[SteveInfante]

So I'm heading to my first track day in the US and I'm in need of a helmet. Where are some good reliable places to pick up a helmet? I'm looking entry level.

[semclane]

saferacer.com
GForce helmets are reasonable as are some Bell helmets. Even if the hosts of your event will accept an M (motorcycle) rated helmet I would advise getting an SA (Special Applications = racing) rated one.

[SteveInfante]

This are the ones that I found. Luckily I can rent one this time around for the day from the track. Open versus full face is the next question.

[Pparana]

If your just tracking, and your not racing, I would go with open. Better visibility, less bulk, and you have airbags. I almost always grab my open face helmet for track days, closed pretty much just for racing. Plus open is cheaper.

[bryan_G01]

racequip makes quality products that are very easy on the pocket.

Cant beat 150- 200$ for a sa2015 helmet.
I will say they lack extra padding than some of the other brands I have used.

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by Pparana

If your just tracking, and your not racing, I would go with open. Better visibility, less bulk, and you have airbags. I almost always grab my open face helmet for track days, closed pretty much just for racing. Plus open is cheaper.

This might sound stupid by here it goes...

In my case I drive slower when an open helmet... it's probably the sensation of the wind that makes you feel you are going faster than you are....

Also if you do go karts they will require closed, so I got a HJC AR-10 or something like that....

[M3 Esq]

Id definitely go closed face all the way. If you wreck you're going to want your face protected. No question. Not that you will but you never know. I've seen lots of wrecks at the track. Never in the novice group but I have seen people go off in novice. Shit happens out there some of which is out of your control. The only guys who go open faced are the tv guys so they can present while in the car.

[M3 Esq]

Originally Posted by Pparana

If your just tracking, and your not racing, I would go with open. Better visibility, less bulk, and you have airbags. I almost always grab my open face helmet for track days, closed pretty much just for racing. Plus open is cheaper.

You ever take an airbag in the face? No thanks lol

[SteveInfante]

I've taken an airbag to the face before and it sucked. Thanks for the input. Given that I'm going to get into Karts as well I think going with closed face.

[omasou]

http://www.ogracing.com

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by M3 Esq

Id definitely go closed face all the way. If you wreck you're going to want your face protected. No question. Not that you will but you never know. I've seen lots of wrecks at the track. Never in the novice group but I have seen people go off in novice. Shit happens out there some of which is out of your control. The only guys who go open faced are the tv guys so they can present while in the car.

I thought about moving to open face to make in-car communications easier, but my instructors and a good friend (also a BMW instructor) all recommend closed face. Some clubs or tracks won't even allow open face helmets. And as others noted, M2015 will get you in some events, but SA2015 is the current standard and usually only $30-$50 more but universally accepted. On the upside, SA2015 should be good until 2025 - clubs typically allow the standard to be within the last 10 years (e.g. SA2005 is not accepted this year at most events). Unless some wild breakthrough in helmet technology occurs, buying a helmet now will last for 9 years or so.