Safety, Safety, and Safety Bracket racing is the safest motorsport around and many rules specify safety requirements. For most street cars, the factory equipment is sufficient. If your car is capable of an E.T. of 13.99 or quicker, you will need a crash helmet. Not just any crash helmet but a SFI 31-1 or Snell 90 certified helmet. Even if you have a very slow car, no one will laugh if you are wearing a helmet.
Racers are very safety conscious.
As you graduate from a wannabe to a racer, this should be one of your early purchases. The quicker and faster a car is, the more safety equipment is required. Having a very fast car requires that the driver take an FAA physical, replace safety equipment on a two year schedule, have equipment certified and inspected on a schedule, obtain a competition license, and more. Without the required equipment, you don't race, period. My own race car is considered a mild racer.