Sheldon:
I was the one who posted for you last time…let’s try again.
Locally, you can try on and purchase helmets at AAI Speed in Arvada. http://www.aaispeed.com/ They sell Bell Helmets. As for Arai, Impact, Simpson, or others, I don’t know where you can get them locally.
Painting: Rick Schmidt (Roman’s dad) does helmet painting locally. He posts regularly and is not difficult to find here.
With regard to other equipment, you can check locally and, please, support the local guys as much as possible, otherwise you’ll need to let your fingers do the walking…check w/ Doug at Shockwave, Barry at Billet, Brad at IMI (I think those are the only guys w/ shops…if I’ve forgotten someone, forgive me).
I’ll list several sites for you below. As a rule of thumb, the places which sell equipment on the internet are stocked w/ racers who can answer your questions and help w/ fitting over the phone. Many websites even have fitting guides. With shoes, driving suit, gloves, be prepared to buy several (if you do it over the internet or phone) and send back what doesn’t fit. Shoes should be tight so you can feel the pedals and everything else should be comfortable. Helmet should be a little more tight than you would think…your helmet should fit differently than what you wear when renting. The wind, etc affects it to a degree…comfortable yet tight.
http://www.aimsports.com/index.html – Mychron, on board computer
http://www.bellracing.com/ – Helmets, etc.
http://www.bondurantsuperkarts.com/index.php – Racing School; Anthony Figueredo also runs a school at TTAC.
http://www.internationalkarting.com.au/page/goldspeed.html – Parts & Stuff
http://www.k1racegear.com/ – Protective Gear
http://www.mgspeedsecrets.com/ – Former National Champ, educational books, good for beginners
http://www.ompracing.it/en/homeen.htm – Protective Gear, from Italy
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/home.asp – All kinds of race related stuff
http://www.pitpal.com/index.php?p=home – Organizational stuff you’ll need
http://www.pittsonline.com/ – Organizational, gear, racing stuff
http://www.smartracepaint.com/ – One of many painters
http://www.sparcousa.com/karting_gloves.asp – Protective Gear
http://www.upr.com/home.php?xid=b43e03d1c771abd854c14e5d0494af38 – Race gear internet sales out of AZ, lots of manufacturers
Others…Alpinestars, Puma, Oakley make protective gear/shoes/suits
To answer your other questions:
You can always buy stuff to go fast later, you can’t go fast if you’re injured. Only buy a $100 helmet if you have a $100 head. It is protective gear, enough said. In general:
$300- $900: A good helmet (store w/ visor up to let it dry).
$40 – $100: Helmet bag…you don’t want your helmet getting banged around in transit.
$99 – $400: Driving Suit.
$35 – $100: Driving Gloves.
$50 – $150: Driving Shoes.
$80 – $150: Rib Protection.
$500 – $?,???: Helmet Painting – certainly not necessary but you asked…
$200 – $400: Starter Tools for Racing
$25 – $35: Fuel Jug
Other Items you may not “need” but would probably appreciate later:
Get some type of undergarments for your suit…something to wick away moisture (sports clothes)…it gets pretty hot out there June – August.
Bag to store all of your gear (don’t want to forget something at home). Doesn’t have to be by a ‘racing manufacturer’.
Balaclava a.k.a. “Head Sock” – get a few if you’re actually going to race; they will keep your helmet dry and you’ll apprecaite this about your 5th session in a day in mid-July.
Spare eye shields…your helmet will come w/ clear (good for rain days). Buy some type of DARK lens due to the bright sunshine here in CO. If you can afford it, keep a spare in case a rock prematurely ends its life cycle.
Other racing consumables:
$20 +/-: Chains
$5 – $15/bottle: Lubricants, cleaners, engine oil
$15 +/-: Sprockets
$180: Tires/set
$200 +++: Other stuff you’ll bend, break or just plain wear out racing.
Happy shopping and don’t get caught wearing everything watching recorded F1 races in your livingroom… :dance:
Call me if you have other questions: 303-995-8910 (m)
Troy