auto-X helmets

what kind of helmets do you guys use for auto-x and/or at the track? Post pictures if possible...

bell m2 pro
Get a Stand21 helmet if you can find (and afford) it, VERY light and very comfortable

I have the black one… and yes, the flames do make me faster.

Originally Posted by Aknatar

what kind of helmets do you guys use for auto-x and/or at the track? Post pictures if possible...

Check with the sanctioning body for the events you want to attend, as the helmet requirements do vary. Some events will let you get by with an M rated (motorcycle) helmet, while others require SA rated ("special application" meaning racing) helmets. If you can only afford a single helmet, get the highest rated one you can find that is accepted by all of the event organizers.

There have been quite a few helmet threads over the years, so do a search.

BTW, I seem to remember that the most popular helmets mentioned have been the Bell M2 and Bieffe Predator models, both of which are SA rated.

Originally Posted by elbert

bell m2 pro
Get a Stand21 helmet if you can find (and afford) it, VERY light and very comfortable

Nice paint job. Loved to get mine done but I refuse to pay the big bucks.

Arai GP-5k here. Very comfortable but not cheap. Bit overkill for autox.

Originally Posted by Elwood

Nice paint job.

Thanks, did it myself

I have yet to find an autocross or driving school that didn't accept an M rated helmet. 'Round here, you don't need an SA unless you're racing.

People's heads vary a lot. You need to try helmets on. Go to a motorcycle shop and wear a couple of helmets around the store for at least 20 minutes. They should be snugger than you may think, but not sore or painful.

I don't fit Bells. I fit my Shoei motorcycle helmet well; I don't fit HJC street helmets, but my HJC MX helmet fits perfectly. You really need to just try them on. Then buy it at the store to support the brick-and-mortar, because the ability to try the helmets on and get one that fits is worth a little more, IMO.

I have full-faces because I have a 'vert (crap coming in the windows) and because they double as motorcycle helmets. You can get Snell M rated open-face helmets. Some folk prefer that style for motorsports.

Originally Posted by The Roadstergal

I have yet to find an autocross or driving school that didn't accept an M rated helmet. 'Round here, you don't need an SA unless you're racing.

People's heads vary a lot. You need to try helmets on. Go to a motorcycle shop and wear a couple of helmets around the store for at least 20 minutes. They should be snugger than you may think, but not sore or painful.

I don't fit Bells. I fit my Shoei motorcycle helmet well; I don't fit HJC street helmets, but my HJC MX helmet fits perfectly. You really need to just try them on. Then buy it at the store to support the brick-and-mortar, because the ability to try the helmets on and get one that fits is worth a little more, IMO.

I have full-faces because I have a 'vert (crap coming in the windows) and because they double as motorcycle helmets. You can get Snell M rated open-face helmets. Some folk prefer that style for motorsports.

Fit is very important and can vary greatly. Trying on in person is highly recommended I did this, and the one I would have "just ordered" fit very poorly on me.

Originally Posted by The Roadstergal

I have yet to find an autocross or driving school that didn't accept an M rated helmet. 'Round here, you don't need an SA unless you're racing.

Next month I will be taking a (High Speed) Driver's Ed course sponsored by the local chapter of the Porsche Club. They require that I wear a SA rated helmet.

Originally Posted by LDV330i

Next month I will be taking a (High Speed) Driver's Ed course sponsored by the local chapter of the Porsche Club. They require that I wear a SA rated helmet.

Yeah, well, y'all do funny things in Texas.

It does vary from chapter to chapter, even in the same national club.

Originally Posted by elbert

Thanks, did it myself

Technique?

Originally Posted by ·clyde·

Technique?

yes



j/k
auto air waterbased paint for colors http://www.autoaircolors.com/
DuPont 7600 clear coat
more pics here

Originally Posted by elbert

yes



j/k
auto air waterbased paint for colors http://www.autoaircolors.com/
DuPont 7600 clear coat
more pics here

awesome! I looked at helmet painting a couple years ago but couldn't find much info (only people that wanted a lot of money to do it for me).

Now the question is if I can get it done in 6 weeks.

Originally Posted by ·clyde·

awesome! I looked at helmet painting a couple years ago but couldn't find much info (only people that wanted a lot of money to do it for me).

Now the question is if I can get it done in 6 weeks.

Any hobby shop will have everything you need. I would think some of that liquid masking tape would work great for this. Just be sure to prep it really, really well.

Originally Posted by ·clyde·

Now the question is if I can get it done in 6 weeks.

Gonna do up a helmet logo for the Clyde/Stuka Autocross Challenge?

Originally Posted by operknockity

Gonna do up a helmet logo for the Clyde/Stuka Autocross Challenge?

I would hope it includes interrobangage.

Alex

Originally Posted by BahnBaum

I would hope it includes interrobangage.

Alex

WTF?!

Originally Posted by bren

Any hobby shop will have everything you need. I would think some of that liquid masking tape would work great for this. Just be sure to prep it really, really well.

It would be an experiment in process. This will probably be the last year I use this helmet, and if it ain't perfect, I won't mind.

Originally Posted by ·clyde·

It would be an experiment in process. This will probably be the last year I use this helmet, and if it ain't perfect, I won't mind.

An off-season helmet painting meet would prolly be fun.

Alex

I don't like full face helmets for autox

Bell Mag 5 carbon fiber

Originally Posted by TeamM3

I don't like full face helmets for autox

Bell Mag 5 carbon fiber

That's probably not a bad idea considering the new SCCA airbag/helmet ruling that might be coming.


… it needs some flames though.

Originally Posted by Andy

That's probably not a bad idea considering the new SCCA airbag/helmet ruling that might be coming.


… it needs some flames though.

oh, Andy wants flames ...

Originally Posted by Aknatar

what kind of helmets do you guys use for auto-x and/or at the track? Post pictures if possible...

See my avatar....












j/k

I have a Bell Sport 3.

Originally Posted by bren

Any hobby shop will have everything you need. I would think some of that liquid masking tape would work great for this. Just be sure to prep it really, really well.

Prep is definitely key. But don't waste your efforts with crappy clear coat (i.e., anything from a hardware store or hobby shop). Get an automotive finish clear which is much more durable.

Looks good Elbert!

Listen to the man, he know what he's talking about. Quality auto paint is the way to go. I painted my own many moons ago, then last year got a GP5-S (which is the Japanese version of the GP5-K... still SA2000, but I got it for about $350 due to favorable exchange rates at the time). So I decided to paint my own again.

I worked with Boss Designs to come up with a base design... and the owner charged me a very reasonable fee to come up with a design and get me all the paint I needed (he shipped it to me from Texas). So I set about doing it... well, I burned through all the white base paint while getting used to the gun (that he sent with the paint for me to use! can you believe that?). I was also in grad school at the time, and under severe time constraints, so I shipped it back for him to finish at his leisure. It turned out great, and he cut me a good deal on finished-product cost. So even a nice job from a "custom painter" might not be as pricey as you think.

Here it is: