My little sister is getting the racing bug, bad. She's getting a different car in a few days and wants to race autocross and drift events next year. The family is buying her a helmet for Christmas, and it's my job to figure out which one.
I know M2010's are good for AX, but what about drift?
Should we save some money on M2005/SA2005?
Anybody have any specials (free bag, etc)?
Thanks!
I'd like to see what people say as well..... I'm looking to get one soon. Seems like its probably a good idea to go with an SA rated helmet instead of an M because you can use it for anything.
Check out Driving Impressions in Dover, NJ. They have had some super deals in the past and the owner, Bob Zecca is a racer and big time supporter of club racing.
1manwolfpack wrote: I'd like to see what people say as well..... I'm looking to get one soon. Seems like its probably a good idea to go with an SA rated helmet instead of an M because you can use it for anything.
That's how I look at it. Yes, the initial purchase is a few more bucks, but then you don't have to worry about shopping for another helmet because you eventually decide to do something that requires and SA helmet
SA is rated for more angles of impact than M I think, and maybe has a fire rating as well. My two cents is that it's false economy to buy anything besides the latest year rating.
David S. Wallens wrote:1manwolfpack wrote: I'd like to see what people say as well..... I'm looking to get one soon. Seems like its probably a good idea to go with an SA rated helmet instead of an M because you can use it for anything.That's how I look at it. Yes, the initial purchase is a few more bucks, but then you don't have to worry about shopping for another helmet because you eventually decide to do something that requires and SA helmet
I have an M2005 helmet that I bought in 2006. I have drag raced (including NHRA Sportsman), autocrossed (SCCA, PCA, Alfa Club), and HPDE'd (PCA, SCCA, MR2OC) with it. The only venue I've ever found that required the SA was actual wheel-to-wheel road-racing (LeMons/Chump/SCCA, etc).
If somebody isn't planning on W2W racing, do they really need the SA?
I don't know drifting, but they seem "lax" on these things, but it was still worth a post.
ultraclyde wrote: SA is rated for more angles of impact than M I think, and maybe has a fire rating as well. My two cents is that it's false economy to buy anything besides the latest year rating.
I fully concur with this post.
Looks like there's hardly any 2005's anyway, and I agree that we should get a 2010.
The question is, for the intended use (autocross and drift), is the M sufficient or is the SA required?
Also, who has deals? Specifically, with pink...
HJC has some pretty awesome pink lookin' helmets. I'd have one if my giant dome fit.
http://www.pyrotect.com/product.php?productid=48&cat=14&page=1
Open Face Pyrotect SA2010for under $170.
Just bought a pyrotect pro airflow SA2010 for $250 all in. I bought an open face SA helmet in 2005 for $150. I'm now in $400, with one helmet I use, and one that's a $150 paperweight. Dig?
Good article from C&D:
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/crash-helmet-comparison-arai-gp-6s-simpson-bandit-bell-m-4-pyrotect-pro-airflow-sa
"Required?" Regardless of the requirements, on a TRACK where I'll see 4th gear, I'm not getting in the car without a helmet...so it might as well be a good one. Is sis's neck worth the extra $80? Mine is!
http://www.racinghelmetguide.com/auto-helmet-ratings.html
This explains the difference between SA and M ratings.
DeadSkunk wrote: http://www.racinghelmetguide.com/auto-helmet-ratings.html This explains the difference between SA and M ratings.
Thanks!
It said:
What are the key differences between SA and M Rated Helmets: - SA standard requires flammability test while the M standard does not. - SA standard has rollbar impact test while M standard does not. - SA standard allows narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA helmets aren't street legal).
So I could see an SA for drifting with walls and a roll cage. She will be doing like a "drift DE" thing: one car on track, using infields/skidpads (no walls), and the car does not have a rollbar.
Looks like an M2010, possibly open-faced, will be the best starter helmet for her. By the time she gets really good and wants to tandem, the 2015's will be out.
So, where's the deals?
Javelin wrote: Looks like there's hardly any 2005's anyway, and I agree that we should get a 2010. The question is, for the intended use (autocross and drift), is the M sufficient or is the SA required? Also, who has deals? Specifically, with pink...
Get an SA then it will be good for 10 years.
Even our INCREDIBLY laid back local track told us in the last few driver's meetings they weren't going to allow us to use motorcycle helmets for "Driver's Education" next year.
Look at SafeRacer. I know a couple of locals with the Zamp helmet that are happy with them.
SA rated and under $200.
Javelin wrote:DeadSkunk wrote: http://www.racinghelmetguide.com/auto-helmet-ratings.html This explains the difference between SA and M ratings.- SA standard allows narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA helmets aren't street legal).
I think you should stay with an SA just because you don't know what the event promoter/insurer will require as a minimum and it would suck to have to buy another one (or not compete).
That said, my son uses an M helmet when karting for the above statement. The field of view is much larger and much easier to see.
An added benifit is we can get him a helmet a the local motorcycle shop where he can try on different ones (some are more comfortable than others), usually have great deals and local parts (like shields and such).
-Rob
Definitely go SA. You never know what kind of rules individual groups are going to have, and with SA you're covered no matter what.
There are a ton of choices found within the pages of GRM. Some inexpensive, some not so inexpensive. Please make sure you let whichever vendor you choose know that you are a GRM reader. They pay attention to stuff like that! 
All will be safe, but the more costly helmets will be lighter and generally more comfortable.
I had good luck on several purchases with an outfit named Jon Robert Quinn Enterprises. He had several different storefronts like www.pyrotectoutlet.com . However, he seems to have reorganized or gone out of retail business.
One other pro to M helmets - they're easier to find with easily removed, washable liners. You can find SA helmets with washable liners, but many of them aren't, while this is pretty much expected with M helmets.
The Pyrotect Airflow full face mentioned above has a removable, washable liner, and you can interchange the cheek pads to get the perfect fit.
I suggest giving her a card with a note inside that says you'll buy her a helmet, and then she can figure which one fits her head best before buying it. Nothing worse than an uncomfortable helmet.
stuart in mn wrote: I suggest giving her a card with a note inside that says you'll buy her a helmet, and then she can figure which one fits her head best before buying it. Nothing worse than an uncomfortable helmet.
This. OR find out what helmet she's been using, slyly bring it up to see if she liked it. Then buy her a new helmet in that size AND brand. Did that for my wife last year. She loves it.
Helmetwise, it's very hard to find a consistently fitting helmet and all brands are shaped a little differently. Likewise, some brands wear better than others.
I have an HJC AR-10 II. It fits my noggin very well but all the padded bits are wearing through. The helmet still works and I could replace all the padding, but it's not worth it to me if all the padding is going to wear out again after a season of autocross. HJC only offered an at-cost pad set despite their 1 year warranty, which tells me that accelerated wear is the norm with them.
Zamp are cheap enough to replace without worry due to wear or needs changing. I've also heard very good things about them. My coworker owns a Pyrotech and loves it. I've also regularly seen Bell put to good use.
For fitment, your best bet is to find an event with loaner helmets and use that as your fitting room. Then, order an SA2010 online.
stuart in mn wrote: I suggest giving her a card with a note inside that says you'll buy her a helmet, and then she can figure which one fits her head best before buying it. Nothing worse than an uncomfortable helmet.
Problem is, finding a place that carries SA helmets in stock is nearly impossible. OR, if you do find a place, they carry one brand.
-Rob
I couldn't find anywhere within an hour's drive that had SA helmets, and I live halfway between Philly and Balmer.
I took a chance on ordering from Pyrotect online. I like the helmet, but their sizing charts run a little small. I was right about 2/3s of the way up the L range - nowhere near the recommended cutoff - and I should have gotten an XL.
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