[funked1]

Originally Posted by MatthewAMEL

if you are tall is the Arai has a lower profile

I might have to check those out!

[funked1]

Originally Posted by RamAir02

You should get a Snell SA2020 helmet. The cheapest I've seen is the Conqueror helmet on Amazon. Not recommending that one, but it's an option if you're looking for the most budget helmet. Otherwise, Bell & Roux are on the lower end of the price spectrum (more expensive than the Conqueror) and may provide better protection in the event of an impact. Prices go up from there.

Sent from my IN2025 using Tapatalk

I have the Conquest SA2015 helmet and I'm pretty happy with it. There is nothing cheap about it.

[weemus]

So be wary of some of the recommendations. Cost isn't always indicative of safety. ALL meet/exceed SNELL SA2020 certification. They ALL meet or exceed. There is ZERO measure (read proof) of one being better than the other so price being safer is sales line. Only going with a superior certification FIA 8660 would indicate superior impact performance.

Anyway price is usually a good indicator of comfort esp and options (i.e. built-in vent, water, mic, etc.). All of the basic Snell SA2020 helmets have provisions for a Head/Neck restraint device should you choose to use one in the future. You will need a full face for HPDE as autocross is usually less strict but you will want just one helmet. So go with what is required for HPDE.

https://competitionmotorsport.com/bl...-buyers-guide/

[sr71bb]

Well STILO is the best IMO but this particular one will set you back about 3K.

https://www.stilohelmets.com/product...-racing-helmet

Originally Posted by Wuiquen

Hello,

I would like to start doing autocross and HPDE. Would you guys suggest a good helmet to get?

Thanks

[Bearded_Seamonkey]

I'm in a similar situation. Want to try out track days and see if its my thing. I picked up a Speedway Motors brand SA2020 for $200. Looks very similar to a Zamp. If I fully get into it... I will purchase a much higher priced helmet.

[TrackClub]

Originally Posted by weemus

So be wary of some of the recommendations. Cost isn't always indicative of safety. ALL meet/exceed SNELL SA2020 certification. They ALL meet or exceed. There is ZERO measure (read proof) of one being better than the other so price being safer is sales line. Only going with a superior certification FIA 8660 would indicate superior impact performance.

Anyway price is usually a good indicator of comfort esp and options (i.e. built-in vent, water, mic, etc.). All of the basic Snell SA2020 helmets have provisions for a Head/Neck restraint device should you choose to use one in the future. You will need a full face for HPDE as autocross is usually less strict but you will want just one helmet. So go with what is required for HPDE.

https://competitionmotorsport.com/bl...-buyers-guide/

Agree that often times higher price means better comfort and more features vs better safety, unless FIA certifications kick in. Otherwise ALL helmets certified by SNELL have to pass the same test.

Disagree, that full face helmet is *required* for HPDE. Also, a few things to consider here. Firstly, an open helmet will be lighter (on an apples to apples bases) to its full face counterpart. This means less mass for a neck to deal with in case of a wreck. This is important, especially if one doesn't use a Hans device.
Even with a Hans, the lighter the helmet the better. Zero question about it. Also a consideration for anyone out there running harnesses, which are more restrictive in terms of flex vs OEM belts, meaning a shock to a neck will be greater. That's why Hans was invented and adopted for motorsports applications.

Next, FIA certified open face helmets first, as preferred to use with airbags. Airbags are designed to protect an uncovered face/head. NB Full face were also certified eventually. Also, some serious pro motorsports use open face helmets by design: like rally drivers/pilots. And as many Youtube vids attest those guys sometimes crash in most spectacular of fashions - and walk away. If open face helmets were somehow unsafe, FIA would not permit them - period, full stop. Obviously a full face shield is safer in case of fire, but a vast majority of amateur drivers leave a shield up anyway, as they dont have cooling systems in their cars and dont want their brains cooked. So that defies this purpose right there. In hot climates, temps inside a helmet can reach big numbers and that can become a safety concern all onto itself re ability to maintain concentration, etc. Visibility is another consideration.

Ive run with a large number of organizations from w2w gentleman type racing to time trials, hpde with multitude of clubs and privateers both on home soil and USA and high profile pro motorsports fund raisers/charity events. NOBODY has barred me from running an open face helmet. But, as i have said before, NJ state has mandated a full face. No idea why. Perhaps NJ knows something that FIA doesn't about motorsports safety.

Bottom line: full research to gain knowledge vs getting hooked by sales pitches is key. Testing a few on for field of vision, fit, comfort, etc is vital.Then making a decision based on one's own criteria, as it is our personal choice and nobody else's.

Oh, and it helps to watch Randy Pobst push cars to their
limit and see what helmet he wears

Bottom line: i am not against full face helmets. Let's just not discount open face ones as somehow inferior, or outright unacceptable. Especially as applied to our hobby driving street cars full of airbags, but not only. Cheers!

[TrackClub]

Originally Posted by sr71bb

Well STILO is the best IMO but this particular one will set you back about 3K.

https://www.stilohelmets.com/product...-racing-helmet

Attachment 1069240

Yep Stilo are nice! So...you sprung for 3G on a helmet, but track a car with full harnesses, yet no roll bar? Or, have i missed it in this pic somehow?

[weemus]

TrackClub,
I should clarify. A few of the groups I run with require a full face helmet. Op may run into the same thing. Depends on organizers and track officials. I didn't want two helmets but would much prefer an open face helmet.

[kropscamaro16]

ive never had anybody give me shit about open face or closed most hpde places dont care maybe if you are running scca or nasa

[weemus]

I would hate to miss out on what is arguably the best track in my area.

SECTION 1.7: DRIVER SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Each driver must wear the following equipment in all on-track sessions
1.7.1: HELMET - A full-faced safety helmet shall be worn by all drivers. Helmets
certified to the following standards are permitted:
 Snell Memorial Foundation – SAH2010, SA2010, SA2015
 SFI Foundation – Spec 31.1
 British Helmet Standard BS 6685-85 Type A/FR
 FIA Standard 8860-2004 or later

http://virnow.com/wp-content/uploads...RClubRules.pdf

[kropscamaro16]

snell and sfi are required for all racetracks but the full face/open face is interesting never seen that before

[weemus]

I asked the same thing when I started HPDE and attempted (and failed) to argue the point with the organization as many open face helmets meet SA2015 (at that time) certification. They basically said well we feel ya but VIR won't let you on track.

Not sure how many others run into this, such as NJ, but I wasn't going to miss out on the best track in the region.

I believe that an open face is nicer (not sure if the "safer" thing is proven, In God we trust all others must bring data). Having an open face is lighter, improved field of vision, sun visor without making your head in an enclosure, etc. I just wasn't going to buy 2 helmets due to my situation.

[weemus]

To the OP: Grabbing an inexpensive SA2020 helmet to start is a good idea. You can splurge on a nicer helmet once you know this is what your into. I use the Racequip brand helmet. Works well and not terribly $. Available quickly from Summit Racing amongst others.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vms-276993

[L78toLT1]

Originally Posted by weemus

I asked the same thing when I started HPDE and attempted (and failed) to argue the point with the organization as many open face helmets meet SA2015 (at that time) certification. They basically said well we feel ya but VIR won't let you on track.

Not sure how many others run into this, such as NJ, but I wasn't going to miss out on the best track in the region.

I believe that an open face is nicer (not sure if the "safer" thing is proven, In God we trust all others must bring data). Having an open face is lighter, improved field of vision, sun visor without making your head in an enclosure, etc. I just wasn't going to buy 2 helmets due to my situation.

Weemus, are you saying a full face helmet is required at VIR or just required for the organization you were running with? VIR is on my list as soon as I can fit it into my schedule. If I need a full face helmet, I'll need to do some shopping