Helmet In Car Issues
 

Last weekend I ran my first Autocross event. After I put on my helmet, I climbed into the car only to find that my head hit the headliner of the car! I damn near didn't fit!

I adjusted the seat height all the way down, but my helmet still brushes the headliner slightly. I can drive with it like that, and I don't feel that it's hindering my performance. I'm 5'9", not super tall by any means.

Anyone else have this issue?

I'm just guessing that you have a moon roof... I'm not much taller and have the same issue. It's a bit odd the first time or three. After that, you get used to it.

If you do a search for ' Kirkey ' you will find my posts and solution to this issue.

I'm 6'3" with no moon-roof. The roof of the car would actually prevent me from getting my helmet completely straight above me with the stock seats (now that racing seats are in... not such a big problem).

Nevertheless, I minimized the problem slightly by moving the seat a little closer to the steering wheel and then putting the seat back just a little bit... well within safety parameters. But as has been said, after two or three times out you won't even notice that your head isn't straight up and down... might make left turns a little bit troublesome at first though.

Out of curiosity, what racing seats did you use?

I am thinking of racing seats too

6"0 and have slight problem with helmet. I had to choose a helmet that fits in my driving position!

people, people how tall you are has nothing to do with how you fit in the car...

torso length is the issue.. i am 5'10" and have the torso of a 6'5" person... makes riding bikes hard also...

but big advantage if you are a x skier. i just got into a car with a sunroof in a helmet.. i am almost afraid to get in my car.. i may never track day....

beers :beer:

you have very short legs :rolleyes:

I recently installed Recaro Pole Position seats with custom side brackets and Recaro sliders using the floor mounting tabs from the OE seat sliders, I now have a mile of clearance

the typical racing side mounts everyone sells won't put the seat low enough

^^ no kidding.....:) I am making custom brackets this week. I have access to a laser cutter....so I just need to design something and get it cut and welded.

I wish this car had a flat floor with symetrical seat mounts :( Would sure make this easier...

I had the same issue except i'm only 6'0 in a non moonroof car. Leaning the seat back seemed to do the trick, I normally like to sit fairly straight up when I race. I would say if that doesn't work you need a different rail or seat like everyone else suggested.

6'5 + helmet = no autocross for Jedi :(

I think driving position is paramount in getting a good time in track day/autox.

I need a solution (which also has to look good) like TeamRX8.

After a couple of weeks....

had that issue before I got my racing seats... I'm 6"1, and replacing the seat seemed to be the only solution. Made a customer base mount, bolted the seat with OMP side mounts, now my helmet is a mile away from my roof!!

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...Photo-0078.jpg

Would some of the people with custom mounts please post pictures of the mounts if possible? Want to get this done myself, but would help if I had something to help guide the design.

Are you hitting the top or the side of the headliner or both? It's a tight fit laterally as well. Try different helmets before making radical changes to seats. If it's a daily driver, remenber that your side airbags are in the seat and there are some electronic issues-there are some posts on this. Have someone measure the distance between your butt and the floor pan with the seat down-not much room to work with. After switching helmets, I settled for a slightly more reclined position than my ideal at the end of the day.

The only issue I have it the lid hitting the top (I don't put it down). I'm 5'8" but I still want racing seats :wiggle: in yellow.

DITTO!!!

I'm definately going to be in the market here soon for some custom or aftermarket mounts and bucket seat.

A DIY on the mounts would be :worship:

not too tall
 

6'0, moonroof, BS so can't have after market seat. lower seat all the way, recline slightly, take out all lumbar support to sink into seat more, lower steering wheel, I have about 1/2 inch to spare. driving position is just fine.

haha this is funny to me...im 5'1 and i have my seat all the way raised with a helmet :) but sorry to hear some of yous are having issues

well I can post a sketch of the bracket I made for the Recaro PP seats that fit the rest of my personal setup, can't guarantee how well it will work for anything else ...

I easily have several inches above my helmet with the seat back set almost vertical and it adjusted full forward with the steering wheel close to my body, my preferred positioning. My helmet would hit the frward and side headliner area with the OE seat adjusted the same in it's lowest position

Haha...Laugh it up shortstop...:)

That would be great team, good point about whether or not it will be compatible with other bucket seats may just have to go w/the Recaros...I'll figure sumtin out because the 2 legged brace and head tilt are a definate no go :hahano:

sorry it took so long to get back to you...

I've got Sparco Evo L s . But we also had to have special mounts made to get the seats farther down.

One thing with these seats is the stock seatbelts are basically useless with this seat, so you will have to put a harness system in the car if you use the evo l.

you can make the OE seatbelt work with some innovation

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...&postcount=468

i'm 5'8" and my head would touch the ceiling a little bit, not to the point of uncomfortability (it's a word, seriously), but i noticed that in tight turns i was using my head to brace myself. i had a really sore neck the next day, and i realized it's probably really unsafe.

i don't want to put racing seats in right now so, so i'm talking to doctors about having a vertebrae or two removed so i fit better