Head and Neck Restraints

mtc13 · Post by **mtc13** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:05 am

I haven't found any really solid information about how the various head and neck restraints compare. The most professional sounding stuff I've read seemed to be saying that the Simpson system was superior to the HANS device. But a lot of what you find on the web is biased, if not just wrong. And I'm not a very patient web surfer....
Does anyone have strong evidence about who's is best? Do we have to pay $900, or is one of the 3 or $400 dollar units just as good?
Thank you!
-Michael

offcamber09 · Post by **offcamber09** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:21 am

I'll have a Hans device by next season. The G-force unit my Uncle has been using seems ok, considering that it is 1/3 the price of a Hans...But there must be a reason why the pros are using a Hans. I've been told by some in the the club that we aren't like the pros and hitting walls at 140+ MPH. I think this a burying your head in the sand attitude. Fact is I am approching 140 MPH at WGI, Mosport and Summit Point and after hitting the turn 1 wall at NHIS at probably only 80 MPH (and a glancing blow at that)...Why screw around. Would I rather have that supercharger...you bet...but my next "big" racing purchase is a Hans. I'm sure we have some club members better suited to comment on this subject- my feelings are not very scientific.

Post by **Mick** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:37 am

I know his doesn't answer your question but here's a short video about the HANS device.
http://www.ogracing.com/files/hd1.mpg

I don't know how they compare, I'm still doing research myself. I will get one for next season though.

JayBay · Post by **JayBay** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:49 am

I picked up the G-Force H&N restraint from DriverSupply.com this year. I chose that over the HANS because
a) It's way cheaper
b) I was planning on using it in a mini-sprint car as well, and those cars are a real struggle to get in and out of, espacially for a big guy like me, and I know I couldn't do it quickly with a HANS on.

I thankfully haven't had to test the G-Force yet, but it seems to do what it's supposed to... limit neck movement... and yet it's easy to get in and out of and it's not real obtrusive when in the car. If anybody has a G-Force helmet and wants to see how it feels in their car, please let me know. My father has the same unit, and I'll be glad to bring it down to LRP in a couple weeks so you can try it out.

I was at NHIS on Friday when that racer was killed. I'm sure he wasn't going much faster through the oval than we usually do... pretty scary stuff. I don't know if he was using a H&N device, and if he wasn't, I don't know if wearing one would've helped. But in my opinion, if you can, you really ought to be using one.

SSNH · Post by **SSNH** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:34 am

the hans patent's exclusivity ends this month... you should be able to buy them at walmart next spring for $50.

brucesallen · Post by **brucesallen** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:36 pm

Like they say, if your head is only worth $50, get a $50 helmet.
The HANS is the only one mandated by profesional race groups like NASCAR and FIA. I did my research and bought in July after clipping the oval in a race. I think the HANS manufacturer is nonprofit and price will not go down. The HANS is a carbon fiber nice piece of work and cost me $1,130 for the 30 degree Formula Car version. I was surprised that I don't even notice it when I am on the track.
Max track speed is not really the issue but rather impact angle and wall hardness. If you hit head-on (unlikely in a well designed race course) to a concrete barrier probably 40 mph will sever your spinal cord and aorta.
My research started at the formula car Web site:
http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/ search for "HANS".
Also check http://www.fiainstitute.com/documents/HANS_Guide.pdf for the FIA's "guide for use of HANS in International Motorsports" (keep in mind we race at New Hampshire INTERNATIONAL Raceway.)
:help:

Post by **Mick** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:54 pm

Thanks for the links Bruce.

I've seen a lot of variants in angle and model designation for the HANS. I can guess what the angle variants are all about, but I'd like more info on the difference between the Professional and Economy models. Anyone have any good links with info on that?

enriqueb · Post by **enriqueb** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:01 pm

...lots of information directly from the HANS Performance Products

http://hansdevice.com/

Enrique

Post by **Mick** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:03 pm

Ah that answers my question. Thanks

-SNIP-------
4. PROFESSIONAL and ECONOMY VERSIONS
Some models are available in lightweight (Professional) and regular (Economy) versions. The only difference is weight - about 6 - 8 ounces depending on size. There is no performance difference between the versions.

SSNH · Post by **SSNH** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:08 pm

once the patent's exclusivity ends on november 29th companies are free to copy the hans device. just because there will be knockoffs, doesn't mean they will be an inferior product. i am sure companies are all ready looking into adding it to their product lines. and with that, i am sure governing bodies and safety standard orginizations are looking at their worthiness.

i would be surprised to find out if hans performance products is a nonprofit. the hans device can be made for a lot less than $800 to $1100. remember, a nice helmet is less than that and is more difficult to manufacturer.

either way... we should all wear something.

nateh · Post by **nateh** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 4:45 pm

As a family guy, or even as someone who values his own well-being, I always wear a head-neck restraint (G-Force at the moment). I feel naked without it - like driving on the street without a seatbelt!

John and I have both had "contacts" in which we felt that the consequences in terms of pulled muscles or whatever were greatly reduced or eliminated by the fact that we were wearing our G-Force units. We also have a NASCAR side support which is supposed to help in side impacts.

The HANS is the safest device - no question about it in my mind. If I were going faster, I would get a HANS. I might do it anyway. Check with me again in April.

As for HANS copies, you might want to wait for the rating bodies to weigh in with testing before going out and buying the cheapest clone you can find. While there's no certainty that it will be less effective, there's also no certainty it will be equal - until it's verified by a third party. Maybe the Snell foundation will take it on?

SSNH · Post by **SSNH** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:00 pm

nateh wrote:Maybe the Snell foundation will take it on?

sfi 38.1

nateh · Post by **nateh** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:22 pm

Live and learn!

From the STI Foundation (http://www.sfifoundation.com/home.html):
Specification 38.1 - Head and Neck Restraint Systems
Hubbard-Downing HANS Device
LFT Technologies R3 Device
Safety Solutions Hutch-II Device

Post by **dinoracer** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 9:42 am

Hey Nate-

Any chance we can put together a group purchase deal thru DriverSupply on either a HANS or LFT Tech R3 ? I think we'd have 4-5 takers just on this post alone!

christine · Post by **christine** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:30 am

I would be interested in getting in on a group purchase, but I am not buying anything unless I can try it out in the car first. I'm not the typical size of most racers, and my seat is also non-standard. A HANS device can do more harm than good if it causes the belts to slip off due to poor fit. I have been planning to take my car up to HMS Motorsports and get fitted there, hopefully they have someone who is knowledgeable who can help. Now I will probably wait until early next year to see if the price comes down.

Christine

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