Open face helmets. Will they turn me away?

[jeremydgreat]

I need to purchase a helmet. Is an open-faced helmet okay?

As far as safety, I feel okay about an open faced helmet in the 135i I'll be tracking. There's lots of airbags and standard touring car safety equipment (I'm not driving a Caterham or something). I basically just want to know if I would get turned away at a track day or autocross event.

Are open faced helmets are acceptable at most events? Example: http://bit.ly/1RYHvX

(Some of the events I'm planning on attending just say that you need an SA-2005 approved helmet, but they don't specify whether open face is okay or not.)

[buckwheat986]

you will not be turned away with an open face helmet...many drivers use them

[lib]

I've actually heard people recommend them for a first HPDE so that it will be easier to speak with the instructor.

[Alow]

I've seen people at the DEs I attend with open helmets.

I however don't understand why people choose not to protect the part of your head that people see the most

[R32]

there is a little controversy about closed helmets and cars with airbags. looks like the airbag can catch the under side of the helmet, which then goes up-- the resulting traction on the chin strap then breaks the jaw.

there was a (brief) time that scca was talking about prohibiting airbags when driving with a closed helmet, but i don't think anything ever came of it.

airbag burns can be pretty rough. personally, i wear a closed helmet, but if you are only going to use your helmet in a closed car, an open helmet is definitely acceptable (and a lot more comfortable).

"DATE: November 16, 2004
FROM: National Staff
TO: All Participants
SUBJECT: Airbag Advisory

It has been brought to the attention of SCCA Technical Services that the use
of full-face or closed-face helmets while driving vehicles with active airbag
restraint systems may result in injuries in the event of a crash that deploys
the airbag. Because of the location of the steering wheel relative to a
driver’s position, the airbag axis is on a level with the driver’s chin. In a
crash with airbag deployment, contact with the chin area of a full-face
helmet can be so powerful “that the risk of fractures to the jaw cannot be
ruled out“ (Hubert Gramling, FIA Institute, FT3/AF, 18.5.1999). This applies
to vehicle that may be used in Solo, RallyCross, High Performance Car
Control Clinics, etc.

Therefore, it is highly recommended that full-face helmets not be used in
vehicles with functional airbag systems. Potentially more restrictive language
is currently being considered for 2005, which could appear in an early 2005
issue of FasTrack. If you have any questions, please contact the SCCA at
(800) 770-2055."

[jeremydgreat]

Quick follow-up: I got a $200 Bell Helmet. Open faced.

Thanks for your input everyone!

[SlickShift]

Nice...I've been debating whether or not to get a helmet for a while. Maybe after a little autocrossing at the BMW PC, I'll finally make the jump.

[buckwheat986]

Originally Posted by jeremydgreat

Quick follow-up: I got a $200 Bell Helmet. Open faced.

Thanks for your input everyone!

Cool...I have a BELL open face also....sports mag i think...

best of luck

[Feffman]

We (www.MVPTrackTime.com) allow open face helmets but do insist all helmets are either SA2000 or SA2005. I think you'll see over the coming years, the SA rated helmets become required at many track events.

Feff