BEST helmet for AUTOCROSS?

[Allen]

Anyone have any preference for helmets? I've tried on only the HJCs and they were pretty comfortable. Shoei's seem to be a bit on the expensive side. Bells (Star 1 - 2001) seems like another good price competitor to the HJCs.

I'm actually getting the HJC CL-14 because the price ($108) is pretty good for a full-face helmet.... I haven't been able to try on any Bell's, but I noticed their price AFTER purchasing HJC's brand. Any overwhelming support for Bell's quality, style and comfort?

 

[ChargerGL]

I always wanted a Bell Mag-4


looks like a sweet autoxing helmet

 

[smithers_0990]

Are auto Xing helmets the same rating or better than motorcycle helmets?

Or is a motorcycle helmet better than a auto X helmet?

Thanks

 

[HADA 11]

I use a HJC bike helmet for Solo and Karting. It's rated M95.

The other, more expensive route, would be to buy a SA rated helmet. SA rated helmetds are what many sanctioning bodies want to see for open track evens. Among other things SA helmets are designed to take multiple impacts (bouncing off the cage a few times in an incident) and some if not all of them have nomex liners.

I like closed face as they obviously offer more protection, many karting tracks won't allow open face and if I ever decide to jump on a bike I've got it covered.

 

[sundevilMP5]

yeah...i've heard for autoxing bell is one of the best...but i'm not the most serious racer in the world so i'm getting an hjc since it will work for everything karting, motorcycle, and autox

 

[xantxp5x]

I just picked up an HJC... they are light and nice and durable... it doesnt have to be 600 to be a good helmet. just my 2 cents

 

[BondoBob]

I bought a new Bell M-2 for racing for $199USD. I wear glasses and it has the bigger eyeport. You don't need kevlar...fiberglass is fine. It is better than many auto-x groups require (fully SA2000 certification), but if you decide to race SCCA or any "real" racing, it's what you will need anyway. Plus, it is saving YOUR HEAD and you only have one. Buy a helmet bag to stow it during the week ($20USD).

Check at http://www.bellmotorsports.com. Excellent prices (check in the closeouts) and I needed my helmet by Friday for a Saturday race...ordering it on Wednesday. No problem. However, it is a good idea to get it early and let the helmet air out - it is smelly from chemicals when new.

 

[Allen]

Are auto Xing helmets the same rating or better than motorcycle helmets?

Or is a motorcycle helmet better than a auto X helmet?

Thanks

I think we mainly use the helmets based on SNELL/DOT ratings. I don't know if there are specific "autocross" helmets made.... most helmets are geared for motorcycles from what I can tell.

It seems like SNELL is a better ratings than DOT ratings. One of them, I was told, allowed one impact before you have to chunk it.... the other allowed for multiple impact... not sure how many more impact allowed since I would assume one hard impact would be enough to trash up a helmet.

 

[rowan]

Only Snell ratings count for anything.
Check with your local club and scca regulations.
Usually the minimum Snell rating is M95 ... they are good for about 10 years depending on what kind of racing you are doing.

I have a Bell Mag4. I figure it will be good for 5-10 years, and if it's good enough for WRC drivers it will do me fine.
.. don't think it's completely aired out yet!
Kevlar would be nice cuz it's lighter but unless you have your helmet on for hours at a time I don't think you will notice.

For Snell ratings:
M = one hit (motorbike)
SA = multi-hit (rollcage)

 

[ZoomZoomH]

G-Force helmets are pretty good

www.racerwholesale.com

 

[Stou]

I had many helmet since I did motorcycle racing and I still ride a motorcycle. I use my Arai helmets in Auto-x and they are very comfortable and light.... but expensive.

But you have to try many helmets model. People head have different shapes and one model can fit very well to someone and not good to somebody else.

Helmets have to be comfortable and light and Snell approved. So try many model and make your choice!

 

[Allen]

Only Snell ratings count for anything.
Check with your local club and scca regulations.
Usually the minimum Snell rating is M95 ... they are good for about 10 years depending on what kind of racing you are doing.

I have a Bell Mag4. I figure it will be good for 5-10 years, and if it's good enough for WRC drivers it will do me fine.
.. don't think it's completely aired out yet!
Kevlar would be nice cuz it's lighter but unless you have your helmet on for hours at a time I don't think you will notice.

For Snell ratings:
M = one hit (motorbike)
SA = multi-hit (rollcage)

Cool, that's what I was told about the ratings. "M" was one hit and "SA" multi-hit with rollcage. Thanks!

 

[Allen]

Arai, only if I hit the lottery!

I had many helmet since I did motorcycle racing and I still ride a motorcycle. I use my Arai helmets in Auto-x and they are very comfortable and light.... but expensive.

But you have to try many helmets model. People head have different shapes and one model can fit very well to someone and not good to somebody else.

Helmets have to be comfortable and light and Snell approved. So try many model and make your choice!

Arai! Yes, very expensive. So expensive that I didn't even bother thinking about that brand for the poll. I see it a lot, but when I browsed through one site that sold them... I was like, "screw this.... I'm not making a profession out of autocrossing....".

 

[ZoomZoomH]

I bought my GF750 because I don't want to share other people's head sweat, and it's more convenient to have your own helmet ready to go w/o having to scavange for one

plus it'll come useful when I use it on track days

 

[Allen]

I bought my GF750 because I don't want to share other people's head sweat, and it's more convenient to have your own helmet ready to go w/o having to scavange for one

plus it'll come useful when I use it on track days

Exactly why I'm getting my own helmet too. The last time I borrowed a helmet... it was fine, but like you mentioned.... you are suppose to put it back on the rack after each run so other people can use it in their run. I took one and didn't let go of it until I was completely done with my runs.

 

[sundevilMP5]

yup...it only took me one time with the smelliest helmet in the world to get my own helmet...lol

 

[scapamouche]

I've been pretty happy with the Bieffe BR-19 helmet I've had for the last year: Snell M95 rated.

My wife just got an HJC M2000 helmet today. She got home from picking it up not 15 minutes ago....

 

[sundevilMP5]

which hjc did she get??

 

[eMKay]

The best helmet is the one that you do not notice is on your head, I have an inexpensive open face HJC FG3. The reason I bought it is because it fit the best, I bought open face because the car I raced last year had no AC, and it gets really hot. This year I may find a closed face helmet and paint it to match my car. Yellow and black with titanium trim Probably Bell or HJC whichever is most comfortable.

EDIT - I should add, if you buy a new helmet make sure it's Snell M2000 rated, if you are buying a used helmet, make sure it's at least M95, M90 will only be legal for another 2 years, in other words, the current rating (M2000) and the previous 2 ratings (M95, M90) are legal, new ratings come out every 5 years. So in 2005 it will be M2005, M2000, M95.