Accord

What branded helmet do Kimi and David wear? Simpson, Bell, etc.?

Lynn

I don't know what they wear, but most F1 drivers use Arai. MS and RS use a Schubert, which is not available to anyone else. Eddie Irvine uses a Bieffe, as do Trulli and Fisichella. So did Alesi, Diniz and Wurz. Jenson Button uses a Bell.

Accord

What does Jacques Villeneuve do since he wears glasses? Custom lens insert or Contacts?

trench

Since they aren't wearing their glasses while driving, I think both Villeneuve and R Schumacher wear contacts - I think optically corrective helmet visors (what I assume you mean by "custom lens insert") would be too expensive and difficult to manufacture (not that either of these is usually a problem in F1 ). I'll go with Occam's razor on this one. As an aside, the only drivers I can think of that I've seen wear glasses under their helmets are Bobby Rahal and Jimmy Vasser.

Cheers, BT

Accord

The reason i'm asking, is because I need a helmet for when I start up with SCCA club racing and whatnot, and I want to stay brand loyal . I also wear glasses, so I need a viable solution from seeing what the pro's do.

I hate contacts, I can't wear them, lol .

Lynn

I think you are confusing Vasser with Herta. Villeneuve used to wear glasses while driving.

Lynn

Both Bell and Simpson have models with larger openings for people who wear glasses. Check their web sites.

What SCCA class are you considering?

KrispyK

Now, the $1000 question is: can I buy one of these helmets and get them painted the same design/lettering/etc. as Mika Hakkinen's? And how much would it cost?

Accord

Yup, there are numerous companies who do custom painting for helmets. I am going to have the exact same helmet design as Jean Alesi, since he has AMG written all over it .

KrispyK

You have any URLs for any of these companies?

Accord

Not sure yet, whatever class I can race my C32 in .

Accord

Yup... http://www.bkdesigns.net/ and http://www.helmetpainting.com/

Lynn

Also, Troy Lee Designs

trench

Both Vasser and Herta have had LASIK corrective eye surgery, so they no longer need to wear eyeglasses while driving. Adrián Fernández wears glasses as well.

Later, BT

PhucNguyen57

It was my UNDERSTANDING, as one who used to sell the product, that OMP provided all suits and helmits. The helmits are carbon fiber OMP-AGV, I dont remember the name of them though. On the other hand, i have seen the F1 drivers using Sparco Fast Tech gloves and Momo suits. Even if they are not using those helmits, OMP and Bieffe (and whoever else makes cf helmits) carbonfiber helmits are awesome.

Lynn

Many F1 drivers wear Sparco suits.

Lynn

Check out the Helmet of the Month at Troy Lee Designs. Very appropriate. I would post the link, but the site is one of those where every page just says www.troyleedesigns,com