Track Day Headgear

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Mon 17 May 2004 14:45
Track Day Headgear - patently
I've booked a track day for the autumn, via an organisation that insists that you use a suitable helmet. Needless to say, I don't have one.

They say they usually have stock available, but as my head measurements are, errm, at the edge of the usual envelope, experience says they'll only have one or two to fit (at best) so I'm wondering where to get one of my own.

A motorbike shop seems the obvious place, but is this likely to be a full face job that is perhaps OTT for car work? I see TG's Liana drivers have something that doesn't cover the mouth and looks rather more comfortable. Or maybe that's so they can record the celeb making a bleeping noise.

Any ideas?
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Mon 17 May 2004 15:34
Track Day Headgear - SjB {P}
In my karting days, I used Grand Prix Racewear in London to purchase my helmet from. They had a huge choice to cover all branches of motorsport.

I see they now have a web site too: www.gprdirect.com/epages/gprdirect.storefront

If I was in your situation however, unless I was going to do many more track days I would probably still buy a full face helmet and live with the relative claustrophobia when wearing it in a car. The reason? To have a helmet that I could then also wear with a better degree of safety when pillion on a motorbike, taking part in a karting event, or whatever.

I am a keen motorcyclist, and have infact worn my full face crash helmet when taking part in a rally day. I experienced no problems so long as the visor was a fraction ajar to prevent misting. (In my case the rally experience organiser insisted that the visor be kept in place because the helmet had been designed with it mind).

Have a lot of fun! :-)
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Mon 17 May 2004 15:38
Track Day Headgear - Altea Ego
I prefer to look slightly retro in a car, so prefer the open face type, but if you are going to buy one then the above advice makes a lot of sense, buy one you can use on a motorbike if ever required.
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Mon 17 May 2004 15:54
Track Day Headgear - Peter D
Patently, Where abouts are you may be I can lend you a helmet, open face. Regards Peter
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Mon 17 May 2004 16:51
Track Day Headgear - patently
South Bucks - but will be heading for Castle Coombe on the day concerned!
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Mon 17 May 2004 22:00
Track Day Headgear - patently
Oh yes - I used to fly with the RAF and had a fitted helmet. I always knew to cut my hair because I'd land with a headache.
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Tue 18 May 2004 09:52
Track Day Headgear - patently
Thanks for your help everyone. It looks like a full face helmet from GPR is called for!
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Tue 18 May 2004 11:49
Track Day Headgear - trancer
Motorcycle helmets are not recommended for in-car use and some racing organizations have even banned them so check with yours before you buy or bring one for use. The reason being that car helmets are fire retardent (for obvious reasons) and motorcycle helmets are not.

I would go with a full face helmet too, the added protection even from something as "harmless" as an exploding airbag is well worth it over any kind of retro or nostalgic feel.

p.s if you are taking the 996, we want some pics of your car crossed-up, and in a full 4 wheel drift.
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Tue 18 May 2004 13:02
Track Day Headgear - patently
p.s if you are taking the 996, we want some pics
of your car crossed-up, and in a full 4 wheel drift.


So do I, but it might be difficult from the driver's seat!
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Tue 18 May 2004 16:45
Track Day Headgear - Peter D
Patently, Sorry I'm well north of the border. Regards Peter
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Sun 17 Oct 2004 17:35
Track Day Headgear - patently
p.s if you are taking the 996, we want some pics
of your car crossed-up, and in a full 4 wheel drift.


Well, it's not moving, but at least the picture shows that we made it there.

tinyurl.com/623x7
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Sun 17 Oct 2004 22:10
Track Day Headgear - keo-the-dog
V E R Y nice
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Mon 18 Oct 2004 14:48
Track Day Headgear - patently
V E R Y nice


Aww shucks!

I'm a very lucky boy... I admit...
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Mon 18 Oct 2004 15:39
Track Day Headgear - Truckosaurus
Grand Prix Racewear also have a branch at Silverstone, I received good service there when I visited. The helmet I bought was a mid-range Sparco branded full face model, which was the cheapest non-glassfibre one (made of some other 'fibre') - these are lighter and stronger c.£200 from memory. My personal choice would not to have an open face helmet, even in a closed car something nasty might come through the windscreen, you can't just bag a passenger ride in someone else's open car and in the event of a crash I'd want as much protection as possible (a chin-steering wheel interface is too nasty to contemplate).

Helmets which have been BS (kite mark) approved for also VAT free, but this is usually the bottom end of the market (aimed at bikers).

The other recomendation I have is to get a nomex (or similar) balaclava as this will absorb your sweat instead of the helmet lining.
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Mon 18 Oct 2004 17:10
Track Day Headgear - P 2501
Surely your head can't be that huge/tiny can it? I would have thought they will be used to catering for pin heads and/or elephant men lookalikes every day.
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