Closed Cockpit Helmet for Gen V HPDEs

[Stealth]

What type of Helmets are you using when participating in HPDEs with Gen Vs (or other Vipers) ? It is time for me to update my SA2000 Helmet.

And yes, I did a Search.

The reason I ask, is I have usually gone with a full-face dual-purpose Helmet which has an attached sun visor bill and which can also be used without the bill as a traditional visor shield up or down helmet. Most full-face helmets just have the clear or tinted visor and in a closed cockpit car like a Gen V, I doubt I would use the visor down in the car so it would just be up if I went that direction.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Also, fwiw, even though we are on the verge of SA2015 in Oct/Nov., the prices on SA2010 helmets do not appear to be deeply discounted yet.

[Satin69]

I use a white Bell- ~$350 IIRC

[TrackAire]

If I'm understanding what your asking, I only wear a full face with the visor down, even in an enclosed cockpit. After seeing multiple in-car accident videos, a lot of crap flies around inside the car and your eyes/face are susceptible. I also saw a video of a Porsche driver hitting deer on track at speed...I know deer have been hit at both Sonoma and I think Thunderhill. Hell, even your own hands can hit you in the face if you start to barrel roll.

Mine is a Bell, I'll be upgrading to a lighter helmet soon to further protect my neck, etc. I also use a Necksgen HANS device whenever I track with a full harness.

[Nine Ball]

I use a carbon fiber Simpson Bandit, and use the optional mirrored shield. It has a similar view outward as wearing sunglasses. Not that dark, but reflects most of the glare. The infamous "Stig" wears the Simpson Diamondback helmet. http://simpsonraceproducts.com/snell-sa2010/diamondback/

Tony

[Jay Lopez]

If you don't have harnesses, but want head and neck restraint, you can use a Simpson R3. It works with 3 point belts. I looked on Simpson's website and it looks like there is a newer model.

http://simpsonraceproducts.com/hybrid/hybrid-nascar-approved/

[XSnake]

i use a Bell BR.1 since it has the provision for my Cool Suit helmet system

[Stealth]

so you guys that are running hpdes-- not open wheel racing - are running your full face helmets with the visor closed in your cars? that is pretty hot here in California where our tracks reach 90 to a hundred degrees in the summer! nevertheless thank you very much for your input

[Simms]

I use a closed face as well (visor half closed). All my rears of racing motorcycles I just don't feel comfortable with an open face. It's in my head, but I don't feel secure.

[Bruce H.]

I use full face with visor up and the windows down. I should probably use visor down to protect my face against the possibility of track grit/debris flying in, but I do at least wear prescription glasses to protect my eyes while trying to keep my head as cool as possible. Sunglasses instead of tinted visor, and the low windshield header helps in that regard as well.

[Stealth]

I use full face with visor up and the windows down. I should probably use visor down to protect my face against the possibility of track grit/debris flying in, but I do at least wear prescription glasses to protect my eyes while trying to keep my head as cool as possible. Sunglasses instead of tinted visor, and the low windshield header helps in that regard as well.

This is more the norm that I have observed. This has led me to use a full face helmet with large eye port, sunglasses and a duckbill in the past (Like Sparco WTX-5T) in the past. Based on feedback from this thread, maybe it is time to go closed visor and add some tint to the visor if necessary. Sunglasses are often a tough squeeze.

[AZTVR]

I was searching around and found this post in the track section of another forum. Something to consider.
The BMW Club chapter that I instruct with held an instructor's seminar over the weekend. Joe Marko of HMS Motorsports did the presentation on track safety. He mentioned there has been some helmet/air bag deployment testing done at Delphi. The tests showed there is no difference between an open face helmet and a full face helmet with its visor closed/locked or removed when an air bag deploys. The air bag doesn't get caught under the chin of the full face helmet. However, if you have the visor partially open instead of fully down and locked into place the air bag will catch the visor and throw your helmet backwards. Sun shields/visors over the eye port on open face and full face helmets will do the same thing so they need to be removed.

[Stealth]

Good info!

So it looks like full face (which I have always worn), and either visor removed or closed.

[MBG2.0]

Love my ARAI
The higher end Bells fit real good..I suggest going to a local race shop to test fit.

[TrackAire]

I was searching around and found this post in the track section of another forum. Something to consider.

Interesting thought about the airbag, but every face shield I've ever seen does not have enough structural integrity to hurt you neck since it will either break or flex off of the top of the helmet. Just my opinion, but if you open your visor and try to slam it back over your helmet, it will break or flex off its mounts long before it will snap your head back to the point of injury.

I've never tracked in a high humidity summer type climates....you might have to crack the bottom of the visor to keep it from fogging up, etc.

Here is a deer taking out a Porsche.....air bags deployed, etc.....what a mess, even for the car behind the car the struck the deer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3qo1de-iYk

Here is why when shit goes bad, it goes very bad. A deer into the Corvettes windshield....full face with shield down would have been helpful here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=25&v=n8FBxS-00xU

[Dusty1]

If you can wait a few months the Snell 2015 helmets will be coming. Get you another 5 years of use.

Richard

[ACRucrazy]

I want to pick one up before June, been waiting for the 2015s patiently.

[ViperGeorge]

I use a Pyrotech Carbon Fiber, very light. In black.

[Stealth]

SA2015 will not be out until October or November 2015 according to several retailers and the SA2010 helmets are not "on sale" yet. I think date of manufacture is also relevant in terms of the life of a new helmet.

[Dman]

Interesting thought about the airbag, but every face shield I've ever seen does not have enough structural integrity to hurt you neck since it will either break or flex off of the top of the helmet. Just my opinion, but if you open your visor and try to slam it back over your helmet, it will break or flex off its mounts long before it will snap your head back to the point of injury.

I've never tracked in a high humidity summer type climates....you might have to crack the bottom of the visor to keep it from fogging up, etc.

Here is a deer taking out a Porsche.....air bags deployed, etc.....what a mess, even for the car behind the car the struck the deer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3qo1de-iYk

Here is why when shit goes bad, it goes very bad. A deer into the Corvettes windshield....full face with shield down would have been helpful here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=25&v=n8FBxS-00xU

Why did I know you were going to post Summit Point vids?? I HATE seeing those.

I had a deer one time cross the track on a bike track day, pinned throttle back straight on the Shenny circuit, talk about a sphincter puckering nanosecond. I don't know what it is about Summit, it's my home track, but those damn stupid deer, what's so hard to figure out about NOT jumping in front of 130+mph things.

[TrackAire]

Why did I know you were going to post Summit Point vids?? I HATE seeing those.

I had a deer one time cross the track on a bike track day, pinned throttle back straight on the Shenny circuit, talk about a sphincter puckering nanosecond. I don't know what it is about Summit, it's my home track, but those damn stupid deer, what's so hard to figure out about NOT jumping in front of 130+mph things.

So far I've not seen a deer on the NorCal tracks I've run while I'm driving. Closest thing to an out of control object while I was on the track was a tire/wheel that left a car but was not in my immediate area and had stopped rolling by the time I got to it. The scariest was following a car down the straight at Thunderhill when his hood popped open and folded back onto the windshield and roof of his car. Luckily it stayed attached but did cause me a major pucker factor.