Smitty (and All):

?

????? The first "hard shell" fiberglass full coverage helmet became available in 1952.? Hal Minyard and partner Johnny McMurray designed and started selling their McHal helmet that year.? This was the first racing helmet that covered both the sides and the back of a driver's head with a solid material instead of the pressed cardboard/cork helmets like the Cromwell that "protected" just the top of the head.? Roy Richter didn't come out with his Bell 500 helmet until 1954 by which time most drivers were using the McHal.? McHal helmets were used well into the 1960s at Indianapolis and other tracks along with other brands like Bell.? For quite a few years some drivers preferred the McHal on dirt tracks because of the quality of flip down visors that Hal Minyard had developed.

?

???? BTW, it might surprise some to know that open face helmets like the Bell 500 series are still technically legal to use in most professional racing today so long as they meet certain Snell rating requirements.? Even things like the various HANS type restraint devices are generally just "recommended" in rule books instead of being mandated.? Of course, everyone uses one at the professional level anyway.? There is likely some legal reason for the use of the wording in this manner.

?

Randall Cook

Indianapolis, IN

Randall Cook

Indianapolis IN USA