Helmet for Nationals

[boxhead]

I have read the sup regs on the NSW Cobra site and it just says "An approved helmet must be worn for all events".
What makes a helmet approved?
I have spoken to these guys http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-RJAYS-RAZ...QQcmdZViewItem
And there helmet is AS1695, DOT and SNELL approved, when I questioned "is it SNELL2005 approved" the lady said it had a date stamp of March 2008, So I do not know if that answers my question?
Another competitor has offered to loan me one of his spare helmets, but I would hate to get there Thursday night only to find my melon is too big.
I know it is a cheap helmet and I only have one head, but I wont have much spare cash before the Nationals, and above all hope that the loan helmet is big enough to fit my melon, just fearful of getting there and finding I dont have a helmet that fits.

So does this helmet meet approval?

[spookypt]

Boxhead, spend your last dollar and all your mates on a properly fitting helmet and all safety equipment! You will only get one chance.. Best money you and your family will ever spend!

My 2c worth!

SpookyPT

[boxhead]

I hear you lod and clear Spook, does anyone know if there is a good store in Goulburn who has a range of helmets?

I am being told alot that I really need to try on before buying, sadly there is only 2 stores in Alice, and they stock about 3 helmets each in my size.

[LoBelly]

Obviously the bigger the range the better your chances but to some extent it's a matter of luck anyway.

In my experience, even within the same size and brand the comfort level can change with each helmet. When I was riding I generally had better luck with the AVGs for my head shape - (don't know what brand would best suit your rude looking <box>head )

I generally try put the helmet in a price/value bracket - i.e am not convinced that a $900 helmet is 3x better than a $300 helmet - but would not consider a $60 helmet.

You may need to make time for a couple of stops on the way

Good luck with the search -

LoBelly

[OZVENOM]

I guess a box aint not good then.
I have a snell approved helmet it is an international standard if it has an M precceding the year it is for motorcycle use which is what most of us use the only difference is that the motorcycle helmet does no do the fire test which is rather an important point given that we are driving cars which have a slightly higher chance of fire. what they require is an austalian standard helmet which mean stuff all as far as a competition helmet goes. if you can afford it get a motor sport specific helmet as they have fire proof linings.
bell/ simpson /arai/sparco. thay are not cheap . as it is said a $10 helmet for a $10 head. also the better quality they are the lighter which is good for your neck when driving or crashing.

I have had more than my fair share of big crashes in 10 years of open wheel racing in speedway will get you a lot upsidedown time. and i all ways used high Quality helmets.
and are still here to talk about it.
my latest helmet is a bike helmet but i wear a nomex balaclaver under it. to help with the fire issue.
my old helmet is just fine on the out side it just the lining has started to detiorate so it no good for use. it has lasted 9 years so i am happy with the life of it.

[Mac VABCH]

Boxhead,

Another good piece of saftey gear for open cockpit cars are arm restraints. They don't take much to get use to but you need to inform people in your group and track officials that you will be wearing them as hand signals are difficult. I witnessed the aftermath of this accident link below while I was waiting on the grid as the recker brought this car into the pits. Luckily the driver walked away and continued driving that day in another car. I purchased some $35.00 arm restraints right then...Sometime the SNELL rating is buried in the lining and if you don't know what to look for as it seems the clerk doesn't it can be missed. Mac
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYRN70r7Zrc

[acecob]

Boxhead,
The guys at wakefield have helmets that can be hired
You shouldn't have any probs getting one, they're not that expensive to hire

[boxhead]

Does anyone know what the hire price is?
I might just hire one and buy a vehicle helmet later?

Thanks for the input everyone.

[BJ's Snake]

Boxhead

$20 per day plus $50 deposit

Cheers

[boxhead]

$60.00 for the 3 days sounds fair to me.

I will most likely go that way, thanks again

[sambo]

Originally Posted by Mac VABCH

Boxhead,

I witnessed the aftermath of this accident link below while I was waiting on the grid as the recker brought this car into the pits. Luckily the driver walked away and continued driving that day in another car.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYRN70r7Zrc

That's scary how easily the car rolled. Doesn't look like it caught the edge of the track either. Any more info regarding the accident? Thanks.

(The missus just saw that video and has raised concerns!)

[Wazza]

That's VERY unusual to see a Cobra flip.

I've looked at the clip a dozen times, and all I can think of is that ....

(1) It did catch the edge of the track as it was travelling backwards and sideways.

(2) Perhaps an under inflated tyre ?

(3) Off camber corner once you leave the race "line".?

That back tyre dead set stops on a dime , and the car rolls over it.

I've seen Cobras leave the track at these sort of speeds ,( many times it was ME ) and all of them have remained flat, and haven't even looked like rolling.

Never say Never I guess...these things can always happen in motor sport, and it's why one should never take things for granted.

Warren.

[Mac VABCH]

How it was explained to me was that the car must of had a little too much rear brake bias which caused the spin an it flipped as it went off track....Mac

[acecob]

Thats a nice post 3 weeks before the nationals,
don't expect any fast times this year heheheeeeee

By the way anyone thats entering this year make sure your fire extinguishers are up to date, easy to overlook and it's the most common catch at scruteneering.

[Mac VABCH]

It wasn't my intent to cause a stir about cobras flippin. Just since the tread was discussing safety equipment to bring up the issue of wearing arm restraints since most of us are driving open cockpit cars....Just my 2 cents...About the track at that turn. You are carring a bit of speed there and it is just slightly of camber off line but not much. Looks like turf piled up in front of the tire as it was sliding causing the flip...Mac

[Tenrocca]

Holy Sheet - That is scarey.

[Philm]

I agree with Wazza very unusual but, seeing it happen is scary.

It is interesting that here under CAMS we do not need to have any rollover protection in our open to cars when running sprints.

But with ANDRA, you go too quick, you need a 6 point cage, approved seat, 3 layered race suit and arm restraints.

I must say that even though I am not the quickest car I absolutely appreciate the fact that I have increased my chances of surviving a crash.

The other real area that I am concerned about is a side impact that is where I think we are vulnerable.

Not trying to scare but the difference in our sport is that we are getting faster every year, and sometimes you just need to stop, take a step back and make sure you are safe.

Phil

[acecob]

Don't start this debate again ..................................................

[Philm]

I hear you Pete.

Phil

[spookypt]

Speed +
Compression lock (5th - 4th)
Big Jelly Beans on 15 inch rims..
Roll the tyre
Grass in teeth!