[flash]

on the subject of suits, while racing requires at least 2 layer i think nowadays, you can pick up a one layer suit, that will give you a couple of minutes of protection, for about 100 bucks - very worthwhile investment, even if only for the occasional DE

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[Jason Judd]

Well, here's a horse of a different color...



I think the SCCA has reccommended that if you run a car with air bags, then they suggest you have an open faced helmet rather than a closed/full face helmet.



It is their opinion that, if the air bags are deployed, the position of the air bag could strike the chin bar (of a full face helmet) with such force as to do damage to your jaw.



The actual discussion can be read in the latest issue of Grass Roots Motorsport magazine. They just did an article about helmets, by the way.



Jason

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[pickwick]

The SCCA has recently issued the following document. Not sure I agree with them but I'm not an expert. I use open-faced now but am still planning to go closed when the SA2005s come out.





Technical Services

Participant Bulletin

DATE: November 16, 2004

FROM: National Staff

TO: All Participants

SUBJECT: Airbag Advisory

It has been brought to the attention of SCCA Technical Services that the use

of full-face or closed-face helmets while driving vehicles with active airbag

restraint systems may result in injuries in the event of a crash that deploys

the airbag. Because of the location of the steering wheel relative to a

driver’s position, the airbag axis is on a level with the driver’s chin. In a

crash with airbag deployment, contact with the chin area of a full-face

helmet can be so powerful “that the risk of fractures to the jaw cannot be

ruled out“ (Hubert Gramling, FIA Institute, FT3/AF, 18.5.1999). This applies

to vehicle that may be used in Solo, RallyCross, High Performance Car

Control Clinics, etc.

Therefore, it is highly recommended that full-face helmets not be used in

vehicles with functional airbag systems. Potentially more restrictive language

is currently being considered for 2005, which could appear in an early 2005

issue of FasTrack. If you have any questions, please contact the SCCA at

(800) 770-2055.

SPORTS CAR CLUB OF AMERICA, INC

PO Box 19400, Topeka, KS 66619-0400

(800) 770-2055 Fax (785) 232-7214 www.scca.com

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[flash]

good thing i went to the club sport steering wheel - oh nuts - i'm in a cab and still going to run the full face - oh well

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[Ave]

Now THAT's some good info. Thanks, guys. I seem to be swinging back toward the open-face helmet. I will check out the article as suggested in Grass Roots Motorsports magazine.

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[Jim Child]

[quote name='Jason Judd' date='Feb 16 2005, 12:50 PM']The actual discussion can be read in the latest issue of Grass Roots Motorsport magazine.  They just did an article about helmets, by the way.



Jason

[right][post="813"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Which issue is it in? I just picked up the February issue and didn't see it.

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[Bandini]

I'm also leaning towards an open-face helmet. One argument that hasn't been brought up is that you're more likely to hear what a person in the passenger seat, an instructor for instance, is saying. I also want as little extra weight as possible on my head, for comfort and safety reasons.

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[Jason Judd]

One argument that hasn't been brought up is that you're more likely to hear what a person in the passenger seat, an instructor for instance, is saying. I also want as little extra weight as possible on my head, for comfort and safety reasons...



Jon,



Most instructors have 2-way communicators today; that shouldn't be a concern to you. Almost every Region requires the instructors to have them (or provides them to the instructor).



The weight of the helmet is a valid concern; and there are plenty of good quality light weight full-face helmets on the market because of this issue.



Jason

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[flash]

oh man - see, it's been so long i had forgotten - i need to start the neck exercises - i hate the "day after the first track day of the season neck pain"



time to start sourcing helmets too

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[Bandini]

[quote name='Jason Judd' date='Feb 17 2005, 04:44 PM']Most instructors have  2-way communicators today; that shouldn't be a concern to you. Almost every Region requires  the instructors to have them (or provides them to the instructor).[/quote]OK, I'm not sure that's the case here in Sweden, but I'll definitely check.

The weight of the helmet is a valid concern; and there are plenty of good quality light weight full-face helmets on the market because of this issue.

True, and I didn't really mean that as an argument against all full-face helmets. It's important to know, though, that it's not very safe to wear a heavy motorcycle helmet in a race car.



In fact, for sanctioned closed car racing here the maximum helmet weight is 800 g, and only open-face helmets are allowed. Not that I'm planning any sanctioned racing.

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[Jason Judd]

[quote name='Jim Child' date='Feb 16 2005, 11:02 PM']Which issue is it in?  I just picked up the February issue and didn't see it.

[right][post="853"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Jim,



It's the April issue that I was referring to...not sure why I've been sent that issue, but there you go.



Jason

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[Anchorman]

I ran my first DE in October with an open face helmet - and I'll use it again in May. Never considered a closed face. I know it sounds silly, but if the helmet makes a difference, I'll have screwed up so badly that... well, you get the picture.

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[flash]

what did you have over your eyes?

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[peartree]

Where do folks go to try on and buy helmets? Any recommendations for shops in Northern California? Thanks!

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[flash]

you could call the tracks or the driving schools, and they'd tell you



i think it was frey racing that i used to go to that did - they are in sonoma and santa clara

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[Anchorman]

In reviewing this thread, I realized that I may have been mistaken. If "full face" means that there's a section that covers the chin, then I have a full face helmet. To paraphrase Simon & Garfunkel, "Still learning, after all these years..." (Just checked the box - it's a Full Face helmet.)

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[Ave]

I just ran my first DE last weekend at Putnam Park. Bought a new Bell Mag-4 open face helmet on-line for about $200. Worked great, and yes, the instructors used two-way communicators so hearing the instructor was no problem. The helmet worked great. For eye protection, I wore Gargoyle polycarbonate driving glasses with rimless wraparound amber lenses. Good visibility, and shatterproof just in case of a small flying object.



BTW, DE is a blast for those of you who have not yet tracked your car.

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