Recommendations for crash helmet

[David6214]

I'm sort of thinking about doing a few track days and wondered if anyone had recommendations for a suitable crash helmet.

TIA

[Carl]

Have a look on the Merlin Motorsport website. It'll give you a good idea of the type you need.

[Mad Mart]

Here's some info. for you.

http://www.whyarai.co.uk/standards-explained.php

I have a BSi 6658-85 Type A, which you can see is no longer allowed for MSA events, but for trackdays almost anything goes. Basically it's your head, how much do you value it.

I went for the open faced type, ok I look a bit daft in it but it gives me plenty of visibilty.

[trackerjack]

These kind people have a fine helmet that they sell and fully compliant with RAC regs too.
I think they are called midtec helmets or something like that.
http://www.motorsport-events.com/
Good luck David it will save painting your head to look like one

[mbellinger]

Although it is your head and it depends what price you put on it, I would try not to spend a fortune as it is my experience that the standards change about very 2/3 years.

I disagree with Mart about anything going at track days. This is certainly the case at Castle Coombe, which is unquestionably the most laisser faire track I have ever been to, and may be what Mart refers to. At other tracks they can be a lot more stringent. At Brands all helmets are inspected and if you have the wrong type you don't get on the circuit - simple.

Cadwell, Oulton and Snetterton are also strict in my experience.

Merlin are a decent source as is Jon's link, there are also many suppliers who advertise in Autosport if you can pick up a copy. Prices vary from £100 to £1000 plus.

[Mad Mart]

I can only go on my experience Martin. I have done a lot of track days at Castle Combe, most are the Action days but I have done a couple of MGs-on-Track days which are really well organised. I have also done track days at Silverstone, Mallory and quite a few of the Motorsport Events track days. In the 6-7 years I have been doing track days there has never been a check on helmets...as long as you are wearing one of course.

So the bottom line is, it would be wise to get a regulation helmet so that it doesn't matter which circuit you go to.

[trackerjack]

A curious one this but I got involved with a shady character who is supposedly making a self cooling crash hat to save lives but is in fact hoovering up grants and university cash as part of the process, nice one
The reason I mention this is the fact that I did some research on helmets because frankly I did not believe this guy from the start (but he is considerably richer than I)
What I found was astonishing in as much as a cheap hemet often offers better protection that an expensive one due to the test used by the Snell foundation which does not represent most crash scenarios and loosely it is much like our cars, if a car is rigid the shock kills you but if the car collapses in a controlled way the car dies instead, simples.
I have over simplified this because we would all get bored...........oh you are already! never mind.

[2Toledos]

Basically it's your head, how much do you value it.

Several possible responses:

£55 + P&P - I think that's what I paid for mine: You can get anything on eBay, these days

I've lost my head many's a time; but, it always comes back to me.

My wife thinks it's invaluable - No-one else would let her 'bend their ears' the way I do.

It's not mine - I just borrowed it; but, I suppose I should look after it until it's returned.

...a self cooling crash hat ...

I've already got one - I just take it off, and it cools down all by itself

All nonsense aside: Like Martin; I too prefer the open-face type, even if I do look daft in it. Don't like visors (certainly don't need one in a saloon !); and don't want a 'trough' under my chin. Just personal preference.
Like most purchases in life - Get the best you can afford. You won't go too far wrong if it has the 'BELL' badge on.

[gmsclassics]

Important you try a helmet on before you buy - not something I would by off the internet. Not only to get the right size (can't be pulled forward or back on your head) but surprisingly they are not all the same shape and you'll find some a lot more comfortable than others.

If you look after a helmet well and buy one to the latest standard, they can last for many, many years. I had my last one for close to 15 years and only threw it away after the big accident. Now back to a Bell, like I had when riding bikes daily. That choice was governed by needing one I could use with one of the HANS type devices - out of choice rather than necessity.

Geoff

[David6214]

Thanks chaps, lots of good advice here.

[zombeh]

I currently have one of these (I replaced the OMP one I'd had for several years after a rather interesting trip into the gravel at brands)

As above though really, try and get the one that fits you the best. With the MSA now requiring fireproof helmets for all competition many circuits are threatening to introduce the same requirements for track days, I've never had mine checked but it's better to have a fireproof one and not need it than not be allowed on track on the one day they bother to look.

[trackerjack]

These are the ones that meet all the regulations and fit the bill.
http://www.hedtec.co.uk/hedtec_hans.htm

[cliftyhanger]

There was a bit of a thread on the CT board about trackday helmets. The consensus was that they don't get checked, you certify it complies.
There was a long list of different stds, the newest one, which should be good for a good few years, is the snell2010.

http://club.triumph.org.uk/cgi-bin/foru ... new/#num12

this is a C+P, which originated from the msa website

10.3.1. Standards. Helmets bearing one of the under
mentioned ‘standards’ may be approved by the MSA
subject to other criteria being met.
(a) INTERNATIONAL EVENTS & ALL MSA EVENTS.
FIA 8860-2004.
SNELL SA2010.
SNELL SA2005.
SNELL SA2000*.
SNELL SAH2010.
SFI Foundation 31.1A, 31.2A.
BS 6658 Type A/FR**.
*May be withdrawn with effect from 01/01/15.
**May be withdrawn with effect from 01/01/16.

[knightrider150]

I bought this as i have a fat head

really comfy, bargainous price but doesn't feel badly made at all. I got it from here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOX-BX-1-FULL ... 2eb4556d53

[Mad Mart]

What standard are these made to James, I couldn't see anything in the advert?