Electric Vehicles
Bell Racing Helmets launches the innovative SmartLock™
Bell Racing Helmets launches the innovative SmartLock™ visor locking system
The technology debuted on Fernando Alonso’s helmet during the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend
Sakhir (Kingdom of Bahrain), December 10th, 2024 – Bell Racing Helmets, a brand of Racing Force Group, announces the introduction of SmartLock™, the innovative and patented, side-positioned, visor locking system for full-face helmets. The SmartLock™ system has been engineered to meet the very latest FIA safety specifications for auto racing helmets, whilst retaining the iconic DNA of Bell Racing products, to deliver cutting-edge functionality and seamless integration with the brand’s heritage. This pioneering feature once again demonstrates Bell Racing Helmets’ unrivalled ability to innovate and push the boundaries of motorsport technology.
All helmets from Bell Racing are certified to exacting safety standards within FIA and Snell approval programmes, reflecting the brand’s unwavering commitment to driver protection and performance. The SmartLock™ system builds on this foundation, paving the way for the next generation of helmet technology.
The R&D department of Bell Racing, based in Sakhir, Kingdom of Bahrain, gathered feedback from drivers of international championships to progress various concepts for the new visor locking system. The target was to ensure compliance with the FIA standards whilst providing the same rewarding user experience that has made Bell Racing products a favourite among drivers worldwide. The outcome is a system which delivers superlative performance compared to any other solution on the market today.
The SmartLock™ system was debuted during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, the final event of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, tested by two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, one of 17 competitors seen on the grid this year equipped by Bell Racing, the benchmark in F1 for performance, protection and comfort. In Abu Dhabi, the Spanish star received the first Bell Racing HP77 model certified by the FIA with the SmartLock™ system. During the introductory demonstration, Alonso experienced how the new visor locking system integrates into the helmet’s distinctive design, while out on track, the aerodynamic efficiency and performance were confirmed.
The benefits of a side-mounted system include greater strength and stability in the event of a high-speed impact. The field of vision is also free from any obstruction caused by a component placed in the centre of the visor, whether fully-closed or open. Paying careful attention to Bell Racing’s demanding requirements, the SmartLock™ system has been designed to be engaging in use. Its one-handed operation for both locking and unlocking while wearing racing gloves, streamlines functionality for drivers, minimising distractions and enhancing focus. The unlocking mechanism also allows for fast actuation by rescue teams parties during intervention scenarios.
The SmartLock™, side-positioned, visor locking system perpetuates Bell Racing Helmets best-in-class frontal airflow delivery for ventilation and defogging to maximise driver performance. The SmartLock™ will be progressively implemented in Bell Racing’s range of FIA 8859-2024 and 8860-2024 homologated full-face helmets, allowing all drivers, customers, and dealers to properly manage the transition phase in the meantime. This phased rollout ensures alignment with upcoming FIA standards while maintaining Bell Racing’s industry-leading commitment to safety and innovation.
Andy Mellor, Chief Technical Officer of Racing Force, commented:
“Bell Racing Helmets has delivered a solution that once again sets a new benchmark for helmet performance and function in motorsport. The launch of SmartLock™ is a testament to our commitment to advancing designs whilst persevering the legacy of our brand. It was important to preserve many core features of the Bell Racing full-face models, including the side positioning of the visor lock mechanism, and to ensure an optimal solution in compliance with the new FIA safety standards. Fernando Alonso debuting the SmartLock™ system on his Bell Racing helmet during the 2024 Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend demonstrates the confidence this system is gaining at the top levels of motorsport. Much credit is deserved by everyone at the Bell factory in Sakhir for demonstrating their ability to deliver this new iconic design matched by exacting production technologies.”
Racing Force Group
Racing Force is a leader in motorsport safety, providing the most advanced and comprehensive range of protection and performance products used worldwide by top professionals, race teams and car manufacturers, as well as amateurs. The Group is present on three continents, with main headquarters in Ronco Scrivia (Italy), Sakhir (Kingdom of Bahrain) and Mooresville (United States). Through its brands OMP, Bell Racing, Zeronoise, and Racing Spirit, Racing Force Group contributes to several victories and titles in car and kart racing each year. More information is available at www.racingforce.com, as well as at www.ompracing.com, www.bellracing.com and www.racingspirit.com.
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