helmet for the 1320

[Forrest]

My track lets me use my Aries Helmet....about ~$900. As far as helmets go, USUALLY, you get waht you pay for, maybe a little goes with the name, but usually the pricier the safer. I fell off my bike last year when clipped by a drunk driver, skid about the length of the 1320 doing a headstand almost the entire time. Helmet just needed repainting. Had it not been for that helmet, or one of a cheeper design, the asphalt would have grinded the helmet and my head down to my shoulders. So....300 MIGHT seem like a lot, but check the saftey features each helmet has to offer and the saftey reviews for each one. I'm not sure if all tracks allow you to wear motorcycle helmets, but I am unfamiliar with any 'track approved' brands specific for cars.

[scrming]

Originally Posted by Forrest

My track lets me use my Aries Helmet....about ~$900. As far as helmets go, USUALLY, you get waht you pay for, maybe a little goes with the name, but usually the pricier the safer. I fell off my bike last year when clipped by a drunk driver, skid about the length of the 1320 doing a headstand almost the entire time. Helmet just needed repainting. Had it not been for that helmet, or one of a cheeper design, the asphalt would have grinded the helmet and my head down to my shoulders. So....300 MIGHT seem like a lot, but check the saftey features each helmet has to offer and the saftey reviews for each one. I'm not sure if all tracks allow you to wear motorcycle helmets, but I am unfamiliar with any 'track approved' brands specific for cars.

Most tracks that check helmets are going to looking for SA rated helmets and must have an SA sticker:



If it has an "M" in the sticker it's motorcycle rated...

Quick explanation:

From Snell's FAQ:
What are the differences between the SA, M and K standards?
The SA standard was designed for competitive auto racing while M standard was for motorcycling and other motorsports. The K standard was released to accommodate helmets used in karting. There are three major differences between them:

1. The SA standard requires flammability test while the M and K standards do not.
2. The SA and K standards allow for a narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA and K certified helmets may not be street legal).
3. The SA and K standards include a rollbar multi impact test while M standard does not.

Glad you are ok after your brush with the drunk driver... but you really should replace your helmet! Helmets should be replaced after that kind of impact!!! Also helmets should be replaced ever 3 to 5 years...

[rodimus prime]

If your running a 13.xx 1/4 to 12.xx they are not going to be checking your helmet. When you start cracking 9's they might check it out.

[scrming]

Originally Posted by rodimus prime

If your running a 13.xx 1/4 to 12.xx they are not going to be checking your helmet. When you start cracking 9's they might check it out.

sorry, that is simply NOT TRUE... Our local track requires EVERYONE to where a helmet that is at least SA2000 (or a whole list of SFI)

from their website:

YOU MUST USE THE SNELL RATED -2000, 2005 OR SFI 31.1 - 31.2 - 31.1A - 31.2 - 31.1 2005- 41.1 - 41.2 - 41.2A - OR 41.1 2005.

THESE RULES ARE IN THE 2009 NHRA RULE BOOKS. PLEASE CHECK YOU HELMETS. IF YOUR HELMET DOES NOT HAVE A TAG WHEN YOU COME TO TECH, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RUN. NOW IS THE TIME TO CHECK HELMETS.

(http://www.midmichmotorplex.com/)

They do this even for Test and Tune and require ALL DRIVERS to meet this requirement regardless of how fast your car is...

Also if you are participating in a sanctioned event they are going to check...

[rodimus prime]

Im just saying bro, Ive been running a motorcycle helmet for years and they never even so much as asked a question about it....at multiple tracks and my car wasnt running 13s. They are also supposed to tech every car at the track, but if it appears stock they dont even mess with it.

[scrming]

Originally Posted by rodimus prime

Im just saying bro, Ive been running a motorcycle helmet for years and they never even so much as asked a question about it....at multiple tracks and my car wasnt running 13s. They are also supposed to tech every car at the track, but if it appears stock they dont even mess with it.

And I'm just saying that blanket statements like:

"If your running a 13.xx 1/4 to 12.xx they are not going to be checking your helmet. When you start cracking 9's they might check it out."

are utterly false... just because your local tracks don't check doesn't mean they ALL don't check. Some tracks I go to don't even have a tech inspection, so can I say don't worry tracks don't do tech inspections?

You can make some generalizations like MOST tracks don't check, but you cannot say that ALL tracks are not going to check... it's simply not true...

that's all i'm saying...

Most tracks have their rules posted on their website, every one should check out the rules before you head to the track!

[rodimus prime]

Okay, Im sorry. A lot of tracks dont care about your helmet...especially in 13 sec cars. You could probably put a styrofoam cup on your head and get away with it.

But to be safe you should buy an approved helmet for your track.

[scrming]

Originally Posted by rodimus prime

Okay, Im sorry. A lot of tracks dont care about your helmet...especially in 13 sec cars. You could probably put a styrofoam cup on your head and get away with it.

But to be safe you should buy an approved helmet for your track.

one of local tracks requires everyone to wear a helmet... thing is if you don't have one they will rent you a 1970 Ski-Doo helmet for $5.... so yeah, you could wear one of those useless novelty helmets and probably get away with it! LOL

[Forrest]

Originally Posted by scrming

Glad you are ok after your brush with the drunk driver... but you really should replace your helmet! Helmets should be replaced after that kind of impact!!! Also helmets should be replaced ever 3 to 5 years...

Hmmm. Thanks for the info. I'll go have it checked out today before the poker run

[djsnoflake]

Originally Posted by rodimus prime

Im just saying bro, Ive been running a motorcycle helmet for years and they never even so much as asked a question about it....at multiple tracks and my car wasnt running 13s. They are also supposed to tech every car at the track, but if it appears stock they dont even mess with it.

Wow, sounds like your track is kinda irresponsible. Tech checks are for everyone's safety. I wouldn't want some stock looking car hitting the bottle and having his driveshaft catastrophically explode and have that on my conscience because I was too lazy to check the car cause it 'looked stock'

The track I went to was super hardcore. They looked under the helmet padding for a rating sticker and suggested that even though I wasn't sure I would break into the 13s I wear my helmet. They only give you one warning and then you are banned for the year if you break 13s with no helmet.

Personally I love having to go through a bunch of safety checks. It shows that all the people running the place give a shit.

[stovt001]

Same here. If I'm gonna be running my precious car hard in a competitive environment where my insurance is not covering me, I'd want the place to be run professionally and responsibly.

[GEN-IV]

SA rated is not required for a stock floor/firewall door car running the times a typical Camaro will run.

There's nothing wrong with a quality Snell/SFI rated motorcycle helmet for drag racing a street car.

[Iroczlover]

I never tend to spend over about $60 for my race helmets & they are always up to standards with current NHRA rules.

Check EBAY lol.

[ravensjeff]

Are all these helmets full-face types?