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I'm looking to buy a new helmet and driving gloves. Are there any places in Indianapolis that have stock on-hand so you can see it and feel it? I hate buying stuff like this sight-unseen. I don't know where to start looking, however... I was down on Gasoline Alley today and saw a possible candidate or two, but everything was closed up tight at 1pm on a Saturday. I figured that'd be their peak time!
We have bought several helments from local motorcycle shops (Dreyer, Stoughtons). Most recently we have gotten them from www.helments.com. They were less expensive than the dealers. Tried them on at the dealers then we knew what size, style, etc that we wanted.
Thanks, Phil. Looks like Pilot Race Gear on Gasoline Alley might fit the bill.
TenCan, some of the organizations (one or both of BMWCCA and PCA) require SNELL "SA" (I think) rated helmets, as opposed to motorcycle "M" rated. I just used my motorcycle helmet at Phil Wicks last year, but it wouldn't pass safety at some of these places. Do some of the motorcycle shops carry car helmets, too?
I'm looking to buy a new helmet and driving gloves. Are there any places in Indianapolis that have stock on-hand so you can see it and feel it? I hate buying stuff like this sight-unseen. I don't know where to start looking, however... I was down on Gasoline Alley today and saw a possible candidate or two, but everything was closed up tight at 1pm on a Saturday. I figured that'd be their peak time!
Several years ago I bought my Simpson helmet at Ray Skillman Ford in Greenwood (just south of Indy). They have a pro race shop there and did an excellent job of fitting. Don't know for sure that it's still there, you can easily call to check.
I would never buy a helmet without trying on different sizes of the exact make and model. Proper fit is critical, and different makes have different shapes which may or may not fit you.
To the person who suggested trying helmets on at local stores and then mail ordering them instead, remind me never to buy anything from you; you've just revealed what your ethics are.
Several years ago I bought my Simpson helmet at Ray Skillman Ford in Greenwood (just south of Indy). They have a pro race shop there and did an excellent job of fitting. Don't know for sure that it's still there, you can easily call to check.
I stopped by yesterday, and they were also closed. Looks like the shop's an extension of the service &/or parts department. It also looked practically vacant. I saw one rack with some gloves on it, but there were several others that just had empty hangers on 'em. Weird.
Comet Kart Sales in Greenfield has a decent selection of SA rated helmets. They carry Bell, Simpson, and Impact, so you can try all three brands to see which gives the best fit.
Comet Kart Sales in Greenfield has a decent selection of SA rated helmets. They carry Bell, Simpson, and Impact, so you can try all three brands to see which gives the best fit.
Thanks for that info. I'm going to need a new helmet myself this fall as my SA 95 ages out.
I'm surprised at the prices of some of these helmets. The first one I bought for my bike was just a hundred bucks (over 5 years ago) and is Snell rated. I figured I'd be able to find an open face helmet for that price now...
I bought mine at a motorcylce shop, and it is snell rated. I don't know If you are wanting to autocross or not, but if you are, you may want to check with SCCA rules before you buy one. I'm not sure if they have changed or not, but I know that there was some talk lastyear about them not allowing full-face helmets.
Well, I'm looking for an open-face SA-rated helmet. I've got an Arai motorcycle helmet, but those aren't allowed by some of the organizations I'm looking at driving with.
Snell rated at SA (Special Application) are two different things. Many Snell rated M (motorcycle) helmets are available for $100 or less. SA helmets are constructed differently and have nomex so they are a bit more expensive.
By and large, the shops on Gasoline Alley are only open M-F. There used to be a Trackside Supply there, which is where I got my helmet (SA2000) a few years ago. That was a nice shop. The place that is there now didn't have the largest selection, and the two guys who were running the place that day were mildly rude when I tried to talk to them.
I've also been to the Ray Skillman place, and they didn't have much in the way of variety for helmet brands. They didn't have any gloves the one time I was there either....
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Geoff
'05 Mini Cooper S HB/B
'73 Porsche 914
I've gotta say that it's pretty lame the the racing capital of the world (or whatever it is we bill ourselves as) doesn't have a decent (any?) race shop that's open on the weekends.
Blalor, I would agree that it is pretty lame. Especially considering all the racing activity that goes on out at IRP, PPRC, and the local SCCA stuff. I'm actually kind of shocked that there isn't a supplier who shows up at the DE events to have a display that people can browse. Thinking about buying those $100 Sparco glove? Well try them out for your next session and the tell me what you think! Your SA95 helmet going out of date? Here are a bunch of new ones to pick from to replace that old helmet! My first DE was with MDC out at Putnam, and Jason from Trackside supply was there. I've since been out at PCA DE events, and various club races, and never seen another vendor...
Do vendors show up at SCCA events?
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Geoff
'05 Mini Cooper S HB/B
'73 Porsche 914
