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May 23, 2011 12:48 p.m. Yavuz New Reader

Well I've decided that I'm going to give autocrossing a shot this year and need to buy a helmet. I may take a trip or two up to the drag strip too, but that should be about it. Regardless, I know that I should buy one with an SA2010 rating and I think I'd prefer a full face. I'm not looking to break the bank here, so the cheaper the better.

I figured saferacer is a good place to start looking and it seems as though I have some options. There are helmets from G-Force, Bell, HJC, and Simpson in the $250-300 price range.

Here's a link for all SA2010 helmets starting with the cheapest ones: http://www.saferacer.com/auto-racing-helmets/sa2010/?cat=52&tagarray=74&sort=price&sort_direction=0

Can I get some recommendations? I'm open to other options too!

Thanks, Yavuz
May 23, 2011 12:58 p.m. moxnix Reader

Most autocross clubs will have free loaner helmets available. I would say use that you first few times and once you figure out if you are going to stick with autocross for a while buy your own.

Also if you are only using it for autocross (I don't know about drag strips) you will only need to have a Snell M rated helmet (M tends to be cheaper than SA)

The best advice I can give on a helmet is find someplace to actually try it on and see how it fits your head (another thing the M helmets have going for them is there are a lot more motorcycle shops around than racing shops)
May 23, 2011 1:12 p.m. mndsm SuperDork

^ That. Go try some on before you order one. I've found online measuring tools for helmets to be horribly inaccurate.....
May 23, 2011 2:23 p.m. kabel Dork

moxnix wrote:

Most autocross clubs will have free loaner helmets available. I would say use that you first few times and once you figure out if you are going to stick with autocross for a while buy your own.

but buy a cheap a balaclava/head sock if you do that^

lots of close outs still around on 2005SA/M helmets too IF they are the proper size.

I'm waiting on my new SA2010 Bell M4, I need an XS size and they are on backorder :(
May 23, 2011 2:25 p.m. Duke SuperDork

I've never found an actual shop that carried any of the helmets I was interested in. Even if they had the brand (unlikely) they only ever had Snell M helmets (if that - mostly just DOT M) and had never even heard of SA rated.

I bought a full-face Pyrotect Airflow SA2010 for about $250 shipped from pyrotectoutlet.com. So far I like it, definitely considering the price. It's very light at about 3 pounds. It fits a slight bit more snugly than the size chart might suggest, but not too much. I was in the middle of the range for size L. If you are in the upper end of their size chart when measured, consider moving up 1 size.
May 23, 2011 2:46 p.m. Yavuz New Reader

Thanks for the advice, I didn't realize that I could possibly just rent one out. I'll have to contact someone in the local autocross chapter to see if they have any I can borrow during an event. I live in MA, in case anyone here knows if they do or not.

As far as the sizing goes, I don't know of any local shops that sell racing helmets. When buying a motorcycle helmet a few years ago the HJC size chart was spot on, so I'm fairly confident about ordering one online without trying it on first.
May 23, 2011 3:21 p.m. Salanis SuperDork

Yavuz wrote:

As far as the sizing goes, I don't know of any local shops that sell racing helmets. When buying a motorcycle helmet a few years ago the HJC size chart was spot on, so I'm fairly confident about ordering one online without trying it on first.

Does that mean you already have a M2005 helmet? That should be perfectly legit for almost any group.

Typically, you don't need SA rated stuff until you get into wheel-to-wheel racing or faster drag cars. If they aren't requiring a fire-suit, they probably aren't requiring an SA helmet.
May 23, 2011 5:00 p.m. Yavuz New Reader

My bike helmet is a cheapo HJC that I believe only carries a DOT rating, I'll have to double check. I'll see what the requirement at the drag strip is too.
May 23, 2011 5:09 p.m. RexSeven SuperDork

It's a bit of a drive from Worcester, but I recommend HMS Motorsport in Danvers:

http://www.hmsmotorsport.com/

Their customer service is very helpful and if you present a valid racing club membership, they will give you a discount. They have plenty of helmets to try on.
May 23, 2011 5:10 p.m. Sonic Dork

I also just got a Pyrotect Pro Air Flow SA2010 and am really happy with it. Nice and light, reasonable priced, rubber seal for the visor, etc. A nice unit, amazed how light it is for the price.

While it is a bit of a drive from you, you can try and buy helmets at HMS motorsports in Danvers, MA I think, that's where I bought my previous helmet in 2003 or so.
June 3, 2011 10:51 a.m. Yavuz New Reader

Duke: How was your experience with pyrotectoutlet? I placed an order for an open face SA2010 helmet a week ago and it's been strange to say the least. Weird order process, no receipt, no tracking numbers, etc. I'm sure it'll be fine but it just seems a bit sketchy.
June 3, 2011 10:57 a.m. Duke SuperDork

I think it is a very small shop. I admit I was a tad worried but it went fine. I needed my helmet within about 2 weeks so I called a day or two after the order was placed to let them know. They were responsive and reassuring. A week went by and I hadn't gotten it so I called again. I don't think they stock much because he said they had just gotten it from Pyrotect. However he promised I would have it on time and upgraded to overnight shipping at no charge to make sure I did.

I will probably order from them again, but if you are on a deadline, make sure they know.
June 3, 2011 11:00 a.m. LainfordExpress Reader

Hmm... I suppose I did something wrong when I searched before making my thread...

I swear, I searched for "autocross helmet" and only got taken to the "Just Hit It With A Hammer" page!
June 3, 2011 11:47 a.m. chaparral Reader

Yavuz,

Buy your SA rated helmet from Roger Hargens at Prospeed Kartsports in North Attleboro MA - 508 399 5377.

For AX you only need an M-rated helmet, and I recommend an open-face helmet.
June 3, 2011 12:16 p.m. clutchsmoke Reader

If you have the extra cash I would go open face for autoX. And I would recommend HJC for that. At least for me their helmets fit my head perfectly. Bell as well, but they cost more.

Someone please chime in as I'm curious as to whether SA rated helmets fit any differently than Snell rated(motorcycle helmets) from the same manufacturer? As long as it's close you can just change out the padding in the helmet.
June 3, 2011 12:24 p.m. Salanis SuperDork

clutchsmoke wrote:

Someone please chime in as I'm curious as to whether SA rated helmets fit any differently than Snell rated(motorcycle helmets) from the same manufacturer? As long as it's close you can just change out the padding in the helmet.

My impression is that it's close, but not exactly the same. They typically are separate models, not just differently lined versions of the same helmet. Motorcycle helmets are required to have wider fields of view (which doesn't hurt in a car), and usually have slightly different features for venting. Individual models from one manufacturer fit similarly, but usually not exactly the same.

Yavuz wrote:

I'll see what the requirement at the drag strip is too.

Drag strips usually have lighter restrictions than tracks. If you're not required to wear a full suit, you're not required to have an SA helmet. You'll be required to have a rollbar before you're required to have flame retardant clothes.