I'll be tracking my Fcar for the first time at an FCA event and due to insurance requirements, drivers need to wear Snell rated helmets. I found one that is stamped Snell M2005. Is this an automotive helmet or does the M stand for motorcyle?
Motorcycle. What you're looking for is SA2005. Motorcycle helmets don't have all the fireproofing car helmets do. Most of the top end SA2000 helmets have passed the new certification and been uprated to SA2005.
This is what I got: http://www.helmetcity.com/page/HC/PROD/autosnellsa/zampfsa1 Snell2005 rated for cars. And this is what it looks now after our very own Mike Charness was done painting it: Image Unavailable, Please Login
Helmets: http://gforce.com/products/helmets.php Prices: http://www.lefthanderchassis.com/230.html You don't need to spend a fortune to get a good helmet.
But if it passes the Snell ratings, I would. For as often as I track a car (seldom) - knowing you are 'supposed' to get a new helmet every year (or is it two ?), why not ? Granted, I don't know what USA-made helmets cost, as compared to what I posted.. to me it comes back to IF it is safe and also how often you would use it. AND..... I also think: if you are going to spend XXX,XXX on a car, then you should be able to spend a fair amount on a helmet. As a comparison, I die laughing when folks spend $500,000 on a house, but buy the cheapest bed they can possibly find - never mind the fact they will spend 1/4 to 1/3rd of their day in said bed.......
This is my point. I've seen my share of monkeys driving decent cars wearing old or *gasp* motorcycle helmets. So, why put some questionable, Chinese-made bucket on your head when there are so many outstanding choices available. I ain't never seen a professional driver wear one of them Gee Forces.
What professional drivers wear has also other reasons, such as sponsorships. A test is a test is a test. If it passes Snell rating, then it does the job. Yes you can tell the difference in a more expensive helmet to a cheaper one, but that doesn't mean the cheaper one offers less protection. It has to offer at least the minimum or it wouldn't be getting the rating. Also it depends a bit for what purpose you bought it: I got mine for FCA track events that require the Snell 2005 rating. I'll be driving my 308 at basically touring speeds. The car doesn't have a roll cage, fire extinguisher or slicks and my driving will reflect that. If I'd be racing in a SCCA series, I might go for something more involved including a HANS device etc.
I would also consider the service you will get from the company. Snell rating come out every five years so you may have the helmet for a while. I have always had Bell helmets and when I had a fit problem on my last one, they had me send it in to adjust the padding and when I got it back they have made several upgrades to it that I was not expecting (kevlar chin strap, etc.). Another factor to consider is the weight of the helmet. The cheaper ones may meet the Snell standards, but how much more do they weigh? I would prefer to try on the choices than get one from mail order, especially if your are going to wear a balaclava or wear glasses. A heavy, poor fitting helmet can really be misearable after 30 or 40 minutes of hard driving.
I'd go Bell or Simpson myself, although I ran last event in an older one that BARELY passed Tech, as it was Snell 1995...... My new one's at Troy Lee's now........
OK, OK, I guess questionable, Chinese-made helmets are good. I know Chinese engineers have a long history with motorsport.
There is an awful lot of China bashing on this site. To suggest that the country as a whole can not make a good product is ridiculous. Every country makes some junk, America is well known for it (Aztec anyone, perhaps a Pinto). When products are outsourced to be produced in China, the quality comes back to the company that designed it and handles the approval of the manufacturing. If they accept junk from the supplier it is their fault, not China's.
Btw: Zamp, the manufacturer of my helmet, also produces these official Ferrari helmets: http://www.zamp-racing.net/auto-RZ2.html http://www.zamp-racing.net/auto-RZ1.html
Most of the Zamp auto helmet line definitely is rebadged Bell Europe lids, as Bell USA and Bell Europe are two completely different companies. Put a Zamp sticker on it and *shazam* Bell Europe helmets are in the USA. Your helmet, however, is not from the Bell Europe line. I've never seen anything like it. The rest of the Zamp line--the non-auto helmets--is sourced from China.
Thanks for all the replies and "opinions". However, I really didn't want to start a fight! Cheers. Way to go Kimi!
Bell helmets are not made in California, they moved the entire operation to Illinois several years ago, according to their website (it was news to me, too). I did e-mail Bill Simpson's new company asking where their stuff was made, no reply yet. If anyone wants AWESOME links for helmet stuff, go to Snell www.smf.org (I think) and they have an 'related links' page that is FULL of great info, and lists about all helmet makers' websites.
