open cockpit race car helmet

flash · 07-29-2013, 07:34 PM

what are most super class racers using in the open cockpit super gas cars? getting air up under the front of helmet.using a neck collar-with a simpson bandit helmet. a lot of brands with a lip built into the front.just wanted a real racer opinion of what racers are using.

Tom Goldman · 07-29-2013, 07:58 PM

I'd try putting a windshield with a slightly higher lip in the center in front of the driver ,before changing helmets.
My windscreen is 1 1/2" higher in front of me , about 7" wide ,than the rest of the screen.
Made a huge difference.

pmrphil · 07-29-2013, 09:56 PM

You might try a different style (wedge?) collar that supports the helmet better also.

Tom Goldman · 07-29-2013, 11:02 PM

Should ask what body style you have .
'27-'37 bodies have the driver much more exposed to the air flow than Vette bodies.
I know I could feel a difference on my Vette just from changing scoop styles.

flash · 07-30-2013, 08:25 AM

63 corvette,but I think it's the location-setback-and roundness of the hood scoop that is directing the air back toward the drivers compartment.

Tom Goldman · 07-30-2013, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash

63 corvette,but I think it's the location-setback-and roundness of the hood scoop that is directing the air back toward the drivers compartment.

Probably...The scoop sets very high on that body .
I'd try raising the windscreen a little.
a small increase in height or a small lip will make a big difference.

Bill Baer · 08-04-2013, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash

what are most super class racers using in the open cockpit super gas cars? getting air up under the front of helmet.using a neck collar-with a simpson bandit helmet. a lot of brands with a lip built into the front.just wanted a real racer opinion of what racers are using.

Actually getting air under the front of the helmet is not always a bad thing,when the weather cools off (usually at night) you may find you self with a fogged up visor or a fogged visor and eye glasses

, in which case lifting your chin up and getting a little air under the helmet will usually clear it up.
After I bought a HANS I had to add a helmet skirt so now I get no air under the helmet and if the visor fogs,I have to try to crack open the visor slightly before staging to let a little air in.

P.S. if it's fogging bad, I wait till the last possible moment to put the visor down and hold my breath till the car is down track

TS310C · 08-08-2013, 09:20 AM

I have a 63 Vette roadster and was having issues with the wind trying to lift my other helmet off my head. It was a short Simpson carbon helmet. I went to a Simpson speedway shark with a front wickerbill. That made all the difference in the world! Of course getting used to the wind also helps, but the other helmet would have never worked in this car. Just way to short. I currently use a neck collar, but as soon as I remember to order a head sock I will be using my Hans.

sc371f · 08-13-2013, 12:59 PM

I have an Impact Draft. I got it because I was getting lift on my Simpson Super Bandit. It was unreal how big of a difference it made.

07-29-2013, 07:34 PM	#1
flash Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 89 Likes: 1 Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts	open cockpit race car helmet what are most super class racers using in the open cockpit super gas cars? getting air up under the front of helmet.using a neck collar-with a simpson bandit helmet. a lot of brands with a lip built into the front.just wanted a real racer opinion of what racers are using.

07-29-2013, 07:58 PM	#2
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,473 Likes: 879 Liked 858 Times in 234 Posts	Re: open cockpit race car helmet I'd try putting a windshield with a slightly higher lip in the center in front of the driver ,before changing helmets. My windscreen is 1 1/2" higher in front of me , about 7" wide ,than the rest of the screen. Made a huge difference. __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

07-29-2013, 09:56 PM	#3
pmrphil Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: CT Posts: 454 Likes: 1,776 Liked 345 Times in 149 Posts	Re: open cockpit race car helmet You might try a different style (wedge?) collar that supports the helmet better also. __________________ Phil Molski PMR Performance S/C 1623

07-29-2013, 11:02 PM	#4
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,473 Likes: 879 Liked 858 Times in 234 Posts	Re: open cockpit race car helmet Should ask what body style you have . '27-'37 bodies have the driver much more exposed to the air flow than Vette bodies. I know I could feel a difference on my Vette just from changing scoop styles. __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

07-30-2013, 08:25 AM	#5
flash Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 89 Likes: 1 Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: open cockpit race car helmet 63 corvette,but I think it's the location-setback-and roundness of the hood scoop that is directing the air back toward the drivers compartment.

08-08-2013, 09:20 AM	#8
TS310C Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Morton, IL Posts: 323 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: open cockpit race car helmet I have a 63 Vette roadster and was having issues with the wind trying to lift my other helmet off my head. It was a short Simpson carbon helmet. I went to a Simpson speedway shark with a front wickerbill. That made all the difference in the world! Of course getting used to the wind also helps, but the other helmet would have never worked in this car. Just way to short. I currently use a neck collar, but as soon as I remember to order a head sock I will be using my Hans. __________________ Ryan Koener S/G 310C

08-13-2013, 12:59 PM	#9
sc371f Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 32 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: open cockpit race car helmet I have an Impact Draft. I got it because I was getting lift on my Simpson Super Bandit. It was unreal how big of a difference it made.