Need a helmet to hit the strip Tuesday. Anyone suggest any good helmets? I'm looking to spend less than $250... less than $200 preferred. Anything out there lighter/more comfortable than the rest? I was looking at Simpson, Bell, G-Force, Pyrotect... Also don't know if I want M05 or SA05 rating. I hear that M05 has better field of vision, generally, and seems to be accepted by most. SA05 is just fire resistant right? Is there any racing out there for my car where I might need an SA rating? Some day I'd like it to be an open track car, but not full race built or anything.
You are looking into this helmet thing too much. All tracks check for is a D.O.T. marking located inside the helmet under the foam. I dont know of one brand new helmet that isnt DOT legal. I simply use my dirt bike helmet with the visor removed and its approved. Go into a bike shop and look for helmet made by HJC. They should be under 200 bucks. Ive owned a few motorcycles and a few helmets. You are just paying more for comfort, and lighter weight. Buy something inexpensive.
That's not the best advice. Helmets are very important, they can save your life....don't skimp! NHRA requires full face SNELL K98, M2000, SA2000, M2005, or SA2005 - a DOT only approved helmet is NOT legal, nor is it a safe idea to wear a purpose built motorcycle helmet in a car. I have a Bell MAG-4 SA05 open face I use for autox and stuff, I like it a lot. Simpson, Impact, Bell, are all good helmets. Look in your local yellow pages and find an equipment store, go try on everything you can....then go home and buy it cheaper on the internet Oh yeah, SA helmets are usually only going to be required in situations where fire is likely (like when running alcohol).
Thanks for the input. Yeah, the strip closest to me doesn't seem too strict about rules, but I'm hoping in a few years I'll have it built up for weekend open track events, and I didn't know if SA is required by the SCCA or whoever.
Well said. Some NHRA tracks won't even take the M class helmets in cars either, just for bikes. Cars have to be SA's. if you have an aftermarket power adder and run under 14 you have to have an SFI Jacket too for any NHRA track.
With all my experiences at the track, ive always been told that they check to see if it is d.o.t. legal, and thats it. Then check the inside of the helmet again. Im wrong, listen to bennyblown and disregard my donkey DOT schpeel as mentioned above
try...http://www.racerwholesale.com/index.php?cPath=35&osCsid=b5d854514a90c4cd1306cd8bb154ce53 the DOT helmets are junk, snell "M" mean motorcycles, karts, etc, pretty much anything that you can't get burned alive in. The "SA" is for car racing and have flame retardent liners, other than that "M" & "SA" are pretty much the same, try to get the latest year rating (such as a 05 instead of an 95 for example) since the older spec is or should be shortly out of date. The link above provides a decent helmet for a decent price and I've had good service with them. Remember "If you have a fifty dollar head, then buy a fifty dollar helmet"- Bill Simpson
I've already looked up the NHRA rules. 13.99 and faster requires a helmet. M05 or SA05 is accepted except in alcohol burning vehicles. "Most drivers can use a helmet meeting SNELL K98, M2000, SA2000, M2005, or SA2005 specifications. Professional category and some alcohol burning vehicles require an SA rated helmet." I was wondering about SCCA rules... couldn't find the info I was looking for online. Anyway, wound up ordering an M05 rated helmet from Simpson. Thanks for all the info.
I run a m2500 full face. That I got new off ebay for 65 dollars lol. It's silver and matches my car. lmao. No one gives my grief about the m rating, Besides my car runs on milk.
