Recommended Helmets for Trackdays

[jrleech]

I've been looking at helmets for doing track days...

I'd prefer an open face, but as you need a full face one for an open car, that would mean I couldn't use it if I got a ride in a Caterham etc.., so I'll go with a full face one.

Does a T-bar (glass out req'd for track days) class as an open car anyway?

A friend at work (who's a biker), was saying that there's no need to spend £££'s on helmet, and that there are some excellent bike helmets available (especially clearance stuff) for £30 - £70.

http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/cl ... ts/Helmets

I guess these are fine for track days, but I presume that if I progressed to something like the Toyota Sprint Series, which specifies motorsport regulations, then I'd need something more expensive?

Thanks,
Jon

[anna]

Does a T-bar (glass out req'd for track days) class as an open car anyway?

You don't have to take tbar glass out for trackdays. Where on earth did you get that idea from?

A friend at work (who's a biker), was saying that there's no need to spend £££'s on helmet, and that there are some excellent bike helmets available (especially clearance stuff) for £30 - £70.

http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/cl ... ts/Helmets

I guess these are fine for track days, but I presume that if I progressed to something like the Toyota Sprint Series, which specifies motorsport regulations, then I'd need something more expensive?

Thanks,
Jon

Motorbike helmets are fine for trackdays/non competative.
If you want to progress to MSA events, you'll have to get a helmet with SNELL SA2005 or equivalent approval which would be circa £400 for a helmet.
I started with a cheap helmet, and then only got the more expensive SNELL helmet when I started racing.

TSS is not MSA though, so I don't know what the regs are.

[hoagy5]

I use an open face helmet for MSA sprinting. It has a removable visor, which I have removed as I run a closed car.

from the MSA blue book 'either goggles or a visor must be worn at all times during training, practicing or competing, unless in a closed vehicle'

So I use my helmet with the visor on in an open vehicle, it is fine in a Morgan with the windscreen removed so you should be ok in a Caterham!

You need to look for the British standard sticker.

again from the blue book here are the approved standards:

all MSA and International Events:
FIA 8860-2004
SNELL SA2005
SNELL SA2000
SFI Foundation 31.1A, 31.2A
BS 6658 Type A/FR

all MSA Events

BS 6658 - 85 Type A (Type B is not acceptable)

My helmet is the last type listed.

Hope this helps.

Rich.

[jrleech]

I've been told that you can't do the Sprint series races with the T-bar panels in, I just presumed it was the same for trackdays. I guess not then!

These are from the 2009 Sprint Regs:

5-2, Crash helmet
The requirement for the Toyota Sprint Series is a helmet conforming to BS6658 Type A ( blue & white BSI sticker), AFR ( red & white BSI sticker) or Snell SA2000. There are loads of companies that will sell you one of these (Demon Tweeks, Grand Prix Racewear etc.).

Javelin have helmets available for hire at events at a cost of £10 per day (subject to availability)

Note that in an open top car you need a closed face helmet. Open faced helmets can be used in 'tintops' or in convertibles with the hood up.

With regards sizing - measure around your head just above the ears; small = 55-56cms, medium = 57-58cms, large = 59-60cms, extra large = 61-62.

What are peoples thoughts on full face or open face? Obviously the open face ones are much less restrictive and give better visibility, plus it'd be easier to put on a pair of sunglasses...

I'm rather fond of the AGV Blade open face helmet..


Cheers,
Jon

[jrleech]

I've not found many helmet websites that quote ANY standards, makes it quite confusing. If you put in the standards and search in Google, only motorsport places come up and you're looking £300+.

I think for starting with trackdays, I'll go for a sub £100 open face, then IF I end up doing the Sprint Series one year, then I'll buy another.

Thanks for the info on the open face ones, open face + vison = OK in an open car.... excellent

[hoagy5]

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... elmet.aspx

Says it is approved here!

I have been to trackdays where it says removable glass roof panels should be removed, but i have always left my sunroof in, more weight but less wind drag I think. I am planning to get a sunroof frame, remove the glass and replace it with a sheet of aluminium for next year though, as the bloody thing weighs a ton!

Have fun on the track!

[jrleech]

Well found, thanks!

Looks like I'm sorted then

Just need some carbon fibre replacement T-bar panels now....

[CM1GT]

for normal trackdays you can run with pretty much any open or closed face helmet in a closed car or a closed face helmet in an open car, for some reason tss require you to run with a snell helmet, which are designed purely for car use (think its something to do with fireproffing) from people like omp, sparco and simpson, cost from about £65 for an open faced omp one from ybracing closed face snell ones start from about £150, personally i'm considering this route for next year;

http://www.vpcbike.com/catalog/images/c ... _petit.JPG

for trackdays - hjc samurai £90

http://www.ybracing.co.uk/webimages/rac ... 4intro.jpg

if i go sprinting aswell - omp jet axis (bs blue label tss approved) £65

[Tomiam]

Might be worth waiting for the autosport show at NEC. Think its Jan 11th 2009 and there are a few £££ to be saved

Have fun on track! Im off to Colerne this coming monday with MSE. £79 for the day!

[lockys96]

i picked up a simpson speedway rx helmet like the stig from vegas for £240, they cost £400 here, what a saving buying direct from simpson

[Rogue]

All the motorsport approval you can eat, and just £139 inc vat:

http://www.v2sport.com/index.html

Patrick

[Rustyracing]

Nice one Patrick!

Might get one of them myself.

So, V2Sport or V2Pro?

Would you class an MR2 T-Bar (with the lids off) as a closed cabin or an open cabin ?

Duck bill or no duck bill?

[System-G]

At BookaTrack we only recommend full face helmets for screenless cars (Caterham/Westfield/Striker type cars). I won't let anyone out on circuit in a screenless car without adequate face/eye protection and gogles do not count.

To quote Lauren:
"at the end of the day it's your head. You only have one. So buy the best you can afford."

[omracing]

If you're after a full face crash helmet but no visor, try this one Integrated Trackstar, its BS 6658 Type A/FR for less than £90. Otherwise try Patrick's choice, I have one of each.