hey im going to be getting a helmet for racing pretty soon and just wanted to see what people recommend and what every one else is using. should i get open face or closed face. i hear open face is better for cars with air bag systems for some reason but im not sure if this is true. i just want some good recommendations from you track racers out there. and whether to go with an open or closed face helmet. thanks for any feed back

 

Not sure if this helps...but I ride motorcyles and if u get a closed face..I recommend kbc cuz its affordable and good quality....not like icon which sux...shoei helmets are top of the line but be prepared to dish out at least 5 bills for 1

 

Bieffe Jet. About $200 (can't remember what I paid).

I love mine. The certification is up on it, but a great helmet. Terraphone intercom integrated perfectly.

Open vs. closed face can get to be a heated arguement. I prefer an open faced helmet if I'm in a car. Full face on a motorcycle or open topped car. Something you'll have to decide for yourself, but I can see why people would suggest a closed face helmet if you have airbags.

 

The certifications are usually different and a motorcycle helmet won't necessarily pass tech at an automotive event.

 

Go to Wine Country Motorsports or Bell Motorsports to try on helmets and see which you like the best. Bell Motorsports is Bell, so they have a huge warehouse full of every helmet.

 

My first helmet was a Bell Sport3, bought it because price was good, under $300 back then and style was ok (full face). But after trying Arai and Sparco, although they're 2 or 3x more, you get what you pay for. It's so much lighter..stronger/lighter materials cost more

I go to WineCountryMotorsports to test fit helmets...they have a wide selection, but unless they have a "Sale", I buy it online.

 

I just picked one up from here:

http://www.gforceoutlet.com/

Good discount off the retail price for what seem to be pretty popular modest-cost Auto-X helmets.

 

theres a place over in Lafeyette, that you can go to and try on helmets to see which one feels right for you, but i cant remember the name of the place.

 

cycle gear in santa clara has a huge selection of helmets but 95% of them are for motorcycles...
my certs for my auto helmet is almost up and im in the market for a new one...but wow theyre all $$$$$

SA is for auto and M is for bikes....depends on what youre using it for.
Most SA95 will pass for a little bit longer so you can get those cheaper.
NHRA owns my bank account right now

 

bell - cheap and good for car... also some guy sold me a ?simpson? sp? that is made by the guy that made bells. For motorbike - arai but for car occasional use not worth extra $$$

 

orly?

 

Arai makes some pretty dope car and motorcycle helmets. For some reason i can only wear them. expensive shaped head i guess. it all depends on the racing you are planning in regards to motorcycle and road racing style. the rumor is road racing helmets have less impact rating than motorcycle helmets. but they have nomex or some other fire resistance to the liners.

As for open or full face, I've heard people saying an airbag will break the chin bar of a full face which i think is BS. i wouldn't want a helmet that would fail from an airbag. I wadded my car up last year and i was wearing a full face with the airbag deployed. the helmet didn't fail, like expected, and i feel it made the impact less traumatic. also think about eye protection other than sunglasses. your more likely to loose a windshield on track than on the street. i always have my visor down.