RLNTL3S

Hey guys,

What should I watch out for when purchasing a helmet for the few track days I plan to do with the GT3?

Also, would you recommend open face or closed?

Thank you!

M3the01

Always luv stilo, apex performance always treats me well and speak to Linda first as there is usually a discount available.

Quadcammer

closed face for sure.

fit is the most important thing. A $200 zamp that fits well is a better purchase than a $1,600 carbon stilo that fits poorly. Try your best to try them on.

For a newb going to DE events, i wouldn't go nuts on your first helmet. A bell, roux, etc in a $300 to $500 range is likely going to be just fine, so long as it fits.

cds4402

You need to get an SA2015 or an SA2020. There are good deals on SA2015s now. Buy closed face, and something that fits well.

NaroEscape

Feel free to give me a call and I can help you out.

As has been said, you need to find a comfortable helmet that fits your head shape. Personally, I would love to wear a Stilo...but it just doesn't fit me. Roux fits perfect and I really like it, but it doesn't fit everyone. We have a lot of luck with Bell fitting more people.
We stock Stilo, Roux, Bell and Racequip so we should be able to find something that fits both your head and your budget.

pissedpuppy

why closed face?

9914s

My reasoning was driving very fast with the windows down a random object could fly into my face.

Mozella55

Ask Dale Earnhardt Sr. He died wearing an open face helmet. Do you see ANY serious race car drivers wearing one anymore? In many cases, they're not even legal.

Right now your interest might be Porsche Club Track days, but check the helmet rules for other sanctioning bodies. Generally speaking SCCA Solo II rules allow older or lesser rated helmets, but the requirements for SCCA road racing will be more stringent. And, sometimes other groups have open track days, like your local BMW club for instance. And consider that some day you might even decide to take your car to the drag races, perhaps just to test the before and after effects of a new exhaust system. Who knows what the future holds, so do some research and get a helmet which is legal in other venues too.
Usually it's easy to find the helmet specifications for various organizations. And, since it's your head rattling around inside whatever helmet you purchase, buy a good one that really fits.

Finally, if you ever go "real" racing, especially in the South, you might consider getting a helmet with a fitting for providing cool air. I don't race anymore but I highly valued my helmet cold air supply system when I did. Full disclosure: My entire body is covered in a thick layer of fat with a layer of coarse black hair on top of that. So you might not value refrigerated air as much as I do.

pissedpuppy

honestly, I was just curious

RLNTL3S

Thanks guys!


Any recommendations (brands) for what to wear under the helmet, to keep sweat to a minimum?


Sorry to throw this in here as well, are gloves recommended or not so much?

ipse dixit

Most important thing is fit.

Which means you must go and actually try on a helmet you are considering buying. This doesn't mean actually buying it from the store you are trying it on, but wherever you end up buying your helmet from (brick-and-mortar, Internet, etc), you have to try the thing on first.

Going by helmet or head size is sort of like buying a tuxedo based on the circumference of your waist.

ipse dixit

Bell and Stilo are solid, and offer a wide range of price points.

As to sweat, a head sleeve works.

As to gloves, personally I never use them. This is totally user-dependent. I would start off without gloves and go from there.

SmokinGTS

One more important factor to consider, when the airbag goes off would you rather have an open face or closed face helmet.

ipse dixit

A better question might be "when the airbags deploy would you rather have a HANS device or not"?

SmokinGTS

Both