Mighty Helmet

[shakes_26]

Okay, so I've searched the threads already and found a few detials after pouring over numerous threads.

I'm looking for a helmet to wear for the track as its required sub 14 seconds. I've owned bikes and have had motorcycle helmets, so I know the difference between them and those that are race approved.

My questions,

1.what helmet did you get (brand/model)
2.open or close face
3. about how much paid, where bought
4. Your likes/dislikes of it

thanks

[Joe Walsh]

Okay, so I've searched the threads already and found a few detials after pouring over numerous threads.

I'm looking for a helmet to wear for the track as its required sub 14 seconds. I've owned bikes and have had motorcycle helmets, so I know the difference between them and those that are race approved.

My questions,

1.what helmet did you get (brand/model)
2.open or close face
3. about how much paid, where bought
4. Your likes/dislikes of it

thanks

Wow! I'm researching the same thing... I've been checking out the helmets at SUMMIT RACING but they are all pretty pricy $$$$$$.
I only drag race a 3-4 times a year, but now that I'm running 13's, a helmet is required.
(I had to borrow one for my last two runs at Milan..Thanks again Steve/Stevengerard! :2thumbs: )

Anybody know if the RCI helmets are any good?
What is the difference between the SNELL 'M2000' Rating and the SNELL 'SA' rating?

[Rob1559]

This a very easy one to answer. I wear an Arai Quantum F on my Wing. Wind noise is not bad but it cost area $400.00 and is very comfortable
.
Motorcyclist Magazine did an exhaustive test on helmets 3 months ago. The Z1R full face top line helmet FAR exceeded all other helmets in the testing. It cost about $85.00!!!!! It took hits of 160 jewels with no significant damage to the helmet shell or the "test head" inside. The liner took all the shock. I feel like a schmuck for getting an Arai. Next time it is a Z1R.

You will be able to find the results on the Motorcyclist site. The Z1R is DOT approved and EXCEEDED all other standards by which helmets are rated. The article is right at the top of their page.

All the explanations as to helmet ratings are explained. It is a LONG article but you will learn everything you need to know.

[SergntMac]

Helmet rules are set by the NHRA, and the NMRA races (usually held at NHRA owned tracks) adhere to those standards. You're accountable, no matter who sponsors the race.

Full face is the word.
Techs will looks for SNELL lables.
Last season, SNELL 95 still passed, and SNELL 2K will pass now, but this may be the last season for that pass too.
Best to check the rules before buying, a 79.99 full face helmut from Pep Boys may not pass inspection.
If you watch what Summit and Jeg's offers, they offer nothing that won't pass Tech on current rules.

Helmets are expensive, yes. But, your noggin is unrepairable.

You get what you pay for, how much is your head worth?

[Mike Poore]

Wow! I'm researching the same thing... I've been checking out the helmets at SUMMIT RACING but they are all pretty pricy $$$$$$.
I only drag race a 3-4 times a year, but now that I'm running 13's, a helmet is required.
(I had to borrow one for my last two runs at Milan..Thanks again Steve/Stevengerard! :2thumbs: )

Anybody know if the RCI helmets are any good?
What is the difference between the SNELL 'M2000' Rating and the SNELL 'SA' rating?
You can use mine, Joe. I'll bring it along to the next CAM meet at White Marsh. :D

[Joe Walsh]

Helmets are expensive, yes. But, your noggin is unrepairable.

You get what you pay for, how much is your head worth?

I'm half Irish and half German....I've got a THICK skull ! My girlfriend will testify to that! ;) J/K

Some years ago, While riding "sans helmet" I flew off my Mtn. Bike at @ 25 MPH and landed (asphalt road) on my 'noggin' !! :eek:

I truly saw stars after the fall and needed 15 stitches to close me up.

Now I always wear a helmet when biking.

[Rider90]

so I know the difference between them
Well, when it comes to motorcycle helmets there are two types.

Open Casket and Closed Casket :o

Carry on

[stevengerard]

Your welcome Joe, glad it was used by a winner. I have the full face and I like that, spent a little more for the vents near the mouth . I also always where a cycling helmet too, when I first started to race it was "Un-Kool" to wear a helmet, now its just plain stupid not to.

[SergntMac]

I can look at this topic again, if y'all need me too. But, the general "rule of thumb" right now, is that a certified helmet is required, for events under a certain speed/ET. So is a cage.

At most tracks, a 12.99 ET, or, faster requires a certified helmet, but this rule may have been set back to 12.49 ET, due to more recent production cars, like the Corvette ZO6 and Viper. This may apply to roll cages too.

Nonetheless, there is a gate where trap speed and ET throw a caution to track officials, because someone is always watching this. So, let's call it 12.49 ET, or, faster? but, remember that some tracks popular with the ricer crowd, who stage "street car chaos" nights don't care about SNELL specs, or your particular helmet. As long as you have a cap on your head, they are absolved of their liability.

I have raced at these tracks with nothing more than my police issue 3/4 coverage riot hemlet in place, face shield down of course. I figured that if this helmet can take a thrown brick upside it (and it has), it can carry me through rolling over in the traps, and none of the track officials said no.

OTOH, I have brought this same helmet, DOT certified and SNELL 95 compliant as it is, to NHRA official tracks for NHRA approved events, and got pointed towards the exit door. Why? "Not full faced." Bummer.

If you race on a regular basis, and race at real NHRA tracks on a regular basis, just go buy the right helmet, K? Yes, they are more expensive, but you don't get any tech problems, and your noggin will call you back sometime in the morning after.

If you just visit the hobby tracks in the dim light of an occassional hobby weekend, the less expensive helmets will do, just make sure they are full faced. That seems to be the last line drawn. It's not what the helmet does to protect you, but what it looks like it can do to protect you, to track officials. Protection, but in their minds, K?

It's your noggin, and your race schedule. You pick the track, and the competition. If you're fast, but a certified helmet. Not so fast? It's your call. If the track official sees what he needs to see on your head, you're going racing. If not...

[BK_GrandMarquis]

I have a Sparco helmet.

http://www.saferacer.com/sphewt1.html

It not a bad helmet. I would try others though. When I was looking into a helmet, there wasn't many selections with large eye ports. Now there are tons. The Sparco fits snuggly. I measured myself for the helmet and it should be a medium but I had to get a large with the Sparco. I also removed the ear cushions because it was just too tight.

As it's been said before, you can't spend too much to protect your noodles. :D

[shakes_26]

Mac, thanks for your insight. Full face is the way to go, always worn them on the bike.

I want to elaborate, cost is not an issue (no not Mr. Warbucks here), I wrecked wearing a Shoei, and aside from some soreness here and there walked away, that was a $500 helmet. I repalced it with an Arai RX7RR4, I wont even cover how much that cost, but needless to say it is super well ventilated, quiet, light, etc etc.

Thats said, I'm shopping for a Drag racing/motorsport helmet. It cna be heavier, etc etc. the key is it is comfy and protect my gourd if I get the rubber side up/shiny side down.

Anyone out there actually buy a helmet? Anyone?

[MarauderMark]

Heres a link to get some sort of an idea at looks and prices..Hope it helps.. :D
http://www.motostrano-store.com/helmets.html

[FordNut]

I believe mine is a Pyrotect. It is a Snell 2000 approved open face helmet. I have never been turned away from an event when tech inspectors checked it out. I believe it is made by Bell and is simply their low-end product line, it even came with a Bell helmet bag.

[AzMarauder]

Okay, so I've searched the threads already and found a few detials after pouring over numerous threads.

I'm looking for a helmet to wear for the track as its required sub 14 seconds. I've owned bikes and have had motorcycle helmets, so I know the difference between them and those that are race approved.

My questions,

1.what helmet did you get (brand/model)
2.open or close face
3. about how much paid, where bought
4. Your likes/dislikes of it

thanks
I use an SN95 rated Snell Helmet... ( I forget brand name )
Open Faced... bought it at a motorcycle shop. Used it for autocross and use it at the drag strip.

Paid $60 for it.

Like it just fine. I mean if I do it right I only have on my head for a minute or two in staging and something less than 14 seconds on the track!

[ckadiddle]

I'd wear a full face helmet even driving my "slow", unmodified Marauder or Mustang GT at the strip or track. I tend to err on the side of caution. I only gots 3 brain cells left, I need all 3 to keep myself employed.

[CRUZTAKER]

What is the difference between the SNELL 'M2000' Rating and the SNELL 'SA' rating?I have an open face SNELL M2000. M2000 = Motorcycle helmet, which the last time we had this discussion sometime last year was still acceptable at the track. Doesn't matter if it has a motorcycle letter, as long as it has the snell 2000 rating.

I personally cannot handle the enclosure of a full face. Besides, our cars have ALL the latest safety items and multiple air bags. The guys in those 10 second hoopties do not...they NEED a full face helmet. It seems a little over kill in our cars. But then again...I am sure there are those who feel otherwise. Buy a fire suit while (they're) at it. :P

[the fat bastid]

i'm with cruztaker on this on.
i feel claustrophobic with a full face.
i got my open face from a speed shop for $90.
its a g-force with snell 2000 (dot is ok but snell is better).
never had any problems

[MarauderMark]

I was looking on this site at the particular helmet.It asks if i want a non electric sheild or electric which is $50 bucks more ..whats the difference and what the purpose(what does it do)..
http://www.motostrano-store.com/stelshsnhe.html
I think this one with MarauderMark put on the back would be cool. :D .

[RCSignals]

.............................. ..... But, your noggin is unrepairable.

..................

Well, sometimes they can (Gary Busey) but it doesn't necessarily go back together the same way it was before it came apart (Gary Busey)

a helmet isn't something one should go 'cheap' on

[shakes_26]

For drag racing I went with the Pyrotect (Bell) open face, its snell SA2000, and fits nice, good feautres for a reasonable price (about $140).

For the motorcycle I ride with an Arai RX-7RR4, thats a full face, with all the features.

And if you think I'm cheap because I bought a $140 helmet to ride inside a modern, large, safe vehicle with restraints and airbags, then you should go look at what that that Arai costs...... but then your paying for light weight, removeable liner, venting, etc, etc

[MarauderMark]

Anyone?????(insert crikets chrippin here)
I was looking on this at the particular helmet.It asks if i want a non electric sheild or electric which is $50 bucks more ..whats the difference and what the purpose(what does it do)..

[FordNut]

For drag racing I went with the Pyrotect (Bell) open face, its snell SA2000, and fits nice, good feautres for a reasonable price (about $140).

For the motorcycle I ride with an Arai RX-7RR4, thats a full face, with all the features.

And if you think I'm cheap because I bought a $140 helmet to ride inside a modern, large, safe vehicle with restraints and airbags, then you should go look at what that that Arai costs...... but then your paying for light weight, removeable liner, venting, etc, etc
My approach too. Except the bike helmet is a full coverage Shoei. I think the Pyrotect open face is fine for the drag strip.

[FordNut]

Anyone?????(insert crikets chrippin here)
I was looking on this at the particular helmet.It asks if i want a non electric sheild or electric which is $50 bucks more ..whats the difference and what the purpose(what does it do)..
Sorry, no help here. I have an open face helmet with no shield.

[DeepSea117]

Okay, so I've searched the threads already and found a few detials after pouring over numerous threads.

I'm looking for a helmet to wear for the track as its required sub 14 seconds. I've owned bikes and have had motorcycle helmets, so I know the difference between them and those that are race approved.

My questions,

1.what helmet did you get (brand/model)
2.open or close face
3. about how much paid, where bought
4. Your likes/dislikes of it

thanks
I got a Bell Mag-4, which is an open-face I paid 200 or so for, from the Bell factory in Oakland.

I live in San Francisco (across the bay from Oakland) which is the only reason I went with Bell. I like how it looks, except when it's on my head.

I like being able to talk in the car to the instructors (HPDE-1 baybee!), and I also bought the neck support to go around the neck underneath the helmet. I have no dislikes besides how it looks on me (like I said, I look like a microphone when I wear it), but I'll gladly look that over for the protection to smoke some cars another day :bandit:

[Paul T. Casey]

Anyone?????(insert crikets chrippin here)
I was looking on this at the particular helmet.It asks if i want a non electric sheild or electric which is $50 bucks more ..whats the difference and what the purpose(what does it do)..
Electric sheild probably refers to a "self-dimming" sheild. The only electric sheilds I'm familiar with are for welding. They start out clear, but darken as light intensity increases. Supposedly at the speed of light.

[jakdad]

Don't know anything about current rules, but this is available.





<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=175 bgColor=#dfdfdf></TD><TD vAlign=top width="100%" bgColor=#dfdfdf>Bell Mag 4 Helmet Bell Mag 4 in good shape. A few scratches from shelf wear. Size is 7 3/8 that Bell lists as medium (see the Bell size chart here)-
http://www.soloracer.com/bellsizing.html (http://www.soloracer.com/bellsizing.html)
These things sell new for over $200.00. Snell approved. Great open faced helmet for $50.00 plus $10.00 freight anywhere in lower 48. This is a nice clean helmet, well worth the money.
See pics here:
http://www.svt-enthusiast.com/modul...ims-Pics?page=1 (http://www.svt-enthusiast.com/modules/gallery/Jims-Pics?page=1)

I can take PayPal New Price: $50.00 shipped!
Snell SA90
__________________


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[shakes_26]

Brian,

The Arai is full face as well, needs to be for the speeds I see on that machine :) Along with built in protection in the jacket, pants, boots, gloves.


My approach too. Except the bike helmet is a full coverage Shoei. I think the Pyrotect open face is fine for the drag strip.

[shakes_26]

The snowmobilers run into serious cold, so they also run a defroster, heater if you will, into the face screen, otherwise your moist breath would fog the hell out of it and youd be seeing nothing.

This is definitely not required for http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/images/smilies/burnout.gif







Anyone?????(insert crikets chrippin here)
I was looking on this at the particular helmet.It asks if i want a non electric sheild or electric which is $50 bucks more ..whats the difference and what the purpose(what does it do)..

[MarauderMark]

Thank you all your info is greatly appreciated.:up:

[FordNut]

Brian,

The Arai is full face as well, needs to be for the speeds I see on that machine :) Along with built in protection in the jacket, pants, boots, gloves.
I realized that, just pointing out the only difference between my approach and yours is brand name for the bike helmet.

[ADE 1000]

What is the difference between the SNELL 'M2000' Rating and the SNELL 'SA' rating?


Snell SA helmets are designed for auto racing while M helmets are motorcycle helmets. Listed below are the three major differences between them:

1. SA standard requires flammability test while the M standard does not
2. SA standard allows narrower visual field than M standard
3. SA standard has rollbar impact test while M standard does not.

The M2000 helmets seem to be acceptable at most dragstrips. I would recommend an SA if you intend on going to roadcourse events. Some of the clubs that organize these events require it. The open face helmets are more comfortable, I just can't stand the Marvin the Martian look when you wear them.

I currently have a full face Bieffe Snell M2000 that I use at the dragstrip and at autocrosses. It also passes at most road racing events. Its comfortable, looks good, and was cheap at $80 on Ebay brand new. I will probably upgrade to an SA helmet next year as I take on more track events, but them M has served me well so far.