Karting in an open-face helmet

[carl_w]

I have an open-face helmet as I sprint a tintop. However, if I was going to do an arrive and drive (non-competitive) at my local kart track, what would I need in terms of goggles? Bear in mind I wear glasses or prescription sunglasses, do I really need goggles? Or would I be better off turning up with my closed-face bike helmet (which I really do hate)?

Seems better to use my own gear than the sweaty stuff provided at the kart track.

[Fireblade]

Personally I wouldn't consider an open face lid for anything except a tin top. Certainly not for karting. I assume that you would like to keep your jaw bone and teeth?

[Radical]

Even in a tin top, you obviously have no imagination about how much damage a steering wheel or dash board can do to your face.

[redturner37]

A friend of mine recently had a very nasty crash in a single seater. Among the injuries sustained was a jaw bone broken in two places. He was wearing a full face helmet and that was destroyed in the impact. On a personal note, I have tried for years to get on with a full face helmet and it just doesnt work for me. Maybe the specs or possibly the ears are too big.....

[carl_w]

Originally Posted by Radical

Even in a tin top, you obviously have no imagination about how much damage a steering wheel or dash board can do to your face.

Do you wear a lid while driving on the road?

[maycontainNUTS]

Originally Posted by redturner37

On a personal note, I have tried for years to get on with a full face helmet and it just doesnt work for me. Maybe the specs or possibly the ears are too big.....

*bites lip*

[Radical]

Originally Posted by carl_w

Do you wear a lid while driving on the road?

No, but neither do I wear full nomex underware, race suit, socks and gloves and boots, have a full roll cage, fire extinguisher etc.
Oh, and neither do I go driving at speeds approaching 100MPH on a track 12ft wide onlt feet away from trees or armco...

And yes I used to compete saloon cars and always in full face helmets.

[Radical]

Originally Posted by redturner37

A friend of mine recently had a very nasty crash in a single seater. Among the injuries sustained was a jaw bone broken in two places. He was wearing a full face helmet and that was destroyed in the impact.

Lucky he was wearing the full face helmet otherwise

Avoids comment on ears....

[carl_w]

Originally Posted by Radical

No, but neither do I wear full nomex underware, race suit, socks and gloves and boots, have a full roll cage, fire extinguisher etc.
Oh, and neither do I go driving at speeds approaching 100MPH on a track 12ft wide onlt feet away from trees or armco....

I asked a question about karting. The karts in question are max 65 mph with a loooonggg straight. It's not a competition so there will be max 1-3 other people on track. IMHO this is less dangerous than driving to Sainsbury's where the road is full of other numpties.

I know that many rally drivers use open-face helmets (Carlos Sainz I think?), although Colin McRae switched from open-face to closed-face after breaking his jaw. Yer pays yer money...

TBH I think I'll just take the bike helmet to the kart track, although whilst on holiday abroad I've karted in helmets that are little more than an upturned bowl.

[redturner37]

Originally Posted by maycontainNUTS

*bites lip*

Cheeky sod, at least I dont have a problem with the 'hooter'.....