Helmet for Autocross?

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
07/20/2015 at 10:07 • Filed to: None

Since I want to do more autocross, I will eventually need to get myself a helmet. From what I understand, it needs to be Snell rated and the last two versions are good. So once the 2015 model is out, the 2010 would be good still but not the 2005. What I am looking at getting would be a 2010 approved which would be good until 2020. Correct me if I am wrong please!

So far, I have narrowed down some different options to thinking about this one:

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But I wasn’t sure if that would be good. It says that it is a motorcycle helmet but it is Snell 2010 approved and reviews talk about using it for autocross. Would this be a good choice or should I be looking for something different? This one is also available on Amazon Prime so that would be nice.

DISCUSSION (42)

Nibby > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 10:08

Kinja'd!!!

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 10:12

I have the HJC AR-10II, and it’s great for autox. Pretty affordable and comfortable.

I’d recommend waiting for the 2015 models and spending a little more now, because then you won’t need a new helmet in 5 years.

Justin Hughes > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 10:13

I’ve seen a lot of HJC helmets at autocross. They’re on the affordable end of the price range, especially for the Snell rated ones. In a perfect world, you could try on the helmet before you buy it to make sure it fits properly (not smushing your face, but not loose either) and comfortably. Some say you’re only going to wear it for a couple of minutes at a time, but there’s always the time you’re at the line, ready to start, and then something happens on course that makes you sit there for 10-15 minutes. Or what if someday you decide to step up to track days? You can typically use the same helmet for both, but wearing it for 20-30 minutes on the track is different than for a 90 second autocross run.

You’re right about the Snell ratings and what’s typically accepted - the newest and next newest. So once the 2015s are out, they and 2010 will be accepted, but not 2005. Which means I need to get myself a new helmet once the 2015s are out.

f86sabre > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 10:18

If you plan on doing other racing avoid motorcycle helmets. If you go to the 24 Hours of Lemons site they have affordable racing helmets.

davedave1111 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 10:19

Do you have an equivalent of this kind of thing in the US?

http://www.lidsdirect.co.uk/sale/sale-helm…

It appears to be almost exactly the same helmet, but at a much cheaper price.

Sam > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 10:22

You should be fine with the cheapest 2010 you feel comfortable with. Since you’re in a Miata, there are only two situations I can think of where you’ll actually hit your head on something hard.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 10:22

Go for Snell 2010

Porsche924GTR > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 10:25

If ALL you are doing is autocross, any Snell rated helmet that PROPERLY fits will be fine. Any potential crash would be at speeds well within the limits of stock safety equipment. It’s your first helmet - don’t go crazy. You may not like the hobby.

You don’t need much and I question whether a helmet would help much in an autocross. If you think you will move up to HPDE’s then I would recommend spending a little more and consider a proper harness in the car and a HANS.

What I would recommend is good gloves since you tend to get sweaty hands and that makes it hard to steer.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Porsche924GTR
07/20/2015 at 10:27

This.

I wish I would have spent more the first time, because I will soon need to buy a helmet with HANS attachments. Although it will be nice to have a 2nd helmet for the times that a friend wants to do a ride along, or I might have a co-driver.

Converse > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 10:32

Just stay away from open-face helmets. They’re great til something goes wrong. I know that they meet the proper safety rating, but conventional wisdom says a full face has more stability and will protect you better.

Not all helmets are created equal and that is why they range in price from $200-$20k. Obviously pick one that’s appropriate for your application (an F1 spec helmet is not necessary for autocrossing a Honda Fit) but do look forward and if you are considering using Autocross as a stepping stone to something else (track days, HPDEs, etc.) then go for a good helmet that can have a HANS attached as it’s easier to spend the money now then spend it later after you’ve already purchased a helmet.

Also remember, it’s your head. Important things (should) go on up there. Don’t cheap out.

Porsche924GTR > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/20/2015 at 10:35

Most helmets today have holes to add HANS posts. I bought a Bell Sport SA2010 for my autocross. When I moved to HPDE and a car with harness - I added the HANS posts which it already had holes predrilled for.

I now use a Stilo ST4 - which is TOTALLY awesome...but very $$$.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/20/2015 at 10:36

Well seeing as we are already halfway into 2015, are those coming out soon? I guess I can keep using loaners in the meantime but I don’t want to wait all season for that.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Nibby
07/20/2015 at 10:37

That will pass tech for sure right?

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Justin Hughes
07/20/2015 at 10:39

Yeah, I forsee myself wanting to upgrade in like 5 years anyways. Since I am just starting out and I know I will not be tracking the car (its my only car for the forseeable future) it kinda makes sense to get something I can only use for autocross.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 10:40

They will be out on October 1st.

Needmoargarage > Converse
07/20/2015 at 10:41

I’ve read that full face helmets are actually more dangerous than open-face helmets for vehicles still equipped with stock restraints and airbags. The SCCA actually went so far as to put out an advisory regarding this.

Personally, I use an open-face when driving a car equipped with factory safety features and a full-face for anything else. Just my opinion though...

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Porsche924GTR
07/20/2015 at 10:42

Yup, definitely do not want to go crazy with this stuff lol. I really do not forsee myself doing track days since I would need a roll bar also. At least for a few years until I get another car that I can daily drive. So yeah I really want to find something that fits well. Both Amazon and revzilla have good return policies with free shipping in both directions so that should work to find the right size.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Porsche924GTR
07/20/2015 at 10:42

What kind of gloves do you recommend?

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > f86sabre
07/20/2015 at 10:44

The only other things I could forsee myself doing is rallycross or ice racing. Would snell rated motorcycle helmets be fine there? Or is it only autocross that allows it? I will definitely check out the Lemons website, thanks!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
07/20/2015 at 10:45

Think it would be worth waiting for 2015?

Converse > Needmoargarage
07/20/2015 at 10:48

Interesting. I’ll do more research on this before guiding future students. My background is more in purpose built racecars, where open-face was an option (it may not be now).

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 10:49

Nah

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 10:57

You can go to a motorcycle shop and try some on. Good fit will make you more comfortable and be less distracting.

I have some motorcycle helmets and the road racing helmet from the lemons store. Lemons helmet doesn’t fit as well, but it’s fireproof unlike the motorcycle ones.

'Wägen, EPA LOL > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 11:06

Check out SafeRacer and look for an SA2010 helmet instead of an M2010. Testing is pretty different for the types of crashes you can get in in a car and on a motorcycle. It’s a different story if you already have a motorcycle and a motorcycle helmet, but if you are buying one already, why not buy the right one?

Would you use riding boots instead of driving shoes or motorcycle gloves instead of driving gloves?

http://www.saferacer.com/auto-racing-he…

Edit: Differences between SA, M, and K standards here: http://www.racinghelmetguide.com/auto-helmet-ra…

'Wägen, EPA LOL > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 11:15

There may be a price drop right after the standard goes into effect, but everyone already knows the new standard is coming and that should be reflected in current pricing if the economy is doing it’s thing properly.

Porsche924GTR > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 11:19

Honestly, anything. A proper bike glove would be good - absorbs sweat and has good grip. It’s tight and won’t interfere with your other hand. Even a mechanix glove with strap would be sufficient.

You don’t need Nomex driving gloves!

I would avoid anything with a long cuff as you need quick hands and sometimes your hands will hit each other and you don't want to get caught up in a loose cuff.

Porsche924GTR > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 11:21

I would certainly recommend you actually try the helmets on. Two shops that I buy gear from are http://discoveryparts.com (local to me) and http://saferacer.com you can also take a stab at http://racingjunk.com for used stuff.

Converse > Needmoargarage
07/20/2015 at 11:22

D you think you would be able to find a link to that article? You brought up a lot of good points and I would like to know their reasoning as I occasionally have to ride in street cars on race tracks with a helmet on. Definitely not being antagonistic, I just can’t find the info to which you referred.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Porsche924GTR
07/20/2015 at 11:23

I do have some bicycle gloves that I always use for mountain biking. That should probably work based on your description of what would be useful.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Porsche924GTR
07/20/2015 at 11:24

Hmm, I will definitely try to find something like then! Hadn’t thought of used either so that’s an interesting route.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > 'Wägen, EPA LOL
07/20/2015 at 11:30

Oh nice, there are SA rated helmets in the same price range as the M ones. Might as well get the higher rated one since it would be safer. I like the idea of the open face ones like this one:

http://www.saferacer.com/racequip-pro-m…

Porsche924GTR > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 11:36

Lemons is a race race series and basically sells PyroTech - the walmart brand of helmets. They do meet the minimum safety standards - so I can’t totally bash them - but they are “economy” brand helmets and are generally not as comfortable and heavier than others.

Snell “SA” rated helmets are for Vehicle use and are tested around multiple impacts and fire resistance - which is what you would expect with your lemon bouncing around inside a flaming car hitting the roll bars repeatedly. Motorcycle “M” rated helmets are tested for impacts typical in a Motorcycle crash.

You should not ever use a “M” rated helmet in a car.

Rallycross and Ice Racing - all lower speed (and thus smaller impacts) and a decent helmet would be sufficient across all three hobbies. HPDE’s that reach race speeds of 100mph+ on unforgiving tracks with cement walls and gravel pits - I would (and did) spend a lot more money on safety equipment. (in fact I bought a dedicated track car to make it safer).

Porsche924GTR > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 11:46

Decent Entry level helmets:

Bell Sport SA2010 Full Face Helmet

Closeout Save 25% -G-Force Modified SA2010 Helmet

Closeout Save 25% - G-Force Pro Eliminator SA2010...

Closeout Save 25% - G-Force Pro Vintage SA2010 Helmet

OMP Sport OS 70 Helmet

HJC Motorsports AR10 II SA2010 Auto Racing Helmet

Simpson Voyager SA2010 Racing Helmet

Bell Sport Patriot SA2010 Auto Racing Helmet

G-Force Pro Vintage SA2010 Graphics Helmet

Kanaric > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 12:03

They have to be snell rated? I use a regular POS $60 motorcycle helmet and nobody bats an eye.

'Wägen, EPA LOL > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 12:20

I like full face just because I think it makes me look cooler, hahaha.

Needmoargarage > Converse
07/20/2015 at 12:20

I can’t access the SCCA site at work but found the text:

“It has been brought to the attention of SCCA Technical Services that the use of full-face or closed-face helmets while driving vehicles with active airbag restraint systems may result in injuries in the event of a crash that deploys the airbag. Because of the location of the steering wheel relative to adriver’s position, the airbag axis is on a level with the driver’s chin. In a crash with airbag deployment, contact with the chin area of a full-face helmet can be so powerful “that the risk of fractures to the jaw cannot be ruled out“ (Hubert Gramling, FIA Institute, FT3/AF, 18.5.1999). This appliesto vehicle that may be used in Solo, RallyCross, High Performance Car Control Clinics, etc.”

I’m not sure how current this is (the posting I borrowed it from was dated ‘06)...could be that updated helmets are designed differently. Just heard it a while back and it made sense to me. Seems anytime I’m driving a car still equipped with airbags, conditions are mild (auto-x, easy OTD, etc.) and I just use an open-face for the convenience. However, I can’t imagine anyone would want (or be allowed) to use an open-face once they get more competitive. It sounds like as an instructor, you’d want as much protection as you could get so a closed-face may indeed be the answer :)

Converse > Needmoargarage
07/20/2015 at 12:26

That’s really interesting! Thank you for the follow-up with the info. It does make sense with the airbag in the steering wheel.

As for right seating, I believe those days are numbered. The limit of modern cars is so high now that when a student loses it, you are put in very real danger. I think spot coaching and reviewing film is the best.

Needmoargarage > Converse
07/20/2015 at 12:32

I’d have to agree with you. It’s a bit scary seeing somebody with a high dollar car with no experience on track. Instructors are some of the braver guys out there!

Converse > Needmoargarage
07/20/2015 at 13:12

I can work with no experience if they will listen. It’s the ones who think we are the fun police and refuse to do anything we tell them to do. Despite them never having driven this car or on this track or have any clue as to what an apex is and where to find one. And the fact that streetcars don’t have cages and racetracks are designed to accommodate that type of car.

I’ve been taken off-track at Sonoma (Infineon, Sears, etc.) before the Esses in an M4 in a full-power, understeer situation (basically the TCS fought the full throttle and the the steering was way cranked). When we went off, the driver lifted their hands off the wheel and screamed. Sweet.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Porsche924GTR
07/20/2015 at 13:28

Yup, that makes sense to me. I know I want to have a dedicated track car if I want to start tracking. And then I would want much better safety gear due to the speeds like you said. That makes sense to me. There seems to be lots of options on SafeRacer that I can choose from. I will avoid motorcycle helmets, thanks for the help.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Kanaric
07/20/2015 at 13:32

Probably depends on your region. I figure I also want something that would work rather than just something that looks like it will work. Safety rules aren’t there to be a pain or limit the fun.

Arrivederci > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/20/2015 at 16:46

I use a Racequip openface helmet for both autocross and track days, SA2010, so it’s good for a few more years. Figure if I’m still in the hobby then I’ll get a nicer one.