Full Face Helmets

[SuperStockDodge]

Just curious, how many people have had to switch from an open face to a full face helmet due to the recent rule change and was it hard to adjust to it? Pros vs. Cons? I have raced with a open face helmet for 25 years and i don't care for the full face helmet in SS.

[Alan Roehrich]

I use a GForce full face helmet, and I can tell you that I can see out the quarter window of a Camaro without turning my head very far at all. I wouldn't race without a full face helmet.

[Evan Smith]

I too switched from an open-face to a closed-face years ago and would never go back. Anyone can say it will "never happen to me," but I'd rather have the extra protection becaue you never know. Having worked at race tracks and photographed cars for over 20 years, I've seen lots of wrecks. From what I've seen I can tell you I'm more afraid of fire and debris hitting me in the face than anything else. In a wreck all hell breaks loose and you can get jacked up bad by something as simple as the tach coming loose and smashing your face.

True story: Years ago I was at a road racing event driving a 1995 Cobra R. After my stint, the car owner took out an instructor for a lapping session. A few laps in, while on the back straight away at speed (about 120 mph), a deer ran across the track, right in the path of the car. The deer went through the windshield, literally cutting the deer in half, with the hind section of the deer ending up in the car! Driver was wearing a closed-face Bandit helmet and aside from puking in his helmet, and some bruses, he walked away. Passneger had an open-face and he went away in the ambulance with a mashed face.

Evan

[Alan Roehrich]

Woodro got his face busted up pretty good at Orlando last year. When the windshield comes in, and/or all of the various debris and crap flies around, you'll be glad you had a full face helmet and the visor down.

[james schaechter]

Bell makes a nice Closed face helmet. It has a large opening and therefore a good field of vision. I think the model is Bell S2R. I like the one I have. Jim

[Alan Roehrich]

Look for helmets with the "M" designation in their Snell rating. Those are motorcycle helmets, with a larger eye opening. I think my GForce is rated M2005.

[Evan Smith]

Alan, the only problem with the "M" helmets is that they do not have a fire-retardant lining, where SA helmets do. There are plenty SA helmets like the Bell that Jim described and the Simpson Voyager with large eye ports.

[Sean Haning]

Originally Posted by Evan Smith

Alan, the only problem with the "M" helmets is that they do not have a fire-retardant lining, where SA helmets do. There are plenty SA helmets like the Bell that Jim described and the Simpson Voyager with large eye ports.

Wow that's good info that I never knew.

[Sean Marconette]

Due to the increases in safety, I think it is a matter of time when it will be required in stock. Just like SS a couple of years ago. Several friends that had to go from using an open to a full face had problems adjusting, as they had been using an open for several decades. I decided to go full face after getting my car back together, since it was like starting all over.
Impact makes a good helmet

Sean

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Evan Smith

Alan, the only problem with the "M" helmets is that they do not have a fire-retardant lining, where SA helmets do. There are plenty SA helmets like the Bell that Jim described and the Simpson Voyager with large eye ports.

Thanks Evan. I went to the closet and looked, my GForce does have the flame retardant liner, but that doesn't mean any of the rest do.