Hey everyone,

Just wanted to get your input on helmets. I just started racing and is trying to jump around instead of sticking to just one type of racing. So I've researched and been looking around for a full face helmet to use for track and autocrossing. My first event had loaner helmets which was great; however, as I am trying to enroll into driving school and attend track events, loaner helmets are scarce and they suggest and recommend that I have my own helmet.
So concerning helmets, is it better to have vents or not? I know drivers leave the window down for the cool air and air flow to circulate through the car, but is that enough cool air to my face if I were to have a full face helmet on? Or should I have vents so it can flow more efficiently into my helmet? Drivers have told me in some instances where people duct table their vents because there is too much air flow into the helmet which can irritate and deter the driver's concentration (the eye), so should I just not get vents? Or lastly, is it really up to the driver's preference? Thanks for helping out.

-X12

 

The most important thing since you are starting track days is making sure the helmet is SA certified. You can purchased M helmets (motorcycle) helmets, but some organizations do not allow these types of helmets at track days.

Getting vents or no vents is all personal.

 

if you have airbags then depending on your event you may have to have an open face helmet - new scca rule which nasa may adopt (then all the clubs like PCA may do so to)

as for air vents in helmets...they do little for cooling in normal closed cars (conv maybe different) especially if you have a balaclava on (which i recommend to soak up your sweaty head)

 

I was also wondering about helmets. I'd rather not have a full face helmet. But are open face helmets always allowed?
Thanks

 

Vent dont make that much difference even on motorcycles, as far as cooling goes.
Lately I've been riding with my openface just because I can see better, and I know this thread isn't about bikes, but I just thought I'd throw that out there.

 

Well the one way to fix it (if you have airbags) is to disable it. Either a fuse or disconnect it. No way am I giving up my full face helmet. Helps to keep my contacts from drying out.

 

I'll let the other road racing guys chime in, but I think open face helmets are legal for track days. Close face are requried if you have a convertible or open car.

 

I wish that was the case. Autocrossing with open helmets are fine. But there are track events that have told me that they only allow full face helmets. At least that's what I heard. Please correct me if I'm wrong because if so, I rather spend $200 less for an open face helmet. Maybe there are certain types of racing that only allows full face helmets? If that is the case, does anyone know of such? Thanks.

-X12

 

To vent or not is personal and also depends on the helmet itself. We use open face helmets for both stock car and SCCA/NASA events simply because that is what I've used for longer than most have been alive around here. Is it safer than a closed face-not necessarily. If you are driving either an open wheel or open top car-then by all means use a full face-much better protection from things flying over the top of the car like rubber bits.
Both Bell and Simpson have models that are made to help cool your head. However, the use of a headsock/balaclava is a good idea when it is really hot. You can also do one of several very expensive things that the NASCAR types are now using for head cooling.

The most important thing we can tell you is to buy an SA2000 helmet and go have a good time. Autocross-it is off more than it is on. Road race events and HPDE you won't have it on for more than 45 minutes at a time usually. Enduros are a different deal. Just be absolutely certain that it fits properly-very snug in all directions. My Bell MAG4 is very tight and the earpieces can be a pain-but I am not uncomfortable overall.

Did I mention my new wife is very finicky about how I look

Happy Holidays

 

That's odd, it is the opposite for me. I don't like the ones squeezing my cheeks like those aunts do to their nieces and nephews. But I've tried on like 10 different helmets and unfortunately, the one that fits me the best - actually the one that fits my head the best - is Bell's M2 Pro. The only thing that sucks is that it's around $440 bucks. I'm still debating if I should go for that or just get an open faced helmet. All I know is I want to get into a driving school, several, as soon as I get a helmet. Also, other than rules, what has leaned me towards a full-faced helmet is that I've heard stories from people involving incidents with open-faced helmets. Something along the lines of jaws being broken because they made contact with the steering wheel. Ouch! So most likely, it'll be that m2 pro.

- X12