What did you do with your 718 this week?

[J-Dub]

Now to look for a helmet ( not to keen on the rentals) and some thinner soled shoes.

I had an old Bell helmet I was using for years and the outfit I was running with never checked the date. When I signed up for a PCA event earlier this year I saw that I needed to get a new helmet. I went to the local race shop and tried on 8 or 10 helmets in a range of brands, sizes and price levels. I chose the one that fit, when I put this one on I knew it was the one. I ended up with a Bell K1 Sport however my point is even if you have to drive some distance, go try on a bunch if possible.

[Treemagnet]

Now to look for a helmet ( not to keen on the rentals) and some thinner soled shoes.

I had an old Bell helmet I was using for years and the outfit I was running with never checked the date. When I signed up for a PCA event earlier this year I saw that I needed to get a new helmet. I went to the local race shop and tried on 8 or 10 helmets in a range of brands, sizes and price levels. I chose the one that fit, when I put this one on I knew it was the one. I ended up with a Bell K1 Sport however my point is even if you have to drive some distance, go try on a bunch if possible.

Had to do the same (1 hour drive) to find a helmet that fit, so I completely endorse this recommendation. A poor fitting helmet can literally cause headaches, not to mention serious distractions....which is the last thing one wants at blood curdling speeds.

[Treemagnet]

Took it to a track for some high speed lapping for the first time ever in my 60 years here on earth. Was fantastic! I had a track veteran with me on a couple of slow speed sighting laps showing me the lines and want to look out for, this was very helpful. My first few solo laps were a little tentative and I was waving a lot of people by to pass me. By my third session I was a lot more comfortable and now had cars waving for me to pass, although one was a 70’s era mini so I had a couple of horses over him.
I will definitely be doing it again. Now to look for a helmet ( not to keen on the rentals) and some thinner soled shoes.

Already looking for a helmet eh!?! Somehow I knew one track day would be all it would take....seriously addictive seems to be an understatement for most. Keep the shiny side up!

[Bruinfn4lf]

Now to look for a helmet ( not to keen on the rentals) and some thinner soled shoes.

I had an old Bell helmet I was using for years and the outfit I was running with never checked the date. When I signed up for a PCA event earlier this year I saw that I needed to get a new helmet. I went to the local race shop and tried on 8 or 10 helmets in a range of brands, sizes and price levels. I chose the one that fit, when I put this one on I knew it was the one. I ended up with a Bell K1 Sport however my point is even if you have to drive some distance, go try on a bunch if possible.

Had to do the same (1 hour drive) to find a helmet that fit, so I completely endorse this recommendation. A poor fitting helmet can literally cause headaches, not to mention serious distractions....which is the last thing one wants at blood curdling speeds.

From way back (early 80’s) in my motorcycle days I knew you must try on helmets before you buy. Some brands and/or styles don’t fit correctly no matter what size they are. I also wear glasses too which the helmet must accommodate. Funny though when getting the rental at the track I asked for a medium and the very first helmet fit perfectly and with my glasses on too. I probably won’t get that lucky when trying to buy one.

I know full face helmets look “cooler” and can offer more protection but are they necessary? I’m afraid they would be too hot. Any opinions on full face versus open face helmets?

[Bruinfn4lf]

Already looking for a helmet eh!?! Somehow I knew one track day would be all it would take....seriously addictive seems to be an understatement for most. Keep the shiny side up!

Yeah @Treemagnet ,it was a ton of fun. I was hoping to go again this week but my granddaughter was kind enough to give my wife and myself a summer cold which seems to hang on for 10-14 days. It’s not just the sniffles, speaking of helmets, it’s feels like I’m wearing a helmet that is way too tight 24 hours a day.

[blueline]

I had an old Bell helmet I was using for years and the outfit I was running with never checked the date. When I signed up for a PCA event earlier this year I saw that I needed to get a new helmet. I went to the local race shop and tried on 8 or 10 helmets in a range of brands, sizes and price levels. I chose the one that fit, when I put this one on I knew it was the one. I ended up with a Bell K1 Sport however my point is even if you have to drive some distance, go try on a bunch if possible.

Had to do the same (1 hour drive) to find a helmet that fit, so I completely endorse this recommendation. A poor fitting helmet can literally cause headaches, not to mention serious distractions....which is the last thing one wants at blood curdling speeds.

From way back (early 80’s) in my motorcycle days I knew you must try on helmets before you buy. Some brands and/or styles don’t fit correctly no matter what size they are. I also wear glasses too which the helmet must accommodate. Funny though when getting the rental at the track I asked for a medium and the very first helmet for perfectly and with my glasses on too. I probably won’t get that lucky when trying to buy one.

I know full face helmets look “cooler” and can offer more protection but are they necessary? I’m afraid they would be too hot. Any options on full face versus open face helmets?

I would most definitely go with full face and that has nothing to do with looking cool. They are safer by far. You'll get used to a full-face helmet. The only exception that I'll mention might be if you're planning on only doing a few track days but even then, I'd still recommend the full face.

Also, helmets are like many other things (our Porsches for instance): you get what you pay for. A more expensive helmet generally means lighter, more comfortable, cooler and safer. I'm a Stilo user (ST5 GT) - they are fantastic helmets. Also, I don't get on track without a Hans device either. Neither of those are cheap but the same can be said for one's life.

As for glasses (regular or sunglasses), I always wear a balaclava. Besides fire protection, they keep your helmet padding cleaner, are cooler than the padding and they facilitate putting on glasses after you've donned the helmet. The temples slide easily under the balaclava without catching on the various components in a helmet - foam and communication ear cups if installed. It also helps if the temples at the rear of your glasses are straight and not the kind that hook around your ear. So much easier to get on!

If you are not buying a helmet in person and depending on what helmet you buy and from where, some race shops will send two different sizes so that you can determine which fits better, returning the other.

You're gonna have fun!!!

[Treemagnet]

I originally purchased an open face and used it exclusively at track and AX for the first 3 years. Then, this winter I was contemplating the high speeds (150+) at COTA when I saw a great looking full face helmet in a Black Friday sale ad at a tremendous price. I still use the open face for AX, but only the full face at the track. My Bride believes it was the right choice, but my friends seem to think there really is nothing to protect anyway .

[blueline]

I originally purchased an open face and used it exclusively at track and AX for the first 3 years. Then, this winter I was contemplating the high speeds (150+) at COTA when I saw a great looking full face helmet in a Black Friday sale ad at a tremendous price. I still use the open face for AX, but only the full face at the track. My Bride believes it was the right choice, but my friends seem to think there really is nothing to protect anyway .

I've been told that before!

[Treemagnet]

Had to do the same (1 hour drive) to find a helmet that fit, so I completely endorse this recommendation. A poor fitting helmet can literally cause headaches, not to mention serious distractions....which is the last thing one wants at blood curdling speeds.

From way back (early 80’s) in my motorcycle days I knew you must try on helmets before you buy. Some brands and/or styles don’t fit correctly no matter what size they are. I also wear glasses too which the helmet must accommodate. Funny though when getting the rental at the track I asked for a medium and the very first helmet for perfectly and with my glasses on too. I probably won’t get that lucky when trying to buy one.

I know full face helmets look “cooler” and can offer more protection but are they necessary? I’m afraid they would be too hot. Any options on full face versus open face helmets?

I would most definitely go with full face and that has nothing to do with looking cool. They are safer by far. You'll get used to a full-face helmet. The only exception that I'll mention might be if you're planning on only doing a few track days but even then, I'd still recommend the full face.

Also, helmets are like many other things (our Porsches for instance): you get what you pay for. A more expensive helmet generally means lighter, more comfortable, cooler and safer. I'm a Stilo user (ST5 GT) - they are fantastic helmets. Also, I don't get on track without a Hans device either. Neither of those are cheap but the same can be said for one's life.

As for glasses (regular or sunglasses), I always wear a balaclava. Besides fire protection, they keep your helmet padding cleaner, are cooler than the padding and they facilitate putting on glasses after you've donned the helmet. The temples slide easily under the balaclava without catching on the various components in a helmet - foam and communication ear cups if installed. It also helps if the temples at the rear of your glasses are straight and not the kind that hook around your ear. So much easier to get on!

If you are not buying a helmet in person and depending on what helmet you buy and from where, some race shops will send two different sizes so that you can determine which fits better, returning the other.

You're gonna have fun!!!

One thing to add about balaclavas. Our south Texas summers are extremely hot and sticky, which mean balaclavas won't dry out between track sessions. Thus, I wear a fresh balaclava during every session to keep the helmet as yuck free as possible. You'll have to decide if more than one is necessary in the land of perpetual permafrost.

[blueline]

One thing to add about balaclavas. Our south Texas summers are extremely hot and sticky, which mean balaclavas won't dry out between track sessions. Thus, I wear a fresh balaclava during every session to keep the helmet as yuck free as possible. You'll have to decide if more than one is necessary in the land of perpetual permafrost.

I'll second that! I always have two fresh ones with me.