Helmet Choice

[MRJUCY]

One thing I did find was that it was easier to hear what the officials were saying to me when I was wearing a motocross helmet but I don't know if thats a general thing or just brand/model specific

[rag top]

I use either - as long as they are approved. But then, how quick a car? normal street meet in a fairly stock car is all the racing I've done.

[dansedgli]

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

I've got a full face jobbie I paid 250 odd for. I took the visor out to cool it down a bit, the way I see it it's just a piece of plastic, 9 out of 10 objects that go straight into it with enough force to cause damage to my face will go straight through it anyway.

The visor on a ADR approved helmet can withstand a ballbearing shot at it at like 400km/hr or some insane speed like that. They are pretty important which is why even the visor must meet the proper standards.

I heard a story when I went for my L's that a guy had his visor up at night and copped a grasshopper through his eye at 100km/hr and it went into his brain and killed him.
I have copped a few stones to my visor from behind cars travelling at about 80km/hr and I thank god that my visor was down. The rocks hit damn hard when your hooning along.

I have a $450 motorbike helmet that I use on my bike and for racing and if it good enough to be sold here for a bike then it is fine for a drag race. All helmets sold in australia for motorbike must meet the same australian standards.

You can get fined for not having a proper ADR approved helmet on the road. You can even get done if you remove the ADR approval stickers off the helmet.

[oneredED]

I have a couple of helmets sitting on the shelf in my room. One is a full-face from my go-kart days, and another is a good quality motorcross one. If my car was faster than say 12 seconds, i'd definately go the full face. The front of a motorcross helmet is not designed to slam into a steering wheel (then again you'd probably have good seat belts in a quick car...). The bit that covers your mouth can shatter if enough force is applied to it front on, and the resulting facial injuries won't be pretty.

I wouldn't have thought this to be the case, but my little bro stacked his XR400 at 100km/h into a couple of gum-trees (followed by a guidepost and a fence), and this happened to his $500 helmet (he was out-cold with 5 broken vertebrae in his neck!). Luckily, the mouth part snapped to the side, and not straight into his face. (Oh, it's 6 months later now and he's fine in case anyone was wondering)

That said, the motorcrosser helmet is far lighter, breathes much better (especially around the mouth), is more comfortable, and you are more aware of your surroundings whilst you have it on as opposed to the full face. I think as long as the officials let you wear it, it's just up to personal preference.

[bowsaw]

I heard a story when I went for my L's that a guy had his visor up at night and copped a grasshopper through his eye at 100km/hr and it went into his brain and killed him.

Dont know about that, I have been hit by hoppers, bees( went down side of helmet, wasnt fun) betles, in the eyes etc, never went in my brain, certainly not at 100km/h, mmmmm.

[russellw]

The primary reason that rally drivers still use open face helmets is peripheral vision and (having a rally background) it's still my preferred choice. From the absolute safety stance I acknowledge the additional risk to (particlarly) the lower facial area but I'm too old and set in my ways to change now.

As the original question asked about drag racing, the peripheral vision issue doesn't really apply and thus the additional protection provided by a full face helmet is certainly preferable.

Given that visors seem to be getting smaller and many classes of professional racing have now introduced seats with large wings either side of the hemet I wonder how anyone is going to be able to have a clear view of what's around them but safety is the name of the game now.

The earlier comments relating to buying the highest standard of helmet you can afford are valid ones but they also need to be balanced against what competition use you are going to put it to - the odd drag day in a street car running 13+ is not as demanding of a helmet as regular track days or hill climbs although you can get hurt doing any of them.

Cheers
Russ

[SpoolMan]

This may be better for the Sourman

[merlin]

$950 for a CAMS helmet! Why the hell is it so expensive?

I ride everyday and entrust my life with a well built $400 Shoei full face helmet (was on sale, usually $750, but bike shops are always having sales).

I have been drag racing (in a car) and wore my Shoei helmet - as has been said, it does get a little hot.

Motorcross ones would be better in that you get more room around the mouth and they have better vision.

Though personally I would wear an open face. Although I despise them for bikes (as has been said, bye bye face), I see no issue with using them in amateur drag racing. I mean you are in a controlled environment, 400 metres long, with a steel cage to protect you and most of these cars would have airbags - I dont see the issue unless you step into pro racing.

[dansedgli]

Originally Posted by bowsaw

I heard a story when I went for my L's that a guy had his visor up at night and copped a grasshopper through his eye at 100km/hr and it went into his brain and killed him.

Did you get your L's at Hart in Kilsyth? I was told the same story.

[nugget378]

I prefer the motocross style,just easier to use on the strip..

[Blue Oval Mopar Man]

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

I choose my moto cross helmet over my roadbike helmet, not for more protection, but for the extra room in front of the mouth for breathing, it gets dam hot when waiting in line to race.
A motocross style will suit your needs best Sourbastard.

If it gets hot, just turn on the airconditioner !