What is Maglock? The Complete Guide to Racing Helmet Air Systems

What is Maglock? The Complete Guide to Racing Helmet Air Systems

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If you've ever watched a professional racing driver climb into a car on a hot day, you've probably noticed a hose running from the cockpit into their helmet. That hose is part of a forced air helmet cooling system — and the connector joining the hose to the helmet is almost certainly a Maglock.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Maglock: what it is, how it works, which helmets it fits, and how to build a complete forced air cooling setup for your race car.

What is Maglock?

Maglock is a magnetic quick-release connector designed specifically for motorsport. It uses rare earth magnets to create a secure, airtight connection between a racing helmet and a forced air cooling hose — while allowing instant disconnection when the driver exits the car.

Before Maglock, drivers used zip ties, duct tape, or friction-fit hose ends to connect their helmet to the forced air supply. These solutions were unreliable, difficult to connect and disconnect quickly, and created a potential hazard during emergency exits. Maglock solved all of these problems with a single elegant design.

The Maglock system was designed in California and is now used by professional competitors in INDY, NASCAR, IMSA, and endurance racing worldwide.

How Does Maglock Work?

The Maglock system consists of two halves:

  • Helmet-side connector — attaches to the air inlet on your helmet (or to a top air kit if your helmet doesn't have a built-in pumper port)
  • Hose-side connector — attaches to your forced air hose or pumper system

The two halves connect magnetically with approximately 20 lbs of holding force — enough to stay firmly connected under the high G-forces of circuit racing, but releasing cleanly when the driver pulls away from the car. No tools, no fumbling, no zip ties.

The connectors are made from lightweight nylon-infused ABS, are fire-resistant, and use food-contact safe materials — meeting the safety standards required for professional motorsport use.

What is a Forced Air Helmet Cooling System?

A forced air helmet cooling system pumps fresh, cool air directly into a racing helmet to keep the driver comfortable during extended stints. In a closed cockpit race car, temperatures can exceed 50°C — and driver overheating is a genuine performance and safety issue.

A complete forced air system typically consists of:

  • Air source — either a dedicated pumper unit (drawing fresh air from outside the car) or a Chillout driver cooling system (which actively chills the air before delivery)
  • Air hose — routes the air from the pumper to the helmet. See the Genuine Maglock Air Hose for a purpose-built option
  • Maglock connector — the Maglock Helmet / Air Hose Connector Kit joins the hose to the helmet
  • Helmet top air kit — required for helmets without a built-in pumper port (see below)

Is Maglock Compatible With My Helmet?

Maglock uses a universal 1.5" fitment that works with most motorsport helmets. However, some helmet brands use proprietary air inlet geometries that require a specific adapter.

Bell Helmets

Bell circuit racing helmets including the HP7, HP77, RS7, HP5, GT5, and KC7 have the pumper port built in — no separate top air kit required. The standard Maglock connector fits directly.

Stilo Helmets

Stilo helmets (ST5, ST6, Venti WRC) use a proprietary air inlet. You'll need a Maglock helmet adapter to interface with the standard Maglock connector. Alternatively, the Stilo Modular Short Top Air with integrated Maglock adapter provides a clean factory-style solution.

Roux, Arai, Stand 21, Zamp

These helmets also require a helmet-specific Maglock adapter due to their proprietary air inlet geometry. Harris Race Radios stocks adapters for all of these brands.

Schuberth

Schuberth forced air helmets are compatible with Maglock. Contact us to confirm the correct setup for your specific model.

Do I Need a Top Air Kit?

Only if your helmet doesn't have a built-in pumper port. Bell, MRC, Simpson, and Pyrotect pumper helmets have the port built in. Most other brands — including Stilo, Roux, and Schuberth — require a separate top air kit to create the air inlet.

Why Choose Maglock Over Other Connectors?

  • Security — 20 lbs of magnetic holding force stays connected under racing G-forces
  • Speed — instant connect and disconnect, no tools required
  • Safety — releases cleanly during emergency exits or driver changes
  • Reliability — proven in INDY, NASCAR, IMSA, and endurance racing
  • Quality — fire-resistant, food-contact safe, patented technology

Shop Maglock at Harris Race Radios

Harris Race Radios is a trusted Maglock dealer for New Zealand and Australia. We stock the complete Maglock range including:

View the full Maglock Helmet Air Coupling Systems collection.

Rex Harris is a qualified Radio Telecommunications Engineer and Approved Radio Certifier for NZ RSM and AU ACMA, with motorsport involvement since 1975. Aaron Harris is an active racing driver and race engineer — Barcelona 24 Hour 1st in class (2013), Bathurst 1000 and 12 Hour competitor, BMW Race Driver Series Champion (2011), and MSNZ Licence Examiner for helmets, racewear, FHR, and HANS devices.

📞 Aaron Harris: +64 27 449 9654 | aaron@harriscomms.co.nz

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