47 replies to this topic

[cheesy poofs]

Can anyone tell me more about the FIA`s new mandatory helmet that comes into effect 1 July 2004 ? I`ve heard about it but know very little.

[MortenF1]

Massa and Trulli have tested it already, on Imola. The helmet's are the product of eight years research and development by the UK-based Transport Research Laboratory.
They provide a 50% improvement in crash protection, and that's obviously what they strived for.
F1's unique demands required a new helmet that was light, had low external friction properties, and offered a better protection in a diverse range of accidents, from steering-wheel impact to the sudden twisting motion typical of contact with concrete walls.
F1 Racing has labelled them Robocop look-a-likes.

[MCH]

Robocop.... are there any pictures of these helmets about?

[cheesy poofs]

Originally posted by race addicted
Massa and Trulli have tested it already, on Imola. The helmet's are the product of eight years research and development by the UK-based Transport Research Laboratory.
They provide a 50% improvement in crash protection, and that's obviously what they strived for.
F1's unique demands required a new helmet that was light, had low external friction properties, and offered a better protection in a diverse range of accidents, from steering-wheel impact to the sudden twisting motion typical of contact with concrete walls.
F1 Racing has labelled them Robocop look-a-likes.

Any pics of this helmet ?

Will it be required that ALL drivers wear it ? If so, does this mean the end of suppliers like Arai, Bell, Schuberth, etc... ?

[MortenF1]

No, it's just that BELL are the first manufacturer to be certified as having passed FIA standards.
All the other manufacturers will have these new lids shortly. Bell and Schubert were involved in the final stages of development with the Transport Research Laboratory.

[MortenF1]

Search for Imola pics of Massa and Trulli. They don't look very Robocop to me though, it's just that the visir appears to be a little smaller(?), and that the part beneath the visir, and infront of the drivers mouths/jaw, is bigger/longer. Vague explanation, so pics would be good. If you get F1 Racing, you can see how it looks.

[cheesy poofs]

Originally posted by race addicted
No, it's just that BELL are the first to manufacturer to be certified as having passed FIA standards.
All the other manufacturers will have these new lids shortly. Bell and Schubert were involved in the final stages of development with the Transport Research Laboratory.

Ok, I get it. This must be the new lid ( from Bell ) that Button has had since Imola.

[Sakae]

Originally posted by race addicted
Massa and Trulli have tested it already, on Imola. The helmet's are the product of eight years research and development by the UK-based Transport Research Laboratory.
They provide a 50% improvement in crash protection, and that's obviously what they strived for.
F1's unique demands required a new helmet that was light, had low external friction properties, and offered a better protection in a diverse range of accidents, from steering-wheel impact to the sudden twisting motion typical of contact with concrete walls.
F1 Racing has labelled them Robocop look-a-likes.

Schumacher bros are perfectly happy with their current once, as those are state of art, unmatched on the market as I understand that. Then there are also some personal contracts which would have to yield...

I am not sure they will be happy to step back to wear a FIA's product, if that is imposed.

[MrSlow]

Originally posted by MiPe


Schumacher bros are perfectly happy with their current once, as those are state of art, unmatched on the market as I understand that. Then there are also some personal contracts which would have to yield...

I am not sure they will be happy to step back to wear a FIA's product, if that is imposed.

A thread with only 7 posts is still to long for the average poster.

[chris_canuk]

I wonder if this is the helmet to which Gerald Donaldson referred when he mentioned that one of the three helmets Villeneuve recently bought was up to current spec.

[MortenF1]

It must've been. F1 Racing writes that they're at $5000 each. (I think I'll have two.)

[KinetiK]

Originally posted by race addicted
It must've been. F1 Racing writes that they're at $5000 each. (I think I'll have two.)

$5000 is it? that's a steal of a deal because, as I recall, Michael's Schuberth helmet runs in the range of $45000 or something.

[MortenF1]

Yeah, that's what it says. $5000.

[benn5325]

As I understand it, it's a standard. Not a physical peice of hardware.
FIA 8860-2004
Which is just about the same as the SNELL2000 standard

[jondoe955]

$5000 is it? that's a steal of a deal because, as I recall, Michael's Schuberth helmet runs in the range of $45000 or something.......

And bounces really nicely when thrown across a room

[CONOSUR]

Schumacher's Schuberth helemt runs @$15,000 per...

[KinetiK]

Originally posted by benn5325
As I understand it, it's a standard. Not a physical peice of hardware.
FIA 8860-2004
Which is just about the same as the SNELL2000 standard

But FIA mandated which makes it "better" in the eyes of the FIA because they're the ones who'll likely be in court if a driver gets hurt or killed due to a lack of an 'official' helmet standard in the sport.

[Sakae]

Originally posted by MrSlow

A thread with only 7 posts is still to long for the average poster.

?

[MrSlow]

Originally posted by MiPe

?

If you had read the thread you would have seen that no one needs to break any contract, or wear a "FIA product"

FIA have not started a helmet factory, they have issued specifications for the helmet producers to follow.

[cheesy poofs]

Originally posted by chris_canuk
I wonder if this is the helmet to which Gerald Donaldson referred when he mentioned that one of the three helmets Villeneuve recently bought was up to current spec.

Yes.

[chris_canuk]

Originally posted by cheesy poofs


Yes.

Just more fuel for the fire then, eh?

[cheesy poofs]

Originally posted by chris_canuk


Just more fuel for the fire then, eh?

[Sakae]

Originally posted by MrSlow

If you had read the thread you would have seen that no one needs to break any contract, or wear a "FIA product"

FIA have not started a helmet factory, they have issued specifications for the helmet producers to follow.

I don't think I had as much explanation in the first six preceeding posts, and "race addicted" is a source with unknown credentials. (I mean it in best possible way ). Anyway, thanks.

[MortenF1]

What I wrote is more or less borrowed from F1 Racing...

[Option1]

Oh well then, zero credibility.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Neil

[onepablo]

This is the first I've read of the FIA helmet standard; the Snell Foundation's standard has been the...standard (sorry) for many years now. Does anyone know if this means that the FIA standard tests exceed the Snell standards? I can't imagine helmet manufacturers having to subject their lines to brand new tests.

[McHulme]

Originally posted by race addicted
the part beneath the visir, and infront of the drivers mouths/jaw, is bigger/longer.

I knew it!

Jayy Leno is going to be in the Williams seat next year!

;)

(I really don't mean to hijack this thread, just couldn't resist)

[BertlF]

Originally posted by race addicted
.....and that the part beneath the visir, and infront of the drivers mouths/jaw, is bigger/longer. Vague explanation, so pics would be good. If you get F1 Racing, you can see how it looks.

I knew it....

FIA has "again" bowed to MS..... specifying a helmet to fit his head better... makes the ride more comfy.....

Bert

[AndersF1]

Originally posted by MiPe


Schumacher bros are perfectly happy with their current once, as those are state of art, unmatched on the market as I understand that.

It is great to see that PR is really getting through -so sponsors don't waste their money for nothing.

[MrSlow]

Originally posted by BertlF


I knew it....

FIA has "again" bowed to MS..... specifying a helmet to fit his head better... makes the ride more comfy.....

Bert

[Sakae]

Originally posted by AndersF1

It is great to see that PR is really getting through -so sponsors don't waste their money for nothing.

When MS pull out of his previous contract, if you recall, he had to settle, because the contract wasn't mature. I have forgotten the ammount of the settlement, and it was a lot of money, yet he did it anyway - for a reason which went beyond more money somewhere else. Technical merits (which I have read from a Japanese paper) of his new helmet was disussed as one of the most advanced anywhere. I personaly have only very superficial knowledge of the subject. (By the way - I hardly ever read any adds).

[giddyup409]

Originally posted by onepablo
This is the first I've read of the FIA helmet standard; the Snell Foundation's standard has been the...standard (sorry) for many years now. Does anyone know if this means that the FIA standard tests exceed the Snell standards? I can't imagine helmet manufacturers having to subject their lines to brand new tests.

BSI (British Standard Institute) blue label is rated highest in motorcycle helmets and exceeds SNELL standards. I wonder if FIA standard is just a copy of BSI 6658 type A standard?
i.e. Suomy helmets are BSI certified, but not SNELL.

[benn5325]

Here There are even some pretty pictures for people who cant read.

[100cc]

http://www.bellracing.info there you go.

The racestar HP1 is the new helmet.

As far as I've seen Button and Trulli haven't been wearing it yet. They've still been using the KF1 model.

The regular consumer model will be available within the next few months. Only about 30-50 or so of the HP1's will be made this year I think.

Something new on the helmet is that the visor goes in a little bit

[giddyup409]

Originally posted by benn5325
Here There are even some pretty pictures for people who cant read.

thanks for the link Ben. very cool read.

[HP]

Originally posted by BertlF


I knew it....

FIA has "again" bowed to MS..... specifying a helmet to fit his head better... makes the ride more comfy.....

Bert

Just imagine had they bowed to DC

[onepablo]

Originally posted by HP
Just imagine had they bowed to DC

The new range of sizes would be S, M, L, X-L, and Blockhead.

Seriously, the new FIA-standard helmets supposedly have visors that fit flush with the helmet...I wonder how this is going to affect fogging during wet conditions. For karting, I routinely crack the visor open about 1 cm for better comfort and to prevent fogging, and I remember a few years back Barichello having to pit because his visor was fogging up really bad (I believe the pit crew resorted to adding strip of tape to the bottom edge of the visor opening.

[cheesy poofs]

Originally posted by onepablo



The new range of sizes would be S, M, L, X-L, and Blockhead.

Seriously, the new FIA-standard helmets supposedly have visors that fit flush with the helmet...I wonder how this is going to affect fogging during wet conditions. For karting, I routinely crack the visor open about 1 cm for better comfort and to prevent fogging,and I remember a few years back Barichello having to pit because his visor was fogging up really bad (I believe the pit crew resorted to adding strip of tape to the bottom edge of the visor opening.

I guess that explains Austria and Indy 2002...

[Jason]

Originally posted by CONOSUR
Schumacher's Schuberth helemt runs @$15,000 per...

Have they gotten cheaper? According to the following article, these helmets were $21,300 each, back in 2003. http://www.theage.co...6540133689.html

[HP]

Originally posted by onepablo

Seriously, the new FIA-standard helmets supposedly have visors that fit flush with the helmet...I wonder how this is going to affect fogging during wet conditions. For karting, I routinely crack the visor open about 1 cm for better comfort and to prevent fogging, and I remember a few years back Barichello having to pit because his visor was fogging up really bad (I believe the pit crew resorted to adding strip of tape to the bottom edge of the visor opening.

I think the next rain race, or Spa (it's foggy there at times) will show if they work.

[wati]

The price is €5000 + taxes, not $5000.

Wattie

[100cc]

Yeah Wati, 5,000 euros. The prices in the papers are just pulled from anywhere.
Why not just check the official website?!?

Originally posted by onepablo

Seriously, the new FIA-standard helmets supposedly have visors that fit flush with the helmet...I wonder how this is going to affect fogging during wet conditions. For karting, I routinely crack the visor open about 1 cm for better comfort and to prevent fogging, and I remember a few years back Barichello having to pit because his visor was fogging up really bad (I believe the pit crew resorted to adding strip of tape to the bottom edge of the visor opening.

I'm sure the f1 drivers can afford anti-fog visors.

Do the regulations say the visor has to be flush with the helmet? I wouldn't think they do. The racestar one has it though.

[MrSlow]

From what I understand, the FOV will be narrower than it is on most helmets today (or was before today). Considering the amount of accidents lately where the drivers "did not see" other drivers (MS Imola & Monaco, Ralf everywhere, JPM@Nurburgring) - is that a good idea?
Limiting their side vision even more must be dangerous?

[onepablo]

That's one of those compromises that you just have to make. But given a choice between better vislibility or better facial protection, I'd go with the latter. Remember, those visors are fairly weak in comparison to the actual composite structure of the helmet proper.

[dc21]

There are several helmet standards around but the FIA currently only approve two (maybe three), the Snell SA2000 (replacing Snell SA95) and the BS Type A/FR (being the same as Type A but fire proof). The BS standard has effectively been made defunct by the new EC standard. However this standard does not include batch testing or visor testing(?). As a result neither the RAC MSA nor the FIA will approve the standard. The third standard they may support is the SFI standard.

Of course, now the FIA has their own standard this will be approved and the Snell and BS standards dropped. FIA standard helmets will only be found in racing because (if the narrower field of vision is a prerequisit to passing) the narrow field of vision will fall outside of road laws (hence why Snell standard helmets are illegal on the road).

Dave

[MrSlow]

Made me think, the helmets that Ralf and Michael uses, does it have a narrower FOV already?
Ralf have done so many strange manouvers that I was convinced he had no peripheral vision and maybe it is the helmet? If Michael told the truth that he did not see Montoya in Imola it must also be because of the helmet, because JPM was in front of Schumi's shoulders.
If so, I think that a helmet that causes accidents still have room for improvements.

Hard to tell though, without trying out the helmet. I guess the drivers would have complained if they felt they where handicapped. But I remember from my motocross days that a standard helmet was not an option, you never knew where the other bikes where.

[panzani]

The 2 FIA-approved helmets, Schubert and Bell, can be seen here.

[cheesy poofs]

I see that Button is trying out his new lid from BELL at Silverstone this week.
Looks cool !

BTW - Has anyone seen Arai`s version ?