A Helmet Should Be Item #1 On A Race Car Driver's List

By Byron Jonas

While other sports have been and continue to be popular among the masses, car racing has slowly but surely crept up into the sporting scene. As more people begin to show interest in the sport - be it as a fan and spectator from the grandstand, a member of the pit crew, or as a driver - there is no telling how far it will go and how high it will climb in the coming years.

For some, the intrigue in racing lies within the power and sheer force of the cars. Watching a race from the grandstand injects people with a shot of adrenaline that carries them all the way through the end of the race and on the drive home. For others, car racing is a sport to participate in. If fans and spectators are energized and excited by watching these cars speed around the track, just imagine what a driver - somebody who is motoring around the racetrack, fighting for position and avoiding accidents as they speed by -- must go through. But whether you are a fan or a participant, car racing seems to be here to stay.

When it comes to being a driver (rather than simply a fan or member of a team's crew) there a few items and accessories that you simply must have. While a car and a suit are undoubtedly important pieces to the overall car racing puzzle, one item that many people seem to overlook or forget when listing what a driver needs come competition time is his or her helmet.

The number one fear of a driver is that he or she might get into some sort of accident during the race. These accidents can range from simple fender benders to major, extremely dangerous and life threatening crashes. As a result, drivers must prepare for the worst at all times.

Crashes are part of the game, and many people continue to race even after a severe accident. While this is an admirable quality and characteristic to call on, it does not mean that racing is not a dangerous sport. As a result, drivers must always be prepared for the worst, and having a safe and secure helmet is a good start.

There are two major models of helmets available for purchase, both of which serve a specialized purpose.

When dealing with professional stock car racers and other high adrenaline, high-speed drivers, a full face helmet is most common. The full face model is designed for a driver who competes in high speed, high pressured, high intensity races. The helmets come with a guard that protects a driver's entire face. These helmets are also equipped with some sort of vent - often positioned by the neck - that allows heat to escape and also prevents from fogging, an issue that can lead to serious accidents and a very short career as a racecar driver. Finally, these helmets have some sort of fan built into them, so as to ensure that a driver does not overheat in the middle of a race.

Open face helmets are more affordable as compared to their full face counterparts, but they offer a very solid level of protection as well. They are the more practical choice for anybody who races in a junior or amateur circuit, and who does not need to worry about accidents to the same degree as professional stock car racers.

Regardless of who you are and what type of racing you are a part of, however, having proper head gear is an important and vital part of being a safe driver. While you can leave the helmet at home when you hop into the family car to take a spin around the block, anybody who gets into a car in a competitive setting better have a helmet on his or her head before even putting the keys in the car. - 21396

About the Author:

Byron Jonas acknowledges race helmets are an crucial part of race day safety. Which is why, as per all his car racing gear, he only trusts GMP Racing Products