I know that for autocrossing M rated helmets are fine, but most HPDE do require SA rated helmets, despite rarely checking them. I would suggest that you find the helmet that fits you best.

 

Make sure its at least a Snell 05 rating. I was at a helmet store a month ago that was still selling Snell 95's which are obsolete for most events.

 

I used to wear nothing but the best Arai helmets back in my motorcycle day in the 90's up until 2003. Arai fit awesome and is considered the best. I no longer ride and my last Arai saved my life!
I am going to do a driver ed day at Sebring in November. I need to get a helmet for the track. I plan on probably doing 2-4 tracks days a year and that's it. I looked at the Arai SA helmets and yep they are super expensive. I also looked at the Bell M2 and a few others that are around $350-400. Are the Bell helmets good? What is everyones take on this?

 

Get the SA2005 helmet that fits. Nothing else matters.

Bro

 

ARIA is one of the best and amazingly light!! When mine came I thought the box was empty...

 

I recommend the Bell M3 as a good starting helmet. good price, better than avg helmet, will take HANS

I've also like the arai GP-5 series

 

GP5w here...........

 

fit and SA2005 is what matters. my budget was the same as yours. i ended up with Pyrotect mainly 'cos it fit comfortably on my head and SA2005. what you don't want to do is walk into a warehouse full of helmets and not having an idea of what to try. there's so many of them. check this site out to narrow down your options: http://www.helmetcity.com/

 

Jet:

Spend a little more if needed to purchase a good (www.TeamSimpson.com) SA2005 helmet. Yes, it is more expensive but most track days and high performance driving events are requiring SA rated helmets. If you take care of the helmet, the SA2005 rating is good for about 8-9 more years.

Mark "Feff" Pfeffer
www.MVPTrackTime.com