Bell Racing’s Star Classic helmet is featured prominently in the Ron Howard movie Rush, based on the epic 1976 Formula One season and the championship battle between James Hunt and Niki Lauda. Bell Racing provided 80 custom painted helmets for the film, replicating the paint designs, color schemes and sponsors of Formula One drivers from the era including the 1976 season.

Bell provided helmets for the main characters James Hunt, played by Chris Hemsworth and Niki Lauda, played by Daniel Bruhl. In addition, the Star Classic was used by the stunt and performance drivers who replicated the racing action from the 1976 season and depicted Formula One drivers from that era including Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, Jean Pierre Jarier, Carlos Pace, Harald Ertl, Carlos Reutemann, Vittorio Brambilla, Jochen Mass, Jacques Lafitte, Clay Regazzoni, John Watson, Arturo Merzario, Jody Scheckter, Graham Hill, Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Patrick Depailler, Noritake Takahara and Ronnie Peterson.

“Bell is proud of our involvement with Rush and the opportunity to help bring this compelling racing story to the big screen,” said Kyle Kietzmann, President, Bell Racing USA. “The Star Classic model from our vintage line of helmets is a perfect choice for the film as it replicates the design of the original 1970’s Star II full face helmet used during the 1976 Formula One season. The Star Classic is built to current safety standards using modern technology and manufacturing techniques. This assured the actors, stunt drivers and performance drivers were well protected while filming the race scenes depicted in the movie.”    

James Hunt wore Bell during his career including the 1976 season. While Niki Lauda wore Bell during his career, he was wearing another brand during the 1976 season and in his horrific accident. As a result the Bell Helmets logo is featured on Hunt’s helmet but does not appear on Lauda’s helmet in the film.