Helmets for Trackdays

[ralphmusic]

I've booked a couple of track days in July at Silverstone (PCGB) and Goodwood (GRRC) and need to get a suitable helmet. I am not wholly comfortable buying over the internet solely because of fitting/comfort.

So some advice please...

Open face or closed? - I assume closed is better
Any supplier located either South West or London where I could try various models?
Any popular choices anyone would care to share?

My preferences are for light weight and comfort (what else but I recognise my head is "unique") and I wear glasses.

Absent a supplier I can easily get to I thought I would make a selection and aim to collect and check fitting at Silverstone Classic as some suppliers attend that event

All suggestions welcome!

 

[flat6]

I bought a Bell Sport 4 helmet from Grand Prix Racewear Ltd (GPR) at Silverstone. http://www.gprdirect.com

Ask for Porscheclub discount. The Sport 4 is probably superceded now.

It just happened to be more convenient to pick up a helmet there at Silverstone as there weren't any car helmet suppliers near where I live (plenty of bike helmet suppliers).

I read up and concluded that closed face isn't as 'needed' in a road car but it's personal preference and I went for closed face. Can't have too much protection for my head and face was my view, plus if I ever did any other type of event the helmet qualifies for it (closed face, Snell approved, flame resistant lining etc.) The Bell fitted better than the cheaper brand that I can't recall the name of. It was a Snell approved helmet made in China that was sold under a number of different brands at half the price of the Bell. It was neither comfortable nor well finished.

I don't know what the requirements are for helmet standards these days at track days but I remember when I read up that it seemed to vary from 'they probably won't even check' to 'must be Snell approved'. If you get a Snell approved helmet it should be good for most anything.

 

[Lancerlot]

Ralph,

If you're likely to get involved in motorsport at some stage, it will pay you to buy a helmet complying with MSA regulations. These are currently:-

(a) INTERNATIONAL EVENTS & ALL MSA EVENTS.

FIA 8860-2004.

SNELL SA2010.

SNELL SA2005.

SNELL SA2000*. (May be withdrawn with effect from 01/01/15.)

SNELL SAH2010.

SFI Foundation 31.1A, 31.2A.

BS 6658 Type A/FR (May be withdrawn with effect from 01/01/16.)

These also provide the best protection by reason of quality of materials used.

Whether you go for open or full face is a matter of personal choice. Some people feel a bit claustrophobic with full-face, but they obviously offer better protection. It will pay you to buy a balaclava at the same time. You can wash it and It keeps the helmet fresh.

Weight depends on your budget. Lighter is better but more expensive. Arai helmets are light and comfortable and mid to upper price range.

The helmet should be a snug fit but not pinching or uncomfortable.

Retailers :- Most motorbike factors sell non- MSA aproved. Merlin Motorsport at Castle Combe have a range of MSA approved in stock.

David Appleby Engineering Ltd Knapp House, East Anstey, Tiverton. Devon EX16 9JL. Tel: +44 (0) 1398 341163
Email: david@davidapplebyengineeringltd.com is a Sparco Agent and may have a range of helemts you can try.

Demon Tweaks have a helmet mail order deal, allowing you to try out various helmets until you find the right one.

A friend of mine runs Sabelt in UK and can supply helmets. I'm sure he could help.

Finally, if you need to just borrow one to see how you get on I can probably help. Also helmets are available to borrow at the track venues themselves.

Regards,

Clive.

 

[spyderman]

Beware that a particular size from one make may not fit the same as the equal size from another. Your helmet needs to be a good fit otherwise its not going to protect you properly. Therefore, you really should only buy mail order if you are certain its going to fit properly (or if you're prepared to send it back if it doesn't!).

Regards open/closed face - rally drivers use open and from what I've seen, they're far more likely to hit something!

 

[ralphmusic]

Thanks chaps, you've given me plenty to think about and thanks for the contacts. I'll post my end selection.

 

[glamdring]

i use my motorcycle helmet...

 

[AlphaWhisky]

ORIGINAL: glamdring

i use my motorcycle helmet...

I'm surprised that's allowed, but, a track day is usually the result of a private arrangement and not normally governed by FIA or MSA Competition Regs.

For four-wheeled motorsport (competitive at least), a bike helmet is not legal as they do not have a fire retardent lining.

 

[ralphmusic]

Silverstone regs: "Drivers and passengers should all wear crash helmets that comply with current MSA/FIA/ACU/FIM standards" and I understand Goodwood is the same.

Anyway I have only one head...

 

[garyw]

Majority of people I know who do trackdays as a hobby use motorcycle helmets - myself included
True if you go onto bigger and better things the 'proper' lid can go with you, however I can use the lid for both on a road bike, whilst Karting and occasional trackdays.

Loads of threads on PH asking the very same question, with similar results.
As a private trackday I have yet to have my lid inspected- but the fact your wearing one correctly has been checked.

A good lightweight bike lid can however be a similar price to an approved motorsport lid.

garyw

 

[grover]

I also use a bell sport 4 bought from GPR at Silevrstone and went full face as you can also use it for occasional karting

At Silverstone this coming sunday for the open pit session.

D

 

[john.newland]

I got an Arai motorcycle helmet; full face with tinted visor. The dark visor is useful this time of year when the low sun can be a problem. Especially as I already wear glasses.

 

[flat6]

I read somewhere (I don't recall the source to re-check, so don't quote me exactly) that the main difference between a motorcycle and a car helmet is that:

a) The motorcycle helmet is designed to resist a singular high impact such as falling off a motorcycle and hitting the ground whereas a car helmet is designed to resist multiple impacts such as when car is rolled and your head could hit various parts of the car many times.
b) as a previous poster has said, a car helmet has flame resistant lining as there is more chance of being trapped in flames inside a car (but we don't wear flame resistant clothing on track days do we).

 

[ralphmusic]

Some requirements from organisers:

Goodwood GRDC track day:

Dear Mr Forster,

Thank you for your email.
Yes, MSA approved helmets are required for our track days, however we will provide you with one to wear on the day.

Kind regards,

Goodwood Event Ticket Office

Porsche:

What is required is a servicable, functioning helmet - I would suggest visiting the Demon Tweeks website ( www.demon-tweeks.co.uk ) or other motorsport suppliers for more information relating to trackday helmets. We do have some for hire on the day (£10) if you require one.

Me: Thanks.

To be clear a motorcycle non MSA helmet is accepted?

Porsche Club GB:

Yes, providing it is in good condition and not one of those Californian CHIPS style ones (which one driver once turned up in and was refused any track time) it will be fine

kind regards


Motorsport Administration
Porsche Club GB

So there we have it..

I'll be going the MSA route..

 

[spyderman]

Except you'll now contact suppliers asking for an MSA-approved helmet and they'll say it's not the MSA that handles approvals, it the FIA or SNELL:

http://www.smf.org/

I think what they mean is a helmet that would acceptable to the MSA - but then the question would be "for what level of racing" since karting doesn't require the same as circuit racing.

If you want to race, the MSA do need to inspect your lid and they put an extra little sticker on, but they don't do the testing necessary for approvals.

These guys do really cheap but fully approved helmets: http://www.hedtec.co.uk/

 

[ralphmusic]

Got it..

I have contacted hedtec as I go to Abingdon from time to time so could try helmets there - their web site linked to a 2010 schedule of track days but they have now updated it to show 2012 dates after I emailed them.

 

[Lancerlot]

ORIGINAL: spyderman

Except you'll now contact suppliers asking for an MSA-approved helmet and they'll say it's not the MSA that handles approvals, it the FIA or SNELL:.................These guys do really cheap but fully approved helmets: http://www.hedtec.co.uk/

Tha MSA regulate what helmets can be worn when competing in UK motorsport events.

As with all things involvling safety, it pays to get the best equipment you are able to afford.

Regards,

Clive.

 

[Clewsey]

Good point there on the visor. Approaching Stowe corner yesterday at 140mph with low afternoon sun was interesting []

In terms of helmet, I use a Bell Mag 7 open faced version from GPR http://www.gprdirect.com/helmets/race-helmets/bell-mag-7.html. It's nice and light and being open faced makes it quite easy to communicate with an instructor when having tuition.

Simon

ORIGINAL: john.newland

I got an Arai motorcycle helmet; full face with tinted visor. The dark visor is useful this time of year when the low sun can be a problem. Especially as I already wear glasses.

 

[ralphmusic]

I ended up getting a Bell Mag 1 Open Face Helmet from Road and Racegear in Ealing, 6 Hanger Green, Ealing, London, W5 3EL, just off the A40.

http://www.roadandracegear.co.uk/online/bell-mag-1-open-face-helmet

Thanks for all the comments and hope to meet others at track days...