Let's talk helmets.

[KrAsH]

Originally Posted by wes

The airbag is a good point but with a harness and proper position you are not likely to hit it anyway. My car does not have airbags so that is not a worry for me, but certainly relevant to the discussion.

I want my face protected period. Lets face it, you wear a helmet in the event that you crash, but the reality is that a full face helmet will protect you from much more than that. At speed many things enter the car. Bugs, road debris, not to mention the possibility of glass if you do get in a wreck. I want a full face with a shield to protect from all of that. ALso if you have ever gone off track or been in a car that has gone off track without a shield you will get a face full of crap. I do not want to be temporarily blinded while trying to control a car. If you wear an open face at least wear a pair of goggles.... Again this is just my opinion and why I wear a full face with a shield.

Wes, I just reread this and I think it makes sense. I would also add that a closed helmet also provides better fire protection, should an issue occur. I've seen people with nomex suits, boots and gloves (even socks and underwear!) and an open face helmet. Beats the purpose IMO. I mean, what good is it if you get burns nowhere, except on the face...

[Calum]

Originally Posted by VVLtrain

Anyone got a fat noggin?

Yep, I do. I use a Bieffe GR.1500 XLarge (its an older model). It fits my large head just fine, and I wear glasses too (its a full face helmet). Bieffe seems to do a good job with the larger head sizes. They've got an XXL if your head is freak of nature huge too.

[SE-R_TECH]

Bieffe FTW. I have a rather large head and my Bieffe was by far the most comfortable. Not to expensive i think i paid around $500

[Cliff]

EDIT:

Nevermind, picture was too big

[BenFenner]

I'm bring this one back from the dead.

While driving around on the track with my full faced helmet I found the gauges extremely hard to read. I had to actually move my head down to look at the tach, and then move it back up to look at the track. Normally I'll just move my eyes down to glance quickly at the gauges.
This was not something I'd expected. Thinking about it now, moving my seat-back might have helped some but as it stood the chin protection was directly blocking my factory gauges.

I'll be heavily considering an open face helmet for the future.

[wes]

Originally Posted by BenFenner

I'm bring this one back from the dead.

While driving around on the track with my full faced helmet I found the gauges extremely hard to read. I had to actually move my head down to look at the tach, and then move it back up to look at the track. Normally I'll just move my eyes down to glance quickly at the gauges.
This was not something I'd expected. Thinking about it now, moving my seat-back might have helped some but as it stood the chin protection was directly blocking my factory gauges.

I'll be heavily considering an open face helmet for the future.

What helmet are you using? Consider the size of the eyeport. Many helmets have notoriously narrower eyeports than others, this will likely solve your problem. I am currently using an Impact Super Sport and have not had that issue, granted it also depends on driving position.

I just am not a fan of open faced helmets at track days. Autocross sure, no problem at most venue's, but track days too much can go wrong to not have that protection.

[BenFenner]

I'll find out what type of helmet I have. I'm pretty sure it's mainly the sitting position though. I'm short/compact and with the seat very close and seat back up quite a bit my chest is still an easy 10" away from the steering wheel however the angle to the dash in pretty extreme.

[SoloSol]

I use a gforce open face for autox and HPDE instructing. I have the chatterbox communicator in mine. For that it great. Easy to use and if I am a little hard on it getting in and out of students cars thats okay with me. As soon as the SA2010 helmets come out I am goin go to pick up an ARAI Gp5-w. This has the wide eye port. I tried the regular Gp5 and I have trouble seeing my guages as well. Big eyeport solved that Still cant see nearly as well at my open face. Im going to keep it for autoxes.

[Cesardrgn]

something SA2005 will be ideal if you can get one

this is what i got a few days ago

[Old guy]

I just bought a full-face Simpson from Summit Racing. Nice wide eyeport. Looks a lot like the picture above. SA2005. $250.

[eggman]

When are the new SA2010 coming out?Anybody know?
It seems like it would be a good idea to wait if you can.
I was wanting to buy a new Helmet,but when does the sa2005 become obsolete?
I would hate to buy one and only be able to use it a few times.

[Cesardrgn]

^ For SCCA, you can use the current rating, as well as the previous 2 ratings. So SN95, SN2000, and SN2005 would be valid.

According to NASA CCR, they allow the current rating, as well as the previous 3 ratings. So SN90, SN95, SN20000, and SN2005.

It looks like SN2010 automotive helmets won't be out until October or November.

also I found a couple of sites that say the NHRA rule book states the SA2005 ratings expire 1/1/2017.

[eggman]

^^^oh wow...I guess its nothing to worry about right now then...THANKS!!

[Cesardrgn]

^ no problem! now go get your SA2005 and post a pic

[superblackz]

Originally Posted by Calum

Yep, I do. I use a Bieffe GR.1500 XLarge (its an older model). It fits my large head just fine, and I wear glasses too (its a full face helmet). Bieffe seems to do a good job with the larger head sizes. They've got an XXL if your head is freak of nature huge too.

IMHO if it's your first helmet, just get a good one appropriate to your level of events, go with your own preference, above the required standard, focus on FIT. If you compete later in another level, the decision will be made for you by the sanctioning body and you'll be also in a position to make a more informed decision about what is important to look for.

As a "freak of nature" (my Mother says the same thing, go figure, so I don't take it personally) I can attest to the variation of sizing among brands w/re to XL and even XXL. I bought a FF Pyrotech on a Z group buy in XXL but it didn't fit well in front or up top in the back. Supposed to be for up to 7 7/8" size, but fit more like an XL. For low key events I still wear an open face helmet most of the time, because I bought a FF with "good enough" fit given my limited choices.

Figure out your budget, and if you're not in the M, L category, expect to pay more to find something that works. There on some acceptable SA 2005 rated open face helmets (do NOT buy an M rated helmet for auto use, that's just nuts, as almost no one allows them) to be found around $100-125. I can't think of any decent FF helmets that cost less than more than double that. The SA ratings are not optional unless you're buying low buck POS to go to events where you don't care and neither does the organizer.

Wes and Kieran's points about debris and eye protection are right on the money so in either case shield, glasses (wrap style with safety lenses that won't shatter) you want.

Safety you really have to look at the total picture holistically to argue the finer points. IMHO the difference between a CF and FF helmet when you don't have a approved seat mounted fixed or with approved adj rails, a full cage in the car, don't have fuel cells and fire suppression, don't wear fire-retardant clothing and gloves, etc and drive a car 15+ years old that is an Epic Fail compared to today's minimum crash standards. at 120+ mph even on a track, well, it's pretty much bullsheet to get religious about the difference in the facial coverage.

I mean crap, just how scary are OEM B13 seat belts?