Frontal Head Restraint Devise [hans device]

[red57]

Hello,
I am planning on entering a race in Canada next month and they now require a Hans device...or the new term 'Frontal Head Restraint Device' with SFI 38.1 certification.

Doing some research and found a new one called Necksgen. Wondering if anyone on here has used the Hans or Necksgen or other device? Any opinions about ease of use, quality, freedom of head movement during normal racing,comfort and cost for any of the currently available units. The old "what to buy" question - don't want to spend big bucks but want a unit that allows good free movement and easy to put on/take off.

I'm currently leaning towards the Necksgen but if there are any negative feedbacks, I'd rather hear them now than after purchase.

Any/all comments appreciated.

Dave

 

[Michael Oritt]

Dave--

I can only speak to the HANS. I started using it when I began racing in 2006 so fortunately did not have to get "over" it. I had the sliding tethers (now standard, I believe) added early on and I find no limitation whatsoever on my ability to turn my head, etc. and feel it is a non-issue.

I have no point of comparison but I believe the HANS or similar devices spreads the strain of the shoulder belts and I never come up sore.

 

[red57]

Thanks Michael,

It's reassuring that you don't have problems with turning your head, that was my biggest concern.

Few people have them around here but I figure it won't be long before they are a requirement (apparently the Canadians started requiring them the first of this year).

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Hap Waldrop]

I recently got a Hans with sliding tethers, I did this when they finally made me, I know it's safer, but whatever you started with, safety wise was what most racers think is all they nned and in the early 80s there was no such thing as a H&N device. My intial thoughts on are, once it is on with the slding tethers, I don't notice it, I feel like I can move my head from side as normal. Now getting it on and off is added regiment on the grid. I'm having to to get use to, the Hans are narrower at the opening, so I have to squeeze past my big neck, and then with the 3" shoulder straps it for sure take some help to make sure you have it over the Hans properly, they now make 2" shoulder straps for the Hans and that would be an improvment for sure. Hope that helps.

 

[mike_h]

For a few years, racing my Spitfire, I used a harness that attached to the helmet, wrapped around me in 3 locations and finally attached to the crotch strap to spread the load out. I forget the manufacturer's name but they're fairly common with dirt track racers. I had read that if you went to a HANS, you needed a different seat so the device wouldn't push your head forward. I borrowed one at the track and found out that wasn't the case, I was comfortable with my current seat.

4 years ago I bought a HANS, added sliding tethers, and haven't regretted it. I had the "opportunity" to test it 2 years ago on the main straight at Limerock. My diff broke a tooth, locked up, broke the universals on both axles and the drive shaft, at about 100 MPH. I jerked left into the armco and slid backwards down the track (video on my web page
historicracinggroup.yolasite.com/harmuth.php).

The car was a few inches shorter but I was fine, not even a stiff neck the next day. I don't think it would have been the same with out the HANS.

It is a little bit of a pain when you get into the cockpit, harder to look down and buckle the harness up but that's the only bad thing I can say about it. When I'm driving, it's a non issue, I can turn my head and see the mirrors, look at all the gauges and everything that I normally do while racing.

mike