Racing & Safety [was: Re: Looking for recommendations on a Helmet...]

[open.seas at verizon.net (Chris)]

shisler wrote:
> you'd rather have an open face helmet on a motorcycle so you can drag your
> chin on the ground when you fall off? im gonna have to disagree. if you are
> just doing casual autocross an openface helmet is plenty. look at what they
> give you at event to rent when you go. most are open face. some are even
> half shell. there is a difference between nascar and casual autoXing 

NASCAR drivers were the last to switch to full face helmets. They seemed 
to think they would look like sissies. They always seem to be the last 
to adopt safety gear. A lot of large diameter steel tubing was their 
safety program. Even after 2 or 3 fatal crashes (including Dale 
Earnhardt) many were reluctant to adopt the HANS device. For the the 
most part they seem to be in sync with the rest of the racing community 
now. I think the HANS device is mandatory in NASCAR now.

Chris