Racing and HPDE Helmet

How to Choose a Racing/HPDE Helmet

Despite being one of the most popular sports in the world, racing is also one of the most dangerous. When a racing vehicle loses control at the extremely high speeds of competitive racing, the driver’s head and neck can quickly be subjected to a severe braking force. As a result, the safety of auto racing and non-competitive track events depends heavily on racing helmets.

A racing helmet is a type of head protection that participants in track competitions or car races must wear. If you’re a beginner who is new to the sport of auto racing or even in non-competitive track events, this article will show you how to choose the right racing helmet.

Fit and Size

You should never make any compromises when it comes to the size and fit of your helmet. If you’re wearing an improperly fitting, uncomfortable racing helmet, it can become a distraction and your concentration will be disrupted. Always remember that as a driver and racer, all distractions are safety hazards.

To measure your head properly, take a fabric measuring tape and wrap it around your head slightly above your eyebrows. It is recommended to take at least three measurements to ensure a perfect fit for the helmet. Last but not least, always give the racing helmet of your choosing a try. The helmet should fit well and feels like it is constantly applying a consistent, equally distributed pressure on your head and cheeks.

A racing helmet that is the right size and fit will eventually feel natural on your head and won’t cause you any distractions when you’re racing.

Shell Material

Each component of a helmet has an equal role in ensuring performance, comfort, and safety. The outer “shell,” which is the first visible component of a racing helmet, can be built of a variety of materials, each with unique qualities. The shell’s main functions are to shield the head from any external penetration and to disperse impact energy. To provide the necessary stiffness and protection, racing helmet shells are often constructed from a combination of fibers and resin.

The most popular materials include carbon, kevlar, and fiberglass; the first two are lighter than fiberglass. Fibers can be structured to help control how impact forces are distributed in addition to being lighter than plastic. In choosing a helmet, always opt for advanced materials. However, the higher the quality of material, the more expensive the racing helmet will be.

You can use the following examples as a guide when selecting a racing helmet with excellent shell material.

  • SA 2020 GTX 3 features a lightweight carbon composite shell for $799.95.
  • Bell Racing M8 Composite features a lightweight composite shell for $549.95.
  • Bell Racing M8 Carbon features an ultra-lightweight carbon shell for $1099.95.

These are only examples to help you understand how the type of shell material affects a racing helmet’s price. However, you can always choose a higher-quality shell material based on your preferences and needs.

Open Face and Full-Face Racing Helmets

Track sports and events like auto racing have specific classifications and call for certain kinds of vehicles to compete. You will also have the appropriate helmet for your protection, depending on the type of race and event you’re participating in.

For track events that require open cars, you should have a racing helmet that has eye protection in the form of a visor or goggles. The majority of open cockpit racers go for a full-face helmet.

For anyone seeking the highest level of protection, the full-face helmet is the best option, which has no gaps beside the visor opening.

Here are some full-face helmet examples that you can use as reference:

  • HJC AR-10 III: For $330, this helmet features an anti-fog polycarbonate visor with tear-off posts, terminals for head and neck restraints, and a shell made of an advanced fiberglass composite weave.
  • ZAMP RZ-44CE: This full-face carbon mix-shelled helmet, which costs $522, is regarded as one of the most versatile premium helmets.
  • BELL GT5: The carbon composite shell of this full-face helmet, which costs $700 and comes with a cutting-edge multi-density, multi-piece liner, features big eye holes, a strong ventilation system, M6 terminals for FHR anchor, and a synthetic rubber gasket seal.

For racing events in closed cars, open-face helmets are possible options that can be cheaper compared to full-face helmets. Peaks are frequently attached to open-face helmets, and on some models, they may also feature visors. A lot of them can also be gently lowered to provide sun protection. Although they offer slightly less protection, open-face helmets are preferred by the majority of users because they feel less constraining.

In the end, the type of helmet you prefer wearing depends on your particular preferences and the racing event in which you are competing.

Certified To Race

One of the most important factors in choosing a racing helmet is to make sure the helmet is certified to race. The best head protection available today will be helmets that have been certified by Snell, the global leader in helmet certification.

Snell safety certification is required by the vast majority of US sanctioning bodies before a helmet can be used in competition. As a result, an internal certification label is required for every certified helmet. All helmets that have complied with the Snell Standards are also listed by the Snell Foundation. The Licensing Agreement mandates that manufacturers place a Snell serialized sticker inside each of their Snell-certified helmets.

So, in choosing a racing helmet, you should make sure that there is an internal certification label indicating that it is approved by Snell to be worn in track events and racing competitions.

Bottom Line

There are still a lot of factors you can take into account while purchasing a racing helmet, especially in terms of aesthetics, colors, designs, and personal preference. At the end of the day, you will ultimately choose the helmet based on your personal preferences. You can, however, use our guide as a crucial tool to help you confirm and determine whether the racing helmet of your choice is the best and most appropriate for you.

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