Discussion
I'm looking for a new helmet as my old bike helmet is, erm, old!
I want it for karting, which at the moment is indoor, fairly non-serious stuff (TeamSport with middle aged mates), but I also want to do some track days this year. My car is a Caterham R400, which is obviously fast and exposed. It's got an FIA bar but no cage.
Being realistic, the slowest component of the car will be me, and again being realistic my aim will be to actually be able to open the thing up properly and enjoy the car, not to chase every split second. I might go two or three times this year.
A mate who used to race says I really want to be looking at HANS compatible helmet (my car has harnesses). I want to keep to the lower end of the price range, but obviously get something that's going to be of use if it all goes wrong in a car like an R400.
Any tips or experiences gratefully received!
Thanks in advance.
I want it for karting, which at the moment is indoor, fairly non-serious stuff (TeamSport with middle aged mates), but I also want to do some track days this year. My car is a Caterham R400, which is obviously fast and exposed. It's got an FIA bar but no cage.
Being realistic, the slowest component of the car will be me, and again being realistic my aim will be to actually be able to open the thing up properly and enjoy the car, not to chase every split second. I might go two or three times this year.
A mate who used to race says I really want to be looking at HANS compatible helmet (my car has harnesses). I want to keep to the lower end of the price range, but obviously get something that's going to be of use if it all goes wrong in a car like an R400.
Any tips or experiences gratefully received!
Thanks in advance.
ETA: I don't think you can get HANS on a karting helmet - I may be wrong however I've had a look and it doesn't seem to be an option so you'd be looking at an FIA approved race helmet.
I currently race in the CGRC series and have the OMP 'entry level' helmet with HANS and bough the correspondingly 'entry level' HANS device.
OMP This was IIRC the cheapest HANS equipped helmet they had for sale.
HANS Device
I managed by complete fluke to go there on discount day because of a Karting show at Silverstone and it was also the end of the design (mine has red and black graphics) so it was a bit cheaper.
You can pay a lot more but I'm not sure you can pay much less.
Might be worth for a few quid getting wrist/arm straps too to prevent any 'Team America' arm scenarios: Straps
I currently race in the CGRC series and have the OMP 'entry level' helmet with HANS and bough the correspondingly 'entry level' HANS device.
OMP This was IIRC the cheapest HANS equipped helmet they had for sale.
HANS Device
I managed by complete fluke to go there on discount day because of a Karting show at Silverstone and it was also the end of the design (mine has red and black graphics) so it was a bit cheaper.
You can pay a lot more but I'm not sure you can pay much less.
Might be worth for a few quid getting wrist/arm straps too to prevent any 'Team America' arm scenarios: Straps
Edited by Crook on Monday 16th January 15:25
Have a serious think about how much your head and arms are worth to you and do the job properly is the only sane advice. You will of course need a full face helmet. Do mit once and do it right.
And yes, I will take my own advice and do the same - I currently use a full face helmet with no HANS posts and no arm restraints, despite doing my track days in a TVR with the roof removed. I have got away with pushing my luck for the last 10 years, but on at least two occasions I have no idea how I didn't roll the car at around 100 mph. I do have a roll over hoop, but it is far from a full cage
And yes, I will take my own advice and do the same - I currently use a full face helmet with no HANS posts and no arm restraints, despite doing my track days in a TVR with the roof removed. I have got away with pushing my luck for the last 10 years, but on at least two occasions I have no idea how I didn't roll the car at around 100 mph. I do have a roll over hoop, but it is far from a full cage
https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/motorsport/racewea...
slightly cheaper from demontweeks than buying separately.
i really should get myself a better helmet. maybe this year i'll invest my my own safety, had my current cheapo helmet for nigh on 10 years, i'm well past the cheap helmet stage now.
slightly cheaper from demontweeks than buying separately.
i really should get myself a better helmet. maybe this year i'll invest my my own safety, had my current cheapo helmet for nigh on 10 years, i'm well past the cheap helmet stage now.
Hard-Drive said:
I'm looking for a new helmet as my old bike helmet is, erm, old!
I want it for karting, which at the moment is indoor, fairly non-serious stuff (TeamSport with middle aged mates), but I also want to do some track days this year. My car is a Caterham R400, which is obviously fast and exposed. It's got an FIA bar but no cage.
Being realistic, the slowest component of the car will be me, and again being realistic my aim will be to actually be able to open the thing up properly and enjoy the car, not to chase every split second. I might go two or three times this year.
A mate who used to race says I really want to be looking at HANS compatible helmet (my car has harnesses). I want to keep to the lower end of the price range, but obviously get something that's going to be of use if it all goes wrong in a car like an R400.
Any tips or experiences gratefully received!
Thanks in advance.
Karting helmets not allowed on track days. There's a recent thread on pistonheads about full or open faced crash helmets which may also help/give ideas. I want it for karting, which at the moment is indoor, fairly non-serious stuff (TeamSport with middle aged mates), but I also want to do some track days this year. My car is a Caterham R400, which is obviously fast and exposed. It's got an FIA bar but no cage.
Being realistic, the slowest component of the car will be me, and again being realistic my aim will be to actually be able to open the thing up properly and enjoy the car, not to chase every split second. I might go two or three times this year.
A mate who used to race says I really want to be looking at HANS compatible helmet (my car has harnesses). I want to keep to the lower end of the price range, but obviously get something that's going to be of use if it all goes wrong in a car like an R400.
Any tips or experiences gratefully received!
Thanks in advance.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
'If it all goes wrong' means a high impact & rolling it, then you're into the world of cages & side netting etc, although there are many other lesser crash scenario types before this. You can only check what your max budget is, & go from there on the level of protection.
If your Caterham has no windscreen, you'll need a full faced helmet.
TrotCanterGallopCharge said:
Karting helmets not allowed on track days. There's a recent thread on pistonheads about full or open faced crash helmets which may also help/give ideas.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
'If it all goes wrong' means a high impact & rolling it, then you're into the world of cages & side netting etc, although there are many other lesser crash scenario types before this. You can only check what your max budget is, & go from there on the level of protection.
If your Caterham has no windscreen, you'll need a full faced helmet.
I did 20-30 track days in a cheap bike helmet and it was never checked other than to make sure that it was done up. I think a kart helmet would be preferable to that...https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
'If it all goes wrong' means a high impact & rolling it, then you're into the world of cages & side netting etc, although there are many other lesser crash scenario types before this. You can only check what your max budget is, & go from there on the level of protection.
If your Caterham has no windscreen, you'll need a full faced helmet.
To the OP I have a Hedtec Gem with a Schroth Hans for racing. Quality of both is good and the Schroth Hans comes with the posts (they are unique to Schroth apparently).
Hedtec sizing is a bit weird but I got there in the end.
ETA: the helmet and Hans combo came in at just under £500
Edited by LennyM1984 on Monday 16th January 19:02
1. Absolutely get a HANS device and suitable helmet use it if your car is already fitted with suitable belts. I would not go on track without one. I would go on track without fireproof suit, gloves, boots. A relatively low speed impact with something solid can cause serious neck issues and the risk of it happening is relatively high compared to the risk of fire for eg.
2. Get a helmet that fits properly and do not be tempted to buy on line. Helmet manufacturers each have a different view on what the “standard” shape of a head is. I once bought a large Bell mail order but it squeezed my forehead and had to be given up. After trying on several, I bought a medium Sparco - turns out I have a Sparco shaped head but not a Bell shaped one. There will probably several kit suppliers at the Race Retro show at Stoneleigh Park in late Feb, where you can try on helmets. Companies like HedTec offer reasonably priced hams helmets and there are other budget options.
2. Get a helmet that fits properly and do not be tempted to buy on line. Helmet manufacturers each have a different view on what the “standard” shape of a head is. I once bought a large Bell mail order but it squeezed my forehead and had to be given up. After trying on several, I bought a medium Sparco - turns out I have a Sparco shaped head but not a Bell shaped one. There will probably several kit suppliers at the Race Retro show at Stoneleigh Park in late Feb, where you can try on helmets. Companies like HedTec offer reasonably priced hams helmets and there are other budget options.
Some useful info, thanks.
Just to be absolutely clear, it's a proper car helmet that I want, with HANS compatability, that I will also use karting. I'm not after a kart helmet. It will also be full face.
In addition, I run my Caterham with an aeroscreen in the summer, and although for shorter, local, lower speed trips I tend to wear ballistic glasses as eye protection, for a longer high speed run, perhaps involving a motorway or dual carriageway to get somewhere, and a full face helmet would seem sensible here too.
I'm think I'm looking at either an OMP GP-R or Bell GT5 but just wanted to know if there are any others. Good point about buying in a shop, makes perfect sense.
Just to be absolutely clear, it's a proper car helmet that I want, with HANS compatability, that I will also use karting. I'm not after a kart helmet. It will also be full face.
In addition, I run my Caterham with an aeroscreen in the summer, and although for shorter, local, lower speed trips I tend to wear ballistic glasses as eye protection, for a longer high speed run, perhaps involving a motorway or dual carriageway to get somewhere, and a full face helmet would seem sensible here too.
I'm think I'm looking at either an OMP GP-R or Bell GT5 but just wanted to know if there are any others. Good point about buying in a shop, makes perfect sense.
I've just gone through the process of choosing and buying a helmet for track days.
With regards to 'fit' it is totally true that the various manufacturers have different views on the shape of a standard head. Anecdotally I read that you've either got a 'Bell' shaped head or an 'Arai' shaped head (add other manufacturers too).
I spent an hour or so at GPR https://www.gprdirect.com/ at Silverstone trying on various helmets, last week.
For me, the Arai's fit really well but the Bells had a a hard pressure point right across my brow. So, it looks like I've an Arai head, not a Bell head, so to speak.
It's also very possible to be between two sizes of helmets, even within the same brand. Whilst I recommend getting a tape measure you'll only really know your size once you start trying a few helmets on.
If you're between sizes, some brands have different size cheek pads / liners available which means you can make further comfort adjustments.
So, if you take all of the above into consideration and if you don't know which brand of helmet typically fits, you might need to order 4 or 5 helmets to be sure if you decide to buy online......Returning all but one of them would be quite a faff, in my opinion.
Whilst I had a great customer experience at Silverstone, there are other helmet shops at Thruxton, Brands and Castle Combe (after March 23).
With regards to 'fit' it is totally true that the various manufacturers have different views on the shape of a standard head. Anecdotally I read that you've either got a 'Bell' shaped head or an 'Arai' shaped head (add other manufacturers too).
I spent an hour or so at GPR https://www.gprdirect.com/ at Silverstone trying on various helmets, last week.
For me, the Arai's fit really well but the Bells had a a hard pressure point right across my brow. So, it looks like I've an Arai head, not a Bell head, so to speak.
It's also very possible to be between two sizes of helmets, even within the same brand. Whilst I recommend getting a tape measure you'll only really know your size once you start trying a few helmets on.
If you're between sizes, some brands have different size cheek pads / liners available which means you can make further comfort adjustments.
So, if you take all of the above into consideration and if you don't know which brand of helmet typically fits, you might need to order 4 or 5 helmets to be sure if you decide to buy online......Returning all but one of them would be quite a faff, in my opinion.
Whilst I had a great customer experience at Silverstone, there are other helmet shops at Thruxton, Brands and Castle Combe (after March 23).
Echo the above. You need to get a helmet that fits and is comfortable, There is always debate about the amount of money to spend. Many say "as much as you can possibly afford". But helmets are made to crash standards, so I don't think more expense specifically equates to more safety. Best to be able to try many on at a shop.
I tried a Zamp (cheap make) which fitted really well. But it created lift and pulled my head up which wasn't very comfortable. I tried a deflector to no avail. So I abandoned it and went back to my trusty Aria which I know fits!
With a HANS you need the belts to be fitted properly and I think I am right in saying that as standard the Caterham belt fittings do not conform to the defined angles, heights and widths apart. I think there is a reasonably simple solution (as there are a lot of caterham race cars!). You should investigate further. Or perhaps someone reading this has actual know how here.
Also if you are going to use the belts without HANS at times, you are supposed to use 3" belts not the HANS specific 2" ones. I guess if you are going helmetless and have the 2" HANS belts you could still wear your HANS.
HTH
Bert
PS I have joined in debates on HANS for track days previously as I am not convinced personally. The chances of basilar skull facture which the HANS was designed to prevent I think are actually extremely low From my experience getting HANS and belts to fit properly in my racing exploits makes me think its more likely that unless you've got that right, you may put yourself more at risk. But that's not the debate here. My strong advice though is make sure it all fits properly and as designed.
I tried a Zamp (cheap make) which fitted really well. But it created lift and pulled my head up which wasn't very comfortable. I tried a deflector to no avail. So I abandoned it and went back to my trusty Aria which I know fits!
With a HANS you need the belts to be fitted properly and I think I am right in saying that as standard the Caterham belt fittings do not conform to the defined angles, heights and widths apart. I think there is a reasonably simple solution (as there are a lot of caterham race cars!). You should investigate further. Or perhaps someone reading this has actual know how here.
Also if you are going to use the belts without HANS at times, you are supposed to use 3" belts not the HANS specific 2" ones. I guess if you are going helmetless and have the 2" HANS belts you could still wear your HANS.
HTH
Bert
PS I have joined in debates on HANS for track days previously as I am not convinced personally. The chances of basilar skull facture which the HANS was designed to prevent I think are actually extremely low From my experience getting HANS and belts to fit properly in my racing exploits makes me think its more likely that unless you've got that right, you may put yourself more at risk. But that's not the debate here. My strong advice though is make sure it all fits properly and as designed.
Also, whilst not helmet related, but Trackday, some breakdown services won't cover Trackdays any more (like the AA, who stopped cover from Sept last year, except possibly for Nationwide account holders, who are using the previous T&C's, & the RAC).
Whilst some may comment, 'just push your car to the outside the track boundary', sometimes that's easier said than done, & if the recovery service think you were at a Trackday, then it's at their discretion. One poster said the AA don't cover pothole damage now. When I had a breakdown a short distance from Silverstone, the AA asked if I'd been on circuit.
Whilst some may comment, 'just push your car to the outside the track boundary', sometimes that's easier said than done, & if the recovery service think you were at a Trackday, then it's at their discretion. One poster said the AA don't cover pothole damage now. When I had a breakdown a short distance from Silverstone, the AA asked if I'd been on circuit.
BertBert said:
PS I have joined in debates on HANS for track days previously as I am not convinced personally. The chances of basilar skull facture which the HANS was designed to prevent I think are actually extremely low From my experience getting HANS and belts to fit properly in my racing exploits makes me think its more likely that unless you've got that right, you may put yourself more at risk. But that's not the debate here. My strong advice though is make sure it all fits properly and as designed.
All I will,say on this is that Mrs97 was, until very recently, a fatal accident investigator with the HSE. One of the accidents she investigated was the sad death of a child in a ministox accident from basal skull fracture. No Hans being worn. The cars are restricted to 40 mph max speed so not a high speed accident but he still died. In any event, a hans will help limit the extent of whiplash.
It is, of course, personal choice on a track day, as long as you have a car equipped for the use of Hans, but I think you are only slightly less likely to have an impact with something solid on a track day than you are in a race. Why take the risk if your car already is fitted for?
andy97 said:
BertBert said:
PS I have joined in debates on HANS for track days previously as I am not convinced personally. The chances of basilar skull facture which the HANS was designed to prevent I think are actually extremely low From my experience getting HANS and belts to fit properly in my racing exploits makes me think its more likely that unless you've got that right, you may put yourself more at risk. But that's not the debate here. My strong advice though is make sure it all fits properly and as designed.
All I will,say on this is that Mrs97 was, until very recently, a fatal accident investigator with the HSE. One of the accidents she investigated was the sad death of a child in a ministox accident from basal skull fracture. No Hans being worn. The cars are restricted to 40 mph max speed so not a high speed accident but he still died. In any event, a hans will help limit the extent of whiplash.
It is, of course, personal choice on a track day, as long as you have a car equipped for the use of Hans, but I think you are only slightly less likely to have an impact with something solid on a track day than you are in a race. Why take the risk if your car already is fitted for?
geeks said:
andy97 said:
BertBert said:
PS I have joined in debates on HANS for track days previously as I am not convinced personally. The chances of basilar skull facture which the HANS was designed to prevent I think are actually extremely low From my experience getting HANS and belts to fit properly in my racing exploits makes me think its more likely that unless you've got that right, you may put yourself more at risk. But that's not the debate here. My strong advice though is make sure it all fits properly and as designed.
All I will,say on this is that Mrs97 was, until very recently, a fatal accident investigator with the HSE. One of the accidents she investigated was the sad death of a child in a ministox accident from basal skull fracture. No Hans being worn. The cars are restricted to 40 mph max speed so not a high speed accident but he still died. In any event, a hans will help limit the extent of whiplash.
It is, of course, personal choice on a track day, as long as you have a car equipped for the use of Hans, but I think you are only slightly less likely to have an impact with something solid on a track day than you are in a race. Why take the risk if your car already is fitted for?
The issue is that slipping 1.5Kg of helmet on your head turns your neck into a spinal injury waiting to happen, even in a relatively slow impact. It's made worse if your body is immobilised by high harnesses, but the danger is still there with regular seatbelts.
If you wear a helmet in a car you should wear a HANS IMHO. (Note if you have seatbelts then the Simpson hybrid device can still be used, it doesn't require you to have harnesses.)
https://youtu.be/g40YatgE_CE
Many thanks for all the great info on here, I learned a lot!
I went down to GP Racewear to try some helmets on, but unfortunately couldn't buy there and then as they had a power cut! So I did it by mail order from them, it was certainly reassuring for an expert to wiggle the helmet and poke fingers in gaps etc (oooo, matron!) and know that what I was trying on fits properly.
Although I'd toyed with the Zamp, not being able to try it on was a worry (fewer UK stockists) and by the time you add £50 for HANS posts it's not as cheap as it was, and I'd heard a few stories of lid lift with Zamp. So I ended up with the OMP GP-R, which looks great and feels great too. I did try the Bell GT5, and although the padding was slightly more comfy than the OMP, I felt that the eye aperture was smaller, and with the visor right up, the bottom "line" of the visor was absolutely dead level with my eye line, which was annoying. Now to order some PH and Caterham graphics and make it my own!
I've also got hold of a Stand 21 HANS after talking to a 750MC chum of mine and trying his in my car.
So I'm now officially all the gear and no idea, 385bhp/ton under my right foot and a first proper track day to book. So what could possibly go wrong?
I went down to GP Racewear to try some helmets on, but unfortunately couldn't buy there and then as they had a power cut! So I did it by mail order from them, it was certainly reassuring for an expert to wiggle the helmet and poke fingers in gaps etc (oooo, matron!) and know that what I was trying on fits properly.
Although I'd toyed with the Zamp, not being able to try it on was a worry (fewer UK stockists) and by the time you add £50 for HANS posts it's not as cheap as it was, and I'd heard a few stories of lid lift with Zamp. So I ended up with the OMP GP-R, which looks great and feels great too. I did try the Bell GT5, and although the padding was slightly more comfy than the OMP, I felt that the eye aperture was smaller, and with the visor right up, the bottom "line" of the visor was absolutely dead level with my eye line, which was annoying. Now to order some PH and Caterham graphics and make it my own!
I've also got hold of a Stand 21 HANS after talking to a 750MC chum of mine and trying his in my car.
So I'm now officially all the gear and no idea, 385bhp/ton under my right foot and a first proper track day to book. So what could possibly go wrong?
LennyM1984 said:
Hard-Drive said:
Now to order some PH and Caterham graphics and make it my own!
Congrats on the purchases. Just a word of warning that it is sometimes frowned upon to put stickers on helmets as they can cover cracks etc.TrotCanterGallopCharge said:
Karting helmets not allowed on track days. There's a recent thread on pistonheads about full or open faced crash helmets which may also help/give ideas.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
'If it all goes wrong' means a high impact & rolling it, then you're into the world of cages & side netting etc, although there are many other lesser crash scenario types before this. You can only check what your max budget is, & go from there on the level of protection.
If your Caterham has no windscreen, you'll need a full faced helmet.
There is, but it is full of ill-informed nonsense and foolish prejudice.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
'If it all goes wrong' means a high impact & rolling it, then you're into the world of cages & side netting etc, although there are many other lesser crash scenario types before this. You can only check what your max budget is, & go from there on the level of protection.
If your Caterham has no windscreen, you'll need a full faced helmet.
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff