of SA2005 or Type A/FR in 7 months' time (when Type A goes out the door), I would assume they will check helmets - why would they insist on such expensive helmets (presumably for their insurance purposes) and then not enforce the rules?

I wouldn't want to risk shelling out £80 on a helmet that's going to be invalid for Silverstone/MSV/LoT after Christmas, so have bitten the bullet and gone for a SA2005.

Seems odd to mandate fireproof helmets on track days but not appropriate clothing - maybe that's coming in 2011....


The cheapest open-face options seem to be Impact Velocity, Simpson Cruiser, Sparco Pro Jet and OMP Jet 3.5.

Brad

[cyberface]

bogie said:

I got a type AFR Stilo open face rally jobbie a few years back, specifically for inthe car ...reason being I got into sprinting and was doing quite a few per year as well as trackdays...and the scrutineers WILL check your helmet and you have to pay once a year to get that years approval sticker on there (only a quid or so) and makes it easier for them to check it all season

anyway, IMO its worth getting one thats FIA approved - they are different to motorbike helmets - the tests are different and they have fire proof lining

I think demon thieves sell em still as I thats where mine came from ...by chance they had a single, end of line carbon jobbie going real cheap at the end of the season a few years back

http://www.nickygrist.com/stilo-helmets-49-c.asp

£880 isn't what I call 'real cheap' bogie. The 'end of line' lid would have to be a monstrous discount to make it to 'real cheap' AFAIAC

@ shangani - appreciate the info (I've been around here and SELOC long enough to know your medical credentials) - are lower-face injuries common in closed-car trackday incidents then? The main reason why I'd prefer an open face is because I tend to have a problem with visor misting with full-face lids in enclosed cars. On a bike, there's enough airflow to prevent this happening, but not so much in a car, and I don't like driving in a full face lid with the visor open or half-obstructing my view. I'd assumed that because the WRC racers use open face that the risks would be acceptably low on trackdays (I won't be racing in the Exige), but if you know better then perhaps I ought to reconsider...

[shangani]

To be fair, trackdays are probably safer than the drive on public roads to and from the circuit, so arguably not a big issue. Accidents are uncommon and injuries even less common. I have seen jaw and facial injuries from racing and glass injuries on trackdays.

However, the way the standard elise seat is bolted to floor with the belts etc attached to the seat does not fill me with the greatest confidence however, so this is a bit different on my car (extra bolts etc). Also, on trackdays it is often fun to jump into ther cars - open top elises / caterhams etc, so having a full face helmet becomes very handy.

[cyberface]

Thanks for the reply. If it's more dangerous on the road, and I don't wear a lid in the car when driving to the station then I suppose it's a matter of acceptable risk.

More important to ensure the car is well maintained, brakes and tyres in good condition, etc. I guess - I'm fortunate to not have seen any major accidents at trackdays (that said, I don't take the car on track every other week, and I stick to the good organisers) - most offs are people just pushing beyond their ability or the car's. The threads about nutters T-boning other cars and spinning off every other corner - well I've never seen that and I hope I don't have to.

I'm more of the opinion that getting proper harnesses installed in my car will improve safety more than using a full-face over an open-face lid. I don't feel 100% secure hooning round a track with inertia belts only, and I'm sliding out of the chair anyway on many corners (Graham Hill @ Brands being the worst)...

[bogie]

thats the new Puma model - the "old" top of the range helmet in carbon was £500 ish ...or £225 end of line....and luckily in my size

[TIPPER]

I'm trying to sort out a new helmet for myself too (not too sure that my current one will pass muster next year. This sort of thing appeals to me and looks to offer the best of both full face and open face worlds.
http://www.nickygrist.com/st3-turismo-63-p.asp

[bogie]

I have an ST3 also - very nice helmet ...its technically the girlfriends, but we both have the same size so I would use it if the rules of the event I was at stipulated full face only

all of the Stilo ones are pre-kitted with intercoms ...you just need the box that goes in the car - actually worth having if you do a lot of trackdays/training events - its a lot easier to hear the instructor