rotarenvy

I went in to get a helmet for some track days and the guy thought I would be ok with a openface one for most if not all CAMS licensed events but said closed faced helmets are manditory in some classes.

so for the average skidpan, track day and autocross course will I be fine with a openface?

I'm interested in racing a clock not people at the same time. do track days let multiple people on the track at once, spaced out and is overtaking alowed?

any common events I need a closed face one for?

rx8 - smooth!

I have taken my car to the sprints at Qld Raceway twice. The first time I was there they lent me an open face helmet. Based on this I have now bought an open face helmet. I would be surprised if you needed a full face helmet for any of the events that they do at Qld Raceway - short of full on racing which I wouldn't do in an RX8.
I am 6ft and headroom with the helmet on is a problem. I have to recline the seat further than normal to fit.

rotarenvy

yep I think I will go with a open face one due to weight reasons. I'm over 6' and new that clearance would be a problem; another reason to get a light helmet if your head is cocked to one side for long periods.

MadMAX

Silly question guys... is any particular type of helmet required for track days or sprints? Or is a normal road going motorcycle helmet good enough?

rx8 - smooth!

A motorcycle helmet is fine. I bought mine from City Yamaha on Logan Road, Buranda

rotarenvy

I was told they are the same thing motorcycle and car. they just need the australian std's sticker. but I was also told some race bodies need a better std like under 11's drag cars.

Hymee

iTrader: (1)

I just got an $80 open face from Morgan and Wackers at Newstead.

I also have the same height problem as Smoothy. Wouldn't want a sunroof as well in there!

Cheers,
Hymee.

thew

yes, yes , yes,, i was woundering how to deal with that i am 6'2

and almost bump me head without a helmet.. !!

rotarenvy

maybe the sunroof lump and the door ridge would wedge your head in the right place

pricer01

The key issue is that whatever you buy, it should comply with the Australia standard (sticker AS1469 I think from memory, I'm too lazy to go out the the garage to check).

Second should come context - If you are racing an open car, a full face and visor are not negotiable. In a tin-top, full face is not all that necessary however airbags add another consideration. If I was to go quick in a car with an air bag, I'd probably think a full face would add safety.

Finally, consider fit and comfort, not all heads and certainly not all helmets are the same shape. Nothing is more uncomfortable, nor more prone to creating a headache, than a poor fitting helmet. A full face can give wearers a sense of claustrophobia too.

In summary, there is no 'perfect helmet' but rather a helmet that suits the conditions and the user.

For me, I've competed in motorsport for around 12 years at all sorts of levels and find a full face my personal favourite.

In closing, a favourite saying from my rally days .. a $5 helmet for a $5 head ... spend what you can afford to get good fit and safety... 2nd chances are VERY expensive

Ciao

Rob

AMG

Pricer, you are correct to a degree. With an open cockpit you can wear an open face helmet however you need approved goggles to go with it. Best though to stick to a full face helmet. With a closed cockpit car, either helmet will do.

Next you need to consider the ever changing regulations for helmets. Cams regulations are always changing for the safety of motorsport, and helmet regulations are definitely not exempt. If I were to be buying a helmet today, I would get a full face helmet, with a fire retardant lining and an anchor for a HANS device, otherwise you might find that in a few years your helmet may not be approved and you'll have the straps cut. Unfortunately such a helmet will probably set you back about $800. But hey it's only your head your protecting.

Also look for a helmet with as much ventilation as possible for comfort.

takahashi

Why not an open face helmet with a shield - you can even go rallying with that and cost less than 100 bucks!

AMG

taka is your head only worth $100?

takahashi

Oh it was discounted ... RRP is $130. I am cheap AMG! :D

for me if it passed Australian standard it is good for me.

Same as bicycle helmets. The top end one cost $200-$300 but it has not protect as well as the $60 one
Believe me

rx8 - smooth!

I paid about $160 for mine it passed the Australian standard plus it was also compliant with some other overseas standard which was apparently an indication of better quality.
I have basically no idea in this area but is a full face helmet and an air bag equiped vehicle a good combination?

AMG

Australian standards are a minimum, not for my head thank you

rotarenvy

as long as you don't sit so close the airbag hits the helmet when deploying I can't see to much of a problem. the full face will stop you getting burns from the bag aswell.

takahashi

I don't have a problem of open face. If you are that much concern AMG you should have a harness and car body cage. This will make sure your head does not hit anything.

I dare you write to the World Rally Championship and ask for compulsory of close face helmet.

I am happy with mine.

takahashi

Ah... only rules apply to close face helmet is in a open wheeler. Which makes sense.

AMG

Taka, my race car had a full harness and full roll cage, after impacting a concrete wall at 180km/h the driver still managed to hit his helmeted head on the steering wheel lacerating his chin.

If it wren't for the safety devices his injuries would have been more severe and probably fatal.

takahashi

A bad experience I understand your concern now!

AMG

bad experience?????

check this out!

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=15084

RRS

I have to concur with the $5 head, $5 helmet thing..

I wear a 700 buck Arai full face + a nomex 'clava when rallying, and I don't even know I've got it on 30 seconds into a stage, and my g/f has just bought an 800 buck Arai GP Jet 2 , Snell Approved Open face for navigating-- nothing else fits her head adquately well, and being able to throw up without filling your helmet is an advantage when Nav'ing.. seriously.

To get a helmet that is Snell 2000 and HANS capable will end up costing you at least 1500 bucks.. those standards will never filter down to club level motorsport due to cost, but at national level circuit they will become compulsory..

As for the full face vs Open face CAMS reg.. the boys are right.. it's crap... as long as it's AS1698, BS 6658-85 type A and A/FR, Snell SA90,M90,SA95,SA2000, SFI 31.1,31.2,31.1A,31.2A (other nations standards are also mentioned). Oh and don't let anyone tell you an AS helmet has to have a manufactured date, or an expiry date either.. cos they don't expire.

I'd much rather be wearing a SA2000 spec helmet than any of the others, no question.

Oh and you should replace your helmet every 5 years the resins degrade over time, meaning a weaker helmet..

Expensive sure, but serious head injuries are more than a little inconvenient.

Rowds

AMG

SA2000 is the way to go. Anothe reason for replacement is the frequent knocking of the helmet onto the roll cage weakens it over time. SA2000 allows multiple impacts, motorcycle helmets are not tested for multiple impacts.

Funnily enough harnesses also have a 4 or 5 year life, but lap sash seat belts are used forever.

Another ting about helmets, people get a cheap helmet because they have to wear one, people who want to wear one will pay a bit more.

RRS

AMG... FIA Spec harness's have a 5 year expiry( I use Luke 6 pt FIA spec) -- just threw a 5 year old set to a mate for his paddock basher nix cos they'd expired - only been used 15 times...

AS harness's have unlimited life, like lap sash belts , and are cheaper than FIA spec. SFI harness's are in the middle cost wise, and need to be rewebbed every two years- which costs more than a new set of SFI harness's-- rort!!

Oh I love motorsport.. :p

Now if I could unbend this damn engine mount on the rally car, and get it all to bolt back together this weekend I might actually get to use all this stuff!!..GRRR !

Rowds