One of the most important safety requirements in all motorsports is the helmet. Obviously, preventing any traumatic injury to the head should be of the utmost importance when addressing safety, and all automotive sanctioning bodies have different requirements when it comes to helmets. Fortunately, in drifting, there is very little chance that your will need you helmet. Crashes are minimal, and impacts are less likely than other motorsports. However, it is a constant requirement and a good idea.
This article will address the different requirements, what to look for when buying and where to buy, proper care and storage, and what to do if the helmet has been in an accident, and hopefully answer any questions you might have when it comes to purchasing your next helmet.
When choosing a helmet, there are several important criteria. The most important thing is what it is going to be used for, your budget , and proper fit.
First, lets look at the different types of helmets and their corresponding ratings.
TYPES OF HELMETSThe two most common types of helmets are motorcycle and automotive helmets, and are regulated differently.
Helmet Style:
- Full Face:
- Open Face:
- Dome/Skull:
A.) Motorcycle Helmets: Available in dome, open face, and full face style. Safety ratings are governed by DOT, SNELL and FMVSS.
- 1.)DOT – United States department of Transportation. DOT works in conjunction with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218. This act covers helmet laws on the road.
- 2.) Snell Memorial foundation
- 3.) – M2005 and M2010 (only two active. M-95 and M2000 inactive)
B.) Automotive Helmets: Available open face, and full face style. Safety ratings are governed by SNELL, SFI and BS (British Helmet Standard).
- 1.) Snell Memorial foundation – SA2000 and SA2005 (SA2000 is now inactive)
- 2.) SFI Foundation – Spec 31.2, Spec 31.2A.
- 3.) British Helmet Standard – BS6658:1958
For most grassroots drifting events, any helmet either motorcycle or automotive, with a rating of M2000 or higher will pass a technical inspection. Entry level competitions will require a SA2000 rating. Higher level competition, such as the Pro Am, requires SA2005.
So which rating should your helmet be? The best question to ask is, like always, what is my main goal? If you know that you will never compete, then there is no need to get anything higher than a M2000 rated helmet. You can get away with picking up a used helmet from a pawn shop for $50. If you purchase a new helmet, they will all be a minimum of MA2005 or above, since the previous ratings are no longer active. Since we are into automotive sports, the best recommendation would be getting an entry level SA2005 helmet, with the peace of mind of knowing that your noggin is safe and that you will pass any tech inspection
There is one other helmet rating that would be acceptable, but are rare, and I wouldn’t recommend them. K2005 is the exact same rating as SA2005, however, it is a Karting rating, and some organizations will not recognize them as an approved rating.
HELMET CAREBefore we get into which helmet to buy or where to buy it, let’s look at the proper care and handling of your helmet, which will help us better understand why we might not want to buy a used helmet, even if our budget says we should.
The purpose of your helmet is to protect your head during an impact. It does this absorbing the shock of the impact by dispersing the kinetic energy through the materials of the helmet. Helmets designed to handle major crash energy generally contain a layer of crushable foam. When you crash and hit a hard surface, the foam part of a helmet crushes, controlling the crash energy and extending your head's stopping time by about six thousandths of a second (6 ms) to reduce the peak impact to the brain. Rotational forces and internal strains are likely to be reduced by the crushing.
When you drop your helmet, you can create small stress fractures in the foam, which will compromise the integrity of the helmet when an actual crash occurs. Try to NEVER drop your helmet.
Most helmets provide a cover to store the helmet in when not in use. This can also protect your helmet from sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause the outer shell, usually compromised of fiberglass and other composites such as carbon and Kevlar, to deteriorate and could compromise their effectiveness.
If you have a helmet that has been in a crash, and you want to continue to use it in competitive organizations, you need to contact your helmets manufacturer and inquire about the process of having your helmet re-certified.
WHICH HELMET TO BUY?There are several manufacturers which produce SA2005 helmet’s for a very reasonable price. GForce makes M2005 helmets starting at $149.99, and SA2005 helmets starting at $249.99.
Now that you know which rating you need when purchasing you helmet, the next factor to address would be your budget. Your helmet will be an integral part of your driving experience and worn at all times when driving. Most of us are on a tight budget, so trying to get the best helmet for your money is crucial. I would recommend spending as much as you can since it is so important.
Lets look at a few helmets that will are great for drifting.
G-Force Eliminator M2005 - A good full face helmet with a M2005 rating, brand new for $149.99. This will be suffice for drifting events, but not competition. If you know that you will never compete, this might be right for you.
G-Force Eliminator Pro SA2005 – This is the best priced SA2005 rated helmet available on the market. It is lightweight, durable, and provides adequate ventilation. This will also pass tech inspection for all sanctioned drifting organizations including FD, D1 and VegasDrift/TopDrift/So-CalDrift competitive series. Supports HANS clips.
G-Force Pro Phenom SA2005 – One of the few SA2005 rated open face helmets. This a great helmet for Vegas in hot weather, since it provides more cooling with the open face. Some organizations, including FD, require a full face helmet to be worn with a balaclava, so this might not be a good choice for people who plan on trying to enter the Pro Am series.
Simpson Stingray – Another great helmet for the money that also carries a rating of SA2005. Very similar to the Eliminator Pro, and usually sells for more. It is currently on sale at saferacer.com for $299.95. It has a tinted visor and supports HANS clips.
Simpson Diamondback – You always get what you pay for and the Diamondback is no exception to that rule. A great looking helmet with excellent ventilation and a safety rating of SA2005. It is also available in a larger variety of colors than most helmets. Tinted visor option, Supports HANS clips.
All of the above helmets are under $600 and it is fairly obvious to say that anything more expensive will always meet or exceed the needed safety requirements.
PROPER FITMENTOne of the most important factors in the overall effectiveness of a helmet is the way that it fits on your head. If your helmet is too larger it can actually increase the possibility of injury due to the heads tendency to rebound against the interior of the helmet, which can lead to brain injury. If it is too tight, it can contribute to headaches, increased body temperatures and decrease the comfort level of having to wear a safety device.
Most helmet sizing charts are based off of inches and can vary from vendor to vendor when translated to Small, Medium and Large and so on. Not sure of your size? Simply measure around your head, about one inch over your eyebrows, and just over your ears. Measure a few times to get a consistent size. Then you can look at a specific manufacturer’s sizing chart for your appropriate size. The best way to do it is to go to a local motorcycle shop and try on a few helmets from major brands and see what the size is. If the ones that fit the best are Large, for example, then it is safe to say that a Large from anyone will be good. If some fit and some don’t, you know you need to be more specific ‘cause you have an odd shaped noggin. Keep in mind that for most competitive orginizations require the use of a balaclava (head sock) that is fire retardant, and u want your helmet to be able to accommodate that.
When you are in your car for hours at a time, unable to take your helmet off due to track restrictions, or because it is a Vegas Drift event and you are getting so much run time, you will want a well fitting helmet. It will make your day much better.
WHERE TO BUY?If when asking yourself what your budget is for your helmet purchase your answer was below $80 then you have to buy a used helmet. Local pawn shops are a great place to find used ones. Remember you never know the condition of the crush lining in a used helmet.
Motorcycle shops sell helmets locally, but almost all of them will be rated M2005. I checked every major store here in Vegas, Ride Now, Cycle Gear and Carter, and none had SA2005 helmets. The best place to get a good deal is online. One of the most popular places right now is SafeRacer.com. They have some really good prices and carry pretty much anything you could need for automotive safety. Summitracing.com has a good selection as well, and LTBmotorsports.com is an official Sparco resller.
If you do buy online, you might still want to go to local stores and try helmets on and see what is the best size for you.
If you are considering competing in the Vegas Drift competition series in 2010, you will want a SA2005 helmet.
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