For those who track their Ferrari, or other car for that matter.... which helmet (brand, model) do you use and why?
Used a Bell Vortex, nice piece, but I experienced some head buffeting in certain open cockpit cars. Switched to a Bell "Dominator" - yes, stupid name - because it is lightweight and has decent aero, no buffeting. I found it difficult to use the Dominator with a HANS. Just bought a Sparco helmet, interesting features, including extra ear protection - should be great for radio use. Feels a bit heavier than the Bell, but easily permits the HANS. A bit expensive IMO. Also, I can't get tear-offs for it, which obviously doesn't matter if you're driving a sedan. I would not use an open faced helmet under any circumstances. JMHO. Cheers, Will
I use a Bell MAG4 open face. I bought it a few years ago when I started auto-xing. I wish I would have purchased the full face model instead now that I would like track the car. For what I used it for it is just fine.
Bieffe Predator Alesi replica. What matters is how the helmet fits. Trying on various brands is the only way to go. Gary
Soumy Gunwind model helmet made for Ducati by Soumy, cheap (compare to Arai) and most importantly, fits my head.
Simpson Voyager... I like the large eyehole but closed face... but mostly because it fit my head. Try on the helmet before you buy!! Pick your helmet by putting it on your head... heads do not conform to helmets... the helmet must conform to your head... and heads are very different. Try on the helmet before you buy!! One helmet I put on was literally touching the end of my nose. The slightest impact would break my nose. Try on the helmet before you buy!! I tried on two Simpson Voyagers of the same labeled size... one fit great... one was a bit uncomfortable. Try on the helmet before you buy!! Oh, and did I say: Try on the helmet before you buy!!
I use Bell Sport 3. Cheaper than the M 3. The important thing is that you find one that fits your head. It should also have Snell 2000 SA certification. The SA is for special application. It is designed for autoracing. They have a nomex liner and kevlar strap. This is different than a regular motorcycle helmet. Some clubs will not let you use a motorcycle helmet.
Stand 21. I have a big bonce and others wouldn't fit well at all (aside from a cheap Shoei road bike helmet). Had a visit to the Stand 21 factory during some track visits in France, and the guys there custom made me a helmet. As you can imagine, it fits like a glove. It also is the lightest helmet I've ever felt and looks the nuts. The spoilers actually work in an open car too! If you have a bigger head, Bell and Simpson helmets are amongst the biggest in my experience, though the finish quality of both left quite a bit to be desired. Shoei are great, but didn't have anything with the latest motorsport certifications available in the UK, and I find Arai's on the small side.
I have also been told that the helmets are designed to take different sorts of impact. That said, I've never been a great believer in the validity of this. I cannot think of a more rigorous test than having your head bouncing at all angles onto the road (i.e. the sort of accident you get by falling off bikes), so cannot believe that car specific helmets are any better.
With 85% loss, I wear over-the-ear hearing aid. Any resources for when my time in the sun in the land of helmet-heads comes?
Jimmy, motorcycle helmets are not for car use. Many track days won't allow it. For cars, I use Arai. In fact, I use Arai for motorcycles, too. I use Suomy for karts, as that helmet still has some use in it.
I have used a Stand 21 helmet for 4 years. Good helmet, very light, great visiblity. The dual use feature is very nice... This year I'm using an Arai GP5 helmet. Better fit for my head, also very light, eyeport is smaller, doesn't "breathe" as well as the Stand 21. I race karts on long road courses as a weekend warrior- we use neck rolls to help support the helmet. A light helmet is an advantage in all cases. Most head trauma in auto sport happens from deceleration- brain stem ripping from excessive neck elongation- hence the HANS device. A lighter helmet will reduce the deceleration forces on the head in the event of an accident. Also, one big thing to consider- your head is going into this helmet. I personally would not want it to deflect, but there are several models on the market that do have this problem. I personally have seen the new Sparco helmets, and I can make the sides deflect just by squeezing the sides together by hand. Although the Sparco helmet looks great and fits pretty good I don't think I'll ever buy one for personal use.
Simpson. I liked the fit. Plus the company donated car seats for the hospital demos in instructional workshops.
