Track Helmet - Help

[JNoSol]

Guys, I'm looking to track my M3 this year. I know tracking requires Snell SA2010 (2005+) helmets. Questions:
- should I get open face or full face?
- what brand/model is best for the money?

Simpson Bandit and RaceQuip Pro seems legit for full face. Lots of options for open face.

Any advice is appreciated.

[brian99997]

full face for me, rocks will get sucked into your windows plus visor choices are nice.

Stilo makes an excellent helmet that has comms, ear muffs (which hurt a bit in the F8x I will admit)

http://stilo-usa.com/helmets/st4-gt-w-composite

[Track First]

Highly recommend getting a full face helmet. Stilo makes a fantastic helmet as well as Bell. Bell will actually install a radio in a helmet if you ask.
I would find a local store that has multiple helmet brands to try out, different brands have different ideas on how your head is shaped. Also it is important to find the right size, you don't want the helmet to keep shifting on your head, or tight enough to give you a headache.

[Merli]

Love my Bell RS7 carbon

[Brosef]

http://hjc-motorsports.com/products/si-12/#.VPCLovmjO-0

this is as lightweight as you can get without having to spring for carbon fiber. love mine.

[SherM4n]

Originally Posted by brian99997

full face for me, rocks will get sucked into your windows

Agree; this happens. I got a full face helmet due to laws in NJ saying you had to have one, and used to run with sunglasses on and the visor up. A few years ago, though, I was coming around T4 at Barber and a rock or marble or something hit my cheek right below my sunglasses hard enough to leave a mark. Though it is less comfortable, I've closed the helmet visor ever since. And last year at VIR, something came through the window near the end of the front straight while I was going ~130 mph and struck me in the neck. It stung, but at least I wasn't worried about eye injuries that time.

[nicknaz]

Plan to spend a few hours in a local helmet store (or ordering 10 helmets online and returning 9 of them). No other way to make sure the fit is correct

I've had stuff hit me also, like when someone has an off in front of me. Definitely go for a full face helmet, in my opinion

[03///m3]

Strongly recommend Arai

[brian99997]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Plan to spend a few hours in a local helmet store (or ordering 10 helmets online and returning 9 of them). No other way to make sure the fit is correct

I've had stuff hit me also, like when someone has an off in front of me. Definitely go for a full face helmet, in my opinion

Ordering 10 and returning 9 is sadly the way to go.. I have never seen a store that carries much except one near San Francisco that I can't remember the name to.

[JNoSol]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Full face helmet it is. Keep the brand recommendations coming.

[///Mobbin]

I really like my OMP Speed 10 for the airflow on hot track days: OMP Speed 10

You can swap in a full visor later if you don't like the opening.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

I really like my OMP Speed 10 for the airflow on hot track days: OMP Speed 10

You can swap in a full visor later if you don't like the opening.

Very interesting helmet. Thanks

[ff1600]

http://www.winecountrymotorsports.com/

Located at Sears Point (it will always be Sears Point.)

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by ff1600

http://www.winecountrymotorsports.com/

Located at Sears Point (it will always be Sears Point.)

Thanks for that. This seems like a great deal, any input on Sparco?

http://winecountrymotorsports.com/sp...2ea5fd2b0d49b5

Half off on carbon helmet.

[slavearm]

Sparcos never fit well for me. I ended up with a Simpson Devil Ray.

[MasterP]

I have a Stilo ST4W Carbon. With built in Comms and Iridium Visor $2300 all in.

Comfy, lightweight (the non carbon is barely heavier, and $1050 cheaper - just doesn't look as good) and the comms are integrated so nicely.

I would have gone Arai but the carbon model is $3000 and the integrated comms aren't as seamless. I gave the edge to Arai on the shell shape since it doesn't feel so Power Rangery.

I'd highly suggest Winding Road Racing in Austin, TX. You can give them a call and they have a few people there that will really geek out with you on the phone if you need to talk to someone.

[Bryant@TMB]

+1 for Bell Helmets, they seem to feel the best for me

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by TrakBch

I have a Stilo ST4W Carbon. With built in Comms and Iridium Visor $2300 all in.

Comfy, lightweight (the non carbon is barely heavier, and $1050 cheaper - just doesn't look as good) and the comms are integrated so nicely.

I would have gone Arai but the carbon model is $3000 and the integrated comms aren't as seamless. I gave the edge to Arai on the shell shape since it doesn't feel so Power Rangery.

I'd highly suggest Winding Road Racing in Austin, TX. You can give them a call and they have a few people there that will really geek out with you on the phone if you need to talk to someone.

Sweet. I'm head d to Austin on March 19th with the BMW CCA group - trifecta event at COTA. I will check them out while I'm there. I'm not going to spend $3k on a helmet yet. Will need that budget for suspension upgrades.

[nicknaz]

Brand recommendations are a bit meaningless since your head shape is going to be a big driver. for example, HJC and shoei work well for me but Arai is really uncomfortable

I am currently using a relatively unknown brand (will look it up when I get home) based on the recommendation of a racing gear store owner in San Diego. Fit is great, SA2010 certified and $150 incl tax

[aus]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Brand recommendations are a bit meaningless since your head shape is going to be a big driver. for example, HJC and shoei work well for me but Arai is really uncomfortable

I am currently using a relatively unknown brand (will look it up when I get home) based on the recommendation of a racing gear store owner in San Diego. Fit is great, SA2010 certified and $150 incl tax

This.
NO point in recommending a helmet if you don't have an idea of OP's head shape. Some run narrow and others run a little wider.
OP, you need to go try them on.

.

[MasterP]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Sweet. I'm head d to Austin on March 19th with the BMW CCA group - trifecta event at COTA. I will check them out while I'm there. I'm not going to spend $3k on a helmet yet. Will need that budget for suspension upgrades.

Hahaha. I wasn't recommending it at all. My expense was actually unreasonable. the $1K standard model would have been fine.

They have other lids there Bell, Black Armor (Austin Based co.) And they keep a good supply on hand for you to try on. That's always the challenge when looking at the nicer helmets. Not a lot of local businesses are willing to commit the resources to stock nice helmets across several sizes. An online store with a good return policy is bette than nothing but how long does that take vs getting it right the first time?

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Sweet. I'm head d to Austin on March 19th with the BMW CCA group - trifecta event at COTA. I will check them out while I'm there. I'm not going to spend $3k on a helmet yet. Will need that budget for suspension upgrades.

Head down to the Simpson Racing factory store in New Braunfels, less than a 40min drive from COTA.

Simpson has some very nice reasonably priced carbon helmets.