*WHY* do you need a helmet for SCCA events?
 

I'm just curious.. I know there are loaners available (which I will make use of, as I don't have the extra cash to dump into a helmet right now), however what's the point of it? It's hard to roll the car unless I hit a curb and do something really dumb... worst that will happen is that the car will slide. Since only one car is allowed on the track at one time...

*shrugs* .. I just don't see the point. Honestly I feel I'll drive more poorly with it on, only because it will be bulky and I'm not used to it.

Anyhoo, let me know :)

once you see a Porsche driver lost on the autox course and T-bones a BMW 330 just as it comes out of the gate, completely destroying the Beemer's rear door and fender (driver was ok thank goodness), you'll want to wear a helmet JUST IN CASE

*puts on his own helmet while typing this :D*

That must have been a very poorly designed course or a marshall screwed up. The only time I've seen close racing is during side by side elimination type regional finals. A helmet is always a good idea in any kind of car racing.. It doesn't impede anything imo.

nah, it was the Porsche driver. Once he got lost amongst the cones, instead of slowly turning around and go toward the finish line, he turned around and ran toward the starting gate at FULL THROTTLE!! :eek:

this was a regular autox event, not the side-by-side Pro-solo style you're referring to.

the course was big enough to have 2 cars running at once, it was just unfortunate that the Porsche driver decided to be macho instead of limp toward the finish line after he was way off course already

*helmet is still on :D*

And if I was able to still move the Porker Driver if not needing a Wambulance. Would of needed one after I grab the Tire Iron from what was left of my Beemer's Trunk.:eek:

Not all clubs run cars one at a time. Around here, we run up to 4 cars spaced about 20 seconds apart. If one of those cars gets lost on course, or spins out, it wont take long before the next car catches up to him/her. The odds of a collision are miniscule, but when you have 4 drivers out there going 100%, you have to take some precautions.

Most regular events I've seen usually run 2 cars. Courses are usually designed so the cars have little to no chance of "meeting" :D

unless the lost driver goes into Grand Theft Auto mode and start running wild :D

Yes, so the question still stands... WHY do i need a helmet!?!?!?!

Because accidents do happen in autocrosses, where speeds reach over 60 mph. Having a helmet protects your head, and since you don't need to be checkin' blind spots or anything at an autocross, you aren't hurting anything by having one on.

Helmets aren't only for rolling. If they were so worried about rolling, then they would not allow 4 or 5 point harnesses w/o a proper rollbar (which is something that you shouldn't do anyway). Instead, it's for keeping your head off of the glass, B-pillar, etc. etc. Yes, the RX8 will have side airbags, but a helmet is still an improvement.

---jps

I have seen accidents and many near accidents. Autocross is safe, but it's not without some risk. Specially more so for certain cars and maybe certain drivers...and sometimes crap happens that had nothing to do with you.

Such as cornering at 10/10ths and having a sudden tire failure and the edge of the rim digs into the asphalt. Want to guess what happens next? Like I said, it's rare, but it does happen.

Cars can roll. Specially VWs and BMWs. Cars can hit things.

In the last couple years a new Z06 was just about totalled, skid marks were 140 feet long. Not a course design problem. A few months ago a turbo RX-7 hit a curb/tree.

I can tell you more stories. I don't want to make anyone worried about autox, but it's also important to understand you are doing something serious and a things can go wrong.

Some general advice:

If you start to really lose it on course, avoid heroic measures to "save" the run. That can upset the car even more. Most likely the run is over anyway as far as time, so don't worry about going off course or hitting cones.

If you don't feel safe/comfortable going a certain speed on a course, don't. There have been a few courses where I have backed off in a certain spot.

Keep your (and your passenger's) arms inside.

Keep your tires in good shape and properly inflated. Be aware that cornering on the sidewalls is not good.

Inspect things like your rims and lugnuts before you run. You might be surprised at how many rims fail in competition.

Don't have loose items in your car. Even if you think it's tucked and not a problem, it will be when things go nuts. Plus, lighter is better.