I am in need of an updated Snell SA helmet, and may go ahead and order one tonight. The events I am planning on using it for do not require a full face helmet, although one recommends it. Since I'd rather just buy once for the next few years, and track days are a possibility, I would like to make sure I'm going to meet their rules. I looked up SCCA Track Night, and it looks like as long as it is a new enough Snell SA helmet, I am good to go. How about other groups?
The reason for this, is I apparently have an oddly-shaped noggin. When I was riding scooters, I went with a full face helmet because I didn't feel like grinding my chin off on the pavement if I fell. I had to try on countless helmets at a motorcycle super store in order to find one that fit right. I don't really have a place nearby that I could do the same with racing helmets, so I'm tempted to stick with an open face model like I have been using for rallycross/Challenge purposes.
In reply to eastsideTim :
Even if you have to make a day trip; go try them on.
I wore an open face helmet once; I had a small place if debris flick inside the car and hit my cheek...........get a full face helmet.
To answer your question I think most groups will allow open face helmets.
If you're ever in a wreck you don't want glass or metal bits in your eye.
Most track pro shops have a bunch in stock, try several on.
Only mentioning because I'm doing TNIA at VIR on July 20th, but if that's the event you happen to be doing, the TMI shop on site is fantastic. I also have a spare Simpson SA2020 Bandit (L) you're welcome to try on. Replaced with a Roux for integrated comms and water tube.
Not planning on any HPDEs in particular, just wanting to be ready just in case. Are the rules on track different than rallycross when it comes to street cars? We can't have the window open more than a tiny bit, so I never had any problem with debris. Glasses have been another reason I prefer open faced helmets. Still have to remove them when putting the helmet on or taking it off, but it is easier.
Will have to think about it with the full face helmets. I wear an XL, though, I'm a bit of a bobble head.
In reply to eastsideTim :
Track events / HPDEs are windows down.
Any plans to go with race harnesses? If so you'll probably want a HANS, and I believe those pretty much require a full-face helmet.
What brand of motorcycle helmet wound up fitting? A lot of the manufacturers use the same headform for both series of helmet, so if they also make SA ones then that's a good bet for something that will fit.
In reply to codrus (Forum Supporter) :
No plan to go with a harness yet for what I'm doing (my first open road race, and some drag racing in a likely high 13 second car, along with hopefully getting back into rallycross someday). If I get to that point, I suspect a new helmet will be the least of my expenses.
I wore a Shoei TZ-R. Their RF series helmets were close in fit, but not as good. Unfortunately, they don't have SA helmets. I am kind of tempted to just get an inexpensive full face helmet and hope it fits "good enough". A least inside a car, I won't have the wind beating me up, and most of my use cases won't have me wearing it for long stretches at a time.
Some where I saw a chart that had the major hermit manufacturers listed by head shape/typ. If you can find it that may help you in selecting a hermit.
dean1484 said:
Some where I saw a chart that had the major hermit manufacturers listed by head shape/typ. If you can find it that may help you in selecting a hermit.
I think webbikeworld had something like that for motorcycle helmets. If there is an equivalent for racing helmets, that'd be great.
Edit: found one for some manufacturers in general, but not for each helmet in particular. The TZ-R is apparently something of a "round" shape while it looks like the manufacturers that tend to have the same shape for their helmets tend towards round-oval at the closest, and more of the are more on the oval scale. I may just have to fly blind on this purchase.
