Toyota Presents Historic Bell Helmets Display

The Evolution of the Helmet Showcases Racing History

As the presenting sponsor of the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show (IMS), Toyota will showcase a new exhibit as part of its Toyota Zone display, “The Evolution of the Helmet.”  The display, which will be housed in the bed of a Toyota Tundra, will explore the legendary helmets of athletes in a number of disciplines including Motocross, Supercross, Supermoto, Top Fuel Drag Racing and NASCAR.

As part of the helmet display area, Toyota’s giving show attendees the opportunity to develop their own custom helmet design (off-road, sport bike and cruiser helmets) using templates and design tools at the Toyota Zone exhibit area.  Attendees that submit their design will be entered for a chance to have a custom Bell helmet painted with their design.  A total of 13 custom-painted helmets will be awarded over the show’s five-month tour.   

The Evolution of the Helmet display within the Toyota Zone at each IMS stop will feature:

1975 Bell Star               Tom Sneva, Auto Racing

Tom Sneva was wearing this helmet when he made contact with another car on lap 126 of the 1975 Indy 500. Sneva's car flipped, hit the outside wall and burst into flames. He emerged from the crash with only minor injuries.

1978 Bell XF GP           Top Fuel Drag Racing

The ominous-looking XF GP was designed for drag racing and used by the likes of Shirley Muldowney and ‘Big Daddy’ Don Garlits.

1979 Bell Moto III         Bob “Hurricane” Hannah, Motocross

Bob “Hurricane” Hannah won a total of seven AMA national championships and is one of only two riders in the history of AMA motocross racing to win championships in 125cc motocross, 250cc motocross and Supercross. Hannah easily ranks as the most versatile motocross racer of his era and perhaps of all time. This helmet from early in Hannah’s career still has some caked-on dirt from its last race.

1983 Bell Trail Star       ATV and ATC Riding/Racing

Bell developed the Trail Star specifically for ATV and ATC use.

1985 Bell BT300            Bomb Disposal Helmet

This helmet was used by police and military bomb squads in the dismantlement of explosives. It is actually missing two additional bulletproof visors over the eye ports that were destroyed during dismantlement. The wearer was unhurt.

2001 Bell Moto 7           Jeremy McGrath, Motocross and Supermoto

Jeremy McGrath has won seven national titles and is credited with taking motocross racing into the mainstream with his showman style. Though he is semi-retired, McGrath continues to be competitive at the sport’s highest level.

2002 Bell M3     Roland Sands, Motorcycle Roadracing

Before he was one of the world’s leading motorcycle designers, Roland Sands was a top U.S. motorcycle roadracer and won the 1998 AMA 250GP Championship. He wore this Bell M3 during his victory at the 2002 AMA National at California Speedway in Fontana, CA.

2006 Bell Dominator     Ricky Bobby, NASCAR “Talladega Nights”

In the blockbuster movie Talladega Nights, Ricky Bobby is the biggest name in NASCAR racing. Starting out as a humble pit crew member, RB got his big break when a driver suddenly quit and he was called on as a last minute fill-in. Bobby went on to win—and has been winning ever since.

2007 Bell Dominator     Helio Castroneves, IndyCar Racing

Used by drivers like Danica Patrick, Dan Wheldon and Helio Castroneves on the IndyCar series, the Bell Dominator is the next generation in aerodynamic motorsport helmets. The Dominator delivers stability at high-speeds in a compact, comfortable, ultra-lightweight package and is the helmet of choice for all forms of open wheel and kart racing.

2008 Bell Moto-8           Nick Wey, Supercross

This Nick Wey signature Moto-8 features Bell’s exclusive Velocity Flow Ventilation system that uses a sophisticated set of vents, ducts, exhaust ports and flow management features to create a natural turbulence engine which literally pulls air through the helmet.

In addition to the Evolution of the Helmet display, Toyota will also feature a number of interactive elements in the Toyota Zone at each IMS stop.  From the Roland Sands-inspired Tundra and Sands-designed RenStar and the “Day at the Track” Tacoma featuring a Joe Gibbs Race Team replica bike to the FJ Cruiser Guitar Hero game station and Wheel of Tundra lounge and prize area, there’s something for motorcycle fans of all ages in the Toyota Zone.  The Toyota Zone will be open to fans at all 13 stops on the IMS tour.