AG said:
You should get a closed face SA rated helmet. I don't know if the SA2005 helmets are out yet, however those will be good for another 10 years. The certification on the currrent crop of helmets expires in 5 years.
As far a brands go, you must try before you buy. Not all helmets are shaped the same and some will fit much better than others.
I thought you were
supposed to replace a helmet every five years, regardless of whether or not the Snell certification has expired?
As for the helmets -- don't shop only by price. Bell and Simpson both fit differently, and different models have different fits, too. If you plan on attending more HPDE's and/or autocrossing in the future, buy a good helmet that fits comfortably and snugly. Although it's very clichéd, remember that the helmet is made to protect your head and only 'buy a $10 helmet if that's all you think your head is worth.' [/cliché]
Also, think about a good pair of thin-soled, narrow shoes -- they don't necessarily need to be high-end racing shoes (nomex lined), but a good pair of leather-upper wrestling shoes (like the
Adidas Tyrint) will give you the same pedal feel as a pair of racing boots for much less money. (Nomex is always a good idea if you can afford it, but you can always buy
nomex socks for some fire protection.)
ChosenGSR said:
I will definitely attend both days... What do you guys usually do for overnight stay? Is it common for people to find nearby hotels or campout at the track? If camping out, what do you suggest one bring along? Also, what do you guys think about bringing a friend or a family member for the weekend? Will they be completely bored out of their minds?
Although I usually just commute daily from Arlington
(waking up at O'dark hundred ensures that I'm awake and alert by the time tech opens at 7am), there are a couple of decent hotels in Charlestown -- nothing fancy, but a reasonably clean room at okay prices. [
NCCBMWCCA Page on Accommodations]
As for family members... make sure that they realize that they're going to be doing
a lot of sitting outside, with very little to see. (No ride-alongs and rarely are there instructor laps for non-students/non-corner workers.) If they're into motorsports photography, they'll have a ball or, they could venture to the main circuit, if there's a race/HPDE to watch at the Carousel. As for children -- I think they'd get bored pretty quickly and I'm always afraid of what might happen if a couple of kids are running around the paddock during the process of gridding-up for a group to go on the track. (No kids of my own, yet... but they're a relatively rare sight, unless you bring two cars, so they can escape the track when they get antsy and/or want a bite to eat.)
BTW,
congrats for making the right decision and starting out with the HwySS -- it taught me so much and gave me the confidence in myself and my car that I needed for the ensuing drivers' schools (and autocrosses).
(And the double helping of skidpad time during the Safety School is incredibly valuable.)
And the AutoX school might also be a good primer, if you can make it...
Edit: For shoes, I've got a pair of
Addidas Ferox boots, now $30 on Eastbay. The color is by no means mild, but the fit is good, the design durable, and the tongue keeps the laces out of the pedal.
