So this'l be my first track thing for my car as well as my first class, and nearly my first experience with any kind of racing type thing (well I did do 1 autoX).

I was looking at NASA's website, and they say you need a helmet? Is this true (they don't provide them?)? Assuming I read it right, can anyone recommend a good helmet and or where to get one? Its on the 22nd so I don't have a ton of time.

Anything else I should do prior to arriving or need to get? Or simply any general advice?

I look forward to seeing some of you there!?!?

Thanks

 

i think your best bet would be go to a motocycle shop and get a helmet some good brands are Arai or Shoei but they are bank though...

 

so is there anything to look for in the helmet?

motorcycle helmets r the same as car helmets? It'l meet the requirements for NASA (and autoX)? Thnx

 

snell 95 or newer
or dot approved
and m2000 or some crap like that

 

If youre going to get a helmet I wouldnt spend a lot of money on a motorcycle one as many tracks/events only permit SA-rated helmets.

 

Okay I've been searching for helmets online, and the cheapest helmet I've found (that looks like it'd be ok) is about $300!?!?!?!?!? Can anyone point me to a cheaper one that'l pass all those things (Snell 95 or dot approved and m200 and SA-rated or whatever)? I guess I'll have to spend the 300 if I nobody can recommend an alternative, its just hard to justify 300 for 1 track time, when I don't need it for AutoX (can get a loaner) and I probably won't go to many more events like this, the helmets more expensive that the HPDE thing!

wrx owns: I might try a motorcycle place tomorrow

NZO: Thanx! I'll make sure to get an SA rated helmet!

I'd kinda like to buy the helmet in person so I can try it on and talk to a sales dude about it, since motorcycle helmets might not work(?) does anyone know of somewhere that'd carry helmets that would?

Any help'd be great (and I appreciate the help & advice already given!) and sorry bout the long, circuitous, boring, noob questions!

 

Just get a SA2000 rated helmet then you won't have to worry about different club and track days. Trust me once you do one you are hooked. If you think you can just do one track day and walk away from any more, you are kidding yourself. They are a blast. As for the helmet check out Bell Motorsports in Oakland, they are the distributor for the whole country so they have the ultimate selection, they also carry Pyrotect which is made in China or something like that so they are a little cheaper but still carry the same rating. Sometimes they have some blemished ones for a little less, and half the time you can't even tell what the blemish is. Just ask if any are availible. The main difference between a motorcycle M2000 rated helmet and a SA2000 is the, SA2000 has a nomex liner in the helmet to help in case of a fire, if you were trapped in the car. Just as Dale Jr. if he is a fan of nomex. I guess they figure if you crash a bike you are not going to be trapped in any fires. If you are always going to be in a car and not a Kart or on a bike you could get an open face for a little less. But once again it limits you to what you can use it for. I reccomend a full face SA2000 then you don't have to worry. See you up there on Sunday. Brian

 

they have some HJC helmets at infineon that are pretty cheap (300$) and pretty light, they are also SA2000 rated i'd check em out.....

Rocky

they have an open face for 200 bucks at infineon too....

Rocky

 

Great! THanx so much for the replys!!! I'll try to get over to oakland and check the Bell Warehouse out. If its not too hard could someone give me the address or some info, I went to there website and couldn't find info on Oakland, the address in the contact info was in costa mesa If the infos not convenient don't worry cuz I'll just call them tomorow. And if I can't get to oakland I'll get it at infineon, its nice to know that thats an option!

I don't think I'll get the open face one, I was looking at nasa's forums to try to fiind more info, and saw --> http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2462 Now I'm kinda scared

Thanx again
- Brian

 

If you have a big head, ( like 7-3/4 hat size or so) I have one you could borrow.

PM me if that sounds like something you're interested in

 

Only get an open face if you plan to co-drive performance rallies and don't know your car sickness threshold...

Even then I'd suggest that its worthwhile to own a full face helmet just for those times you spend behind the wheel on the track, but needing to barf with a full face helmet on isn't a fun time...

(don't worry, mine got cleaned out just fine- its back to smelling like nomex)

 

When you are investing in protection for your skull and brain, $300 is a small price to pay...SNELL 2000 or above works.

 

hmm I have a pristine Arai RX7 R4 helmet, and it would be great if I can snap in a nomex liner..