Roman numerals, ‘computer language’ and Carbon: Williams’ helmet design explained

We take you behind the visor with one of 2021’s newest podium sitters, Calan Williams. The Jenzer Motorsport man discusses the design of his helmet and delves into the backstory of where it all began.

The Australian explains the ‘computer language’ on the top, the roman numerals on the side and tells the backstory of why he has retained 50% carbon.

“My first ever helmet in go-karts was plain white,” said Williams. “The helmet that I am using now is my first painted helmet. Previously, I have always worn a plain one. My second helmet was a plain black carbon helmet, which I started using when I was racing in Formula Ford in Western Australia.

“I wanted the helmet to reflect my personality and I wanted it to be a little different, while also incorporating some of what I have had in the past. The helmet is still around 50% carbon, which carries on from the black one that I had before.

“Colour-wise, the design uses the colours that I have on my website, the colours that I consider to be my brand. I like the way that the colours all work together, this shade of blue mixed in with the white and the black. It isn’t overcomplicated, the white and the black are really simple colours. It’s also a nice coincidence that it works really well with the Jenzer car.

“I am studying computer science with my sponsor at Edith Cowan University and on the top of the helmet is my name encoded in binary. Initially, it was only the dots, but I didn't think that looked quite right. It was a white dot, blue dot, blue dot, white dot, etc. and I wasn’t sure about that, so I tried to connect all of the dots together and that is where the pattern came from. Essentially, it’s my name in computer language and then I played connect the dots to make it look interesting.

“When designing it, I made some initial sketches of things that I wanted, but the actual finished design came from Bargy, a company that I met through Stilo. I gave them the pattern on the top and some ideas that I liked, and they put the rest together.

“The Roman numerals on the side, for example, I knew that I wanted them, but I wasn't sure how they would look or where I would put them, but the designer has made them fit really well. It is number 54, which was my first-ever go-karting number, and whenever I have had the opportunity to choose a number, that is what I have gone for. That breaks up the carbon a bit and just adds another touch.

“I really like this design, and if it does change in future, there will only be very small changes. There could be times where I have a different design, but the general concept and the foundations, I think will stay the same because I really like this design. It is simplistic but shows my personality and shows who I am, as well as the history of the number from karting and the retention of carbon.”