Crash Helmet Info Needed

[startyourengine]

I am looking to get a new helmet for the 2010 season and I am a lay down driver. So, what's the latest and greatest helmet out there for light weight and max ventilation? Price not a concern. Any help here guys?

Thanks,
Mike DeLisa
8J
startyourengine@comcast.net

[form-e one]

yaaa good question,,, i need one also,,,was wondering also???

[Robert M Keogler]

Bell Helmets

Go to www.bellsports.com

[blueskyracer]

Get a hold of Patrick at Security Race Products. See add at the top of HR's homepage. They have two different helmets that they offer. Both are great.
If I remember right one is about $300 and the other is $150 and they both are approved orange in color.

[sponsonhead]

Helmet Pricing at SRP

Our current available full face helmets are as follows:

Shoei TZ-R, Orange: $329
SRP Pyro, Orange: $180 (identical to Bell)
HJC CL-SP, Yellow: $178

All Are Snell 2005/DOT approved, and range in sizes from XS to XXL.

We can also get Simpson Helmets in orange or yellow depending on model, on Special Order....email or PM me for details.

Mike D: Both Shanon and Craig Bowman got new SRP Pyro Helmets from us. Get in contact with either of them to see what they look like and how light they are,

Shipping FOB Kent WA.

Thanks,

R-19

[PRO-MOTIONRACING]

Here is a re-post from a previous thread (Painting Helmets)

While I am far from the worlds foremost expert on helmets and helmet testing ( snell foundation is very expensive)
I do sell helmets and meet with manufacturer representatives almost every day. All technology aside there are only two kinds of helmets as it pertains to there construction. One is plastic, they might call it advanced polymer or polycarbonate but they are still plastic. These helmets are usually under $200.00. The other kind of construction is fiberglass, these are usually layered with kevlar and or carbon fiber and usually cost $220.00+. I feel that in a crash (like a skid fin to the head) the plastic lid could split open like an egg. While the fiberglass lid might stay intact. Imagine setting two helmets on the ground one plastic one fiberglass/kevlar, then hit them with an AX!!! you decide.
Secondly fit, studies find that most are wearing a helmet that is at least one size to big. Put a helmet on, if your fingers will fit in between your forehead and the helmet it is to big. It wont make much difference on the density of the polystyrene and its ability do absorb impact if your pulling excess Gs when sloshing around in a big ole bucket.

In my opinion... Get yourself a good fiberglass lid that fits correctly and break out the Krylon.

[kampenracing]

Shoei TZR

I own a Shoei TZR and it is the most comfortable helmet I have ever owned.

[startyourengine]

Crash helmets

Patrick: Everyone seems to like this Shoei TZR helmet. I looked it up on your website, no much info about it. I like the way all helmet manufacturers say lightweight. Lightweight compared to what? So, what does the helmet really weigh and what is constructed of? Also, this helmet ventilation selling point, every helmet mfg claims superior ventilation. In looking at the helmet I don't see much difference in the Shoei vent system than the Bell helmet I had 15 years ago. Just to say that it's a great helmet and it's light doesn't mean much to me. What makes it so great? I'm a guy who doesn't take anything for granted anymore. Also, I haven't heard one lay-down driver say they like it. There is a big difference between laying down and kneeling down driving one of our boats. Any input here Patrick in defense of your product?

I would also like to say thank you to all the other people who have given me input on this subject. It is nice to hear other peoples opinions. So, keep them coming.

Mike DeLisa
8J

[sponsonhead]

What I can tell you

Here's what I know about the TZ-R. I say that with the disclaimer that our knowledge here is only as good as what the factory info we receive. That being said:

Shoei lists the weight at 3.3 lbs, our info here based on weighing a helmet (size lg) is 3.8 lbs. My own guess for this discrepancy is they're probably weighing a size small.

Construction: It is a fiberglass-based helmet, probably with some carbon fiber, polycarbonates or other materials added for strength and light weight. The literature states "Advanced Polycarbonate Composite Shell". This is marketing speak. For a number of reasons, you are not going to get Shoei, or any other helmet manufacturer to give you a detailed breakdown of its exact composition.

As far as the ventilation of it, I think you are correct in saying that it looks the same as many other helmet ventilation systems. How does it work? That depends upon the conditions in which you race. Here in the Northwest, my Shoei RF-1000 (the previous model) fogs A LOT, especially when we're racing in cold weather. My personal solution for this is to lift the shield ever-so-slightly and that takes care of it. Other people add Fog Shields or use anti-fogging solutions. My own take on it is, depending upon the environment, a ventilation system works or it doesn't. And what doesn't work on Lake Sammamish in 48 degree weather might work just dandy in Florida or Lockhaven. As they say, your mileage may vary.

What I do know is that we have VERY FEW RETURNS on Shoei helmets, and the quality of them is incredibly consistent from batch to batch. They are the most expensive full-face boat racing helmet we carry, and nobody who I know have said they didn't think it was worth the money. Usually when people order something other than the Shoei, it's often because it's for a driver who is growing, and they know they will have to replace it within a year or two.

With regards to comfort, and what works better for laydown vs kneeldown, the TZ-R has a higher cut in the rear neckline than a lot of helmets. To me, this is good for boat racing because it lowers the potential from injury from bucketing. That also translates into easier to lift your head up from the ramp to look forward.

A final point I might add about the TZ-R is that it is presently the helmet we use as a platform for our LZR Air Helmet for drivers on air. We take this helmet, and add a scuba regulator to the front, seal off the vents, add a neoprene neck seal and communications (if needed) for a closed-system helmet/air system combo. There's a number of people using these in inboard, OPC, Offshore, drag and Unlimited racing. It's the air system of choice for the APBA Driving School. We would not spend the hours and the money to convert a helmet for air use if it wasn't a great helmet to begin with.

I hope some of this info is of help to you. I will not blow sunshine up your a$$ and tell you that the TZ-R or any helmet we or somebody else carries is the perfect, ultimate piece that will get you through everything. I will tell you that they are a very high quality, very consistent helmet, and we receive virtually no complaints about it. I would encourage you to go to a local motorcycle shop and try one on, as well as a number of other helmets. As other people have said, fit is crucial! The helmet should be so tight that it borders on being uncomfortable...keep in mind that a motorcyclist might wear his helmet for 5-6 hrs at a time on a long ride; we wear them in 10-15 minute stretches. For 15 minutes, you can endure the tightness.

Regards,

R-19

[startyourengine]

Hey Patrick:
Touche! Not trying to get into a pissing match here with you. Your comments were all valid. I'll get back to you tomorrow as I am just too tired tonight to argue with you but I love a good debate, so you're on.

We're still friends,
Mike DeLisa

[Al Peffley]

A Few Other Considerations for Laydown Drivers

Hey Mike,

I have driven laydowns for about 12 years now, but my experience has been mixed with various brands. The one cheap plastic helmet I initially owned as a rookie in my first two boat racing seasons was terrible for fogging. The padding inside broke down in the first season of wearing it, so it fit way too loose and was always sliding forward over my eyes -- very unsafe!

I believe in quality composite-shell helmets. I have successfully used Biaffe and Shoei brand helmets in both kneeler and laydown boat racing. The Shoei I now use fits very tight; it compresses my cheeks. I also lift up my face shield one notch to keep it from fogging up from sweat and cold moist air conditions. My experience has been similar to Patrick's when racing around here in the Pacific Northwest and at Depue.

I also ride a large Honda sportbike. Helmets I have used for sportbike riding (Simpson, Shoei, and Akuma) fit a little fit looser, but I have similar problems with head movement freedom as in laydowns because of the forward riding position on a crotch rocket. The only full face helmets I've used for boat racing that fit my fat, round head well are Shoei (my primary use helmet) and Biaffe (which I have used as a backup helmet.) No other brands I have tried are as comfortable and fit as well (Icon comes close for motorcycling.)

Some helmet brands fit round heads or oval-shaped skulls better. Arai claims it has models for both head shapes, but I have not found an Arai full-face model that fits me comfortably (and they make some really cool-looking helmets.) Shark and other well-known helmet brands (HRC, etc.) are either too pricey for my wallet or uncomfortable on my fat head. There were a lot of new helmet brand names at the International Motorcycle Show in Seattle this winter that I had never heard of or seen before, so the Brand name choices in good quality, composite material styles are expanding (or they are maybe just starting to penetrate the US market from Europe & Asian markets.)

I wear a size extra large or XXL helmet on motorcycles, and a smaller size large for boat racing (just as Patrick is advising you.) I like my "Ghost Rider" Akuma lid (it is absolutely the lightest composite helmet I have ever owned or worn), but it is only used by me for sportbike riding because I can't find an Akuma in an "approved" APBA color. I have had my leather motorcycle racing jacket collar cut down to reduce interference with the back of my motorcycle helmets.

All of that said, I also use a neck ring brace and a two-piece SRP racing cut suit. I had crotch straps on my new life jacket, but changed back to inboard style thigh straps when the jacket rode up and pressed too hard against my helmet, restricting head side movement. I also use SRP helmet restraint straps mounted to my life jacket (I like them mounted on the jacket better than the chest-band straps I used to wear.) I have started using a dirt bike neck brace that is contoured to my body and helmet better than the standard boat racing flat variety. I also had Scott at SRP modify my new life jacket collar shape to be more compatible with my helmet/collar combo.

As far as trying out helmets: it might look silly lying on the floor at a motorcycle store showroom, but it is better to take your life jacket and a neck brace with you when you try on helmets. I find a place where I can lay on the floor or a long table and wear all three items during the fit check and visibility/movement tests. When I find a model that fits well and meets my criteria I buy that unit then and there. It might look odd, but wearing all three items is more realistic for the total "fit" test for laydown driving use. Visibility, interoperability, and snug fit (minimal or no forward rotation) in the laydown position are the primary wear and function characteristics I seek in a new helmet. No existing helmet I know of was made especially for laydown hydro racing, so life is full of compromises considering our unique safety concerns in open-air outboard racing. Motorcycle racing equipment features come closest to our body protection considerations in non-capsule racing boats.

I have bought helmets at SRP and at local motorcycle shops. I have never bought a racing helmet off of the Internet. I find that even in the same brand and model, there may be some differences in the lining and overall fit to my head (some small, but awkward variances - just like in buying new shoes.) If it fits well with my other boat racing equipment, I buy the unit I have tried on in the store.

BTW - Your hair cut length and your body temperature at the time you buy the helmet may be different than in your typical boat racing environment, so consider those factors when trying out helmets in the off-season (winter weather conditions are sometimes drier and cooler, so your head may actually be a little smaller and your hair may be a little longer, which affects fit.) Hope this helps you. Try on different helmets every chance you can get and make sure you can easily get replacement visors for any helmet you select. Best regards.

Al

[ZUL8TR]

Helmuts

Anyone offer pro and con on full face vs open face with wind shield helmets for laydown and kneel down.

[PRO-MOTIONRACING]

Anyone offer pro and con on full face vs open face with wind shield helmuts for laydown and kneel down.

Many told me the full face would work like a bucket in a high speed wipe out pulling hard on the neck. But.. I have noticed that with the open face my life jacket would push forward on the back of my helmet pushing it down over my eyes. With the full face helmet my life jacket pushes up on the front allowing me to see the open water in front of me. I now use a full face and try not to wipe out.

[pro350hydro]

Many told me the full face would work like a bucket in a high speed wipe out pulling hard on the neck. But.. I have noticed that with the open face my life jacket would push forward on the back of my helmet pushing it down over my eyes. With the full face helmet my life jacket pushes up on the front allowing me to see the open water in front of me. I now use a full face and try not to wipe out.

Why not wear a helmet harness? I've worn one for years in a laydown and when adjusted correctly, they are great! I won't get in a boat without one. Maybe Pat Gleason would post a picture of one for others to see.

[PRO-MOTIONRACING]

Anybody have feedback or pictures on those helmet restraint systems? especially life jacket mount vs band type.