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It's time for me to invest in a new automotive helmet. Safety is very high on my list of priorities. Plan is to participate in a few seasons of local time attack.
Checked reviews online but would love to hear what's being used first hand. Over the years, I've owned / used almost every major brand. Considering Sparco RF-9W, Bell RS7, Simpson Venator, Stilo ST5F (N), etc.
You have to know what fits you. Brand matters less than fit.
HJC fits me well. My last was an si-12, Crazy light helmet for it's time, It's also disgustingly flexible.
i bought the latest hjc in carbon when my si-12 expired. It fits the same and seems to be better quality.
For what it's worth I really wanted to try an arai helmet.
I've been on / off track for many years in various forms (kart, bike, car) and owned just about every major brand / model. Ime, I've found that I prefer the product Arai has to offer but any high end manufacturer will have a model with ability to change inserts / padding, etc (helmets are a lot more universal than one would be lead to think, they are trying to sell units after all).
I remember carbon helmet technology was crazy expensive years ago and the price has dropped substantially (imo) which is why I'm now considering. Safety is my top priority when purchasing a helmet. I've been down on the road / track (high / low side, it happens) and sustained heavy helmet damage. Cannot stress enough the importance of having equipment you trust.
Lightweight and compact is ideal. The carbon Arai is still a bit steep for me. I believe you get what you pay for, esp wth safety equipment.
well you might also state what standard it needs to have, because it varies some depending on which organizing body you intend to run with
but the new Snell SA2020 is in effect now and helmets will start being test and approved around summer time. So unless you absolutely have to have a new one right now then it might be better to wait until later this year.
+1 new snell is / coming out; but even so it'll be good for 10+/- years. Prefer Hans (or compatibility), no body in particular.
Main plan is to non-op the car in few years and dedicate it to track driving. I've got 'race parts' in storage and plenty of ideas.
When I was young I wanted to throw my hat into the competitive motorcycle racing but came to the conclusion there were many other things that were much more important in life. So I gave up on my boy-racer dreams and instead try to have as much safe and clean fun as possible.
Fun fact: I'm a longtime friend of Jeff Westphal (IMSA) whom I met through motorsports and we used to drive a lot together. Awesome to see where his career has gone.
Wow, today my wife surprised me with the Bell RS7. I've been mulling over specs / features the past couple weeks and she must've put her own opinions together and pulled the trigger. Literal brain explosion... Just under 3 lbs. Material quality inside-out is excellent and the double screen anti-fog shield is way cool. Fitment is spot on and very comfortable imo.
I'm so grateful to have someone who not only listens to my ramblings but humors my hobbies as well. She is seriously the best and constantly challenges me to be better.
Well I had to go to a place that had a bunch to try on myself.... came up with the Arai GP-5W M6. You have to really try them on to see what fits your head.
"You have to really try them on to see what fits your head" - has worked everytime for me as an avid motorcyclist. I've been burned twice on online purchases with poor (long-term) fit. I go to the MC store and sit and read the newspaper with the helmet on. If it's comfortable for 30 minutes - it's good.
I always believe there's opportunity to have genuine conversation sans egotism and was legitimately curious to the safety gear 'racers' were using along with any insights they may be willing to share freely. I'll remember next time to keep my thoughts to myself.
), etc. etc. 
