The official safety gear thread!
 

Since I just realized my helmet is 10 years old, and since I'm going to need an SA2005 or newer for this years Lemons race... it looks like I need to finally upgrade my helmet.

Has anyone done recent research on the current crop of helmets?

My old helmet is a Biefe SA2000 full face job. It was a damn nice helmet for being an entry-level product, and only about $200. A few years back I was looking at a Bell (since Biefe went out of business) but decided to wait for the SA2010's instead of getting an SA2005 and having to replace it sooner.

Anyone running one of the new Bell helmet?

On that note, what is acceptable for SCCA Autocross these days. Is SA2005 still good enough?

Yes.

Unfortunately the next "Equipment" issue of Sportscar does not come out until April or May as I recall. Their helmet matrix was pretty useful last time I looked. Last year's might be a place to start though.

When I look for my next helmet, I'll be looking for a couple key features.

1. Light weight
2. Built in HANS attachment points
3. Removable liner if possible

Balance those with Cost.

Just found a useful chart...
http://www.racinghelmetguide.com/fil...chart_2011.xls

Isn't SA2000 still okay? I though autocross allowed 2 previous standards back, plus motorcycle helmets. Aren't the SA95 helmets just now becoming illegal this season?

Correct. For Solo, M2000, SA2000 or newer.

That chart I linked to is not quite up to date. Most are now 2010 versions See details and such here:

http://www.racinghelmetguide.com/

I was in the market for a new "Sedan" helmet (Basically with face protection but no visor) like the ones Vic, Carrie and Debbie wear, but I found out that Pyrotec discontinued them, so not sure what to do now.

Just buy a full face and pop the visor/shield off. I have worn Full face helmets with the shield off for years. In most cases it is a couple screws after popping off the plastic hinge covers.

Bump. Here's what I ordered (also posted over at RenoSCCA):

http://pitstopusa.com/images/M17918227.jpg

Carbon/Kevlar/Fiberglass (only 3.3 lbs!)
Removeable/washable/adjustable liner
Large eyeport
HANS pre-drilled
SA2010
only $300

I was planning on getting a Bell M4, but there's no SA2010 rated M4 Pro yet, and the regular M4 is like 3.8 lbs, doesn't have a washable liner, and costs more. Something tells me this Pyrotect helmet is going to be turning up on weekend racers all over the place... it really seems like a ton of features for the price. Here's to hoping it fits... I've never purchased a helmet w/o test fitting before... :eek:

Wow that's a smoking deal. So does it have a SAH2010 Rating ? (H is for the hans) Anyone know if there are any helmets with premade Hans posts for the Hutchins Rage style hans devices ?

I just paid $232 to get my GF an open face Bell (no hans pre installed) I want to get a new helmet for some more roll bar clearance. i have a pryotect and its aweful for clearance. my Gforce was better (by almost an inch) My helmet was $149 ... hehehe (couldn't find a cheaper one) now that i've crashed a few times ... i might not mind getting a "better" one :)

BTW here's a helmet with out a visor : http://www.saferacer.com/g-force-mod...productid=1883

anyone have a Zamp i could try on ? or know of a store that stocks those that i could visit ? (ie not an online store) :)

Now I'm having to shop for a new helmet due to mine being too old to use this season and remember reading this thread a while back.
I am looking at the pyrotect as well but was leaning toward the open face.
Is there any specific reason to buy a full face over an open face? I will be using it mainly for auto x but want a helmet that will work for track days as well.

Full face is safer, not just for impacts, but also for fire safety. A full face helmet is required for anything above PDX and Solo, and recommended for anything at the track.

That makes sense.
How do you like yours?

I'm pretty happy so far, once I sold the medium I bought and switched to a large. I wish I weren't right in between sizes, because I prefer a little tighter fit, but the medium was just too small for me. The larger helmet is pretty comfy though, and it's certainly easier to deal with radio gear wiring inside when it's looser.

The helmet breaths better than my old one, but my old one didn't have any ventilation so I can't really compare it to the competition. Moving the HANS pickup points from my old helmet took all of about 90 seconds with the pre-drilled holes. Visibility is great, especially with the tinted visor I added... now I can wear my regular glasses instead of my perscription sunglasses and just open the visor if gets cloudy... nice for when the rain rolls in at RFR. :lol:

All in all, it's a fantastic helmet for the price. And even though it's a little bit on the large side, it's still very light. I don't really notice the large size at all.

hmm.. I need a new helmet (got a few years left) Jeana's helmet isn't a perfect fit , close , but for some reason her under chin strap, needs to go directly on her chin for the best helmet fitment ... ?!? weird

so I'll probably buy her a new , new one before i replace mine...

what store has the biggest selection, in store, to try them on and what not? (i'm sure i'll need an out of town visit) anything near SF, Sac, might even end up in Vegas around nov ...

I was thinking of hitting a motorcycle shop or two in town and summit racing. I know neither will have the brand I am looking for but at least if I try on 3 different brands and I end up being the same size, that is the size I will order.
Maybe someone else can chime in on a location that ACTUALLY carries race helmets... I know summit carries Gforce along with some cheap chinese brand, don't know what they have in stock though.

I believe the SCCA loaner helmets are GForce SA2005s. So you know which size fits you in that brand at least.

After more research, some of the HANS are listed FIA approved and are more money. Is it necessary to spend the extra to get that one? I guess I am looking for an instance when that would be necessary and then I can figure out if I will ever be there. I would hate to get to an event to find out that was required and I didn't have it after just killing 3 bills on a new helmet.