Rick Mears Helmet Photo

[Tugboat]

Does anyone have a close up photo of Rick Mears' helmet from the 1991 Indy race? Thanks.

[boomer]

plenty of other good race pics here http://www.artemisimages.com

[Tugboat]

Thanks. Do you know what kind of Simpson helmet that is?

[RobbyMac]

Probably some early version of a shark. Later they developed the super shark and speedway shark. But you'd probably have to check with simpson (or some resource for old helmet models) to be sure.

Hey, found a snell 90 shark helmet on ebay, looks like a good match:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Simps...spagenameZWDVW

[JBaiza]

Drop me a PM Tugboat. You may have to activate your PM option. Maybe I can help you out.

[dalz]

Yes, a Simpson Shark. State of the art at the time, before things got funky aerodynamically. Although close inspection of the first photo shows a USAC '92 tech decal, the helmet was the same for '91. Rick never wore a nomex hood but instead used a drag-racing style nomex skirt around the bottom of his helmets.

I like the fact that Rick spent his career in his friend Bill Simpson's gear. Most pro racers' garb choices seem to be based on who is paying the highest retainers at the moment. Newcomer Alpinestars must be giving away the farm right now! Italian high-end outfitter Sparco, who suddenly took over NASCAR (!), has disappeared just as quickly. Quality shouldn't require a bribe as well.

[RobbyMac]

...Quality shouldn't require a bribe as well.

What... Loyalty in racing?