Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

I've been shopping for a Snell legal open face helmet.

The newest Snell rating I have found is 2020.

How many years would this 2020 date code be good for?

Many years ago there was a company in Texas who sold
helmets in the $100 range, I'm sure that does not exist any
more.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

New Snell ratings are every 5 years. When the Snell rating is new, it is good for 12 years.

The 2020 helmet will be good until Jan 1, 2032.

I wear HJC helmets, full face, that are something around $120 if I remember correctly.

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

I currently use an open face Racequip helmet with an SA2015 snell rating, so its good till Jan 2027. Bought it off FB Marketplace for $80, best money I ever spent.

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

This is not directed at anyone. After the ridiculous amount of money we all spend racing, I think trying to save money on the protection for your head should be at the bottom of the list of ways ...if it even makes the list. Biondo Racing sells all the name brands.

JS

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

LOL. I was thinking the same thing.

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

Beyond the Snell certification, how is the consumer to know which helmets are safer than others?

My choice in helmets may be heavier than others, but they are comfortable and do an excellent job sealing out the wind. I've worn at least one much more expensive 'racing exclusive' brand helmet in my dragster, and it let much more wind through the shield leaving me squinting and feeling less safe.

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

Pretty wise words from Joe jr, but a crowd exists that spends everything they can get their hands on for their motor and trans BUT spends the least amount of $$ on a BRAKE system and SAFETY items….:):)

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

Ask any racer that has been in a wreck why they would NEVER use an open face helmet!

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

Can’t believe no one has even mentioned what about a fire?
an open face helmet is not gonna protect you at all.

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

Maybe I'm a belt and suspenders kind of guy, but I always took note of what the bike racers (road race and drag) wore. They have to have the best protection there is. I always wore either Arai or Shoei. Comfortable, very high quality, lots of features, and always at the top when independent tests were run. Yes, they are pricey. But a tiny fraction of what your head and brain are worth.

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

Ken Etter would know based on his terrible Fontana accident. On the issue of using stock braking system components I’m surprised that nobody has posted about Rizzoli’s Pomona accident (or maybe I missed it). In any case a 1st Generation Camaro owner should post a PSA thread about it.

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

A wise man once told me when I was very young, "If you have a $50 head, buy a $50 helmet". Jim.



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Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

Thank you for all your responses.

I guess I should have added more information about my question.

I am in the process of buying a Plymouth Barracuda Convertible for
my wife and I to enjoy taking to car shows/car and coffee nights.

But I'm going to want to take it to Muscle Cars at the Strip in Vegas
and make a few pass's down the strip.

Or Julesburg CO to make some pass's.

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

You need to get the best full face helmet you can afford, and make sure it fits correctly.

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

I agree, however where do you get the opportunity to test fit multiple brands and models. I can’t think of a shop within 500 miles of me that has inventory. Many of us are reliant on mail order for such items. I’m not trying to be negative as I truly would prefer to test fit and yes spend the money on the best I can reasonably afford.

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

Very true. I use a really nice Simpson full face helmet anytime I'm going <8.00 in my SST car. Stock firewall and a stock 305 going 82 mph does not have me terribly worried about a fire while wearing my open face helmet running stock, NHRA doesn't even require me to wear a suit at those speeds, just long pants and close toed shoes. I'm sure others would agree. If it's hard for me to get a speeding ticket on the interstate, I honestly don't feel the need to have a $500 helmet. I suppose anything could happen though.

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

How about God forbid a150+ mph stocker piles into you for some reason.
You don't have to worry about safety until it happens.

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

I've thought about that too, that's why I added the caveat "anything can happen". With all this talk, y'all've bout scared me into wearing my nice helmet all the time. Nothing wrong with it, I like wearing it, just can't smoke my stogies while I stage with a closed face helmet. :D

Re: Open Face Helmet Questions??
 

Ken Etter is correct.
I had a WOO customer crash without his neck collar and he is paralized from the neck down.
I crashed in 1999 at Cordova wearing a Simpson closed face Helmet. The one with the small eye opening. A piece of guard rail post got inside the opening and broke my eye orbit and damaged the eye socket.
I'm lucky that University of Iowa was able to do a good repair on it.
I would advise against racing with an open face helmet.
I was torn up pretty bad, but I feel the safety equipment kept it from being worse. Buy good safety equipment and use it.