Race Helmets?

[Norm Peterson]

Hard to believe NHRA allows M helmets, what with walls to bounce off of at over 100 mph and the possibility of fuel system modifications of uncertain reliability.


Norm

[LS3 Handler]

Thanks for all the advise guys im gunna check out ya'lls references. Im just lookin for an all around helmet so i can run at a strip without having to rent and so hopefully i can run the autocross at CamaroFest this year and maybe VIR one day.

[linehand7]

excuse me, but what is everyone's hang up against "m" helmets? if a motorcycle rider can go +150mph in a 1/4 mile and be safe than how can you be seat-belted in a camaro with 6 airbags and have a problem with an "M" helmet? Yes, dennis kirk has the best prices on helmets, but brand and price range is YOUR choice. I have drag raced both motorcycles and cars and in my opinion if itssafe enough for a motorcycle- its safe enough for a car. Don't you think NHRA hasn't done there homework on helmets? ( at the track right now and have seen motorcycles running in the 8's and 9's all day at over 150mph. )

[linehand7]

I'll take my $600 Shoei over your $189 open face summit racing helmet any day!

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by linehand7

excuse me, but what is everyone's hang up against "m" helmets? if a motorcycle rider can go +150mph in a 1/4 mile and be safe than how can you be seat-belted in a camaro with 6 airbags and have a problem with an "M" helmet? Yes, dennis kirk has the best prices on helmets, but brand and price range is YOUR choice. I have drag raced both motorcycles and cars and in my opinion if its safe enough for a motorcycle- its safe enough for a car.

Wrong, absolutely wrong. There are significant differences in the design criteria between M and SA.

Basically, an M helmet is designed to withstand exactly one big impact, and the rider is assumed to have been tossed clear of any immediate fire danger.


SA helmets assume that your head will be like the ball in a pinball machine, bouncing around various cage bars and other hard surfaces, regardless of the restraint system (trust me, the human body will stretch unbelievable amounts in a crash . . . I've been there). IOW, there can easily be more than one impact, and the first one might not be the worst one.

There are also fire resistance requirements for SA - unlike being on (and suddenly off of) a bike, you're intentionally constrained to be kept inside the car. I assume that you have some notion as to how fast a gasoline-fed fire can brew up and intrude into the passenger compartment (but if not, try picturing yourself inside any of the cars catching fire in the advertisements for any big drag race event). Excitement for you as the driver is just a wee bit different than for the fans in the stands as entertainment.

With no fire resistance requirements, M helmets will burn very nicely. I can probably find pictures in a helmet safety article in 'Circle Track' magazine of them doing just that (within mere seconds of exposure to flame). Don't forget what's going to (still) be inside it.

Don't you think NHRA hasn't done there homework on helmets?

That's what I'd like to think. But if they really are allowing M helmets to be worn in cars at their events - or even just "winking at" drivers who do - I am severely disappointed in them as a sanctioning body.


Norm

[Southern Comfort]

As for cost...
If you have a $10 head then get a $10 helmet.

[Kronix]

Originally Posted by linehand7

excuse me, but what is everyone's hang up against "m" helmets? if a motorcycle rider can go +150mph in a 1/4 mile and be safe than how can you be seat-belted in a camaro with 6 airbags and have a problem with an "M" helmet? Yes, dennis kirk has the best prices on helmets, but brand and price range is YOUR choice. I have drag raced both motorcycles and cars and in my opinion if itssafe enough for a motorcycle- its safe enough for a car. Don't you think NHRA hasn't done there homework on helmets? ( at the track right now and have seen motorcycles running in the 8's and 9's all day at over 150mph. )

Keep in mind you wipe out on a cycle doing 150 in the 1/4 mile, chances are slim you're surviving. or you're going to be a paraplegic for the rest of your life. I've done 155mph on my Ninja back in the late 80s, and 170 mph on 4 wheels. and it's nothing a like.The leading cause of death on a cycle is brain trauma, no matter if it's a $600 Shoei or a $50 half cap, at 100 mph+ you're in God's hands. M rated helmets are made to withstand the heat that can come with a car fire should something happen. But to each his own, it's your head.

[Supermaro585HP]

Check out Bell helmets. I have 3 of them for my quads. My buddy was in a horrible quad accident and the helmet probably saved his life.

[suzbndt]

snell M and SA only difference is the fire retardant. and with the right gear a 150mph off on a bike is quiet survivable. I know cause I survived and off at 145+ my Shoei did a good job, along with the AGV leathers and Aplinestars boots and gloves makes all the difference. Personally if you have a racecar get a SA just a street car doing HPDE get a open face M. airbags and full face dont mix well.

[Norm Peterson]

And multiple impact.

You can still get multiple impact at HPDE.


Norm