Questions on Drag Racing Helmets!
05-15-2011, 07:26 PM
#1
The Paranoid One
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 5,320
Questions on Drag Racing Helmets!
Looking for one possibly.
I have no idea what to look for.
I have no idea what rating to look for.
Going to to quater mi. and 1/8 mi.
The car is expected to be running 7's or lower in the 8th.
I dont want to spend a hell of alot of money but I would like one with
a good rating.
So what kind of helmet should I look for and what rating?
Do I need a closed face helmet?
Thanks!
I have no idea what to look for.
I have no idea what rating to look for.
Going to to quater mi. and 1/8 mi.
The car is expected to be running 7's or lower in the 8th.
I dont want to spend a hell of alot of money but I would like one with
a good rating.
So what kind of helmet should I look for and what rating?
Do I need a closed face helmet?
Thanks!
05-15-2011, 08:49 PM
#2
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: California
Posts: 10,468
Get a closed face helmet, Snell 2005 or later spec, SA spec if you have a roll bar. And go to a shop that sells and lets you try on helmets so you can get one that fits properly, most people buy a helmet that's too large.
05-16-2011, 04:02 AM
#3
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: alberta, canada
Posts: 1,940
closed face, open face is personal opinion. I just use a closed face motorcycle helmet and never closed the lid, but there are sturdier grades for racing faster cars. My car ran mid 13s (Ithink 8s in the 1/8)at the time and nobody even looked at it. But they call them Brain Buckets for a reason.
Last edited by buster; 05-16-2011 at 04:04 AM.
05-16-2011, 08:05 AM
#4
Retired Mod
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 7,658
you dont need a closed face, but god forbid a wreck, you want a closed face IMO
As to rating here they are from the NHRA rules"
As to rating here they are from the NHRA rules"
10:7 HELMET
As outlined under Class Requirements, drivers in all classes,
including motorcycles, must wear a helmet meeting Snell or SFI
Specifications.
SFI Spec 31.1A = Snell SA, open-face helmet
SFI Spec 31.2A = Snell SA full-face helmet
SFI Spec 41.1A = Snell M, open-face helmet
SFI Spec 41.2A = Snell M full-face helmet
Full-face helmet mandatory on all cars 9.99 or quicker. See
individual Class Requirements for additional requirements. Shield
mandatory 7.49 and quicker.
Drivers of NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and E.T. cars (13.99
or quicker) must use a helmet meeting Snell SA2000, M2000,
SA2005, M2005, M2010, or SFI 31.1A, 31.2A, 31.1/2005, 41.1A,
41.2A, or 41.1/2005 Specs. Drivers in supercharged, front-engine,
open-bodied cars and Funny Cars must wear a helmet meeting
Snell SA2000, SA2005 or SFI
As outlined under Class Requirements, drivers in all classes,
including motorcycles, must wear a helmet meeting Snell or SFI
Specifications.
SFI Spec 31.1A = Snell SA, open-face helmet
SFI Spec 31.2A = Snell SA full-face helmet
SFI Spec 41.1A = Snell M, open-face helmet
SFI Spec 41.2A = Snell M full-face helmet
Full-face helmet mandatory on all cars 9.99 or quicker. See
individual Class Requirements for additional requirements. Shield
mandatory 7.49 and quicker.
Drivers of NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and E.T. cars (13.99
or quicker) must use a helmet meeting Snell SA2000, M2000,
SA2005, M2005, M2010, or SFI 31.1A, 31.2A, 31.1/2005, 41.1A,
41.2A, or 41.1/2005 Specs. Drivers in supercharged, front-engine,
open-bodied cars and Funny Cars must wear a helmet meeting
Snell SA2000, SA2005 or SFI
NHRA Helmet Expiration Dates
Head rest within 4"
of driver’s helmet
Padded head protectors 10:6
Label Expires
Snell 2000 1/1/2012
Snell 2005 1/1/2017
Snell 2010 1/1/2022
SFI 31.1A 1/1/2014
SFI 31.2A 1/1/2014
Label Expires
SFI 41.1A 1/1/2014
SFI 41.2A 1/1/2014
SFI 31.1/2005 1/1/2017
SFI 41.1/2005 1/1/2017
SFI 24.1 (JDRL only) 1/1/2015
SFI 24.1/2005 1/1/2017
Head rest within 4"
of driver’s helmet
Padded head protectors 10:6
Label Expires
Snell 2000 1/1/2012
Snell 2005 1/1/2017
Snell 2010 1/1/2022
SFI 31.1A 1/1/2014
SFI 31.2A 1/1/2014
Label Expires
SFI 41.1A 1/1/2014
SFI 41.2A 1/1/2014
SFI 31.1/2005 1/1/2017
SFI 41.1/2005 1/1/2017
SFI 24.1 (JDRL only) 1/1/2015
SFI 24.1/2005 1/1/2017
Structural modifications to helmet/shield are prohibited. Cutting of
helmet or helmet shield prohibited. Helmet must remain as
manufactured, except for paint scheme/graphics and permitted nonstructural
driver modifications to helmet shield as set forth below.
Taping or similar modifications to the helmet shield made by the
driver that reduce the driver’s field of vision, and are deemed safe
by driver in the driver’s judgment, are permitted at this time so long
as the driver can demonstrate to technical inspectors that the
purpose of the modification is to reduce distraction in the driver’s
field of vision. By using such a modification to the helmet shield, the
driver acknowledges and agrees that the driver deems such
modification safe in the driver’s judgment consistent with the
driver’s obligations in Section 1, Participant Agreements and
Administrative and Procedural Rules, set forth above, and that the modification does not impair or interfere with the safe operation of
the driver’s vehicle. See General Regulations 7:8.
helmet or helmet shield prohibited. Helmet must remain as
manufactured, except for paint scheme/graphics and permitted nonstructural
driver modifications to helmet shield as set forth below.
Taping or similar modifications to the helmet shield made by the
driver that reduce the driver’s field of vision, and are deemed safe
by driver in the driver’s judgment, are permitted at this time so long
as the driver can demonstrate to technical inspectors that the
purpose of the modification is to reduce distraction in the driver’s
field of vision. By using such a modification to the helmet shield, the
driver acknowledges and agrees that the driver deems such
modification safe in the driver’s judgment consistent with the
driver’s obligations in Section 1, Participant Agreements and
Administrative and Procedural Rules, set forth above, and that the modification does not impair or interfere with the safe operation of
the driver’s vehicle. See General Regulations 7:8.
05-16-2011, 10:48 AM
#5
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Redding, CA
Posts: 4,552
Looking for one possibly.
I have no idea what to look for.
I have no idea what rating to look for.
Going to to quater mi. and 1/8 mi.
The car is expected to be running 7's or lower in the 8th.
I dont want to spend a hell of alot of money but I would like one with
a good rating.
So what kind of helmet should I look for and what rating?
Do I need a closed face helmet?
Thanks!
I have no idea what to look for.
I have no idea what rating to look for.
Going to to quater mi. and 1/8 mi.
The car is expected to be running 7's or lower in the 8th.
I dont want to spend a hell of alot of money but I would like one with
a good rating.
So what kind of helmet should I look for and what rating?
Do I need a closed face helmet?
Thanks!
7.0 would be a high 10.
05-16-2011, 11:07 AM
#6
Mish-ogynist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Helena, MT
Posts: 3,780
this is what i bought: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...JC+helmet+FS-3
it's an HJC helmet FS-3, $73, I haven't taken it to the track yet but the one here is picky about your helmet (as in, makes sure it is rated). In a 1/8th mile if you were to get into an accident you will be doing well under 100.. with the crash saftey rating on the s197's I don't think you'll be hurt (atleast not head injuries) the rest.. mmm..
it's an HJC helmet FS-3, $73, I haven't taken it to the track yet but the one here is picky about your helmet (as in, makes sure it is rated). In a 1/8th mile if you were to get into an accident you will be doing well under 100.. with the crash saftey rating on the s197's I don't think you'll be hurt (atleast not head injuries) the rest.. mmm..
05-16-2011, 01:12 PM
#7
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: California
Posts: 10,468
You're still allowed to run open face at certain speeds, but get a closed face. If you were to crash, or even if some random bird came through your windshield, you will REALLY wish you had a closed face helmet. No one wants glass in their eyes.
You know the old saying, better to have it and not need it...than need it and not have it.
You know the old saying, better to have it and not need it...than need it and not have it.
05-16-2011, 02:27 PM
#8
Mish-ogynist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Helena, MT
Posts: 3,780
a bird at the dragstrap when he is probably doing around 90? I dunno, 1 in a billion chance? with your logic you should wear one all the time, not just at the dragstrip.. I can't honestly think of any scenario where a face shield is going to help, he has airbags too.. I used a closed faced one and I hated it. mostly because its so hot, you have to have your windows up before you stage your car, and you dont want to run AC because it cuts power.
05-16-2011, 03:01 PM
#10
Mish-ogynist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Helena, MT
Posts: 3,780
Haha wow crazy, never heard of that happening. i've hit a bird doing 80mph at the top of my windshield before.. didn't do any damage to my car but it went splat, blood/feathers but it was small.. maybe a big enough one could break a windshield i dunno. most birds are light and squishy.. i get rocks flung up at me doing 80mph and they just put a chip in it.. so.. I dunno.