What brand and style helmets do you guys/gals use and how much did they cost you? Please list whatever you got and cost.

Maybe this could get a sticky?

Thanks,
Alex

 

AFAIK...

DOT and SNELL Approved

$100-$175 For something that will get the job done and look decent.

I got a HJC Helmets KAST CL-14. Cost me $75 (bought it used from a friend after he almost killed himself in a Yahama R1), cost him IIRC $175-$200 when new.

 

in my experience at many, many drag strips drag strips don't really look too closely at whether the helmet is improved or not. infact i can't remember the actual snell rating of my helmet ever being checked at a drag strip (I've raced at 11 of them that I can think of off the top of my head). that's not to say that some might, but it's unlikely that you need to worry about the rating - meaning that in most cases any ol' motorcycle helmet would do. my buddy uses what looks like a 30 year old motorcycle helmet and doesn't get questioned.

my helmet is a G-Force Pro Force Hybrid - it was $200 from saferacer.com

 

When I was bracket racing my Chevelle, I had an older (used) DOT approved motorcycle helmet. I think I paid $25 for it. As long as it had a chin strap, the tech inspectors were good with it.

 

It really depends on the track, The track that go to most requires helmet 13.99 & lower but they dont check the snell rating theres another track that I go to they check the rating all the time.

 

Thanks for the replies, im looking at either going with a HJC CL-15 or the Gforce force 1 M2005.

http://www.saferacer.com/hjc-cl-15-s...productid=1068

http://www.saferacer.com/g-force-for...?productid=998

Any thoughts or opinions on those?

 

if you have any aspirations of ever going on a road course you don't want an M rated helmet because often that won't pass inspection, but if you will only be drag racing with it either of those would be fine.

 

So are you saying that both those helmets will not pass a road course or just the gforce?

Because i would someday like to go road course racing...

 

Both of those helmets are motorcycle helmets. Many road course tracks and HDPE associations will not let you wear a motorcycle helmet (M2005 means its for motorcycle). SA2005 would be an automotive helmet. I see they have that G-force you posted listed under auto racing helmets, but I believe they have it listed wrong. most of the road course events I've been to were specific about this, no M2005 (or M2000) allowed, only SA. They checked your rating specifically.

 

O ok, thanks for the info... Ill see about getting a road course one.

 

Definitely get the latest Snell Approved Helmet. If you start racing a lot at a big track, they will check it according to NHRA rules. Most people on this forum don't bracket race regularly and run 13.99 or faster (which is an NHRA rule for requiring a helmet).

Here's mine:



It's a $350 Bieffe helmet that I got slightly used for $50.

Once this Snell rating runs out for me and I am forced to upgrade (which may be never), I will probably just get an up to date Gforce helmet. They are nice but seem to be the cheapest brand out there. The same goes for when I am forced to wear a fire jacket b/c I have a vehicle equipped with nitrous. My local track doesn't enforce it, but a bigger track would.

 

^ ^ ^ ^ what he said..

All of the above will happen when you go to a real NHRA track - and don't forget to leave your notebook computer behind as well. As of mid-2006, any kind of programmable computer inside the cabin is forbidden after leaving the staging lanes - you will be tossed off the track. Seen it happen... I was put back on the trailer when I didn't have a fire jacket when the rule was first enforced in mid-2006 at KCIR. I've had the helmet date checked, the fire jacket date checked, my lug-nut depth checked, my axle-nut cotter pins checked, the battery hold-down tested, and my insurance verified.

I feel much safer now....

 

Yeah, some NHRA santioned tracks strictly follow the rule book! Las Vegas did! Also, Moroso in WPB, FL were almost just as strict.

I was not aware of the laptop computer being illegal. Do you know why they don't allow laptops? It sounds like a rule for your footbrake bracket racing class and not a safety NHRA rule.

 

Here's a link I have here... it's for you and me.. all NHRA events, Grudge and TnT as well.

http://www.homemadeturbo.com/forum/i...7015.msg652514

Now I'm even safer!

.

 

ive never even had my car inspected since i started going with it. they usually check older cars more closely, but i havent had to open the hood yet...

 

Ive gotten a full inspection a couple of times... mostly they just walk around the car to make sure all the lugs are on...

But my parents ended up getting me a BELL BR-1 for christmas so i dont need to get a helmet anymore, HOORAY!!!

 

Gotcha. Thanks for that link. I do need to get a jacket. My local track doesn't enforce ANYTHING! You can leak oil on the track without them knowing. lol But I know I will need a jacket before I race at almost any other track.

Just like I was thinking, the laptop rule is for competition purposes. Right now, I'm not doing any kind of competing. But I do plan to one day. So this may effect me since I am thinking about using my laptop to datalog some things while I race. But I won't be able to during any competition event. That sucks.

 

Not exactly:
"Computers:
During NHRA competition, no portable computer (e.g., laptop, PDA, Palm Pilot, programmer, ect.) may be used or located in a vehicle at any point beyond the staging area ready line. All functions or values must be pre-set prior to this point. This includes Grudge Race and Time Trial runs. Page #224 of the 2006 NHRA Rulebook. "

Basically any time you're on a NHRA track and making a pass.... That's how I've seen it enforced, too. Accessible computers on the track have been identified as a safety hazard, I remember reading.

Now I haven't studied the 2007 Rulebook, so there may be changes.

But we are safer.

 

The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway identified Time Trials as strictly an event oriented pre-eliminations run. The term "Test and Tune", according to the same NHRA track, identified a non-competition run on a practice day without any class restrictions. That's what I was thinking was the deciding factor if a laptop is allowed.

And it also said "During NHRA competition". I don't think a normal Test and Tune practice session is considered NHRA competition. But in Las Vegas, we had a multiday NHRA Sport Compact race which had Time Trials on Friday. Then more Time Trials on Sat along with eliminations. They didn't call it TnT on Friday b/c it was Time Trials strictly for the competition the following day.

But if it IS a safety measure, then it will be enforced at every NHRA track around the nation. But if it's just a competition measure, then it will not be enforced during TnT practice sessions where they will let almost anything race as long as it's safe.

I can see how it can be a safety measure though. They don't want loose articles inside the cabin. But I wonder if it says anything about securing the laptop much like you would a fire extinguisher.

You know what? I've been meaning to pick up the latest NHRA rule book. I will need to buy a jacket anyway and I just want to read the rules for myself before I spend money on one. Plus, I hope to put my car in the 11s one day and I need to make sure I don't need to meet any new requirements I wasn't aware of. The last NHRA rule book I've read was a 2001 I think. A lot has changed since then I'm sure!

Also, on a slightly different note, I have always thought that NHRA safety rules are more strict than IHRA. All NHRA tracks are suppose to enforce NHRA rules. And IHRA tracks... IHRA rules. But if I follow all the NHRA rules, will it always pass safety reqirements on an IHRA track? I believe so. But not the other way around. Do you know for sure? I know they may have different class requirements, but I am only talking about safety requirements such as roll bar, cage, helmet type, jacket, gloves, pants, boots, fire extinguisher, blow down tube, firewalls, air filter, etc. Thanks.

:Edit: And one last thing. I know that even if you pass all the safety requirements in the latest NHRA rulebook, it also states that it is ultimately up to the tech inspection officials whether to allow you to race or not. So they can fail anybody for a reason not specified in the book.

 

Yup those "drag strip cops" can toss you out for no good reason at all... A 2008 Rule Book would be a good thing. And watch out for mid-season amendments, too....

I've never been on a IHRA track, so I'm no expert there.. I have been in the middle of mixed NHRA qualifications and test-n-tunes, VAMP qualifications and test-n-tunes, and if you check other tracks' schedules on-line, it's not uncommon to see things mixed together. Does anybody care? I have been raked through a complete NHRA inspection at a test-n-tune at a major NHRA track, so it can happen. Something about the annual NHRA chassis certifications that day with hundreds of cars - and yes, I felt a liitle out of place in that crowd..

Best to be prepared for anything, is my new motto. Trailering my car 180+ miles for nothing gets a little discouraging, you know.

But I'm safer now. Except my fire extinguisher still isn't secured in the cabin..

.

 

Yeah, the NHRA should do a complete inspection if the inspectors do not know your car. But, usually for OEM NA street vehicles like the Maxima, they just check battery tie down, lug nuts and wheel covers and call it a day. I'm kind of surprised (as you probably were too) that they really ran the fine tooth comb on your car. But it's their job to find something unsafe and it's your job to know all the rules before stepping out on the track.

And I know what you mean by mixing TnTs with Time Trials for an actual event. With events like that, they seperate the two with a specific class designation on your windshield. That's what I'm use to.

And here some more meaningless information for those reading on. I just noticed that less than 2 weeks ago, NHRA released some revisions for the 2008 rule book. But, I didn't notice anything that should effect any of us in the Sportsman or Pro category.

http://www.nhra.com/content/general.asp?articleid=17519

Here is where to get the latest rulebook:

http://store.nhra.com/product.asp?0=230&1=259&3=133

And if you plan on racing in the NHRA Sport Compact series, then you have major class restrictions to follow. That rule book can be downloaded for free here:

http://www.nhrasportcompact.com/2007/rules/index.html

I have read over this rulebook several times and compared competition results with what I think my Maxima is capable of with turbo and nitrous. For the Sport FWD class, which allows 2 power adders, I won't stand a chance unless I'm running 10s. Which is possible I think with a 3.5 swap. But once I go through all that trouble, why not just get a Honda?

And for the Street Stock class, which is All Motor FWD, I can't use anything bigger than a 3L! And I need to run low 12s to compete in this class. There is no way I'll run that without a 3.5 swap!

My only chance at winning NHRA races is to go back to the ET Brackets like I did in Vegas. And if I want to win any type of Heads Up racing, my only chance are those Battle of the Import or Quick 8 races that local tracks will hold.

 

OK - I read some of that and ( if I'm reading this correctly) according to page 132 of the Sport Compact rulebook, the Nissan Maxima body is only acceptable for racing in the ET/Quick 16 and MOD classes, and reading the MOD requirements says that only RWD and AWD-4-cyl cars are allowed there.

In the Q-16 class, you gotta run 11.99 or faster just to qualify for competition.

Not much there for us 4-door maximas, is there? And I really wanted an excuse to go to a NOPI event, too....

So if I bought a Honda w/turbo, maybe then ????


.

 

Yeah, you're right. NHRA SC is really biased toward Hondas! Which isn't fair. It allows a 2100lb Honda to have a bored over B18C5 motor swap up to 2.3L capable of running high 11s NA, but it won't allow a 3300lb Maxima to have a stock 3L motor that is only capable of running high 13s!

 

i use a G-Force i bought it for around 200