19 replies to this topic

[mini93]

Just remember the FIA/MSA like to change rules as often as they can! A friend bought a peltor helmet w/HANS posts and apprently its no longer legal to use in governed events!

 

A friend I used to work with once told me about rating on motorcycle helmets, where once there wasnt much in the way of standardised testing and making the helmets comparable, they changed the rules and found some of the higher priced helmets actually performed worse than the cheaper ones!

 

That said, I wouldnt ever bother getting any base line stuff, while yes they have to meet a target for safety theres a difference between meeting the target and passing it by a margin. I also wouldnt consider using a helmet without HANS posts- which of course bumps prices up and then the need to buy a HANS device, luckily the clubman is quite affordable where once it was all expensive stuff.

[smiffy]

I thought the same when I started, but got all of my kit inc boots for less than 450

V2 sport helmets are a great product for a good price. I spoke to them at length at auto sport a few years ago and will happily stick with them. They have put a lot into development and are not just churning out some cheap crap. Hans posts are not an expensive option either.

I got a package deal on the rest from mode racewear. They are a sabelt agent I think but did a good deal (about 300 for 3layer suit, boots and gloves), all to fia standards.

I completely agree you get what you pay for, but good fit is much more important than a pricey product. I raced bikes off-road for years and once got less than 20 minutes out of a helmet! Yes it saved my life, but I was still pissed off I had wasted 150 quid by crashing. I cannot see a 300 quid job would have done any better though.

[Helldriver]

 

I don't agree with this. I used a long time also bottom end safety gear stuff and thought the same. Then when doing mini challenge I got my safety stuff of top end quality sponsored and experienced since then significant differences: all is much lighter, breathes very well so you sweat much less (concentrating is much easier, especially in summer and 1 hour or more stints),

That's all well & good - but this thread is about helmets & overalls for hillclimbing - where you're lucky to get a one minute stint...!!!

And I'll continue to maintain my argument - if a £100 helmet passes the same independent safety tests as a £1000 one, it should do exactly the same job. OK it may be slightly heavier (not the case comparing my son's no longer usable Sparco & now current Plays kool lids), you may sweat slightly more (can't say I've noticed), it may have slightly better materials - but they're really not major considerations in hillclimbing!

Keith

 

Keith,

for a 1 minute stint and if you do pure hillclimbing and nothing else yes I agree but most I know perform other motorsport categories too, like track days and track racing. Or the racing license course where you are in your racing suits 2 days straight from 8am till 5 pm...

 

regarding test, it is a standard test and you can hardly meet the criteria (and still get the certification) or you can overfulfill it in all and pass other also important but not required tests. And yes as everywhere else you have totally overpriced stuff with exact the same helmet and just a different brand and a fancy painting to look more valuable....

Same with e.g. alloy wheel where most experienced it themselves, you go through a pothole and the cheap one is already bend&cracked while my BBS 3 piece was still perfectly straight after 6 years (and it was already used when I bought it) racing over curbs on tracks and huge amount of potholes on the french slaloms held on army bases. Both have certificate (TüV) for the street.

[keefr22]

 

 

I don't agree with this. I used a long time also bottom end safety gear stuff and thought the same. Then when doing mini challenge I got my safety stuff of top end quality sponsored and experienced since then significant differences: all is much lighter, breathes very well so you sweat much less (concentrating is much easier, especially in summer and 1 hour or more stints),

That's all well & good - but this thread is about helmets & overalls for hillclimbing - where you're lucky to get a one minute stint...!!!

And I'll continue to maintain my argument - if a £100 helmet passes the same independent safety tests as a £1000 one, it should do exactly the same job. OK it may be slightly heavier (not the case comparing my son's no longer usable Sparco & now current Plays kool lids), you may sweat slightly more (can't say I've noticed), it may have slightly better materials - but they're really not major considerations in hillclimbing!

Keith

 

Keith,
for a 1 minute stint and if you do pure hillclimbing and nothing else yes I agree but most I know perform other motorsport categories too, like track days and track racing. Or the racing license course where you are in your racing suits 2 days straight from 8am till 5 pm...

 

Again, that's not my experience, apart from on the Epynt hillclimb when a lot of the current rally guys come out to play. Most peeps that I know that go hillclimbing stick to hillclimbing (& maybe sprints). An awful lot of cars out in hillclimbs (road production, mod prod, libre, single seaters etc) generally can't easily be used in other motorsport disciplines anyway.

And as to the racing course - not for me thanks, & the only reason I won't go stage rallying these days is the ridiculous cost of a licence - which cynical me suggests is purely to keep rally schools in business - just my opinion of course!!

But we can go round & round in circles (sorry,motor racing pun not intended!) with this argument for years, so I've said my bit now!

Everyone have fun with your motorsport, whatever it is (& do your best not to put your helmet to the ultimate test!!)

Keith

PS, I just saw your comment about alloys - I managed to break two genuine magnesium Minilites on an event once - so it just proves that if you're a clumsy oaf like me that you can destroy even the best equipment!! 

Edited by keefr22, 13 May 2015 - 10:16 AM.

[RoryN]

If you value your head at £100,buy a £100 hat
on the same token if you value your head at £1000, buy a £1000 hat.

Buying helmets all depends on fit and how much you value your own head.b
me personaly i bought the best i could afford (arai)
it fits me far better than the playskool stuff and the quality is far superior

Rory