Frequently Asked Questions

FIA 8859 is the premium standard for club and national-level motorsport, offering excellent impact and fire resistance. FIA 8860 is an elite, advanced ballistic standard required for top-tier championships like Formula 1 and WRC, utilising specialised carbon fibre shells.

Yes, if you are under 15 years old. The Snell-FIA CMR 2016 standard is strictly mandatory for junior drivers globally. These helmets are significantly lighter to reduce neck strain on younger drivers during high-G cornering.

Helmet expiry depends on the homologation standard and the specific racing series you compete in. Generally, Snell standards (e.g., SA2015, SA2020) expire 10 years from the end of their release year. Currently, FIA 8859 and FIA 8860 standards do not have a set expiry date for most national events, but always check your specific championship regulations.

Use a flexible measuring tape and wrap it around the widest part of your head, approximately one inch above your eyebrows and ears. Take the measurement in centimetres, as helmet sizes are strictly categorised by cm (e.g., 58cm, 59cm).

No. Different manufacturers use slightly different shell shapes. Arai helmets generally favour an intermediate-to-long oval head shape, while Bell and Schuberth often cater well to a rounder oval shape. If you are between sizes or unsure, reach out to our team for specialised advice.

Yes. A brand-new motorsport helmet should feel very snug, with the cheek pads pressing firmly against your face. It should not move when you shake your head. The interior padding will compress slightly and mould to your face after a few hours of wear.

HANS Prepared (or FHR Compatible): The helmet has factory-installed M6 threaded metal inserts embedded in the shell, but the actual metal posts are not included. You will need to buy and attach the posts separately.

HANS Fitted: The helmet comes out of the box with the FHR/HANS posts already bolted in and ready to clip into your device.

Yes, if your helmet is pre-drilled with M6 terminals (common on all modern FIA 8859/8860 helmets). You must ensure they are properly torqued according to the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure structural safety.

Spindrift Motorsport handles all of our bespoke helmet design and professional helmet painting services. With years of experience creating custom liveries and motorsport artwork for professional drivers, teams and manufacturers, we are perfectly equipped to bring your vision to life. You can view our portfolio, learn more about the process, and request a quote directly on the Spindrift Motorsport website.

Our design service begins with a consultation to understand your exact vision, sponsor requirements, and team colours. We will then create detailed digital mock-ups for your review. This collaborative process allows for revisions and fine-tuning to ensure the artwork is exactly what you want before any paint touches the helmet.

Absolutely not, provided it is done professionally. Our painting service strictly adheres to manufacturer and FIA safety guidelines. We only use approved paints and preparation techniques that do not compromise the shell's structural integrity or fire-retardant properties. Furthermore, all mandatory homologation stickers will remain fully visible, intact, and valid for scrutineering.

Yes. We can colour-match exactly to your team’s livery, race suit, or brand guidelines. Simply provide us with the specific Pantone or Hex codes, or supply a physical reference, and we will ensure your new helmet perfectly complements your existing gear.

Lead times vary depending on the complexity of the artwork, the type of finish (e.g., matte, gloss, exposed carbon), and our current studio schedule. Typically, the painting process takes between 6 to 10 weeks from the moment we start working with you on the digital design. We highly recommend booking your build slot well ahead of the racing season.

While we highly recommend purchasing a brand-new helmet directly through Spindrift Motorsport so we can seamlessly manage the entire project from factory to finish, we do accept customer-supplied helmets. However, any supplied helmets must be in pristine, unworn condition to ensure the paint adheres perfectly and delivers the high-quality finish you expect.

Because motorsport helmets are critical safety items, we maintain strict return conditions. We accept returns within your standard return window provided the helmet is completely unworn, the visor film is untouched, all tags remain attached, and there are absolutely no scratches or marks. We cannot accept returns on helmets that have been worn or modified.

We offer fast UK delivery on all stocked helmets. Orders placed before our daily cut-off are typically dispatched the same day. For custom orders, bespoke fitments, or factory-direct models, delivery times will be communicated directly to you upon purchase.