| Author | Message | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 467 Registered: 4-2002 |
An M helmet is designed to cushion one big bonk, and then a long skid on an abrasive surface. (you are wearing leathers are you not?) An SA helmet is designed to cushion a number of bonks as the head bounces off various roll bar and interior parts. The SA helmet has thicker wind shield to deal with flying debris (i.e. metal and carbon fiber.) | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Junior Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 63 Registered: 2-2003 |
It's been mentioned once, but I'll say it again. DO NOT BUY A USED HELMET! I've owned a Bell M3 and M3EC and like both of them. Very comfortable and light weight. However, they are kevlar and $400. Bell makes another fiberglass version of basically the same helmet which is closer to $250. One other thing no one mentioned, if you're just going to be using it for closed cockpit cars (the Enzo), get one with a large view port. If you're doing open wheel, get the smaller viewport (which is what the Bell M3 has) which it doesn't sound like you'll be doing. | ||
| Dave Burch (Merlyn)
New member Username: Merlyn Post Number: 50 Registered: 8-2002 |
From the Snell Foundation web site: SA Standard was designed for auto racing while M Standard was for motorcycling and other motorsports. There are three major differences between them: 1: SA standard requires flammability test while the M standard does not; 2: SA standard allows narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA helmets may not be street legal); 3:SA standard has rollbar impact test while M standard does not. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 873 Registered: 12-2001 |
Yes, Anthony, that sounds right. Thanks. | ||
| Bart Boonacker (Sharky666)
Member Username: Sharky666 Post Number: 260 Registered: 9-2002 |
DES, that's great  Well, I got nothing to say anymore, the rules speak for themselfs | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Intermediate Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 1219 Registered: 6-2001 |
They not only throw the helmets, sometimes they jump on them. Not good for their legs, but I've seen it happen. I got a "Red Bull, Arai Kevlar Helmtet because I was able to assist one of my client move to Suzuki from a Yamaha ride. I'm told these are about 4k. Art | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Advanced Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 3622 Registered: 8-2002 |
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| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4277 Registered: 12-2000 |
LOL ...and for your benefit Ferrarichat code 6 section 4 paragraph 2 lines 5-7 states, "The Don is required to post Off Topic warning sirens at a frequency of 1 per hour, if no threads technically meet the definition of Off Topic, The Don is allowed to light and siren anything at all posted by DES." | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Advanced Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 3615 Registered: 8-2002 |
Love ya Rob  Actually you are correct if you are referring to Ferrarichat code 18 section 4 paragraph d lines 2-6 which states, " Any thread relating to track or track equipment are the sole domain of the 'general discussion'" BUT, Ferrarichat code 30 section 2 paragraph 1 lines 1-3 states, "Any thread regarding a member of said Chat is the domain of 'Off Topic' with a exception in which above mention thread is moved to "TOFAS". I don't make these up Rob. You should not have sent me "da rules" book | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4272 Registered: 12-2000 |
I think it's on topic because most of us do track events in our Ferraris, but what do I know, Matt is in charge.  | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4271 Registered: 12-2000 |
SA Rated Helmets Snell rated "SA" (Sports Application) professional helmets provide extreme impact resistance and higher fire protection. M Rated Helmets Snell "M" (Motorcycle) rated helmets offer slightly less protection. | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Advanced Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 3614 Registered: 8-2002 |
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| J. Grande (Jay)
Intermediate Member Username: Jay Post Number: 1177 Registered: 10-2001 |
Des, M is for Motorcycle, SA is Special Application (race cars). The differance is that Motorcycle helmets are designed for one hard hit, while SA is for multiple hits. the 95 means that it meets or exceeds the regulations for the helmet in the year 1995. SA 2000 is now the highest rating, but eventually it will also be replaced by 2005. As mentioned SA95 is the lowest acceptible helmet at most events. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 3175 Registered: 8-2002 |
Whoa, thanks, everyone...! All this info is great...! What does SA & M stand for...? There's a lot of knowledge here, which will help me when i go looking... Bart, i figured it was relevant to General Discussion, since i'm getting a helmet for a ride around a track in an Enzo... ALso- my head will be worth whatever tyhe cost of the helmet is, once i've put it on... | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 424 Registered: 2-2003 |
Exactly, Rob! | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4266 Registered: 12-2000 |
The ebay prices I talked about were for new helmets, I would never buy a used helmet. | ||
| Anthony_Ferrari (Anthony_ferrari)
Junior Member Username: Anthony_ferrari Post Number: 236 Registered: 11-2002 |
Do you mean Scuberth who make helmets for Michael and Ralf Schumacher? | ||
| William Huber (Solipsist)
Member Username: Solipsist Post Number: 797 Registered: 9-2001 |
If your not using one much, most track events will provide a loner helmet. I spent about $225.00 on my Bieffe Predator (SA2000) but I use mine for track events, SCCA SOLO II, & karting. Like Dave said, "Don't spend anymore than your head's worth." Let us know what you get. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 872 Registered: 12-2001 |
Speaking of helmets, what's that German company that makes the super helmets for both bikes and cars? I believe they only offer a few of their models here in the US. | ||
| Bart Boonacker (Sharky666)
Member Username: Sharky666 Post Number: 256 Registered: 9-2002 |
looks like an Off Topic question to me ? Or is DES allowed 2 post anythinh everywhere ? | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 425 Registered: 8-2002 |
If you buy a helmet on eBay that has nicks or scratches, then you DO have to worry about how it was cared for. If you buy a used helmet on ebay that's "like new" condition (my kevlar M3 Pro was, including the box) then you shouldn't have to be concerned. Lots of folks buy a helmet to try track driving once or twice, and then don't like it so much after all and just want to get back some of their costs. | ||
| Modified348ts (Modman)
Member Username: Modman Post Number: 540 Registered: 11-2001 |
The best recommended helmet is the one that fits the best besides helmet rating. Everyones head is shaped differently. The mold of the helmet may have been designed from a round big headed person or a narrow tall headed person, perhaps a stone headed person? | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 419 Registered: 2-2003 |
The only thing I'd add to these well-informed replies is that I personally wouldn't buy a used helmet, at least not on E-bay. You'd like to know the previous owner didn't fling it onto the ground! (there are, believe it or not, drivers who become enraged and throw helmets! Can't imagine it, right? I certainly don't know anyone like that . . . . . . ) Also, pay attention to the fellas who say make sure it fits; that will mean tighter than you'd think, but not so tight you'll pass out during your Enzo ride (at least before you pass out in fear!) P.S., when did you begin referring to yourself in the third person?? | ||
| Dennis (Bighead)
Junior Member Username: Bighead Post Number: 70 Registered: 2-2003 |
A couple of minor points. First, for better or worse, MANY clubs are moving towards mandating Snell SA2000 as the required safety rating for helmets. This can vary sometimes from region to region, but many clubs are moving towards this, even if it's not mandated right now. Thus, to maximize your investment, I'd get an SA2000 rated helmet; this will prevent any problems if you find yourself running with a group that requires it. Second, if you search the archives, you'll find some debate as to how much you should spend on a helmet. One side says to spend as much as you think your head/brain is worth. Do a search, and you'll see the arguments. FWIW, unless you're doing more than a handful of events a year, I'd just buy the cheapest SA2000 full face helmet I could find THAT FITS WELL AND COMFORTABLY. There is almost no appreciable difference, in safety, between an expensive helmet and a bargain helmet, if they both meet the same Snell rating. The cost difference goes towards comfort features, like venting, shield mechanisms, finish, removable liners, and especially graphics. If you buy a white helmet, you could always decorate it with a few choice stickers or other graphics yourself; check out motorcycle mags for do-it-yourself color graphics too. To really save a few bucks, you could find some leftover SA95 helmets with nice graphics for short money, but obviously the number of years going forward that you'll be able to use it will be fewer. Just my $.02. vty, --Dennis | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 422 Registered: 8-2002 |
Of the four helmets I've owned, the two I have now have been the most comfortable. A Bell Mag 4 (open face) and my Bell M3 (full face). I use the Mag 4 most of the time for "casual track", and use the M3 when serious racing, or if I'm a passenger in a Challenge car, or if I'm in a full spider like a 360. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 549 Registered: 8-2001 |
DES, NEVER EVER, EVER......buy a helmet onling unless you have tried the same helmet on somewhere else (same model and size). A friend of mine was dumb enough to not only do this but to have the helmet custom painted. It fit him, but was not as comfortable as his old one. He does endurance racing and had to sell the helmet at a huge loss. Try them all, Bieffe, Arai, OMP, Bell and Simpson and pick the one that is the best fit. I have three helmets and the best by far in terms of comfort and fit is the Bell. Bell has at least 15+ sizes. Some helmets such as Bieffe (which I have two of) only come in three or four sizes such as S,M,L,XL. My Bieffe helmets look pretty cool but they don't fit as well as my Bell M3. I use the Bieffe for track days and the Bell for racing. Some will say you don't need to get a fireproof helmet if you don't wear nomex but I think that's stupid. Stay away from M rated helmets and get a SA2000 or SA95. I have an Eddie Irvine Beiffe that is SA95 that you could buy but it smells so bad from years of use you would likely pass out. Regards, Jon P. Kofod 1995 F355 Challenge #23 Picture of my Bieffe  | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
Intermediate Member Username: Jay Post Number: 1176 Registered: 10-2001 |
I have a SA 2000 Bieffe, made in Italy. I really like it, washable liner, and it fits nice. Make sure that it fits correctly. It shouldn't be loose at all! If you are ordering one online, go into a store and try it on first. Different manufacturers helmets fit differently. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4264 Registered: 12-2000 |
If you're only doing track driver education type events most only require a M95. FCA might be one of the only clubs that require a SA. If you can find a SA2000 for $150 that's a great deal. On ebay you can find M2000's for under $60. I bet DES someone on here has an old SA1995 laying around. | ||
| Dave Burch (Merlyn)
New member Username: Merlyn Post Number: 49 Registered: 8-2002 |
Don't spend anymore than your head's worth | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 692 Registered: 1-2002 |
I use Arai helmets. Light weight, replacable cushions, and well built. I use the quantum e series for both car and motorcycle, and love them. Make sure to get one w/ a rating of 95 or higher. | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 420 Registered: 8-2002 |
If you're going to be in a sanctioned event, you have to have an SA-rated helmet. SA-95 is the oldest rating currently accepted, and will be still accepted until 2006. The most current rating available now is SA-2000. Do *not* buy an "M" rated helmet, since it is motorcycle rated only and not accepted on most racetracks. Least expensive will be an "open faced" helmet, and also most comfortable, and accepted at all events unless you're in a full spider/convertible. You can get one in the latest SA2000 rating for as little as $150 or a full face helmet for $240 from www.racerwholesale.com if they have your size. SA-rated helmets frequently come up on eBay also either new or nearly new at very discounted prices, and I've purchased one of our club helmets off of there. The most cost effective brands are probably GForce (the lowest cost but still good), Bell, and Simpson. Then you can move up into Arai, Bieffe, and others. Fiberglass helmets are fine, or you can go big bucks and get a lightweight kevlar composites one. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 3173 Registered: 8-2002 |
...but before the off-color jokes start, let me tell you what kind of helmet he needs... He needs a full face helmet; the type one uses when getting into a racecar... Of course, being that he's DES, he wants a cool one... But DES has never purchased a helmet before, so DES needs advice... Where's the best place to get a helmet...? What types/brands are the best...? What should he look to spend on a decent helmet...? (& is there any way he can get one cheaper than that...? ) i know some of you would prefer he got into a racecar without a helmet, but he needs one, so any and all advice would be much appreciated... DES thanks you for your time and patience... |