Helmet

[JFine]

Hey Guys,
I am in the market for a new Helmet. I was waiting for the 2010 helmets to come out but Snell messed that all up and they won't be out until late 2010. Therefore I am looking at SA2005 helmets. I have selected the HJC Si-12 as the helmet to get mainly due to it extremely light weight. My question is if anyone has seen any good deals on the HJC Si-12? The best price I have found so far is $629.99 with free shipping.
Thank you to anyone who can help me with finding better pricing.

[bgriggs]

Josh, do you plan to do a lot more track days with the car? I'm just trying to wrap my head around (no pun intended) a $600 helmet for autocross use.

[2159ClassicRed]

He values his head more than others :D

[rob.ok]

I couldn't find a better price but I didn't look too hard.


In regards to SA2005 & SA2010....... Most new SA2005 helmets meet or already exceed SA2010 regulations / tests. This is mainly due to the fact that the companies are serious about providing protection and are constantly improving the design and materials used. These guys don't sweat SA tests.

Secondly a SA2005 helmet will be good till 2015 or longer. If your planing on spending that much on a helmet, then you plan to wear it quite a bit. If you wear it a lot I'll bet that your gonna want to replace it after a few years.

Having a comfortable helmet is a true pleasure on track. However all SA helmets will for the most part give you the same amount of protection.






I forget how much I spent on my simpson but it was a lot. Its 2 years old and I want a replacement....If I had the cash, I'd have no problem spending 1K or more on a helmet.



BTW definitely get it drilled for a HANS and consider picking one up too.

[JFine]

Yep, I plan to do more track days, so I want a SA helmet which will cover all of the track events. I am going for the 2005 because I know SCCA Solo will let me use it for another 10 years. I know it is a large amount of money but in this case you pay for weight and protection. Oh and Rob "HANS® Device Compatible: Pre-drilled for posts."
Kurt I loved your comment:D

[2159ClassicRed]

I'm looking to update mines as well, probably just around the $300-$400 range.

If I made more money to make it feasible for a HAN's type of device I would do it in a heart beat, as track days is much more dangerous than your local cone carving hobby :D.

[JFine]

Here is the site who has the best pricing on the helmet.
WEBSITE (http://www.soloracer.com/)
Use Promo Code: "2009helmetsale" or "hjc"
Either code gives you 10% off and anything over $150 gets free UPS ground shipping.
I am going to order mine after the event this weekend.
I agree with you Kurt a HANS would be a great addition to safety gear, but that cost around $700-$1,000.

[rob.ok]

In all honesty, I don't think a Head And Neck System is an option for anyone not running OEM safety equipment. Its a package deal type of thing that you kinda need to plan on buying one as the car progresses to an advanced or dedicated build.


Its a catch 22 and the only way to CYA is to run the whole nine yards when it comes to safety. Of course some is better than none but there is danger involved.

Once you get proper roll protection, you need a 6 point belt to keep you from hitting the steel bars. Once you have a 6 harness (or any harness) you need a HANS device to keep your head and neck from suffering massive trauma caused by the shoulder belts not stretching as much as OEM belts. Once you have a HANS you need a seat with the halo to prevent lateral trauma and the dreaded shoulder strap slipping off the HANS and breaking you neck ordeal (search youtube for this...its seriously scary)
Once you have all that stuff in the car then you need a fire system cause you will almost certainly not be able to get out of the car wearing a HANS and the wings of the seat will block most of the window. Add the dazed state of a driver who has just crashed and your gonna burn till the fire rescue gets there.

Those are all extremes but it has happened. I can tell you for a fact that the faster I go the more connected I get with my own mortality.

[JFine]

Yes Rob I understand the "this leads to buying problem"
I have a 4 point harness now so it would cover the HANS, but I still need a cage, better seats, and to install my 5 points. Hey the end of the season is this week end so I already have my to do list.;)

[pikerttrash]

Yes Rob I understand the "this leads to buying problem"
I have a 4 point harness now so it would cover the HANS, but I still need a cage, better seats, and to install my 5 points. Hey the end of the season is this week end so I already have my to do list.;)

Sounds like you and me are on the same path for next year. I'm hoping that all my mod's are done before the first race of the season. Josh, thanks again for letting me pick your brain (what's left of it..:D:D) about class spec's and tires.

[rob.ok]

Its a mess when you start going faster and start thinking about safety.

My only advice it to plan on buying maximum safety now and then piece together the build according the stipulations for the safety equipment so that you don't run into any problem in the future as you pick up the additional safety pieces. For example the harness bar must be parallel or no more than 20° below your shoulder line. The cage builder should do this automatically since a HANS is required in pretty all sanctioned racing but be sure to mention that you plan on using one so that he makes sure it right for your body / seating position.


This is an exciting build. I love watching the evolutionary process from street car to race!

[JFine]

There is even another deal at SoloRacer:
WEBSITE DEAL (http://www.soloracer.com/helmetpackage.html)
For a limited time, we are offering a FREE pair of SafeQuip 355 Series SFI-5 Racing Gloves (regular price $49.95) with the purchase of one of the following high end auto racing helmets...
Zamp RZ-51 Spark Graphics Helmet (Regular price: $489) (http://www.soloracer.com/zamprz51g.html)
Zamp RZ-31 Spark Graphics Helmet (Regular price: $519) (http://www.soloracer.com/zamprz31spark.html)
Pyrotect Pro Airflow Carbon Fiber helmet ($683) (http://www.soloracer.com/pyrotectcf.html)
HJC Si-12 Helmet (Regular price: $699) (http://www.soloracer.com/hjcsi12.html)
HJC HX-10 Helmet (Regular price: $899) (http://www.soloracer.com/hjchx10.html)
Use Promo Code: "2009helmetsale" or "hjc"
Either code gives you 10% off the helmet.
Over $150 gets free UPS ground shipping.

[SmokeyBear]

Josh, have you tried on any of these helmets? Fit is very, very important. Not just for comfort - believe me, on track days that is very important - but also for safety - ditto -. It looks like you are in the upper range of prices for "occasional" use ( that is, not for racing). I'd think you want to be very critical about fit in that case. Paying $500-$800 for a helmet that is uncomfortable is not fun!

[50Cobra]

That carbon fiber helmet looks sweet!

[JFine]

Nobody locally has a HJC Si-12 I can try on, so I am going on faith that it will fit me. I know Wine Country Motorsports at Infineon has it but that is a 6 hour round trip and I would not even buy it from them. Does anybody else know of a closer HJC dealer that carries the Si-12? Oh I know the shop at Buttonwillow carries them and I am going there on the 11th, so I will try it on then. Problem solved!;)

[rob.ok]

The other thing you can do is contact the vendor or the manufacture. Helmet shells only come on 2 or 3 sizes. Generally speaking if you get the wrong size they will exchange it for you for free (as long as you did not buy a custom painted shell and you need the next size shell).
These guys are, or at least should be serious about providing you with protection so they are usually very friendly and willing to make sure your safe.

Definitely read up on how to pick the right size....they do loosen up with wear. It should be very tight and squish your cheeks together like a woman wearing a booster bra :)


I had not choice but to make my best guess (using the charts) when I bought my helmet and it was a size too big. Simpson replaced the padding for free and even shipped it back for free.


-Rob

[JFine]

If anyone is looking for a lower price range ($180-$325) then take a look at this:
WEBSITE (http://www.soloracer.com/helmetgloves.html)

Racing Helmet and Glove Package Deal
HLMT-GLV-PKGhttp://ep.yimg.com/ca/Img/trans_1x1.gifRegular Price: $199.99http://ep.yimg.com/ca/Img/trans_1x1.gifSale Price: http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/soloracerdotcom_2076_5373357http://ep.yimg.com/ca/Img/trans_1x1.gif
This package includes: Helmet: Pyrotect Open Face SA2005 (http://www.soloracer.com/pyroopenfacesa.html)
Optional Helmet #1: RCi Full Face SA2005 (http://www.soloracer.com/rcisahelmet.html) ($50 more)
Optional Helmet #2: RaceQuip Full Face SA2005 (http://www.soloracer.com/ridgeline.html) ($70 more)
Optional Helmet #3: Pyrotect Full Face SA2005 (http://www.soloracer.com/pyrofullfacesa.html) ($100 more)
Optional Helmet #4: HJC Full Face AR-10 (http://www.soloracer.com/hjcar10.html) (for $125 more)
Gloves: Safe-Quip Racing Glove (black or blue) (http://www.soloracer.com/safequipglove.html)

[JFine]

For those of you looking for a great deal I came across this:

BIG LOANER HELMET

REPLACEMENT SALE!



While supplies at the manufacturer last!

HJCCL-31 Minimum order qty 6 M2005 for



$79.00 plus freight


These helmets are good for 5 years

For details, please contact SPS at

sales@soloperformance.com (sales@soloperformance.com)

[rob.ok]

Good deal but there is not point wasting any money on a M rated helmet. You can pick up good SA helmets for around the same price.

This one is for sale here in town. I'm not gonna comment on the price though.
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=742938

[JFine]

I posted that deal for those looking for an autocross helmet, but if they are like either of us who like track days the SA is the only way to go.