Auto Racing Helmets

LOG43 is coming up, and I've signed up for the Circuit Of The Americas track day. It's a Chin Track Day event, and we are required to wear an open or full-face helmet. My current helmets are out of date, so I need to get a new one. My previous auto racing helmets have been full-face helmets because I was in an open-cockpit racecar, but since I will be in the Emira, they will allow open-face helmets. I know that a full-face helmet is a safer option, but I wanted to see if anyone had advice or thoughts on using an open-face helmet for a semi-serious track day event. An open-face helmet would be easier to take on and off and provide more fresh air since I will be inside the car with only the windows down and the AC off. I don't believe an open-face helmet provides any additional headroom over a full-face helmet, or is there? The only other benefit of an open-face helmet I can think of is the price.

One of the more affordable full-face helmets I've seen that is also lightweight is the Conquer Carbon Fiber helmet. Does anyone have any experience with this brand?

I just got back from COTA and the heat down in the paddock was brutal this weekend ... hopefully it will be better for LOG. Here are my thoughts on helmet:

- are you planning on doing this one and done ... if so then see if there are some places to rent or buy a cheaper open face
- I've used an open when going to a performance driving classes but use a full face for my track days. (plus a Simpson hybrid) I track about 12-15 days per year
- I 'feel' more secure with the full in case I ever hit something
- most people that I know that have bought an open and then decide to get more involved with tracking, upgrade to a full
- Some other brands to look at with HJC, Pyrotect, Gforce

MPD said:

I just got back from COTA and the heat down in the paddock was brutal this weekend ... hopefully it will be better for LOG. Here are my thoughts on helmet:

- are you planning on doing this one and done ... if so then see if there are some places to rent or buy a cheaper open face
- I've used an open when going to a performance driving classes but use a full face for my track days. (plus a Simpson hybrid) I track about 12-15 days per year
- I 'feel' more secure with the full in case I ever hit something
- most people that I know that have bought an open and then decide to get more involved with tracking, upgrade to a full
- Some other brands to look at with HJC, Pyrotect, Gforce

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Awesome! What car were you racing? I hope this is the start of a lot more track time, so I will probably invest in a good middle-of-the-road full-face helmet.

Dragoon said:

Awesome! What car were you racing? I hope this is the start of a lot more track time, so I will probably invest in a good middle-of-the-road full-face helmet.

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I have a '23 Z06 that is my primary. I have another 350Hp manual that I track also but it doesn't give me the 'thrill' that the Z06 does. I will definitely take the Emira out also and see how it performs ..... It can get addictive

If you're looking at Simpson or Hans and certain helmets, I might be able to save you some $$. Feel free to PM

MPD said:

I have a '23 Z06 that is my primary. I have another 350Hp manual that I track also but it doesn't give me the 'thrill' that the Z06 does. I will definitely take the Emira out also and see how it performs ..... It can get addictive

If you're looking at Simpson or Hans and certain helmets, I might be able to save you some $$. Feel free to PM

Click to expand...

Awesome! I'm curious what lap times an Emira will run. Have you seen one put down a time out there yet?

You can always remove the visor completely on a full face helmet if you want a sort of open face feel.

There's also helmets with larger openings that feel far less claustrophobic - such as the Bell M8. My older Bell Sport EV helmet - which they don't make anymore - had a very large opening, so when I got my new Bell GT6 I was shocked by how much smaller the eye port was!

Overall, a huge +1 to MPD's suggestions.