Helmet

[A1243R]

So now I'm looking to throw myself into a Kit Car I've figured I'll need a decent a helmet and won't be able to use my MotoX helmet so therefore any suggestions? 

Lets say a budget of under £500 and would like a decent set of gloves too... any suggestions please? 

[Kingster]

Personally I’d suggest carbon fibre for lightness and an integrated tinted visor for convenience when sunny. 

For motorsport you need FIA approval. But for road and occasional track a motorbike lid will work fine. 

Try and avoid the current bike fashion of an aero wedge at the rear though as that will get in the way with a headrest. 

[stephenh]

In my opinion there is only one way to buy a helmet, and that is to go and try one or two on. What fits one person very comfortably won't necessarily fit another even if they have similar sized heads. People have different shaped heads. 

Is there any possibility you might want to do some form of motorsport in the future? If so, buy an MSA/FIA standard helmet. They are little or no more money than a good bikers helmet, and you don't want to buy a helmet only to find you need another in a year or two. 

For trackdays, you don't have to have an MSA standards helmet, as long as you have a decent full face helmet. However, some say that an MSA standard helmet is potentially safer in the sort of impacts which can happen in cars than a biker's helmet which is tested for slightly different impacts. I don't know whether that is true or not, but many say it is, and I am not about to argue the point. 

As to where you can buy a decent helmet, it depends a bit ion where you live. Demon Tweeks (in Wrexham) are probably the biggest stockist of MSA helmets, but if you get to the National Kitcar show or the Autosport Racing car show there will be plenty of firms selling them. Playskool Motorsport have an excellent budget range which comply with the MSA standards, and they are members of this club.

[A1243R]

20 minutes ago, stephenh said:

In my opinion there is only one way to buy a helmet, and that is to go and try one or two on. What fits one person very comfortably won't necessarily fit another even if they have similar sized heads. People have different shaped heads. 

Is there any possibility you might want to do some form of motorsport in the future? If so, buy an MSA/FIA standard helmet. They are little or no more money than a good bikers helmet, and you don't want to buy a helmet only to find you need another in a year or two. 

For trackdays, you don't have to have an MSA standards helmet, as long as you have a decent full face helmet. However, some say that an MSA standard helmet is potentially safer in the sort of impacts which can happen in cars than a biker's helmet which is tested for slightly different impacts. I don't know whether that is true or not, but many say it is, and I am not about to argue the point. 

As to where you can buy a decent helmet, it depends a bit ion where you live. Demon Tweeks (in Wrexham) are probably the biggest stockist of MSA helmets, but if you get to the National Kitcar show or the Autosport Racing car show there will be plenty of firms selling them. Playskool Motorsport have an excellent budget range which comply with the MSA standards, and they are members of this club.

Probably not looking to do motorsport just road/track days but I suppose when spending a decent wedge of cash it is worth future proofing. I may head over to Demon Tweeks as it's not far away. 

[6carjon]

Don't overlook a bike helmet. It's much cheaper and wider choice. Car helmets are expensive as for fia they have fireproof lining. But a Westfield is an open cars so this is less important .

Try Jjb at delamere down the a556 to Chester.

[Onliest Smeg David]

1 hour ago, A1243R said:

Probably not looking to do motorsport just road/track days but I suppose when spending a decent wedge of cash it is worth future proofing. I may head over to Demon Tweeks as it's not far away. 

I agree with @stephenh

I believe the safety requirement is slightly different. Biker has to withstand multiple lesser impacts on crashing, whereas in a car your strapped in and more likely to have single or few high impact hit.

So I would go with a competition compliant one. The cost difference isn't massive, depending on what fits you which is most important.

[Simon Marks - North Oxfordshire AO]

If you're anywhere near Pontrilas in Herefordshire, Vital Equipment and Nicky Grist Motorsports are in the same yard.  Both are excellent companies to deal with and have ranges of MSA/FIA accredited helmets in various price ranges.  Motorsport Events (the track day organisers often mentioned on here) sell Hedtec helmets.

I bought my Stilo full face helmet (I do co-drive on rallies as well as occasionally driving on sprints) from Nicky Grist and they fitted it for me.  By changing the pads within the helmet, the change in comfort and fit was amazing from when it came out of the box.  I thoroughly recommend having personal fitting done - friends of mine have even trailered cars down to Nicky Grist to ensure they get the correct fitted combination of Frontal Head Restraints and Helmets (if you are considering an FHR device - another subject on its own)!

I am another person that would always go for a motorsport helmet over a bike one.  Having visited a Snell testing laboratory in the past, I have seen the level of thought, effort and testing that goes into approval and certification of helmets built to withstand the likely impacts in a car crash.

Simon

[Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup)]

Second vote for Nicky Grist. I was in his place last year for something else and received excellent service and saved some money too.

[A1243R]

3 hours ago, Sunbeam Lotus said:

If you're anywhere near Pontrilas in Herefordshire, Vital Equipment and Nicky Grist Motorsports are in the same yard.  Both are excellent companies to deal with and have ranges of MSA/FIA accredited helmets in various price ranges.  Motorsport Events (the track day organisers often mentioned on here) sell Hedtec helmets.

I bought my Stilo full face helmet (I do co-drive on rallies as well as occasionally driving on sprints) from Nicky Grist and they fitted it for me.  By changing the pads within the helmet, the change in comfort and fit was amazing from when it came out of the box.  I thoroughly recommend having personal fitting done - friends of mine have even trailered cars down to Nicky Grist to ensure they get the correct fitted combination of Frontal Head Restraints and Helmets (if you are considering an FHR device - another subject on its own)!

I am another person that would always go for a motorsport helmet over a bike one.  Having visited a Snell testing laboratory in the past, I have seen the level of thought, effort and testing that goes into approval and certification of helmets built to withstand the likely impacts in a car crash.

Simon

I'm Cheshire unfortunately so feels as though demon tweets will be the best bet. 

[Kingster]

As others have said, fit is vital. I wouldn’t buy a lid I’ve never tried on. 

[A1243R]

Think I’ll head to demon tweets over the next few weeks. 

[Simon Marks - North Oxfordshire AO]

Demon Tweeks are an excellent store.  Call before you go to make sure that someone is there that can properly fit a helmet for you.  Stilos have a range of internal pads, and I am sure that other makes will do as well.  It is juggling the various thicknesses of the pads that makes for the comfortable fit, as well as ensuring that the shell can do its job.

Simon

[6carjon]

I found this useful to help my choice.

https://sharp.dft.gov.uk/helmets/?manufacturer=All&type=1&min-rating=5

 

[Rusty Nuts]

.........and now to answer your question about gloves have a look at;

Dent driving gloves

some others

All Gloved Up

[A1243R]

24 minutes ago, Rusty Nuts said:

.........and now to answer your question about gloves have a look at;

Dent driving gloves

some others

All Gloved Up

Oh yes just my style... id suit them in my 20s