Driver Safety Tech, helmets, head restraints, suits ... Options

[mitchntx]

Trying to learn as much as I can ....

I realize what is the best ... full face and a Hans.

And not wanting to get into the whole "how much is your head/life
worth" conversation which never answers any real world questions ...
I drove motorcycles for years and have heard it all ...

I currently use an open face helmet. I like OF better because it's
easier to use with my glasses and it just seems to be cooler and
easier to breath.

Whether that is reality or psychological is between me and my
therapist.

What head restraint systems are availble for an OF helmet? What is
real protection and what is just hype?


Suits ...

1 piece or 2?
single layer or multiple?
Do brands really matter?

[trackbird]

Mitch,

I've never seen a Hans set up to use an open face helmet. You might be able to find otherwise, but I'm thinking it is for closed face helmets only. I've got a Bell Racestar III and I really like it. I use it with my glasses (which are thin frames with "wimpy" arms) and can still get them threaded in past my big fat mellon. I find it comfortable and reasonably cool, or you can open the visor. I'd suggest a closed face helmet if you are roadracing (I know, that's not what you asked), and if you are using a hans, I'd really consider the switch. It's not so bad.

[CMC #37]

A tip for glasses wearers: my optometrist who also sells glasses suggested chopping the ends off that go over your ears. Sounds like a good idea to me. If I weren't planning on Lasik I would dedicate some glasses to that.

[mitchntx]

I didn't start this thread looking to be convinced to convert to a closed face helmet.
I am grossly aware of the pros ...
I bought my first Bell Star at 16 ...
I've owned NAVA, Sheoi, Bell, Simpson and numerous "off-brand", closed face helmets

Back on topic ...

What head/neck restraint systems are out there that work with an open face helmet?

1 or 2 piece driving suits?

Single or multiple layer?

[trackbird]

I know you didn't. I guess my point was to give the answer "I don't think there are any".

I'll keep it short next time. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[trackbird]

I stand corrected.

http://www.hansdevice.com/catalog.php?acti...n=110&cat_id=50

They are showing an open face. I don't know if that implies that it will work with their device or not. I'll keep reading.

http://www.hansdevice.com/faq.html

Do I need a special helmet?
No. The helmet anchors fit any SNELL approved racing helmet.

It does not specify. I guess you can use it, or I'd call them or send an e-mail first.

[94bird]

There was a thread on corner carvers maybe a year ago or so that had some good things to say about this one:

http://www.isaacdirect.com/html/product.html

Based on the mounting locations I see no reason it couldn't work with an open faced helmet.

If you're looking for something cheaper, G-Force racing has one that straps around you and then to your helmet. I've tossed all my catalogs of their stuff in my fall house cleaning just recently, but you might check into it.

This one looks similar to what I remember of the G-Force unit:

http://www.circletrack.com/techarticles/90499/

Some additional interesting reading:

http://www.hutchensdevice.com/news/Head_Ne..._Restraint.html

Found some good links just doing a search on "head and neck restraints" on yahoo.

[felton316]

If you wear an open face helmet in some of the European leagues, FIA recommends a HANS device installed. If they recommend it, it must be able to be done. I don't see why not, it attaches to the back of the helmet. HANS faq says it attaches to ANY snell rated helmet.

[Nick]

CMC requires a one peice suit. No jacket and pants..

[rmackintosh]

I would get a multylayer suit....that way you don't need the "thermal" underwear....

I have a million year old suit....need one soon....and it is 3 layer because that was required back in the day to avoid the underwear....

Today, you can get a 2 layer that is WAAAAAYYY lighter, cooler, better protection that is approved for no underwear by SCCA...

I am sure NASA has similar suit rules...

Like others, I think you can use most of the head devices above with open face helmets...

On a side note....you can ignore me if you want....I think open face is fine for what you have been doing, but wheel to wheel is ANOTHER can of worms....I have seen NASTY crashes...even been in a few...wouldnt want to worry about my face.....I DO leave the visor up for air... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/burnout.gif)

[trackbird]

On a side note....you can ignore me if you want....I think open face is fine for what you have been doing, but wheel to wheel is ANOTHER can of worms....I have seen NASTY crashes...even been in a few...wouldnt want to worry about my face.....I DO leave the visor up for air... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/burnout.gif)

Randy, that was my thought as well.

Back to your regularly scheduled topic.

[NataSS Inc]

Looks like we got the helme part covered. My .02 on suits.

1 piece and multiple layers.

For me this was an easy decision with what I do. It could be a loooooooooooooooooooooong time before any form of a seafety crew reaches me and if I am upside down and on fire I want as much protecting me as possible.

I wear a Sparco 2 layer with the long johns, socks and balaclava. Is it hot, hell yes. But can I survive 30 minutes of sweating, yeah, they have water at the finish. And honestly you don't even realize how hot your getting until you finish.

I know you didnt want to get into the life>$'s but thats the only way I look at it.

I don't care for 2 piece suits. If it does not seal around the waist I see a possible enrty for fire getting directly to the body. Long johns are meant as a supplement to the suit, not the first line of defense. So any fire getting to an exposed area inbetween the suit will cause more potential damage to you. I kind of think of it the same way as my uncle who raced motorcyles. He wouldnt wear a 2 piece suit because in the event he went down and the suit snagged on anything it would seperate the 2 pieces from each other exposing vital skin for the cheese grader.

[#07]

Imput please... How about this double layer RJS driving suit Nomex outer and Arimand/Kevlar inner would you say it is SAFE AS the other BIG name double layer at higher prices.Is it wrong that I feel with alot of the BIG names thats what your paying for the name? http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.a...mp;autoview=sku

Black umm I think I might regret that color of coarse I will most likely rip it right off upon returning to pits (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Black helmet,suit gloves neck restraint,and shoes.... Nor-cal 100+ temps (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Has anybody tried these shoes with a heat reflecting aluminized Kevlar shielding and heat absorbing foam? They seem to put some effort into keeping the feet cooler than most shoes would,BUT does it work I wonder?? http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.a...mp;autoview=sku

This post has been edited by #07: Jul 22 2006, 11:47 PM

[CMC #37]

Imput please... How about this double layer RJS driving suit Nomex outer and Arimand/Kevlar inner would you say it is SAFE AS the other BIG name double layer at higher prices.Is it wrong that I feel with alot of the BIG names thats what your paying for the name? http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.a...mp;autoview=sku

Black umm I think I might regret that color of coarse I will most likely rip it right off upon returning to pits (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Black helmet,suit gloves neck restraint,and shoes.... Nor-cal 100+ temps (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Has anybody tried these shoes with a heat reflecting aluminized Kevlar shielding and heat absorbing foam? They seem to put some effort into keeping the feet cooler than most shoes would,BUT does it work I wonder?? http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.a...mp;autoview=sku

I haven't checked lately, however, the Summit stuff has been more drag race oriented. Their requirements are not necessarily the same as RR. I'd use the NASA CCR or SCCA CCR to make sure I was getting something up to spec. If you want quick, easy economical and are willing to make a drive, IO Port will fit you for everything you need and it will be the right stuff safety-wise. Bell Motorsports in Oakland would be another place to go, or the Simpson dealer in Sac., Hunt's Race World.

[Blainefab]

The scoop on the SFI numbers here: http://www.sparcousa.com/resourceFiles/24.pdf The most important part here is how the rating number relates to "seconds to 2nd degree burn". Generally more money in the suit buys you more seconds. The cheaper suits also tend to have stiffer fabric that doesn't breath as well as the pricier weaves.

That suit is available in red/blue/yellow too, any would be a cooler choice than black.

A set of Nomex undies will add more seconds to that burn time, and also soak up sweat better than the suit, and dry faster, and are simpler to wash than the suit. A second clean set of undies for Sun AM is nice, but is another $110. At least get a second pair of Nomex socks, they are cheap.

I've never used the reflective covered shoes, suspect that it is not very durable, and designed to reflect radiant heat, not the heat we get on an Fbod from long tube headers. I'd put a heat shield under the footwell, and get the $90 regular Simpson hitops instead.

I like the Simpson gloves, too.

And a Bell M2 works fine with glasses.

[#07]

Alan thank you for the pdf/link,that does help me decide what suit I want. I hope it will help others also in the future. I want to give myself a little more than 7 seconds protection... 3.2A/15 is more of a minimum rating IMO. I will see what NASA suggests for minimal rating also.

Geez that really shed some light on the situation...also IMO whats the purpose of even making a suit that gives less than 30 seconds (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant.gif) ? Which really is not alot of time either. Man I wonder how many individuals are under the false impression they are being protected with some of these suits w/o knowing! Thanks again!

[CMC #37]

Alan thank you for the pdf/link,that does help me decide what suit I want. I hope it will help others also in the future. I want to give myself a little more than 7 seconds protection... 3.2A/15 is more of a minimum rating IMO. I will see what NASA suggests for minimal rating also.

Geez that really shed some light on the situation...also IMO whats the purpose of even making a suit that gives less than 30 seconds (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant.gif) ? Which really is not alot of time either. Man I wonder how many individuals are under the false impression they are being protected with some of these suits w/o knowing! Thanks again!

Those suits are for the same folks who wear those 1/2 helmets, kinda symbolic safety vs. real safety! Darwin at work again! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[#07]

Alan thank you for the pdf/link,that does help me decide what suit I want. I hope it will help others also in the future. I want to give myself a little more than 7 seconds protection... 3.2A/15 is more of a minimum rating IMO. I will see what NASA suggests for minimal rating also.

Geez that really shed some light on the situation...also IMO whats the purpose of even making a suit that gives less than 30 seconds (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant.gif) ? Which really is not alot of time either. Man I wonder how many individuals are under the false impression they are being protected with some of these suits w/o knowing! Thanks again!

Those suits are for the same folks who wear those 1/2 helmets, kinda symbolic safety vs. real safety! Darwin at work again! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

LOL

The Pyrotec NASA II at IO PORT has a SFI 3.2a/5 , I will concider that but as I mentioned I want to give myself enough time just in case I need more. So its come down to the pyrotec NASA II or this Simpson http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.a...mp;autoview=sku
or this R.J.S but large size http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.a...mp;autoview=sku

Thank you for all your help...very important details (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[CMC #37]

Indeed, it is your butt! BTW Ken at IO Port is the head of safety tech at NASA NorCal.

[roadracetransam]

On open face vs full helmet, here is my 2 cents.
I just bought (3months ago) a full face. I preffer an open face because I can see better, and it is not as hot, BUT in my open face I had rubber/pebble fly into my eye, twice on the same day, at BW. NOT FUN! especially when approaching a corner at 90+. I had a full face next race.