I was just curious as to which helmet brand I should look at or if there are any I should stay away from. I plan on attending a drivers school in April and hopefully doing some auto x this coming season.

I was going to get G-force, but I got a coupon that has G-force as one of the exempt products. So I was looking at Protect or Zamp. Any ideas?

 

I got a G-Force full face snell 2005 works fine.

 

I like the Simpson Voyerger full face helmet. Simpson comes with a bunch of pads and seem to fit the best. I have used it for two years and have been very happy. I just install a built-in headset from chatterbox.

 

If just using for track days and auto-x, you might want to think about an open-face helmet for better visibility. I use Simpson.

 

I thought about that, but I was worried about stuff flying in my eyes with the windows open.

 

My wife and I bought a pair of Pyrotect open face helmets and couldn't be happier. They're latest Snell approved, fit very well, and didn't cost us a pile of money.

I recommend open face. You can get a shield or goggles if you're worried about debris in your face. Personally, I wouldn't worry about that too much.
Open face will be a LOT cooler on those hot asphalt days.

 

Never thought of adding a shield. Only thought about safety goggles.

Anyone run the G force hybrid?

 

I have a Bell hybrid that was recommended to me about 3 years ago. I really like it for track days, it gives a little more protection than an open-faced helmet but doesn't restrict visibility. Last year I got an open-faced Pyrotech that I use for autocrosses. It doesn't get quite as warm and is easier to talk to people while you're waiting to run. At least for me, it is more comfortable for autocrossing. Think seriously about the color helmet you buy. White will stay cooler, black attracts heat.

 

I like the cooling vents in the Pyrotect helmets. I used to have a Simpson full face when I auto-x'd my MGB, and I baked in that thing, even with the top down. And then if you wear glasses, you need to take the face opening into account.

 

I was advised not to go full face has I won't be de-activating the front airbags because the car is my daily driver - picture the airbag driving the helmet into your mouth. This may or may not be a plausible scenario but I chose not to explore the validity of it, also, as Gromit801 points out, open face are somewhat cooler on a hot day.

 

Now that's a point I hadn't considered!

 

I have a Zamp Rz3, nice helment, pretty comfy (Its no arai, but it doesnt cost almost/over a grand). Zamp/BZ2 is Bell Europe (from what I've been told) and supposed to be better quality (haven't looked @ a new bell USA) but apparently they stopped using metal harware for the visors and and other little things. Just find what's comfy and fits your price range, but most importantly get a properly fitted helmet, a loose helemt is like wearing a loose seat belt (it won't do you much good).

 

With a properly-fitted fullface helmet, an impact with an airbag won't drive the chinbar into your mouth. That's the express purpose of the chinbar - to protect your mouth and jaw in the event of an impact.

I was wearing a full-face Arai helmet during a bad motorcycle accident where the faceshield of the helmet was torn off and the chinbar was scratched/gouged up from where I faceplanted on the ground. I didn't even have a headache afterward. My right leg almost had to be amputated, but I didn't have a headache!

 

Are you sure your head did not hurt or was the rest of the pain just so much more?

Glad you were wearing a helmet and still have you leg

 

I have a Bell M2 full face. I think it is an excellent value.

 

I find myself usually wearing sunglasses with the open face helmet so debris in the eyes has never been in issue.

 

If you're in a street car, and not going to use your helmet in a full blown race car, I wouldn't worry about a full face helmet. What would be the point?

I would get a full face if I was on a bike, or in full race set-up where a crash might mean a fire. Not something you need worry about while autocrossing.

 

I have the G FORCE Hybrid, seems to be good quality at a very good price.

 

+ 1

 

I have both the G-Force and Bell hybrids. No problems, very comfortable, and would recommend either.
I only wish I could remove the padding on the Bell to clean it. It's got a very nice layer of sweat salt that I should take care of before the season starts.

 

Below is info that I send to our students who ask.

Neil
Chief Instructor
BMW CCA Hoosier Chapter
05 MCS, 96 M3

-------

BUYING A HELMET
===========

Short version:

- Get a full face design unless you're claustrophobic.
- Only buy a Snell SA-2005 (auto racing) or M-2005 (motorcycle) approved helmet.
- Motorcycle helmets are substantially less expensive and OK for most people (see more below about that).
- If you buy an SA helmet, make sure it also has a large eyeport; many do not. Motorcycle helmets always have larger eyeports.
- Make sure your normal eyewear works with the helmet.
- Never, ever buy mail order unless you've tried on that exact make/model/size. We all have different head shapes and sizes and it's impossible to predict what will fit you properly.
- The helmet should be a snug but not tight fit.
- One good SA helmet to consider is the Simpson Voyager, about $375. It has a large eyeport and interchangeable cheekpads to fine tune the fit.

Now here's the long version:

The Snell Memorial Foundation, http://www.smf.org/ is a non-profit organization that develops helmet safety standards and testing methods for a variety of activities: auto racing, motorcycling, karting, bicycling and so on. We (BMW CCA) require the use of helmets certified by Snell, and so does every other sanctioning body I know of.

The two standards that concern us are SA (special applications, meaning auto racing) and M (motorcycling). All track and racing organizations accept SA helmets. Most BMW CCA chapters also allow M rated helmets for Driver Schools and Auto-X, but always require SA for actual racing.

So what's the difference between SA and M? There's a slightly different impact testing procedure for each, although any given helmet could theoretically pass both. SA helmets also have a non-flammable interior. M helmets are required to have have larger eyeports for good field of vision on the street, whereas SA tend to have smaller, sometimes quite small, eyeports only suitable for formula car racing.

SA helmets are very single-purpose. M helmets often have more features, such as removable interiors (for cleaning), more elaborate ventilation schemes and so on. Not to mention vivid paint jobs! SA helmets are more expensive and harder to find, because you have to go to a specialist race shop. M helmets can be found, obviously, at motorcycle dealers. The sales people at race stores are often knowledgeable about helmets; those at cycle stores usually aren't.

Revised Snell standards come out every 5 years, usually toward the end of the year. Helmets complying with the latest standard become available not long afterward. The latest Snell standards are SA-2005 and M-2005. Our rules require that helmets be rated to the current or immediate prior Snell rating. For instance if the latest current standard is Snell 2005, then Snell 2000 is required. However a one-year grace period applies after general introduction of the current standard.

So a new SA/M-2005 helmet bought now could normally be used through 2016. It also follows that at this point you really, REALLY don't want to buy a SA/M-2000 helmet unless it's severely discounted, since it'll expire five years sooner.

Make sure there's an actual Snell approval label, usually on the lining at the back.

It's important that your helmet fit right and be comfortable. It should be snug, but not tight. Different makes of helmet have different fits which may or may not suit the shape of your head. It's not a good idea to mail-order a helmet unless you've already tried on that exact make, model and size and thoroughly satisfied yourself that it works for you. You must have a good field of vision. Check that your glasses or sunglasses work with the helmet. I strongly recommend a full-face helmet (which may soon be required by some organizations) unless you find it unacceptably claustrophobic.

 

I have a G force hybrid and like it very much.

 

Neil,

Thanks for the info. The only place that i have found that sells locally so I have to order.

Never thought about the liner coming out, thats something good to look at.

Hybrid has alot of fallowers, I just worry about the last comment by Neil regaurding the requirement of full face. I found this elsewhere but only in one place. More thinking.

 

IMHO open verses closed helmet seems a more pertinent question than which brand of helmet. As a Chief Instructor for BMW CCA, Neil's observations are well worth paying attention to.

I've just gone through the process of researching/buying a helmet myself. I wanted clear answers on the open/closed helmet/airbag issue, having learned about the 2004 open face recommendation from SCCA. In this regard, I found Just Racing's seminar section very informative. The following 2006 Q & A with motor sports safety expert Joe Marko addresses open verses closed helmets, airbags, harnesses, HANS etc (and dovetails with Neil's position):

http://www.justracing.com/seminar_ar...wtopic.php?t=5

More info on Joe Marko:

http://www.justracing.com/past_seminars.php

Yes, Mr. Marko does sell safety equipment, and may have ulterior motives but I was impressed with his experience and position in the motorsports industry.

I ended up buying a closed-face helmet.

Stephan

 

A lot depends on what you're going to use it for.

Track vs Autocrossing. If I were on a track, then I'd go full face. For autocrossing full face is overkill, and hot as heck in the summertime on that huge patch of asphalt.