TomsSound

Ok, which helmet should i buy?
I know the m2000 is for motorcycles and are not fire retardant.
I know the sa2000 is.... and is more expensive.
My question is which one should i get... and which events will not let me use a m2000 helmet?
Some of the veterans at different driving events should know the answer .. hopefullly.
I'm just starting to get into this... and do not want to buy an expensive SA2000 helmet unless its going to be needed in the future.
Thanks

vbspec

I use a m2000 helmet and I belive for this year its legal.

I'm not up on the saftey equipment side of things but if Chad (turbochad) dosent know, just come to the next event borrow a helmet and ask Greg Smith he knows all that saftey stuff.

TomsSound

Let me add to this....
I'm going to a road course event at VIR in March.. and need the helmet for that.....
But i'm also looking down the road and might want to try some auto-x

turbochad

If you are doing track events, the Helmet MUST be SA2000.. Here are the differences:

SA's have a fire resistance rating, M's do not.
SA's can have a narrower field of vision (which means they MAY not be street legal, my GForce is)
SA's are rated for roll bar imparts, M's are not.

Also remember that helmets are dated, just like harnesses. You can only use them for a certain period. SA2000 is the most current. Usually you can use a helmet that's one rating back, so before 2000 it was 1995. I bought a new one because my old one was M1990 (that, and my wife needed ideas for my birthday )

Out of all the things to try and save money on, a helmet isn't it.


My helmet

98sr20ve

Not true. For real racing you need a SA helmet. For HPDE's MA is just fine and is all that is required. If you are going to do the HPDE's to get the racing school then get the SA for sure. Otherwise the MA should be fine.

http://veloce.nasaproracing.com/hpde/preparing.html
http://www.mazdadrivers.com/04_north/04n_gen.htm

turbochad

Okay.. you are correct, for HPDE you need only an M1995. Some clubs are starting to require SA rated helmets though. Apparently a lot of them in CA are now SA only. You also have to have a roll bar for convertibles..

So, the question is: How much is your head worth?! I don't use my brain a whole bunch unless I really have too, but I think the SA is worth it. Especially since I now have a roll bar, I'd like a helmet rated to hit it

TomsSound

what about the shields on the full face helmets?
are there any rules about those?
I mean , can you leave them up if you have a helmet with a shield?

turbochad

No. You don't have to have sheilds in a full bodied car.. My SA rated GForce is closed face, but no sheild.

TomsSound

how is that one... compared to say the bell m2?
I wear glasses... and It looks like the m2 has more room for glasses...
Do you think the Gforce has enough room for glasses?

TomsSound

what about contoured collars? are they worth the money?
or would i be ok for a while without it?