Buying a Helmet

[Timmah]

So I'm kinda picky about things like fit (especially since I have glasses) and need to buy my first helmet for racing.

Are there any places local to the Bridgewater area that sell helmets for autocross?

[cfaust]

I think driving impressions is the closest...up in Dover.

http://www.teamdi.com/

[RealM3E30]

For glasses, a good one is the Bell M-4, wide eye area opening. R

[rpob5t]

+1 on Driving Impressions/ TeamDI THey usually have quite a bit in stock ready to try on

Stop by and see Bob or Steve, they will take good care of you.

[davidmcintyre]

I've never worn a helmet without wearing glasses, although I don't normally wear prescription glasses on track. Racing rules require that you either wear eye protection or have your visor down, and that's a recipe for boiling.

Sunglasses are probably not such great impact protection, but I've never seen a steward reject the concept.

In any case, I've worn many different helmets, and always have put on a pair of glasses afterwards. On the TNL, we put our helmets on and off perhaps 12 times a day in hurried conditions for 6 days in a row, and glasses went on and off each time.

I suspect head shape will be as big a factor for you. Make sure you try different brands. Stand-21 is one of the highest quality (and most expensive) professional-level racing gear manufacturers. I love my Stand-21 suit, and both Ross and I lusted after their carbon fiber super lightweight helmets, but they didn't fit either of our heads. Try on a lot of different brands, sizes, styles, etc. Buy the first one at least from an actual retail store. Once you know your brand and size you can buy new ones off the web for cheaper.

=Dave

[victory1auto]

>>Try on a lot of different brands, sizes, styles, etc.<< Good advice.

After you get your new helmet, get used to wearing it prior to using it while driving.

Vic

[MikeP]

You can also try Stable Energies in North Jersey. They arent far from Giants Stadium. They carry Bell helmets which have large eyeports. I believe they also have Simpson and Pyrotec helmets. They have a small store but a great deal of inventory and the staff is pretty knowledgable also.

[JERSEYJIM]

Stable Energies 175 Passaic Street Garfield, NJ 07026 (973) 773-3177 is where the club purchased some of its loaner helmets. I also wear glasses and purchased the Bell M4 from stable energies. Try them on the do vary, I had a medium that felt bigger than a large.

[colin]

My minority opinion:

For autocrosses and HPDEs sponsored by NJBMWCCA, Snell "M" rated (Motorcycle) helmets are sufficient. These tend to be much cheaper, easier to find, and better looking than "SA" helmets (for dedicated automobile racing). There's also guaranteed to be a much wider variety of sizes, shapes, and styles available.

Snell "M" rated helmets can be found virtually any place that sells motorcycles or ATVs. My first suggestion for you is Green Brook Cycle and Marine right on Rt 22: http://www.gbcycle.com/

Good luck.