First DE - Which Helmet?

[j.fro]

If you are not sure wether or not you'll be doing more events that require a helmet, most do offer loaner helmets....however, loaner helmets are like loaner underwear.
For most motorsports events you'll need a helmet with an SA 2010 rating. It will be good until 2020. Watch out for SM ratings- those are motorcycle helmets, and usually not acceptable. Starting prices are $200-250. Full face is safer than open face. Get one, and get used to the look and feel. Speaking of feel, if at all possible, try a few on before buying. Helmet sizing can be as vague as shoe sizing. If your budget is a bit bigger, a nice option is a removable/washable liner. More expensive is not necessarily safer, just lighter, more optioned, or fancier. If you anticipate wearing it a lot in the summer, pick white over matte black.
Search "SA 2010 helmet" and have your money ready.

[steved0x]

I just went to my first DE at Roebling Road Raceway near Savannah, GA, through the Florida Crown PCA, and I had to get a helmet. I measured my head (a couple of places give guidance on this) and then mapped it up to different sizes/brands (each brand's size can be slightly different than the others). There were so many choices that I didn't have a clue.

For my DE, Apexperformance.net was the sponsor, and I gave them a call, and they said they would be bringing a big trailer full of helmets and supplies and I could just try some on when I got there. I am glad I did, because each brand of helmet can fit slightly different. Some are tighter around the top of the head, and if you get one big enough to fit the top of your head, it is too loose around the jaw, and some are tighter around the jaw and looser up top, etc...

I tried on a bunch, and ended up with a bell full face (can't recall the exact model). It was around $260'ish I think. They gave me a 15% PCA discount.

There were a couple of cheaper ones, some open face and some full face but they just wouldn't fit my head correctly. They had a $50 rental option for those, and then pay the difference if you want to buy the helmet at the end of the event.

I would check with the organizer of your DE and see if there is a trackside sponsor, and then give them a call and see what helmets they are bringing out. They will likely have a ton and you can try them on and get advice from folks that are in the business, and you can see what everybody else has while you are there.

Good luck and keep the shiny side up!

Steve

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by j.fro

If you are not sure wether or not you'll be doing more events that require a helmet, most do offer loaner helmets....however, loaner helmets are like loaner underwear.
For most motorsports events you'll need a helmet with an SA 2010 rating. It will be good until 2020. Watch out for SM ratings- those are motorcycle helmets, and usually not acceptable. Starting prices are $200-250. Full face is safer than open face. Get one, and get used to the look and feel. Speaking of feel, if at all possible, try a few on before buying. Helmet sizing can be as vague as shoe sizing. If your budget is a bit bigger, a nice option is a removable/washable liner. More expensive is not necessarily safer, just lighter, more optioned, or fancier. If you anticipate wearing it a lot in the summer, pick white over matte black.
Search "SA 2010 helmet" and have your money ready.

In an airbag car I am not sure that closed face is safer...the airbag can catch the bottom edge of the full face portion and well you get the picture