Track and AutoX Gear

[ZM Blue Devil]

Hey there, have my first event coming up. Where do you guys suggest I go for a helmet and gloves? Any good sites you guys recommend? Any sponsor of the board would even be better. Thanks

[Jean]

you are better off buying that stuff locally to make sure helmet fits correctly :)

[jlevie]

The best choice in a helmet will be an SA2000 or SA2005 rated full-face helmet. If possible local purchase is best as you can see what feels good and is comfortable after 30 minutes. But since that isn't always possible make sure that you can return & swap if you by on-line or mail order. GForce or Pyro helmets are a good value for the money.

In gloves, those lined with Kangaroo skin provide better grip and don't get hard after being wet and are worth the slighlty greater cost.

[E30Driv3R]

website for good gear is

Soloperformance.com or solotime.com (both the same site)

They are local for me, but they also have alot of track gear like numbers helmets gloves speedbleeders, oils, etc. check them out they are great people.

[markseven]

Hey Dude,

I know that the BMW CCA rents helmets to HPDE newbies for $10, and NASA will loan you one, but it's first-come-first-served.

If you are doing a NASA event they allow HPDE drivers to wear motorcycle helmets, which are the same as car helmets except they lack Nomex lining (or so I've been told). I bought a Bell 'Classic' open face motorcycle helmet from the Bell shop in Costa Mesa for $59, including a helmet bag. At that point in time I wasn't sure if I was going to keep doing HPDE's, so I didn't want to spend a lot of $$. Now I wish I would have bought a nice full-face car helmet, but hindsight is 20/20, ya know?

Have a blast, mang!

[kishg]

Hey Dude,

I know that the BMW CCA rents helmets to HPDE newbies for $10, and NASA will loan you one, but it's first-come-first-served.

If you are doing a NASA event they allow HPDE drivers to wear motorcycle helmets, which are the same as car helmets except they lack Nomex lining (or so I've been told). I bought a Bell 'Classic' open face motorcycle helmet from the Bell shop in Costa Mesa for $59, including a helmet bag. At that point in time I wasn't sure if I was going to keep doing HPDE's, so I didn't want to spend a lot of $$. Now I wish I would have bought a nice full-face car helmet, but hindsight is 20/20, ya know?

Have a blast, mang!

mark,

cca chapters around here (at least at the events i've been to) don't rent helmets. also, the motorcyle helmets typically do not have the peripheral vision that auto helmets do. I agree that if your going to keep doing hpde's or autox, its worth shelling out for a full face SA2005 helmet. also check soloracer.com

-kish

[alex]

http://soloracer.com

[markseven]

mark,

cca chapters around here (at least at the events i've been to) don't rent helmets. also, the motorcyle helmets typically do not have the peripheral vision that auto helmets do. I agree that if your going to keep doing hpde's or autox, its worth shelling out for a full face SA2005 helmet. also check soloracer.com

-kish

Hey Kish, I shouldn't have assumed that all chapters of the CCA operated in the same manner - my bad. I'll check solo racer - I think I will get a full-face by the end of the year. Which brand do you have?

[kishg]

Hey Kish, I shouldn't have assumed that all chapters of the CCA operated in the same manner - my bad. I'll check solo racer - I think I will get a full-face by the end of the year. Which brand do you have?

mark,
i have a bell m2. great helmet but i needed it in a rush(few days before an HPDE) and bought it locally so I didnt get the best price. I'm sure soloracer or teamdi has better deals.

[peete]

I just got 2 Bell Trackers off of their website for $50! One for me and one for the daughter.
If you get only one then the price is 29.99+shipping.
Their fit guide is pretty accurate.

http://www.bellhelmets.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=155

With sunglasses they have the vintage nascar driver look.

[VWGolfDriv3r]

^^^ I'm hoping to get into auto-x this summer/ track eventually. I haven't picked up any rule books yet; what would that helmet be approved and prohibited for?

[JeffBij]

I just got 2 Bell Trackers off of their website for $50! One for me and one for the daughter.
If you get only one then the price is 29.99+shipping.
Their fit guide is pretty accurate.

http://www.bellhelmets.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=155

With sunglasses they have the vintage nascar driver look.

The Tracker helmet is going to meet the specs for HPDE schools or auto-x. It is for use with ATV's, not a car. The helmets need to meet the Snell SA2000 or SA2005 standard to be acceptable. Typically a good helmet in that class are going to cost $250 and up. And get a full face helmet, it will save your teeth and jaw even in a minor incident.

As any instructor or racer will tell you, DON'T SKIMP ON THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT! You AND YOUR DAUGHTER, have only one life.

By the way, most schools aren't starting to not allow the M rated helmets anymore. The SA class helmet is designed to withstand added impacts against the interior of a car, such as the side pillars, roll cage, dash board, steering wheel, etc. The M class, which are for motorcycles, are not.