OMP GP-R Vs Sparco Stealth RF: Closed Face Helmet Guide
Helmet comparison guide
The OMP GP-R and the Sparco Stealth RF are two full-face FIA helmets that sit at a similar price in our range, and customers often ask us which one to buy. They look alike on the shelf, but they differ in one way that matters more than the rest: the FIA standard they are approved to.
This guide compares the two on approval, shell, ventilation, sizing and finish, and explains how to decide between them. If you want to go lighter, the Stealth RF Carbon is the same helmet family with a carbon shell.
- OMP GP-R: FIA 8859-2015, composite shell, white
- Sparco Stealth RF: FIA 8859-2024, fibreglass shell, black or white
- Both come with HANS posts fitted
- GP-R sizes XXS (52 to 53 cm) to XL (62 to 63 cm)
- Stealth RF sizes XS (53 to 54 cm) to XXL (62 cm)
- Stealth RF Carbon: the carbon-shell version, also FIA 8859-2024
What is on this page
The biggest difference: the FIA standard
The OMP GP-R is approved to FIA 8859-2015. The Sparco Stealth RF is approved to FIA 8859-2024, the newest FIA helmet standard.
For most UK club racing today that does not rule the GP-R out. FIA 8859-2015 is still on the Motorsport UK list of accepted helmet standards for national events, with no expiry date published against it. But some championships have moved to the newer standard, and if yours has, the Stealth RF is the one that qualifies. Check your series regulations before you decide. Our guide to FIA 8859-2024 sets out the accepted standards and their dates.
The OMP GP-R
The GP-R is OMP’s straightforward full-face helmet: a lightweight composite shell in white, a fire-retardant Nomex lining, a standard-size eyeport and HANS posts fitted. The thing you notice on a hot day is the ventilation. It has twelve vents, four on the chin and eight on top, which is a lot at this price.
Sizing is its other strength. It runs from XXS (52 to 53 cm) to XL (62 to 63 cm), and a genuine XXS is hard to find, so it is one of the few options for a driver with a small head. The plain white shell is also an easy base for a design of your own.
The Sparco Stealth RF
The Stealth RF uses a fibreglass shell kept light to reduce neck fatigue, with an active ventilation system that moves air through the helmet. HANS posts come fitted, and the lining is removable and washable.
You get more choice in how it looks: a black or white shell, and a black or red lining chosen when you order. Sizes run from XS (53 to 54 cm) to XXL (62 cm) in seven steps.
If you want to save weight, the Stealth RF Carbon uses a carbon fibre shell and adds a three-position visor with a central lock, and it is designed to take an optional drink system. It is also approved to FIA 8859-2024, with HANS posts fitted.
| OMP GP-R | Sparco Stealth RF | Sparco Stealth RF Carbon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIA approval | 8859-2015 | 8859-2024 | 8859-2024 |
| Shell | Composite | Fibreglass | Carbon fibre |
| Colours | White | Black or white | Carbon |
| Sizes | XXS to XL | XS to XXL | XS to XXL |
| HANS posts | Fitted | Fitted | Fitted |
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Which one to choose
Start with the regulations. If your championship requires FIA 8859-2024, choose the Stealth RF. If it accepts 8859-2015, both are open to you.
Then it comes down to fit. Garreth’s advice is that fit matters more than anything else on this list, because a helmet that moves on your head protects you less, whatever its label says. OMP and Sparco shells are shaped differently, so one will usually suit your head better than the other. Measure around your head just above the eyebrows, and see our helmet sizing guide before you order, or try both in the showroom.
What approval does the OMP GP-R have?
The OMP GP-R is approved to FIA 8859-2015.
What approval does the Sparco Stealth RF have?
The Sparco Stealth RF is approved to FIA 8859-2024, the newest FIA helmet standard.
Is FIA 8859-2015 still accepted in UK motorsport?
Yes, it is on the Motorsport UK list for national events with no published expiry, but check your own championship’s rules.
Do the OMP GP-R and Sparco Stealth RF come with HANS posts?
Yes. Both come with HANS posts fitted.
Which helmet comes in the smallest size?
The OMP GP-R, which starts at XXS (52 to 53 cm).
Stealth RF if your series needs FIA 8859-2024; otherwise pick the one that fits your head best.
Book a visit and try the GP-R and the Stealth RF back to back, or ring us with your head measurement.
