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Racing helmet design has come a long way since their initial development during the early twentieth century. Long gone are the days of the open-faced tin helmets which were used during the early post-war era - instead, today's racing helmets provide levels of protection which were simply unimaginable back in motor racing's glory days of the 1950's and early 1960's. These developments have come hand-in-hand with developments in comfort, aesthetics and style - all of which mean that today, there are a huge number of things to consider when it comes to buying a race helmet. Below, we discuss a few of the key areas for thought.
Firstly, you will need to consider the overall safety levels provided by your helmet. The FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) approve different helmet designs according to their specific levels of protection in crash situations. As a rough guide, SA-rated helmets have been approved for all types of motorsport racing, whether on two or four wheels (this differs from M-rated helmets, which are graded for motorbike racing only, and do not stand up so well during intense fires).
You will also need to decide on either a full or open face helmet. Clearly, open face helmets will provide less protection to the face itself - but they are undeniably more comfortable for the driver, and in many cases, offer improved visibility for the driver. Ultimately, this choice will come down to personal preference, but it may be worth bearing in mind that most professional series restrict the use of open-faced helmets, forcing drivers to adopt full-face helmets with their superior protection levels.
Next, you will need to consider the material from which your new helmet will be made. There are quite a few options here. and several for each price bracket, but as a general rule, a fibreglass racing helmet will be considerably cheaper than any carbon equivalent. Carbon fibre helmets are, in the main, more expensive to produce (and therefore more expensive to buy) but are certainly more durable, with some arguing that their longer shelf life (or life expectancy) more than makes up for their generally higher purchase cost. In any case, the carbon fibre designs do tend to fair better during heavy impacts, so again, your decision will not necessarily be entirely financial.
Finally, you will also need to check whether the helmet you are purchasing is compatible with any HANS devices you are required to wear. HANS devices, or Head and Neck Support devices, are used to restrain the position of the head, relative to the torso, during a crash. They achieve this by forcing most of the forward pressure onto the chest muscles, rather than neck muscles. If your racing series requires the use of HANS devices, make sure the helmet is drilled such that is compatible with your HANS device.
Mode Racewear is a Silverstone-based company and a leading supplier of quality racing helmets and other racing accessories. Check our our website or call us on 01327 858349 today!
By Richard Harwood
Firstly, you will need to consider the overall safety levels provided by your helmet. The FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) approve different helmet designs according to their specific levels of protection in crash situations. As a rough guide, SA-rated helmets have been approved for all types of motorsport racing, whether on two or four wheels (this differs from M-rated helmets, which are graded for motorbike racing only, and do not stand up so well during intense fires).
You will also need to decide on either a full or open face helmet. Clearly, open face helmets will provide less protection to the face itself - but they are undeniably more comfortable for the driver, and in many cases, offer improved visibility for the driver. Ultimately, this choice will come down to personal preference, but it may be worth bearing in mind that most professional series restrict the use of open-faced helmets, forcing drivers to adopt full-face helmets with their superior protection levels.
Next, you will need to consider the material from which your new helmet will be made. There are quite a few options here. and several for each price bracket, but as a general rule, a fibreglass racing helmet will be considerably cheaper than any carbon equivalent. Carbon fibre helmets are, in the main, more expensive to produce (and therefore more expensive to buy) but are certainly more durable, with some arguing that their longer shelf life (or life expectancy) more than makes up for their generally higher purchase cost. In any case, the carbon fibre designs do tend to fair better during heavy impacts, so again, your decision will not necessarily be entirely financial.
Finally, you will also need to check whether the helmet you are purchasing is compatible with any HANS devices you are required to wear. HANS devices, or Head and Neck Support devices, are used to restrain the position of the head, relative to the torso, during a crash. They achieve this by forcing most of the forward pressure onto the chest muscles, rather than neck muscles. If your racing series requires the use of HANS devices, make sure the helmet is drilled such that is compatible with your HANS device.
Mode Racewear is a Silverstone-based company and a leading supplier of quality racing helmets and other racing accessories. Check our our website or call us on 01327 858349 today!
By Richard Harwood
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