I am getting ready to purchase a new helmet. I had been looking at WEBB motorsports sight and noticed Randy wearing a full face. Our local SCCA group has posted several warnings about using full face helmets with Airbag equiped vehicles. So this leads to my question. Randy and others who have chosen the full face, do you disable your airbag system when you are racing??? And if so how.
Thanks RAT

 

I do believe the full face helmet and airbag warning is new this year to the SCCA. Last season no one said anything about it so many people have been using the full face helmets. I think you’ll find many people racing SCCA events this year switch to open face.

 

IMHO, the SCCA is nuts - their warnings are based on the testing that was done in F1 cars, testing an airbag system versus the HANS device. Does that apply to a street car for autocrossing? I highly doubt it... even for DE's. Most club racing rules require you to yank them, so it's not really an issue for that.

For autocrossing, it simply doesn't matter if you've got an open face or a closed face. I prefer the additional protection of a full face, but also like the breathability of an open face (I'm in Texas and it's HOT in the summer) so I chose a hybrid and love it (Bell SR-Pro).

 

The SCCA received the full-face helmet advisory from the author of the study as an FYI. They published it as an informational advisory to the SCCA membership. The initial advisory was a little knee-jerkish and talked about potential rule changes. There are no rule changes in the works for Solo2 (I can't speak for Club Racing) and none are planned.

Basically once they were made aware of the study they had to spread the work to avoid legal liability. They understand the study has very little in common with the types of collisions we are likely to encounter in Solo2.

If the study worries you, do what you think is best, but I personally will continue to wear a full-face helmet.

I am not an official with the SCCA, I am just summerizing the info from SCCA SEB members on several different forums.

 

The picture of Randy wearing a full face helmet is an old one. He'll likely keep using it. Call him.

I have a full face helmet I will keep using for track and autocross. My next helmet is going to be open face once the newest M2005 rated ones are for sale soon.

 

Not worried I have my head covered, open for Autocross, closed for Karting.

 

okay, I'm trying to understand the physics here, and I can't.

1) The front of a full face helmet extends, what, 2 inches forward from your chin?
2) Any blow to the front of a full face helmet is spread over a larger area than the actual contact surface area.
3) You're wearing a seat belt.

The one down side is that since year head weighs more with a helmet on than without, your head is going to go further forward in a front end collision.

So, what's the supposed problem involved in wearing a full face? If I'm going to get smacked in the face with something, I'd much rather have a full face on than not.

All that being said, during my "career" as a Pro Rally co-driver, the three car totalling crashes I walked (or crawled) away from without a scratch saw me wearing an open face helmet. Reading route instructions at speed is a bit difficult in most full face helmets. True, we did have a full cage and a 5 point harness.

And, the last time I saw the Mule, I believe the airbag had been removed from the steering wheel.
Hunter

 

The study, if I recalled, mentioned broken jaws. The ONLY thing I can see happening with a full face is that if the airbag catches underneath the chin of the full face, it will put A LOT of pressure on just the chin strap. I could see that being more of an issue. With the open face, although it's slightly painful, you're less likely to break anything since it's smacking you squarely in the face.

That said, I don't get why anyone would feel the need to wear a full-face if they autocross only.
Full face: hotter, less peripheral vision, harder to speak to people, more expensive.
Open Face: already overkill seeing as how autocrossing is safer than driving on the highway...unless everyone is wearing their helmets there as well...

Brian

 

I bought the cheapest black open face helmet I could find that met the SNELL requirements. Cost about $90.

If I was doing anything more serious than an occasional track day or autocross, or riding a motorcycle, then I would opt for increased protection along with full roll bar, etc. . . . (well, probably not a roll bar for the motorcycle )

 

a roll bar for a bike would be cool what are you talking about

 

yes, a roll bar for a motorcycle would really defeat the purpose of riding a motorcycle. . .

 

I agree with Brian 100%

If you swear by a closed face I better see your visor down. IMHO If it's not it's worse than an open face because anythig that flys in might stay in. Hope it's not hot.

 

Where did you find this deal YuccaPatrol?