Helmets for 1/4 mile

[Maximahappy22]

What brand and style helmets do you guys/gals use and how much did they cost you? Please list whatever you got and cost.

Maybe this could get a sticky?

Thanks,
Alex

[95BLKMAX]

AFAIK...

DOT and SNELL Approved

$100-$175 For something that will get the job done and look decent.

I got a HJC Helmets KAST CL-14. Cost me $75 (bought it used from a friend after he almost killed himself in a Yahama R1), cost him IIRC $175-$200 when new.

[Nealoc187]

in my experience at many, many drag strips drag strips don't really look too closely at whether the helmet is improved or not. infact i can't remember the actual snell rating of my helmet ever being checked at a drag strip (I've raced at 11 of them that I can think of off the top of my head). that's not to say that some might, but it's unlikely that you need to worry about the rating - meaning that in most cases any ol' motorcycle helmet would do. my buddy uses what looks like a 30 year old motorcycle helmet and doesn't get questioned.

my helmet is a G-Force Pro Force Hybrid - it was $200 from saferacer.com

[Scottwax]

When I was bracket racing my Chevelle, I had an older (used) DOT approved motorcycle helmet. I think I paid $25 for it. As long as it had a chin strap, the tech inspectors were good with it.

[kevin007]

It really depends on the track, The track that go to most requires helmet 13.99 & lower but they dont check the snell rating theres another track that I go to they check the rating all the time.

[Maximahappy22]

Thanks for the replies, im looking at either going with a HJC CL-15 or the Gforce force 1 M2005.

http://www.saferacer.com/hjc-cl-15-s...productid=1068

http://www.saferacer.com/g-force-for...?productid=998

Any thoughts or opinions on those?

[Nealoc187]

if you have any aspirations of ever going on a road course you don't want an M rated helmet because often that won't pass inspection, but if you will only be drag racing with it either of those would be fine.

[Maximahappy22]

So are you saying that both those helmets will not pass a road course or just the gforce?

Because i would someday like to go road course racing...

[Nealoc187]

Both of those helmets are motorcycle helmets. Many road course tracks and HDPE associations will not let you wear a motorcycle helmet (M2005 means its for motorcycle). SA2005 would be an automotive helmet. I see they have that G-force you posted listed under auto racing helmets, but I believe they have it listed wrong. most of the road course events I've been to were specific about this, no M2005 (or M2000) allowed, only SA. They checked your rating specifically.

[Maximahappy22]

O ok, thanks for the info... Ill see about getting a road course one.

[Aaron92SE]

Originally Posted by Maximahappy22

O ok, thanks for the info... Ill see about getting a road course one.

Definitely get the latest Snell Approved Helmet. If you start racing a lot at a big track, they will check it according to NHRA rules. Most people on this forum don't bracket race regularly and run 13.99 or faster (which is an NHRA rule for requiring a helmet).

Here's mine:



It's a $350 Bieffe helmet that I got slightly used for $50.

Once this Snell rating runs out for me and I am forced to upgrade (which may be never), I will probably just get an up to date Gforce helmet. They are nice but seem to be the cheapest brand out there. The same goes for when I am forced to wear a fire jacket b/c I have a vehicle equipped with nitrous. My local track doesn't enforce it, but a bigger track would.

[grey99max]

Originally Posted by Aaron92SE

Definitely get the latest Snell Approved Helmet. If you start racing a lot at a big track, they will check it according to NHRA rules. Most people on this forum don't bracket race regularly and run 13.99 or faster (which is an NHRA rule for requiring a helmet).

Once this Snell rating runs out for me and I am forced to upgrade (which may be never), I will probably just get an up to date Gforce helmet. They are nice but seem to be the cheapest brand out there. The same goes for when I am forced to wear a fire jacket b/c I have a vehicle equipped with nitrous. My local track doesn't enforce it, but a bigger track would.

^ ^ ^ ^ what he said..

All of the above will happen when you go to a real NHRA track - and don't forget to leave your notebook computer behind as well. As of mid-2006, any kind of programmable computer inside the cabin is forbidden after leaving the staging lanes - you will be tossed off the track. Seen it happen... I was put back on the trailer when I didn't have a fire jacket when the rule was first enforced in mid-2006 at KCIR. I've had the helmet date checked, the fire jacket date checked, my lug-nut depth checked, my axle-nut cotter pins checked, the battery hold-down tested, and my insurance verified.

I feel much safer now....

[Aaron92SE]

Originally Posted by grey99max

^ ^ ^ ^ what he said..

All of the above will happen when you go to a real NHRA track - and don't forget to leave your notebook computer behind as well. As of mid-2006, any kind of programmable computer inside the cabin is forbidden after leaving the staging lanes - you will be tossed off the track. Seen it happen... I was put back on the trailer when I didn't have a fire jacket when the rule was first enforced in mid-2006 at KCIR. I've had the helmet date checked, the fire jacket date checked, my lug-nut depth checked, my axle-nut cotter pins checked, the battery hold-down tested, and my insurance verified.

I feel much safer now....

Yeah, some NHRA santioned tracks strictly follow the rule book! Las Vegas did! Also, Moroso in WPB, FL were almost just as strict.

I was not aware of the laptop computer being illegal. Do you know why they don't allow laptops? It sounds like a rule for your footbrake bracket racing class and not a safety NHRA rule.

[grey99max]

Originally Posted by Aaron92SE

Yeah, some NHRA santioned tracks strictly follow the rule book! Las Vegas did! Also, Moroso in WPB, FL were almost just as strict.

I was not aware of the laptop computer being illegal. Do you know why they don't allow laptops? It sounds like a rule for your footbrake bracket racing class and not a safety NHRA rule.

Here's a link I have here... it's for you and me.. all NHRA events, Grudge and TnT as well.

http://www.homemadeturbo.com/forum/i...7015.msg652514

Now I'm even safer!

.

[DasYears]

ive never even had my car inspected since i started going with it. they usually check older cars more closely, but i havent had to open the hood yet...

[Maximahappy22]

Ive gotten a full inspection a couple of times... mostly they just walk around the car to make sure all the lugs are on...

But my parents ended up getting me a BELL BR-1 for christmas so i dont need to get a helmet anymore, HOORAY!!!

[Aaron92SE]

Originally Posted by grey99max

Here's a link I have here... it's for you and me.. all NHRA events, Grudge and TnT as well.

http://www.homemadeturbo.com/forum/i...7015.msg652514

Now I'm even safer!

.

Gotcha. Thanks for that link. I do need to get a jacket. My local track doesn't enforce ANYTHING! You can leak oil on the track without them knowing. lol But I know I will need a jacket before I race at almost any other track.

Just like I was thinking, the laptop rule is for competition purposes. Right now, I'm not doing any kind of competing. But I do plan to one day. So this may effect me since I am thinking about using my laptop to datalog some things while I race. But I won't be able to during any competition event. That sucks.

[grey99max]

Originally Posted by Aaron92SE

Just like I was thinking, the laptop rule is for competition purposes. Right now, I'm not doing any kind of competing. But I do plan to one day. So this may effect me since I am thinking about using my laptop to datalog some things while I race. But I won't be able to during any competition event. That sucks.

Not exactly:
"Computers:
During NHRA competition, no portable computer (e.g., laptop, PDA, Palm Pilot, programmer, ect.) may be used or located in a vehicle at any point beyond the staging area ready line. All functions or values must be pre-set prior to this point. This includes Grudge Race and Time Trial runs. Page #224 of the 2006 NHRA Rulebook. "

Basically any time you're on a NHRA track and making a pass.... That's how I've seen it enforced, too. Accessible computers on the track have been identified as a safety hazard, I remember reading.

Now I haven't studied the 2007 Rulebook, so there may be changes.

But we are safer.

[Aaron92SE]

Originally Posted by grey99max

Not exactly:
"Computers:
During NHRA competition, no portable computer (e.g., laptop, PDA, Palm Pilot, programmer, ect.) may be used or located in a vehicle at any point beyond the staging area ready line. All functions or values must be pre-set prior to this point. This includes Grudge Race and Time Trial runs. Page #224 of the 2006 NHRA Rulebook. "

Basically any time you're on a NHRA track and making a pass.... That's how I've seen it enforced, too. Accessible computers on the track have been identified as a safety hazard, I remember reading.

Now I haven't studied the 2007 Rulebook, so there may be changes.

But we are safer.

The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway identified Time Trials as strictly an event oriented pre-eliminations run. The term "Test and Tune", according to the same NHRA track, identified a non-competition run on a practice day without any class restrictions. That's what I was thinking was the deciding factor if a laptop is allowed.

And it also said "During NHRA competition". I don't think a normal Test and Tune practice session is considered NHRA competition. But in Las Vegas, we had a multiday NHRA Sport Compact race which had Time Trials on Friday. Then more Time Trials on Sat along with eliminations. They didn't call it TnT on Friday b/c it was Time Trials strictly for the competition the following day.

But if it IS a safety measure, then it will be enforced at every NHRA track around the nation. But if it's just a competition measure, then it will not be enforced during TnT practice sessions where they will let almost anything race as long as it's safe.

I can see how it can be a safety measure though. They don't want loose articles inside the cabin. But I wonder if it says anything about securing the laptop much like you would a fire extinguisher.

You know what? I've been meaning to pick up the latest NHRA rule book. I will need to buy a jacket anyway and I just want to read the rules for myself before I spend money on one. Plus, I hope to put my car in the 11s one day and I need to make sure I don't need to meet any new requirements I wasn't aware of. The last NHRA rule book I've read was a 2001 I think. A lot has changed since then I'm sure!

Also, on a slightly different note, I have always thought that NHRA safety rules are more strict than IHRA. All NHRA tracks are suppose to enforce NHRA rules. And IHRA tracks... IHRA rules. But if I follow all the NHRA rules, will it always pass safety reqirements on an IHRA track? I believe so. But not the other way around. Do you know for sure? I know they may have different class requirements, but I am only talking about safety requirements such as roll bar, cage, helmet type, jacket, gloves, pants, boots, fire extinguisher, blow down tube, firewalls, air filter, etc. Thanks.

:Edit: And one last thing. I know that even if you pass all the safety requirements in the latest NHRA rulebook, it also states that it is ultimately up to the tech inspection officials whether to allow you to race or not. So they can fail anybody for a reason not specified in the book.