advice on helmet choice and fitment

hi all!
i need to buy a helmet for the upcoming season.
i'll be driving a door car,blown alky engine.
i'm considering a simpson X bandit:anybody using it already?
my head size is right between L and XL,so as far as fitment and comfort,what helmet size should i get?
finally,being my first purchase of a full face helmet,can i buy it "online" or should i wait til i go to the states in June and manage to "test fit" it(i'll go to the US 131 PDRA race,hoping there might be a simpson trailer there where i could buy it...)
any advice or comment appreciated
cyril

 

I had a large on order from Simpson after trying on a bunch in Indy. Every model fits totally different. When it was all said and done. I went to an xl and had to send it back 3 times to keep adding padding around my cheek. Worth every penny in the end. I don't think you could ever buy one and be a perfect fit. Ask yourself what your head and neck are worth. I have a 240 mph promod. My helmet fits tight like a indy car or nascar helmet. It pushes tight on every inch of my face , cheeks and back of my neck. Hit the wall at 3.5gs. Never even a headache!

 

Mike,Jay,thanks a lot for some life saving advice.
i'll wait and manage to test fit before i buy.
if i can't manage to test fit anything home,would anyone know if Simpson brings a semi at the PDRA races?
i saw one a few years ago at Milan dragway,but it was an IHRA race.
thanks again
cyril

 

The bell helmets by far are the most comfortable... I've researched this quite a bit the past few months, after being thoughly disgusted with how my impact nitro fits.. my hat size is 7 5/8, yet my impact xl is very tight... Taylor motorsports is a distributor for bell......

 

You really need to try on helmets from diff manufactures. All will fit different on your head. Maybe a Simpson fits maybe an impact or bell. When I roadraced motorcycles I had what we called an Arai head, a Shoei helmet was to tight on my forehead. Fit depends on your head shape along with the circumference.

 

Another thing to think about... if your going to wear a headsock under your helmet, buy it first and have it with you when you try them on. That little bit makes a big difference.

 

i experienced that problem already,except it was with an open face helmet and a nostalgia facemask!
talk about a tight fit...

 

Brands

Different brands fit differently. And they are sized differently. I have found that for my shape of head the Bell helmets are the best fit. You have to try it on.

 

If you can go to the trailer at a race and get thr simpson bandit X you will love it. You can get them to change the padding in the helmet there to fit tight were you want and looser were its to tight. I wouldn't buy an impact, arias is a great helmet but not snell approved. Bell is a great helmet hard company to deal with.
Simpson is the best overall deal for support and quality. Just my 2 cents

 

Helmet

For what it's worth, I have always heard good things about the Simpson helmets. Personally I bought a used Impact (Super sport, I think) from a friend and it's very comfortable and seems to breath well.

Just avoid the helmets that they used in the Cool Running's movie, If John Candy has to hammer fist it onto your head it's not a proper fit..."Thanks coach" lol

Best wishes,
Trevor Sherwood

 

thanks for the advice!
no distributor in France for Simpson...
it seems like drag racing helmets are not the most sought after gear in my country,of any brand.
so i'll search for distributors one in michigan in June.
by the way,if any of you is to race at the PDRA race at US 131 raceway at the end of june,let me know,i'll be more than happy to come by and say hi.
thanks again for all your advice
cyril

 

chassis

bon jour! did you get the chassis/ rear repaired?

 

Hi Bill!
you've got an E mail!