Helmet - Full-Face or Open-Face ?
 

I remember reading something from an SCCA site that on cars with air bags, you should only use an open-face helmet. Any thoughts?

That's what I would do. It has the least amount of obstruction.

I personally would only wear a full-face for situations in which my face may come in direct contact with handlebars or pavement.

But I've seen it both ways. I guess it's just a personal preference.

full face.

Full face for me as well.....better protection....

I should add... the reasoning was that when the air bag hits a full-face helmet, it'll slam the drivers head back even more, increasing the possibility of neck injuries.

A recent thread on SCCAForums claims there is some who has debunked this theory.

I wear a full face helmet, though I own an open.

There's nothing currently that says you have to wear a full or open face in Solo competition, just that you have to wear a helmet of a certain rating.

I rock a closed face, but it would be nice to have an open face for DE's, a lot more comfortable

I can agree with the comfort part. I use an open-face most of the time. I tried a closed-face once and it just seemed too damned hot during the summer. Maybe if I had an open cockpit like a Miata I'd do the closed-face.

if it comes to the point where you set off your airbag in autocross, there are two things you should do: 1, take it down a notch, unless if this is your dedicated autocross only car, and if that's the case, why do you even have an airbag installed? 2, acquire some skills. of course there's the highly unlikely chance of someone running into you. don't think that that's gonna happen.

however, if you're properly restrained, and all safety precautions have been taken in your car, ie think of a rally car, then an open face helmet should suffice, no?

It's used for track days, too. Club racing might come later. :)

for track lapping days, open face is more than adequate. when you go into track competition where speed is higher, and the risk of an accident is much greater, a closed face helmet WITH proper head-and-neck restraint system should be required.

I don't really see how autox will need anything more than an open-face that satisfies the minimal safety rating.

I ran a closed faced M95 helmet last year for autocross and track days. Got a pyrotec open faced SA2005 for this year and I love it. A lot more comfortable, better visibility, and the adjustable visor is nice. It wasn't that hot yesterday, but I can easily tell that on the hot days the open faced will be a lot better.

If you don't plan on driving any open cockpit cars, I would definately recommend the open. The jury is still out on the airbag issue, but I personally feel safer without that extra inch or so of fiberglass in front of my chin.

When I was road racing, I started with a full and went to an open face. It was less weight when cornering. You have a windshield to protect you face from flying objects. And you are strapped in your seat, your not going to hit anything. I wore a full nomex hood to protect from fire.
When on the bike, I always wear a full face. I made the mistake of only having an open face 30 yrs ago.

Things break, a car ahead of you drops some oil or coolant, you hit a bump at just the right combination of speed, lateral loading, slip angle, etc and after due consideration of all stimulii, you momentarily make the wrong decision or panic. IOW, sometimes shit happens, and sometimes it happens to us all.

There are a number of classes that require the airbag to be kept installed. People have cars that serve as dedicated autox cars in those classes.

See first paragraph above.

On the original subject of closed face vs open face in airbag equipped cars and the SCCA's guidance...

They screwed up by posting that advisory without seeming to have actually read or comprehended the study that they based the adviosory on. The phrase, "knows just enough to be dangerous," comes to mind. Whether the study itself was valid or not isn't, or shouldn't, be a point of contention...it's that the subject of the study (airbags in F1 cars) doesn't directly transfer to the vast majority of cars used in Solo.

i have an open face for autox, alot more comfortable than a closed face and realisticly, only very rarely do serious acciidents happen in autox

I read the same SCCA advisory and becuase of it have been planning on purchasing an open-face helmet for RX-8. I thought I had a copy of it saved but can't seem to locate it.

Closed face for me. I had an open face for like five years and replaced it last year. I have no worries concerning the airbag even though I sit way up. I'm strapped in real tight w/ my harness.

So in your case, the only thing the air bag can do is scare the bejeezus out of you? :mdrmed:

BTW... harness? Do you have racing seats? What type of seats/harness do you have?

Car is bone stock. I just got V710s mounted on SSR Competitions two days ago so I'm anxious to try them out. I only ran once last year, and that was on the stock street tires. I have this belt, http://www.soloracer.com/corbeau3ptdbl.html, that I got off my friend Brett at SoloRacer. I run the two shoulder straps thru the triangular cutout in the seat and the rear strap to the baby seat hook above the rear seat. Some people may think that that hook isn't strong enough but I'm comfortable using it.

The straps don't pinch/chafe your neck? (But I think it'd be more secure mounting to the hooks at the bottom/back of the rear seat.)

I prefer open faced, I have better visibility, less obstruction of my view, both the road and in the car, and it gets good airflow, which is nice in the summer. And the closed face makes me a bit claustrophobic in the car. When I used to ride dirt bikes closed face was fine, but not in the car.

I have both but prefer the open face for auto-x. It's hot enough being in a black car with black interior wearing a black helmet....

Open-faced is fine for auto-x. Only use full-faced for track, unless you're ok with something hitting your unprotected face at 100+ :SHOCKED:

I don't buy the whole airbag argument, it never made sense to me. Bottom line for me is that you cannot argue that a open face offers the same impact and fire protection as a closed face helmet. Protection is why I buy helmets, so I'm going to buy the best I can. Closed face for me.

You can buy closed face helmets specifically designed for closed cars and the visibility is great. The Stilo ST3 is a good choice.

if something's gonna go through your windshield at 100+ mph, i doubt your full-face helmet will stop it from going through either....