Which helmet do I need?
Discussion
Open face helmets are permitted but unless you're in a hard top car additional eye protection is obligatory.
The required standards for trackday helmets are not very stringent so the entry level is very low, but at the same time you will see people using £2k helmets and all price points in between.
It'd be useful to know your approximate budget and also what kind of car you will be using (or is it a bike..?)
The required standards for trackday helmets are not very stringent so the entry level is very low, but at the same time you will see people using £2k helmets and all price points in between.
It'd be useful to know your approximate budget and also what kind of car you will be using (or is it a bike..?)
My personal opinion - a cheaper helmet (from a decent manufacturer and which meets the modern standards) will protect you just as much as a more expensive one.
You're normally paying for lighter weight and things like that with the more expensive ones.
Also, people have different shape heads. A cheaper helmet that fits nicely is obviously preferable to an expensive one which doesn't.
I'd recommend getting a full face one, and then you won't be restricted to what cars you can go out in on a track day. I've got a full face one, but it's normally fitted with a 'touring car peak' instead of the visor.
You're normally paying for lighter weight and things like that with the more expensive ones.
Also, people have different shape heads. A cheaper helmet that fits nicely is obviously preferable to an expensive one which doesn't.
I'd recommend getting a full face one, and then you won't be restricted to what cars you can go out in on a track day. I've got a full face one, but it's normally fitted with a 'touring car peak' instead of the visor.
Open face helmets are not permitted (additional eyewear or not) in open top/convertible/roadster type cars at many trackdays, certainly everyone I've been to.
You might not be planning on driving an open top car... but it would also preclude you from getting any passenger rides from the friendly bloke next door who offers to take you out in their Caterham etc...
You might not be planning on driving an open top car... but it would also preclude you from getting any passenger rides from the friendly bloke next door who offers to take you out in their Caterham etc...
IceBoy said:
OP here,
So I will be using the 911 Carrera coupe or the S4 avant.
I've not thought about budget but had £200-300 in my head as a guide.
Is there a safety rating or certification I should look out for?
IceBoy
I've got one of these: http://www.v2sport.com/v2-super-vent.htmlSo I will be using the 911 Carrera coupe or the S4 avant.
I've not thought about budget but had £200-300 in my head as a guide.
Is there a safety rating or certification I should look out for?
IceBoy
They are within your budget, and comply with the latest Snell certifications. If you buy one with HANS posts (or just fixing holes) it's future proofed should you ever end up in a car with full harnesses and want to be extra safe.
Might be worth looking at the modular helmets.
You can get this type of lid that is certified for both open and closed use, it is thermoplastic though and looks like it isn't as good in side impact, which is probably more likely in a car.
https://billyscrashhelmets.co.uk/review-of-the-ls2...
You can get this type of lid that is certified for both open and closed use, it is thermoplastic though and looks like it isn't as good in side impact, which is probably more likely in a car.
https://billyscrashhelmets.co.uk/review-of-the-ls2...
Edited by Toltec on Thursday 30th September 14:58
You need to find out what shape yyour head is. Go to a motorbike or motorsport shop and try a few different brands on. You may have a shoei shaoe, an agv, a bell shape head etc
You wont find the ideal helmet online until you know your head shape.
Buy for fit and comfort rather than style.
You wont find the ideal helmet online until you know your head shape.
Buy for fit and comfort rather than style.
The minimum requirement is normally a British Standard or kitemark which means you could just turn up with a cheap motorcycle helmet and get in.
However I would recommend buying a helmet which has been designed specifically for use in cars.
You can buy OMP or Sparco trackday helmets designed for this purpose for around £80, however these are not tested for fire protection.
So I'd recommend a Snell or FIA approved helmet which is or was approved for motorsport use.
A good way to get a very good quality helmet for trackdays would be to buy a new helmet which is approved to one of the older standards which will be withdrawn for motorsport use soon. While you can get a helmet approved to the current standard within your budget from V2 or Hedtek, I personally have found the quality of the fixtures and fittings of these helmets to be poor- not in a way which would compromise safety, but in a way which may compromise comfort and durability.
The current standards are the FIA and Snell 2015 standards so I would be hunting for a new helmet from stock which is approved to an earlier standard like the 2010 ones. You can probably find a helmet which would've been a £500+ helmet several years ago within your budget and it'll be nicer than the current budget ones.
However I would recommend buying a helmet which has been designed specifically for use in cars.
You can buy OMP or Sparco trackday helmets designed for this purpose for around £80, however these are not tested for fire protection.
So I'd recommend a Snell or FIA approved helmet which is or was approved for motorsport use.
A good way to get a very good quality helmet for trackdays would be to buy a new helmet which is approved to one of the older standards which will be withdrawn for motorsport use soon. While you can get a helmet approved to the current standard within your budget from V2 or Hedtek, I personally have found the quality of the fixtures and fittings of these helmets to be poor- not in a way which would compromise safety, but in a way which may compromise comfort and durability.
The current standards are the FIA and Snell 2015 standards so I would be hunting for a new helmet from stock which is approved to an earlier standard like the 2010 ones. You can probably find a helmet which would've been a £500+ helmet several years ago within your budget and it'll be nicer than the current budget ones.
I bought an open face one from the Nurburgring shop and despite the naysayers is my preferred option. It's especially a lot nicer on hot days. Your head gets hot enough as it is with the stress, hot brakes and engine. God forbid if you have to wear glasses too.
The only time I might have regretted it would have been if Chris Harris had asked me to jump into the thing he was testing and reviewing at the Nordschleife on a DN day.
As it was he never asked me
Pip
The only time I might have regretted it would have been if Chris Harris had asked me to jump into the thing he was testing and reviewing at the Nordschleife on a DN day.
As it was he never asked me
Pip
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