im looking into starting solo, and im looking for a pretty nice, comfortable helmet that doesnt cost soo much.

not too sure whats out there other than shoei and arai, but what kind of helmets do you guys use/ recommend? also open face or full face?

For a helmet I would just buy one from Wal Mart. They should not be more than 100 bills. If you’re looking for a really nice one I think they are pretty expensive. I would also go open face because it wont get to hot and its more comfortable I think.

yea i agree with silverbullet... get the speed racer style helmet. for autox i use a full helmet and taking it off at the end of every run is annoying. plus my beard gets caught with the inside fabric and it pulls the crap out of it haha. kinda like velcro but u can feel the pain!!

Look into getting AT LEAST a DOT approved Snell 2000 rating helmet. This allows you to use it until 2015. I got my Bell Tourlite SC helmet for 40$ used.

Ok, let's see. First of all, Shoei and Arai are mostly motorcycle helmet makers. Bell, Simpson, and Pyrotect are the names to know in automotive helmets.

Second of all, say no to Wal-mart helmets. No no no no no no. They aren't legal for any sort of authorized motorsports, and I dunno about you.. but my skull is worth more than saving a few bucks on a safety investment.

Next, open face helmets may appeal to some people, but they aren't allowed for track days. Something to consider for the future.

There are two types of Snell ratings (which are required for any form of motorsport.. even a local SCCA autocross). Snell SA and Snell M. SA for automotive, M for motorcycle. Either can be used for autocross. Only SA full face may be used for track days. The helmets are good for 10 years after the issue date. Helmets are re-certified from the manufacturer every 5 years. So in 2005, a whole new batch of SA 2005 and M 2005 helmets were released. These will be good until 2015, and thus, usually provide the best value. A Snell helmet rated year 2000 will only be good for a few more years.

I use this:



It's almost always $250 shipped from any helmet vendor. Available in white or black. The open face version is $150 shipped. I love mine, and I always recommend them to others. The most important part of purchasing a helmet is making sure it fits properly. There are plenty of guides online for determining proper fitment.. and not all helmets fit the exact same.

Word good info in there.

Well said Ryan. I would never buy a helmet from Walmart or Pep Boys or anything like that. I would also never buy a used helmet. Never know what happened to it before, IMO its like buying used underwear.

I personally wear a Shoei or HJC but all the helmets I have are for motorcycles. There is a new snell rating out, it is snell 2005.

Sorry about spreading the misinformation about the snell rating. I was informed that snell 2000 would be good until 2015, at least in my local SCCA.

It most likely is good till 2015. They come out with new tests every 5 years but the previous rating doesn't become obsolete.

I think all my helmets are Snell M2000

Ryan aka zoops said it the way it is.......perfectly said.

I love this site!!!! Here is the Helmet section but look over the whole site for stuff. Keep an eye out for the SA 2005 helmets. They might be a tad more but WELL WELL WELL worth it.
http://www.soloracer.com/helmets.html

I just recently got the flat black version of this helmet and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!
http://www.soloracer.com/bellm4.html

This is a WONDERFUL open face option that is allowed in most autox clubs. However, like Zoops said....some clubs don't allow open face on track days (aka SCCA, NASA, or HPDE events at actual tracks or licensing schools) for your typical parking lot autox situation, this helmet should be perfect but check with your local clubs first.
http://www.soloracer.com/pyroopenfacesa.html

This post was last modified: 01-21-2008 10:58 PM by bjscivic.