How to Compare Racing Helmets
Early auto racing helmets consisted of thinly-padded pieces of leather similar to old football helmets, and offered drivers little or no protection in case of a serious accident. As interest in safety has increased, so has helmet technology. Modern-day helmets are designed to provide head protection even in high-speed crashes while providing a maximum level of comfort. Finding the right helmet is a matter of personal preferences and deciding which features are most important to you.
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Instructions
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Helmet Safety and Comfort
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Check the helmet for the rating that is right for you. Helmets have two ratings: SA and M. SA-rated helmets are rated for all motorsports activities including auto racing, while M-rated helmets are only rated for motorcycle racing. There are several differences between the two ratings. SA-rated helmets must pass a flammability test and roll bar impact test. In addition, SA-rated helmets frequently have a narrower visual field, and may not be street legal for motorcycle riding.
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Look for full face helmets as opposed to open face helmets. Full face helmet designs feature protection for the entire face and head area. Open face helmets do not have material protecting the bottom quarter of the face area -- the chin and jaw. While some drivers prefer the open face design for comfort reasons, they offer significantly less protection than full face helmets.
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If you are going to use a HANS Device, look for a helmet with holes pre-drilled for fitting. A HANS Device offers head and neck support for drivers in case of a serious accident and can prevent basilar skull fracture in violent wrecks. The device is a helmet anchor and shoulder support that tethers to a driver's helmet in order to prevent massive whiplash in case of a heavy impact. Organizations such as NASCAR, IRL and Formula One have mandated their use in recent years.
HANS Devices can be attached to almost any style of helmet; however, certain helmets come with pre-drilled holes for the HANS Device, which can make installation significantly easier.
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Helmet shells can be made of a variety of materials, each designed to absorb impact during a crash. Fiberglass is the cheapest and easiest shell to make and purchase. Kevlar and carbon fiber helmets may provide better protection during a crash, thanks to the better strength to weight ratio, and in the case of carbon fiber much more stiffness.
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If hygiene and smell are important, buy a helmet with a removable lining. As you can expect, drivers can get very hot and sweaty during a race. Most helmets can be difficult to clean, since the inner liner (made of fabric and a foam material) is often not removable. But some helmets do come with removable lining, which can be washed to keep it from smelling awful.
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If heat is a concern, go for a helmet with the maximum number of vents. During a long race at a hot track, temperatures inside a cockpit can reach high levels. Helmets come with vents specifically made to get fresh air to the driver's head while releasing heat. Vents are typically placed in the top, chin or forehead of the helmet, or some combination of the three.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have facial hair, you might want to order one size up from what your head measurement would tell you, especially if you are near the top of the size. When you receive your helmet, test horizontal and vertical movement by moving your head quickly a variety of different ways. The helmet should be tight enough that it causes your skin to move as you move.
Try on your helmet before you use it. A helmet that slides on too easily might be too large. A well-fit helmet should be snug, as looseness only increases the risk of injury. If your helmet leaves a red mark on your head after you remove it, that may be a pressure point which can be very uncomfortable, cause headaches and be a sign of a too-tight helmet.
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Resources
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