[Jim Wahl]

Originally Posted by james schaechter

I think getting the best quality helmet that you can afford is key to reducing risk in the case of an unplanned event. The problem is that you don't know how bad it will be or when it will occur. If you can't afford a good helmet, skip one race and that is enough money to easily purchase a nice one. Yes even a SA2010.

There are many many good choices, I would pick the one you like and then go to your favorite seller. I researched a new one last winter and decided to get a simpson superbandit sa2010. I then went to my favorite place for speed equipment. ( they support our Heartland series hint hint) I asked him, he got me the helmet I wanted at a discount too.

If your goal is to get the minimum allowable helmet and keep it as long as NHRA will allow, maybe you should rethink your approach. Even slower stockers are going pretty fast. It doesn't seem that fast until something bad happens.

I remember being at Bowling Green in I think 2001. A stocker had the transmission lock up or hit reverse in the shut down and lock up the rear tires. It turned 90 degrees in front of the car in the other lane. The car was going around 115. I saw it cart wheel on the guardrail and end up upside down filled with gasoline. We had a hard time getting him out of the car and the driver definately wanted out.

The point is, don't skimp. I buy a new helmet every 2-3 years. It becomes part of my racing budget. I am not rich, and don't throw money away, but I do spend some money on a helmet and my other safety equipment. It is not that you have other stuff to worry about when you crash. It is that you want to eliminate or reduce risk so that if you do crash, you are less likely to be crippled or dead. I wondered about the SA2010 rating for years. I was told about the potential for a flash fire whether it be from fuel, oil or electrical etc. It doesn't take much to start a fire. It just seemed that it was a relatively easy thing to upgrade to.

When it costs a few hundred bucks in fuel just to get to a race, it seems silly to skimp on a helmet. If you spend $400 on one and keep it 4 years, that is only $100 per year of your racing budget. Just my opinion.

Great advice! As I said before, ask Ken Etter how glad he is he bought a good helmet! The pictures of whats left of that red Demon is sill available on this site. Everyone's SA2000 helmet will be no good as of 1/1/12 and will have to be replaced. Even a FWD Stocker racer needs a good helmet when you think they are capable of running 90-110mph and have no roll bar! Jim

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