On track with Stilo: everything you need to know about the helmet

Racing helmets are intended, of course, to protect the head of drivers in the event of an accident of any kind, whether it is mild or not, frontal, frontally tilted or other angles, but also from collisions with debris or in case of fire. Precisely because the helmet has such an important role and so many functions to play, it is crucial that strict rules are followed to make it do its job.

The task of a helmet may seem obvious, but in reality there are different types and homologations according to the championship, for example, in kart races or in drivers under 15 years the rules are different than the formula or GT cars and drivers over that age.

A helmet must be made of special materials that are capable of resisting and dissipating energy in case of impact. For a helmet it is essential to have passed the strict FIA and SNELL homologation tests and that therefore respects all the safety standards required by the rules of the championship in which you compete. There are different types of homologation, these vary according to the performance of the cars on which then the driver who wears it will compete. In the various levels of homologation the forces in the field vary, but the limits imposed by the medical commission to prevent any damage to the pilot are always the same. A helmet may need to be replaced in certain situations such as after a crash or in the case of visible damage; it also requires good maintenance of it and all its accessories.

How is a helmet composed?

If we talk about helmet define it as a whole, but which parts form it? A helmet is formed by a shell that represents the outside, generally made of carbon fiber (light and durable) but there are also different types made of different materials, this must withstand impacts. Then we find an intermediate layer composed of a high density foam that has the task of absorbing the impact energy in case of impact and the kinetic energy of the head inside the helmet, this is very delicate, in fact, good care is requires while washing and drying it. The inside is covered with a soft material, a comfort pad, to make the helmet comfortable and stable. There is then a strap to the chin that has the duty to tighten, and then hold it firmly to the head, especially in case of impact. The strap must be resistant in the event of a collision, but at the same time it is designed to be easily undone in the event that the rescue team has to remove the helmet in an emergency. The visor is another fundamental element as it must also withstand any impact, maintaining good visibility in different conditions: reduce the light without compromising the recognition of it.

The painting and the accessories

The colorful helmets are more beautiful and allow the driver to have his own distinctive feature, no doubt, but also from this point of view safety is crucial. In fact, an improper use of paint on a helmet can loose its FIA homologation. This happens because the paints could be flammable, helmets are in fact subject to the Flame Test even after the paint job (paints suitable for flame retard should be used); moreover, the foam inside the helmet can be damaged not only by heat, but also from the vapors of the spray paint that could make it ineffective.

From the point of view of accessories, on a helmet we can go to add communication systems such as microphones and earphones, these also need to be approved.

In races that include longer stints is provided the Drinking System, a hydration system connected to the helmet that allows the rider to hydrate even while driving.

Types of helmets

Integral and Open

There are two types of helmet open and integral, the choice on which type the driver must use varies according to the rules of the championship in which he participates. Generally, if we talk about championships with an open cockpit the helmet required is exclusively integral as it protects both the head and face, including the chin and jaw. The open one, however, offers more ventilation and has a lower weight than the integral one. Ventilation is essential for a proper change of air inside the helmet (which occurs through special vents) and to avoid fogging the visor, another crucial element of the helmet that it’s distinguished by the weather.

It is also very important the fit that the helmet has to the driver’s head, it must be firm but not tight. The weight of the helmet is another crucial aspect, a helmet too heavy can in fact cause neck fatigue.

Advanced and Premium

There are also different degrees of safety in helmets: advanced and premium.

An Advanced helmet has the highest level of safety, at the moment there are two standard models that have precisely ABP for higher energy values for all ABP tests. This type is composed to provide greater energy absorption capacity and is the first helmet that introduces advanced ballistic protection that offers military bulletproof protection. Premium helmets are basic level, designed to provide a standard level of safety for FIA type approval. The Premium helmet offers a high level of safety, but with values lower than previously mentioned. The homologation SNELL CMR is dedicated to young drivers with a lower weight required and under 15 years of age, in which the neck is not yet fully formed.

The ST5FN ABP model of Stilo is an example of Advanced Helmet, this is one of the most durable models on the market. This type of helmet has advanced ballistic protection (as the name itself says ABP that stands for Advanced Balistic Protection) and is therefore able to protect in many more situations. The visor of the ST5FN ABP is narrower as the frontal protection area of the head is wider. This helmet specification is used in championships such as Formula 1, F2 and F3.

Helmets by Categories

Rally and off road helmet

Rally helmets, or Off-road helmets, are designed to provide good ventilation and good impact resistance and there are different types according to the specific competition. Two examples of off road helmet are the model VENTI WRC and the VENTI WRX by Stilo.

VENTI WRC is designed for rally racing and, to date, is a benchmark in these championships for its effectiveness. This is an open helmet equipped with microphone and speakers connected to the intercom that is able to improve the sound by radio canceling the noise and improving communication between the driver and the boxes.

VENTI WRX is, on the other hand, a full face helmet for off road and on track cars. Designed for extreme conditions, this model is equipped with a visor wider than a standard full face helmet that allows protection from dust and mud, allowing greater visibility. This helmet also offers more frontal protection and a greater field of view. Depending on the specific competition there are several models.

Karting helmet

The helmets used in karting are specially developed for this type of competition, this model is designed to provide energy absorption and is light weight so that the force transmitted to the pilot’s neck is limited.

If the driver is under 15 years of age, by regulation of the FIA championships, he must wear a specific type of helmet that meets the minimum safety standards established by the Snell Foundation and the FIA: the CMR. The CMR is a type of helmet with a reduced weight that does not burden the neck of the young drivers. If we talk about a driver over 15 years of age, then you can continue to use the helmet mentioned above, provided that this is an adequate size (size available up to 59) or a standard karting helmet conforming to the approval for the championship.

An example of a Karting helmet is the ST5FN KRT model by Stilo. ST5FN is a type of helmet available in 4 different materials and designed to be used in any type of cockpit, including a kart. The CMR variant is intended for drivers under 15 years of age.

Helmet suitable for various uses

There are basic helmet types - for example the SPORT Stilo helmet - and intermediate - such as the ST5R of Stilo - equipped with a lightweight design, comfortable and aerodynamic, which have the same FIA and SNELL homologation between them and are suitable for various uses. The entry level helmet has the same level of safety and noise reduction as a more important helmet in the range and is suitable for closed or low-noise cars

Head restraint devices (FHR)

The helmet has a fundamental role for the driver, but alone is not enough. Another fundamental element for the safety of the driver is the FHR: a device that has the task of protecting the neck by reducing the energy load on it in case of frontal or angle-frontal impact. It is very important that these devices are compatible with the helmet used, to which they will then be anchored, to ensure that they work together and are both effective. The Hans is a device that prevents whiplash in case of frontal collision, this cooperates with the FHR.