Hans Harnesses and instructors

[agrabau]

Hi guys and girls.

I came upon a quandary this morning. We are preparing a few cars now for COM and other events with cages and harnesses et cetera. As we have learned, the skinnier belts of late are designed for HANS devices but still available are the wider 3" shoulder harnesses for non-HANS users. Use of the skinny belts without a HANS is not FIA legal for example.

Are COM instructors against riding in the passenger's (racing-style FIA seat) seat with HANS harnesses? This would be great if every instructor used a HANS but many don't (including myself until this year)

So, what's the ruling? Passenger harnesses with HANS compatibility or 3" straps that prohibit proper usage (?)


Thanks

Alex

[Mick]

Personally, I would go 3" straps. I almost always assume that I won't be able to use my Hans in a students car. I'm usually happy just to see harnesses, never mind Hans straps.

FWIW: I've been using my Hans with 3" straps for the past couple of years because I got my Hans soon after I installed new 3" straps. I've been meaning to go to the narrow straps for a while. I know that's not recommended but it does work as long as the solder straps are mounted and kept narrow enough where they don't slip off.

[austaz]

I'll be a student but also looked at this and asked at HMS when I picked up a HANs last week. Their comment was that 3" belts were ok for a HANs as long as the straps were up on the shoulders /neck section of the device vs sliding off. So I have 3" belts for the instructor, sliding too far apart should not be a big concern since the bar is close to the seat holes anyway. Might use some left over cage padding foam to hold them close?

I considered having 2 sets of shoulder straps but it's just too expensive if one set can work for both, especially when I already had 2 belts with 2 years left on them.

[agrabau]

I guess the question then becomes "will instructors run with HANS style shoulder straps?" If so either would be permissible in the passenger seat side.

[Stynger]

I've always used my HANS with 3" belts without any problems. It is easier to set up with the 2" belts.
I plan on changing this year.
Unless the car is very fast, I like to have the flexability of looking around in the passenger seat.
I do wear a collar.

[breakaway500]

Strange..the 2" Schroth 6 point harness in the Atom says "Not Hans compatible" on it.