I was going over the NASA rules and see that while my SA2005 helmet is out of certification for competition, it is still acceptable for HPDE. Hmmmm ...

 

That's good to know. The HJC I got is a 2015 certification. Locally I only have Motorcycle shops so it's an inexpensive starter helmet. I'm sure they make ones with a better rear contour for being in a car. But at least this way I could make sure it fit right and now know my size in an HJC. The guy in the store even had me wear it around for 10 minutes to make sure it was still comfortable. Unfortunately the drag strips near me do not allow street radials. Closest might be 1 1/2 hours and it's an 1/8th of a mile track. Their facebook pages make these places look like they're filled with meatheads and nothing to attract the daily driver crowd to come and test. June is a crap shoot for the HPDE in Atlanta due to a work schedule that I have not yet received and can no longer request off. Might have to wait until December.

 

 

 

That's not true. You can use a motorcycle helmet on tracks in NASA for HPDE. Read the rules for all the events you plan on attending. A modern motorcycle helmet might be sufficient. If you plan on advancing to competition, you might consider starting with an SA helmet, but you might not need one for non-competition events.

Again, check with the governing body for the events you want to attend.

 

Thanks, on further review it does have the M2015 rating not the SA2015. However, this way I don't need to barrow a helmet the rare times I'll be on 2 wheels. I'll check with NASA if I can make the June event. The FG-17 was very inexpensive and worth keeping either way. Size wise for HJC should be equivalent to order online an SA 2015 if anyone has a model recommendation. Now for this can of worms. Went to the closest 1/4 mile drag track last night just to check it out. Looks like a place where I could do a few runs during their test and tune Friday nights. But there were several people doing runs with no helmet at all. For sure they don't care M vs SA at the drag strip.

 

It's in the rules, see section 11.3.1.

 

Unless you are tracking a motorcycle, you don't need a Snell rating on a motorcycle helmet. An SA2015 Snell helmet is almost certainly DOT approved, better than 95% of the motorcycle helmets on the road, and perfectly legal for street use. For the few times you need a motorcycle helmet, you're best off buying an SA helmet for both purposes. I used my auto racing helmet for several years on a motorcycle. The only real issue is that it is not vented optimally for MC use.

 

 

You may have miss read the above post. I'll keep the HJC for 2 wheels and get another one for 4 wheels. Thankfully cost is not much of a factor but I doubt it's necessary to spend 2k. I'm seeing SA2015 light weight carbon fiber helmets at around $900. I'm also more aware than most about the aftermath of g-force on the body as that's what I do for a living. But as always, any input is appreciated.

 

Do not buy any helmet without having tried it on and with someone who knows about helmet fitting to make sure it fits ie: a trained salesperson. Go to an approved retailer because these lids have a shelf life. Out of date lids are not recommended.
Ask yourself, how much is my head worth? Then get the best possible lid you can afford, don't scrimp.

I only wear two brands, Arai or Shoei and at least £500 per lid.
I have had 2 Simpson lids on the Snell rating system, but they do not compare in terms of fit or quality.

 

Shark make some high quality lids.
https://us.shark-helmets.com/

Shoei
https://www.shoei-helmets.com/

Arai
https://www.araiamericas.com/

Race helmets which meet FIA standard.
This shop is at Silverstone in England but it gives you a clear idea.
https://www.gprdirect.com/helmets/racing-helmets.html

 

 

Hello Andrew,

I have been pondering a G-Force question that perhaps you can share your expert opinion.

A severe lateral impact or movement in a shoulder-harness-equipped race car is devastating to the head and neck unless you have some type of restraint such as a seat halo or other device restricting the side movement.

I'm wondering, do you think a street car is actually safer in terms of effect on the head/neck/torso due to all the airbags and the built in safety of the 3 point seat belt? And, perhaps it would matter greatly if the head is flung to the inboard side without airbags vs the outboard side with bags.

This is my greatest fear as even a gentle sideways slide into a firm barrier will do some wicked things to the head and neck. Head on crashes in a street car are amazingly survivable. But what about side forces???

 

 

Yes for HPDE (non-competition), the rules are relaxed a bit. You also don't need a nomex racing suit.

 

 

Hence my recommendation of NASA. They run HPDE as part of competition weekends, so have a full complement of professional marshals, plus emergency crews standing by. Also, they have no reluctance to sending people home from HPDE.

 

 

Thanks BP, sounds like you have the most sophisticated track experience on the thread. I don't think ER MD is exactly expert opinion realm vs crash test dummy but I do have a lot of years under my belt seeing the aftermath. Clearly the safety systems for a track only car are far superior than our F-Types. They are designed for those high speed impacts you should only see on the track. Imagine a Nascar driver going into a wall at any angle at 70 mph or 80 or even 90 with full gear. That driver likely doesn't even have a headache or neck strain. But Matt is right, you put the force perpendicular to the driver's side that's the one direction a road car without a head/neck restraint device can't protect you. So what's that speed that paralyzes you? Hard to say. Not 50 mph, probably not 60 or 70 but surely if you can get to 120-150 at a track where that angle of deceleration is possible could do it. Non scientifically most people I see in a modern car, wearing a seat belt, with both side and front airbags deploying, walk away from collisions below 90 mph. But there are exceptions based on angle of impact and all of those are related to the amount of intrusion into the drivers compartment. Bottom line if you are planning to track faster than 80 mph you are vulnerable without the added safety gear that BP employs. So we begin with a high quality, light weight, well fitting helmet that is Snell rated and should all probably employ a neck restraint system when we nudge past beginner. That's my plan for now. Still waiting on work schedule to see if I can make NASA in June.