I plan on participating next year at the FCA-St. Louis track event so I'm in the market for an SA2000 helmet. Am just wondering what you guys are using. Thanks. Ron
Ron, I have used Bieffe, Bell and Simpson over the last few years. Didn't like the Simpson at all (seemed cheaply made). My last two helmets have been Bieffe F1 Replicas, but to be honest the Bell helmets have the best fit. Bieffe comes in three or four different sizes (s,m,l,xl) while Bell comes in 20+ different sizes. Bell sizes their helmets in 1/4 inch increments and this leads to much more precise fitments. The best Bell for the money is the M3 (if they still make it). Make sure you try them all on and don't order one over the internet unless you have tried the same model on somewhere else. Regards, Jon P. Kofod 1995 F355 Challenge #23 ww.flatoutracing.net
Just got me a Bell SR-Pro Full face with large open viewport, small duckbill with an eyeshade. SA2000. Lightweight, great fit and finish. Price was very reasonable. THey can be found for $250 around the net. Can't help but re-iterate a slogan Bell had (more than) a few years ago: "You have a $10 dollar head? Then wear a $10 dollar helmet". Jeff Davison
My Irvine replica helmet is a Bieffe. My MS replica a Schuberth, however it is a motor cycle helmet. So technically I can't really wear it on the track in the car. So I switch back and forth depending on the the event.
I've got a Bieffe Predator, Alesi replica, but really the best advice is to find a local shop that carries the major brands and try them on, chances are your head shape will fit one of them better than the others, and that would be the one to buy.
My helmet isn't a replica. I can't say how I got it, but they sell them, to the team for about 4000 each. Art
Bell Sport II. It's gonna expire in 2005. I'll probably get a Sparco one when it's time since my buddy works there and he can hopefully get me a good deal.
I use a Bell M3 Kevlar for my full-face helmet, and a G-Force for my open-face helmet (definitely more comfortable, but of course not as much protection as a full-face helmet). www.helmet-painting.com
I also use the Bieffe Predator. Happy with it so far as it allows for removal of padding. BTW, does anyone know why the F1 drivers switched from Bieffe to Aria over the past year? When I was searching for a helmet, Aria was not well known as a car helmet, more of a motorcyle brand.
There seams to be about 5 or 6 head shapes. Some brand tend to fit some shapes better than others. Myself, I have a head shape that fits in Bieffe, and AGV but not in Bell, Arai, and Shoie.
"Make sure you try them all on and don't order one over the internet unless you have tried the same model on somewhere else." Jon P. Kofod 1995 F355 Challenge #23 ww.flatoutracing.net[/QUOTE] _________________________________________________ THANK YOU ALL. It looks like I may go with either Bell or Bieffe although the price of G-force and Pyrotect makes them attractive. I almost bought on-line today but I guess I'll heed Jon's advice. Again, thank you. Anymore ideas are welcomed. Ron
Good call - DEFINETLY try them out. I ordered online, but only having tried them out. Had I not, I would've ordered the wrong size. --Dan
I would personally only ever use an Arai or a Shoei lid, the others in my opinion just don't cut it in terms of safety and quality. They might all meet the SA2000 rating but it's how far past that that matters. Fit is also extremely important, some brands just wont suit your head (I know that Arai produce three different types of padding for each model to take into account different head shapes: European, Asian and Americas) I think that Bell are some of the worst helmets around. Put your hands either side of the opening for your head and press inwards and they flex way to much. The visors are only 1.25mm thick as well compared to 3mm for Arai's Best Mark