Mark P

My plans for this helmet are for drag racing, and maybe 1-2 track/autoX events a year. I don't see any open cockpit racing in the near future. I like the protection of a full face, and what appears to be increased side view with a Hybrid instead of a full shield. I have tried on the GForce helmet and know that a Med fits me- I don't know about the Bell...

1.) After looking high and low, I decided on the <a href="http://www.gforce.com/products/helmets/gf_forcehybrid.html" target="_blank">GForce Force Hybrid</a> which sells for ~$200 online. I ordered it only to find out it's on national backorder until mid-late July. All of their distributors are reportedly sold out.
<img src="http://www.gforce.com/products/helmets/images/mat4409.jpg">

2.) Now I may have a source that has the GF Force Hybrid on a shelf for $260. Should I do that and get the helmet I wanted, even though now it's overpriced and costs me more than other helmets that should cost more....#4 below...

3.) Or I could consider going with a Bell hybrid - <a href="http://www.thebellstore.com/Auto/racer.html" target="_blank">Bell SR Pro</a>, for $250 online.
<img src="http://www.thebellstore.com/images/Auto/SRPro.jpg">

4.) Instead of paying the $260 for the GF Force Hybrid at an overpriced retail store, I could get the next higher MSRP helmet, the <a href="http://www.gforce.com/products/helmets/gf_proforce1.html" target="_blank">GF Pro Force 1</a>, online for $250. This helmet has a face shield which I'd end up removing anyway, and possibly less periphial vision.
<img src="http://www.gforce.com/products/helmets/images/mat4408.jpg">

Decisions, decisions!!!

Audi2ptzero

Why take the chance the Bell might not fit or you might not like how it feels. I tried on the Bell helmets and did not like it so I went with a beiffe instead.

I dont think your going to be paying a huge mark up, more like just closer to the retail price and lets not forget that they could actualy jack up the price even more if they wanted to since the supply is gone for a few months. I say just jump on that helmet while you can still get it.

Silver Streakin'

I wouldn't buy the Bell, if you haven't tried it on. I have a Bell M2, since the Bells fit my BF head.

Why not spend $10 less and get the "better" helmet, right?

Also, I don't like the visors above the eye port (the black portion, not the eye port shield that is transparent and usually tinted). They draw a line across the top of your vision, which is ok for drag racing, but not good on the track when you're always trying to look ahead. I feel as if I have to hold my head back to get a better view when wearing a helmet with a visor, which is another reason why I like my Bell. I assume it's to block sun/light from your vision, namely, in an open-wheel car, but keeping the shield flipped and wearing sunglasses works fine for me. I often remove the shield completely for better ventilation.

Additionally, I like having the hooks on the helmets so that I can attach safety restraint harnesses, which the universal ones use D-ring fittings. I don't know much about the GForce restraints, but it sounds as if you can only use their restraints, which probably means more $$ v universals.

Mark P

thanks - yeah, I'd definitely consider removing the visor, regardless

Audi2ptzero

those that sit high or on a high seat. This would cause you to have to look upward. I seat pretty low in my car with race seats so my eye line is not much higer then 4-6" over the top of the wheel/dash, but then my spaco steering wheel is about the height of the dash.

AEGA4

I would go for what ever fits you the best and fits in the car the best.

squidix9

wear an open face helmet. Although on my bike I wear a full faced Bell.

I use an open face for comfort/heat. After 10-20 hours it get's VERY heavy, no matter how light it is. I put on a neck pad sometimes after awhile to give my neck muscles a break.

jquattro

I ended up with a Simpson which I like a lot. You need to be sure it fits you before spending the money. I was also told that motorcycle helmets fit differently than auto helmets(?).

Mark P

<ul><li><a href="http://ctny.audiworld.com/mark/s4/helmet/">http://ctny.audiworld.com/mark/s4/helmet/</a</li></ul>