Best place to buy a track day helmet

[996GT2]

Can anyone recommend any shops that sell a range of car track day helmets. Anywhere close to Walton On Thames/Weybridge would be ideal but I'm happy to travel a bit.

I've left it a bit late to order online so need somewhere I can go to buy one off the shelf.

Any help appreciated.


Cheers

[John D.]

When I bought mine the closest place I could find to me (Reading) that sells car helmets (rather than motorcycle) was Grand Prix Raceware in Chiswick, London.

They also have a branch at Silverstone - so I'm pretty much slap bang in the middle! Plumped for Chiswick as I work in London.

[angryS3owner]

Slightly off topic, but how much was yours John?

[John D.]

angryS3owner said:

Slightly off topic, but how much was yours John?

This is mine:

http://www.gprdirect.com/OnlineShop/Product.do?c=3...

Although I seem to have done rather well out of suffering a frayed chin strap on my non-hans bracket fitted helmet, and then getting a hans equiped one back in exchange! Nice one GPR

[996GT2]

Cheers for that. I can't find any details for the Chiswick shop though, is it still open do you know?

[John D.]

996GT2 said:

Cheers for that. I can't find any details for the Chiswick shop though, is it still open do you know?

I hav'nt been there since last summer. Looks like its gone judging by the website.

[Turbofun]

If i can give my 2p worth, are you looking just for a helmet for use on track day or an approved racing one, because I use a motorbike one which are easier to find and also have a wide viewing area. These seem much better value for track day use.

[John D.]

Turbofun said:

If i can give my 2p worth, are you looking just for a helmet for use on track day or an approved racing one, because I use a motorbike one which are easier to find and also have a wide viewing area. These seem much better value for track day use.

One thing to bear in mind Nathan is that I believe trackday organisers are beginning to tighten up their requirements for helmets (no doubt the H&S man has got to them!). I'm no expert, and I'm certainly not saying motorcycle helmets are definately not allowed, but they are made to different standards and designed for a different purpose (or crash! )

Some interesting stuff in this thread:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

(Note: I am not guaranteeing the info in the thread linked above is 100% correct or that I even understand it all)

[fivesixseven8]

I couldn't find anywhere in Berkshire to visit a few weeks back. GPR are no longer in Chiswick either, Silverstone only now.

I took a drive down to Castle Coombe and went to Merlin. They had a huge selection and plenty of stock.

I did get told about a place near Caterham which would be much closer to you. I couldn't actually get a name or any details though!

[tuscan_al]

John D. said:

angryS3owner said:

Slightly off topic, but how much was yours John?

This is mine:

http://www.gprdirect.com/OnlineShop/Product.do?c=3...

Although I seem to have done rather well out of suffering a frayed chin strap on my non-hans bracket fitted helmet, and then getting a hans equiped one back in exchange! Nice one GPR

Bloody posh git, how much was that! At least 2 trackdays in my book, biggles flying cap for me.

[John D.]

tuscan_al said:

John D. said:

angryS3owner said:

Slightly off topic, but how much was yours John?

This is mine:

http://www.gprdirect.com/OnlineShop/Product.do?c=3...

Although I seem to have done rather well out of suffering a frayed chin strap on my non-hans bracket fitted helmet, and then getting a hans equiped one back in exchange! Nice one GPR

Bloody posh git, how much was that! At least 2 trackdays in my book, biggles flying cap for me.

What can I say? I was feeling flush that day

Besides I don't have a £100 head

[angryS3owner]

To be fair I can see how John ended up spending that much, but fk me do they get expensive, £2,500

[VerySideways]

As has already been said, Merlin over at Castle Combe have loads of stuff in stock at sensible prices and are dead easy to find, just off J17 of the M4 (60 minutes from Heathrow).

[Turbofun]

ChapppeRS said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Exacto-bloody-lutely. It's your own car you're driving, you drive it day to day, if you're wearing a helmet, any helmet, you're going to be pretty safe.

The "10 quid helmet for a 10 quid head" is fair enough when you're on a motorbike but when you're going to a track day in your own car, is there really any need for all this £500 FIA superlicense approved fireproof stuff? If you want to race, do racing.. don't ruin trackdays for people who can barely afford it as it is by over regulating it.

Exactly how many people on track days actually:

• crash
• crash and are injured
• crash and die
• crash and die who would have survived if they'd had a better helmet
• crash and die and burned to death but would have survived if their helmet had been fireproof

Not to appear flippant, but isn't this all a bit over the top?

Considering that we all enjoy a nice drive in the country on sunday morning ... then I happy to stick with a my Arai MB lid for track days

[fivesixseven8]

VerySideways said:

As has already been said, Merlin over at Castle Combe have loads of stuff in stock at sensible prices and are dead easy to find, just off J17 of the M4 (60 minutes from Heathrow).

I found their prices to be much the same as GPR and anywhere else online.

Unfortunately I have an "Arai shaped head" so ended up going home £550 lighter!

[Stig]

If you know what you're looking for and your size, then eBay! I just bought a Sparco Jet 3 brand new for £150 - bargain

Got it next day via special delivery from Ireland. Not saying it's always the case, but worth a punt (make sure it's from a communicative seller though!)

Edited by Stig on Tuesday 2nd June 15:17

[VerySideways]

I too have an Arai shaped head

[John D.]

Turbofun said:

ChapppeRS said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Exacto-bloody-lutely. It's your own car you're driving, you drive it day to day, if you're wearing a helmet, any helmet, you're going to be pretty safe.

The "10 quid helmet for a 10 quid head" is fair enough when you're on a motorbike but when you're going to a track day in your own car, is there really any need for all this £500 FIA superlicense approved fireproof stuff? If you want to race, do racing.. don't ruin trackdays for people who can barely afford it as it is by over regulating it.

Exactly how many people on track days actually:

• crash
• crash and are injured
• crash and die
• crash and die who would have survived if they'd had a better helmet
• crash and die and burned to death but would have survived if their helmet had been fireproof

Not to appear flippant, but isn't this all a bit over the top?

Considering that we all enjoy a nice drive in the country on sunday morning ... then I happy to stick with a my Arai MB lid for track days

Thats fine Nathan. But I think you're missing my point. The people that organise and regulate trackdays appear to be moving away from allowing certain helmets to be used. Does'nt matter if you're happy with it or not!

Take your point RE enjoying a nice Sunday drive though

[996GT2]

Just as a follow up if anyone's interested.

I ended up going to Infinity Motorcycles in Farnborough, got an Arai Condor for £200. Not specifically a car helmet but the guy in the shop reckoned it would be fine for most track days.

Quite tempted to get a bike now I've got the helmet

[VerySideways]

One of my two Arais is a condor - great lid for bike use, only used it once in the car (worked well enough!).