Helmets?

What are folks using these days for auto-x and track days? Looking for something that is affordable....not cheap (are these Zamp helmets any good??) and not $799 carbon fiber y0!

thx,

My wife is using a Simpson FR Cruiser that seems to be decent quality and comfortable for her. I use a Pyrotect helmet - I think it's this one - that also has the advantage of being DOT approved so if I wanted to I could use it on the bike.

Both are Snell 2010 approved and are both less than $300.

I wondered about the Zamp helmets too- will wait for those who know to chime in...

What about the GForce helmets places like Pegasus carry?

orphancars wrote: What are folks using these days for auto-x and track days? Looking for something that is affordable....not cheap (are these Zamp helmets any good??) and not $799 carbon fiber y0! thx,

I had an early open face G-Force helmet that I used for hill climbs and Auto-X, seemed to hold up well to cold and heat and easy to wear. Overall not a bad deal compared to my Simpson which was almost twice the price.

Paul B

I'll be watching this one, I need a CHEAP Snell helmet for RallyX.

I use a G Force and am very satisfied with it. Full face and Snell 2010.

For autocross you can get by with a Snell M2005 or later but with very few exceptions you'll need a Snell SA2005 or newer for HPDE/track days. Further many HPDE/track day organizers will require a full face helmet to run an open top car.

I've had Zamps; no complaints ('course I never took a shot to the head while wearing 'em). Although they're more pricey I really like Impact helmets.

Jeff

I currently have a Zamp and I'm quite happy with it. Fits nicely on my head and isn't heavy, but it doesn't look very durable. That's ok with me because I don't do many events, but if you are at the track every weekend, I'd find something else.

i just picked up an HJC snell m2010 this season for about $130 shipped from amazon

edit-but i just saw this ad on the left banner of GRM so maybe start with a sponsor! http://www.zamp-racing.com/auto.html

Whatever fits, and whatever is legal for the sanctioning body (SA2010 you can't go wrong).

I use a cheap SA2010 Bell Sport and it fits great (full-face). I also use a fairly cheap Bell open-face (I forget which one) for rally-x.

Keep in mind some kinds of racing (Lemons, Chump, ??) don't allow open-face, so get full-face if you plan to do that sutff.

This winter, I replaced my ancient (circa 2001) Simpson with a G-Force.

Try before you buy. I'm still not 100% thrilled with the G-Force's fitment even after three events on it to get it broken in. The Simpson fit me perfectly but my head it a little too narrow for the G-Force to fit snugly, and the cheek padding also seems a little off.

I have a Shoei RF1100 in matte black.

Had to special order the pig, as I have a GIGANTIC melon and had to have a XXXL (yes that's right, 3 x's). Cost me like 450$. Still a hair tight, but pretty comfy. I had purchased an XXL Zero9 CF SA2005 helmet from a good chap on here for 300$, and it was just too damn small. . Shame really- it was a pimpin' helmet.

I have a Zamp. Every time I didn't crash, I felt like it would protect me if I had. But I'm just autocrossing.

Pyrotect SA2010 $169

I've used Zamp in the past .. it was fine

I've used Bell, Pyrotect, and RCI in the past and had no complaints, I would actually recommend finding a place you can try a few on and see which one fits your head the best, then pick a model from that manufacturer that fits your needs and budget.

I have the full face version of that Pyrotect. I like it pretty well and it is fairly light. Their size chart is optimistic - order a size up from what you measure.

Find out what the HPDE groups around you require. Rule of thumb: if they don't require other fire retardent gear, they won't require an SA helmet. This will usually be reserved for Wheel-to-wheel and the very top level of solo competition.

If you aren't doing that, just go to a motorcycle shop and find a Snell M2010 helmet that fits you well. If it has the required rating, actual impact protection will be pretty much equal. The most important thing is how well it fits. Overall sizes vary and do no account for the shape of the crown of your head. Wear several helmets around the shop for a while. When you find a helmet that you realize the clerk doesn't understand what you're saying because you forgot you still had the helmet on, buy that one.

My helmets are a Shoei Qwest M2010 and a store brand SA2005 that was constructed under contract by a Bell factory in the U.S. It was cheaper than the motorcycle helmet. They were able to get it tested because Snell has a lab close by in Sacramento (one of my students actually worked with them on a science fair project). Both are full face.

I picked up a Snell 2005 HJC from Bike Bandit or some similar online place for like $40-shipped a couple months ago. Hard to beat a price like that, even if it's not a 2010.

thanks for all the advice!

I have been running a Zamp all season. It has been pretty good. I am very happy with it for the price.

JKleiner wrote: For autocross you can get by with a Snell M2005 or later but with very few exceptions you'll need a Snell SA2005 or newer for HPDE/track days.

I don't know why people insist on continuing to perpetuate this myth. I have yet to be made aware of any open track day organizers who require Snell SA helmets at events that don't also require nomex driving suits to be worn as well. And any who might would appear to be in the vast minority, since all of the largest organizations appear to specifically accept Snell M helmets at such non-competition track events. That being said, having a Snell SA helmet will never be problematic either.

yeah, what Driven5 wrote ... before my first SA helmet I drove several track events (PDX, HPDE ...etc) with Snell M rated helmets

Driven5 wrote:

JKleiner wrote: For autocross you can get by with a Snell M2005 or later but with very few exceptions you'll need a Snell SA2005 or newer for HPDE/track days.

I don't know why people insist on continuing to perpetuate this myth. I have yet to be made aware of any open track day organizers who require Snell SA helmets at events that don't also require nomex driving suits to be worn as well. And any who might would appear to be in the vast minority, since all of the largest organizations appear to specifically accept Snell M helmets at such non-competition track events. That being said, having a Snell SA helmet will never be problematic either.

Uhhh...maybe because it is not a myth? I don't know where or with what groups you run but if you check out 10/10ths Motorsports, MVP Track time and Hooked On Driving to name a few that I have experience with you will learn that if you show up without an SA helmet you aren't getting on the track however none of these three require Nomex.

Jeff

In reply to JKleiner:

Those are the exception, not the rule. Those requirements are set by the insurance company, not the organizing group. Out here every group I have run with (including hoojed on driving, nasa, and scca) has not required an sa helmet at any track (including laguna, infineon, or t-hill) unless you are racing. Your experiences are not typical.