Which Helmet??
Discussion
Am looking to do my first track day soon (TVRCC Castle Combe) and note that no helmets are available for hire. I will need to buy 2 BS66588-85 Type A or A/FR, or Snell SA90/SA2000. The only ones I have seen advertised have been v expensive. Any ideas where to purhcase a reasonably priced helmet suitable for a track day novice?? Thanks!
I'm in a similar position (but coming back to trackdays) as my old skid lid had finally fallen apart.
It seems that car lids are very expensive compared to MBike hats. I haven't looked properly yet (to see if they are type a or if the visor can be removed easily etc) but at first glance it looks like an OK MB lid is gbp 90 whereas a car lid is gbp 150 plus.
I know you can spend loads more, but bearing in mind I should be surrounded by a car as 1st line of protection, I think much more is unnecessary (IMO!)
I think I'll have a good look round the MB shops first.
It seems that car lids are very expensive compared to MBike hats. I haven't looked properly yet (to see if they are type a or if the visor can be removed easily etc) but at first glance it looks like an OK MB lid is gbp 90 whereas a car lid is gbp 150 plus.
I know you can spend loads more, but bearing in mind I should be surrounded by a car as 1st line of protection, I think much more is unnecessary (IMO!)
I think I'll have a good look round the MB shops first.
www.easytrack.co.uk they have just setup a shop, a very good one too!
They have an omp helmet that would fit the bill for £85, apparently there are going to be loads more products,i.e. helmets, clothing
They have an omp helmet that would fit the bill for £85, apparently there are going to be loads more products,i.e. helmets, clothing
one of the key differences is that a MB lid is not fireproof. For trackdays, you can probably get away with a new cheap MB lid. Make sure it fits correctly and remove the visor - it'll only get in the way. You may find communicating with a passenger harder with a full face helmet though. Bell do a good range of open face lids which seem popular for trackdays....
fergus said:
one of the key differences is that a MB lid is not fireproof...
Now that you mention it, I remember being told that a few years back. I couldn't understand the price difference then either. IMO the labour costs must be the same whilst the material costs can't be enough to justify this kind of difference. Or maybe it does.
I know Im going to get flamed for this, but I think open faced helmets are dangerous.
If you have a crash glass can go into your face, plus people have been killed through these, that would have otherwise walked away if using a fullface version.
Go and buy something simple from a bike shop if thats all you need, check it isnt too big! It has to be reasonably tight, but not so it hurts. If you can move your head from side to side, more than a little, whilst holding the helmet its too big.
I know rally drivers use them, but they are not cheap versions, and they are mad by the very nature of their job!
If you have a crash glass can go into your face, plus people have been killed through these, that would have otherwise walked away if using a fullface version.
Go and buy something simple from a bike shop if thats all you need, check it isnt too big! It has to be reasonably tight, but not so it hurts. If you can move your head from side to side, more than a little, whilst holding the helmet its too big.
I know rally drivers use them, but they are not cheap versions, and they are mad by the very nature of their job!
Mikey G said:...Yet!
Trackdays dont come under MSA regulations...
atom290 said:and some trackday organisers are begining to reject open face helmets used in open cars.
I know Im going to get flamed for this, but I think open faced helmets are dangerous.
If you have a crash glass can go into your face, plus people have been killed through these, that would have otherwise walked away if using a fullface version.
The thing that annoys me about a lot of organisers is that they INSIST you fill in some form of waiver/disclaimer to fullfill their liability obligations, then don't bother to check (& sticker) up any protective gear (as per scrutineering). If the RACMSA get involved, they will surely have to start doing this? If you had an accident with an old lid (full face) that was way beyond its servicable life would there be any liability issue anywhere I wonder?
If they are bothered about open face lids & broken glass, etc, they only then seem insitant upon clothing with long sleeves (some don't even other with this). Not one seems to insist on gloves?
I think a lot of the organisers are not really THINKING about safety that astutely, but are more reliant upon the common sense of an individual (which in some cases is somewhat lacking)...!
If they are bothered about open face lids & broken glass, etc, they only then seem insitant upon clothing with long sleeves (some don't even other with this). Not one seems to insist on gloves?
I think a lot of the organisers are not really THINKING about safety that astutely, but are more reliant upon the common sense of an individual (which in some cases is somewhat lacking)...!
Octagon (owners of Brands, Cadwell, etc. before selling to Jonathan Palmer) insisted on BS6658 type A helemets. Snell SA2000 exceed this standard and were allowed also. Bike helmets are VAT free but Motorsport helmets are not. Bike helmets are also designed with different aerodynamics as the riders head is in a different position to a car drivers (important in an open car especially with aeroscreens).
Good places to get Motorsport helmets are Grand Prix Racewear (Silverstone and Chiswick) or Demon Tweaks in Wrexham. You need to try helmets on and once you find one that fits then leave it on for 20 minutes to make sure it is still comfortable. Prices range from £100 to whatever you can afford. I paid about £250 for a Bell helmet that fitted me well - the cheaper ones didn't unfortunately. I would say get a full face helmet - especially since you haven't got an airbag.
Good places to get Motorsport helmets are Grand Prix Racewear (Silverstone and Chiswick) or Demon Tweaks in Wrexham. You need to try helmets on and once you find one that fits then leave it on for 20 minutes to make sure it is still comfortable. Prices range from £100 to whatever you can afford. I paid about £250 for a Bell helmet that fitted me well - the cheaper ones didn't unfortunately. I would say get a full face helmet - especially since you haven't got an airbag.
If the organisers show any attention to any part of your car, and deme it fit, then they are by the very nature of their actions assuming liability.
If the part fails and they said it was ok, they are at fault, and then get stiffed for big £'s
So they ask you to sign the waiver and let you go out. If the law wasnt so money hungry, they could offer advice.
I used to explain tyre pressures on the bike. I was warned against it in case of an injury.
If the part fails and they said it was ok, they are at fault, and then get stiffed for big £'s
So they ask you to sign the waiver and let you go out. If the law wasnt so money hungry, they could offer advice.
I used to explain tyre pressures on the bike. I was warned against it in case of an injury.
Jon,
Hi. My point was more about scrutineering the safety eqpt (i.e. lid) rather than the vehicle, which is a whole different kettle of liability fish....
I've only seen one trackday organiser (cars or bikes) check lids for suitability.
I agree with the caveat emptor approach regarding the vehicles (up to a point - i.e. a craply prep'd vehicle could hit someone else and cause injury....). However it seems slightly one sided to me in terms of how (some) organisers seem black flag happy and like to play 'race director' (sic) whilst not making rudimentary checks, which would only add about 5 secs per person at registration time. Some of the helmets you see in breifings (esp for car based days) are about as much use as a tesco's carrier!!
Hi. My point was more about scrutineering the safety eqpt (i.e. lid) rather than the vehicle, which is a whole different kettle of liability fish....
I've only seen one trackday organiser (cars or bikes) check lids for suitability.
I agree with the caveat emptor approach regarding the vehicles (up to a point - i.e. a craply prep'd vehicle could hit someone else and cause injury....). However it seems slightly one sided to me in terms of how (some) organisers seem black flag happy and like to play 'race director' (sic) whilst not making rudimentary checks, which would only add about 5 secs per person at registration time. Some of the helmets you see in breifings (esp for car based days) are about as much use as a tesco's carrier!!
One difference between bike and car helmets is that they are tested for different types of impact, i.e., car helmets are tested to protect from impacts onto roll bars.
Generally, the more expensive helmets are lighter, which can reduce neck injuries in the event of an accident, and are more comfortable for extended use.
My advice is go for the most expensive/best one you can afford (after all, how much is your head/life worth?), and try several examples on, as the different makes will have different fits.
Some more useful info can be found here
Generally, the more expensive helmets are lighter, which can reduce neck injuries in the event of an accident, and are more comfortable for extended use.
My advice is go for the most expensive/best one you can afford (after all, how much is your head/life worth?), and try several examples on, as the different makes will have different fits.
Some more useful info can be found here
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