Packfill Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 I was looking at helmets the other day and REALLY liked the open face helmets. After years of F1 style helmets with very small eye openings, these helmets seemed really comfortable. With my Bieffe F1-GPV, it is near impossible to see my lap belts, cam lock, etc.... Is there a need for full face helmets in production car racing?? Safer?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spec-944#70 Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 I see both types around. I have a full face but when I go by buy another I may opt for an open face. Less fogging of my sunglasses and since I have to wear a belaclava it'll be that much more comfy. Some say full face is safer but if your strapped in face impact should be nil and objects coming into the car are slight because we're a coupe. Now just watch this weekend a rock will come through my windsheild and hit my chin protector!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Comeau Posted November 24, 2004 Share Posted November 24, 2004 I have always worn a full-face helmet because the safety advantage is there. My Bell Vortex has a small eyeport too , for when I was karting, but I don't need to see my cam lock. I fasten that before the helmet goes on. The only thing that goes on after the helmet is the helmet support. Besides, I can feel my camlock and work it. Your harnesses will stretch in a hard impact. Remember Ernie Irvine's face plant in his stock car. His open-faced helmet allowed him to hit the steering wheel. Yes, belts can and will stretch that far. I'd strongly recommend a full face. There's also fire protection to think about. I have a NACA duct installed in the driver's side window for defogging. Be safe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NASA Jim Posted November 24, 2004 Share Posted November 24, 2004 Full face are safer with with the race required safety equipment. Get a helmet (like the Simpson Voyager) with a larger eye port designed for sedan racing. I've heard one inch of slack in belts = 1 foot of forward travel in an accident. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeanutinCA Posted November 24, 2004 Share Posted November 24, 2004 I've heard one inch of slack in belts = 1 foot of forward travel in an accident. I thought that was 1 inch of rain = 1 foot of snow? I see guys using open face. Do you ever use your helmet for other things? What if you want to jump back in a kart? Will you keep the old also? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Comeau Posted November 24, 2004 Share Posted November 24, 2004 I liked the short but wide eye port on the Bell Vortex. I felt safer about pieces of go kart coming into my eye port. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Packfill Posted November 24, 2004 Author Share Posted November 24, 2004 Dilly, I currently have (2) Bieffe F1-GPV's. I get very attached to my race helmets....I never sell them..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
944-Spec#94 Posted November 24, 2004 Share Posted November 24, 2004 I have bell helmet open face with chin protector. Really is it similar cross between the two. Nice helmet, but my next one SA 2005 will be a full face with large eye port. Probably a Bell M2 or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Comeau Posted November 24, 2004 Share Posted November 24, 2004 Jim, I still have all my helmets, too! Isn't that funny? There's only a couple, but I couldn't just throw them away. Speaking of new helmets. I might be selling a new line of SA 2000 helmets that are very inexpensive. Around $270 for a full face composite helmet! That price got my attention, too! Since the Bell is around $600. I'm waiting for one to be shipped to my house so I can check out the quality. I'll keep you posted and it looks like we might be able to save some serious bucks. , which we can spend on entry fees! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Benbow Posted November 24, 2004 Share Posted November 24, 2004 I have to agree with the full face option. In my opinion they are MUCH safer. Not only for possible flying objects (which really is minimal) and the added fire protection. Frontal impact WILL stretch your belts and your upper torso and neck will also stretch. I'm convinced that a driver's face WILL hit the wheel even if you have the shoulder harnesses cinched REALLY tightly which many of us don't do. You should also check out the Bell helmet website. They argue that a full face helmet (especially with a collar support) will contact the front of your chest and mitigate the sort of injury that a HANS is designed to protect you from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Packfill Posted November 25, 2004 Author Share Posted November 25, 2004 Never mind, I think I will install airbags..... I, being green, never thought of putting your helmet on AFTER you were completely harnessed in....This may allevieate the problem.... Thanks!! Look at the difference in the eye port in these two helmets, mine (for open wheel) and a M2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeanutinCA Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 Jim, I can put my belts, nets, gloves etc. all on with my helmet on. You should learn to do it by feel. The basis being, if you were to have a fire, you have to get it UNDONE without being able to see. No point getting comfortable with something like fitting belts, because you will get complacent. Learn to do it by feel and use the feel to ENSURE your belts are locked in tight. Dilly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfoley Posted November 27, 2004 Share Posted November 27, 2004 Joe, Are there any significant changes planned for the SA 2005 standard? Why are you waiting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Comeau Posted November 28, 2004 Share Posted November 28, 2004 I wasn't aware of any 2005 helmets coming out....... I'm waiting to see the quality of the new ZAMP helmets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
944-Spec#94 Posted November 28, 2004 Share Posted November 28, 2004 No big changes, but when the 2005's come out the 95 will be too old. There is a 10 year window for helmets, plus a no older than 5 year rule. PS... I just got back from the 2 hr endro. And throughout the day remember getting hit with rubber inside my helmet eye port. Not once, but a few times. My next helmet will have visor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Comeau Posted November 28, 2004 Share Posted November 28, 2004 You'd get whacked in the face with rubber alot less if you LED the race, ya slug! Where'd you run?..how'd you do? Also, any news on AMP? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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