HANS on track

[terryt]

All the recent posts of car crashes compel me to drag out my soapbox. I have had a HANS for three years now, and, if the car I'm in is equipped with harnesses, I wear it, regardless of whether it's DE or racing. When my daughter started tracking three years ago, she wore a HANS from the get-go.

In one of the many tributes to the guy who was killed at Summit Point last week there was a photo of him in his car. No HANS. The guy in the Porsche who hit the wall mighty hard--no HANS. These things cost less than a set of tires, folks.

OK, soapbox away.

Terry

[Randy Chase]

Soapbox being moved to Racing forum

[plastique999]

The HANS will be my next mod...any suggestions as to quality or which is best?

[fishguy]

I own one (30M)for my formula car, and one for my sedan(20M).
best investment i have ever made.
I have even tested one out in my spec miata when i t-boned someone.
The HANS does work.

[fishguy]

Originally Posted by plastique999

The HANS will be my next mod...any suggestions as to quality or which is best?

they are all the same thing, just different weight.
IMO the weight doesnt matter like that of a helmet does, as the HANS is on your shoulders, and not getting 'whiplashed" like your head in a wreck.
just get the right size, most of us are a M(medium), and get the right angle, a sedan takes a 20, so likely a 20M which is for neck sizes from 15"-18" i believe(someone correct me if i am wrong).

I have the sliding tether on my 20M, and i dont even know i am wearing the device at all.
I got my heavier 20M with sliding teather for $710.

used ones are cheaper check ebay, and perhaps replace the teather if your concerned about it being "used"
sliding teather upgrade is only $75

[Mr. Know]

The Hans 20M doesn't work with the stock Exige seats correct? There's another maker of a Hans-like device that works correctly if I'm not mistaken.

Good visual example of how the different degrees look from the side: Welcome to Schroth Safety Products GmbH, Germany

And application info: Welcome to Schroth Safety Products GmbH, Germany

[Noah Vail]

Definitely get the sliding tether. If you're harnessed in and using the fixed tether, turning your head can be next to impossible.

[apk919]

Originally Posted by Noah Vail

Definitely get the sliding tether. If you're harnessed in and using the fixed tether, turning your head can be next to impossible.

+1

I got the sliding tether right away... I don't even notice I'm wearing it while on the track.

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by Mr. Know

The Hans 20M doesn't work with the stock Exige seats correct? There's another maker of a Hans-like device that works correctly if I'm not mistaken.

It depends on who you listen to. Hans believes that the Exige seats work, but there might be a comfort issue (HANS fitment problems; Please share your seat/harness details) see post #23.

I used my Hans for the first tim this past weekend at VIR with stock seats and the belts crossed behind the seat. All worked well and was fairly comfortable once buckeled in.

[Evil Twin]

I'll join TerryT and the FishyGuy on the soapbox: if you're going to track your Lotus, use a HANS. Also, pay STRICT attention to the instructions for your harness, and I'd suggest buying a Schroth harness, as Schroth has done more to provide good technical documentation and instructions for its harnesses than many of the other manufacturers. And do *not* use seats without cutouts for the shoulder straps with *any* harness, ever. Crabman, Schroth provides a formula for determining whether the shoulder straps need to be crossed, and unless you're right up on the steering wheel, they probably shouldn't be.

[ryoung99]

I use a Hutchins Hybrid and I really do like it. A bit more bulky than the Hans, but it has worked well for me in the midget.

[JonOrangeElise]

Originally Posted by Evil Twin

I'll join TerryT and the FishyGuy on the soapbox: if you're going to track your Lotus, use a HANS..

HANS as a synonym for a reputable, proven H&N restraint system or do you really mean a HANS? OK, maybe I am being defensive because I have a Safety Solutions R3, but, people, there are other options besides HANS! The R3 shows superior lateral restraint to the HANS in SFI testing, and works better in the Exige seats, IMHO. I tried a HANS #20 in my Lotus Sport seats, and while it was the best fit of all three HANS models, I was still concerned about it making contact with my seat back. (But maybe I am the minority vote here; others use #20 in those seats with no problem.)

Also, FWIW, the R3 can be worn in any seat, and even provides H&N protection with 3-point belts. (And for this reason, the harness pairing isn't an issue, as it is with HANS.) You know, everyone should know I called HANS before I returned my model #20, and the guy (one of the principals there) said if I am having trouble with HANS fitment, go Safety Solutions. He didn't blink an eye in making that suggestion.

Here is some PR on the R3 -- take it for what you will (cut and pasted from Safety Solutions website):

R3 Re-certification Sets New Standard in SFI 38.1 Frontal Impact Protection

The R3 modifications for 2007 have produced the lowest scoring SFI 38.1 head and neck restraint numbers in frontal impacts on the market.

(PRWEB) August 17, 2006 -- The R3 modifications for 2007 have produced the lowest scoring SFI 38.1 head and neck restraint numbers in frontal impacts on the market. The R3 now scores 30% below the competitor’s advertised neck tension in Frontal impacts and is second only to its sister part, the Hutchens Hybrid in the 30 Degree Frontal Impact. This is in addition to its superior side and multiple impact protection that it has always had.

LFT Technologies commitment to continuous improvement through R&D has lead to break troughs in the head and neck industry. The R3 is now more user friendly having a low top which allows for easier exit out of the race car. The 3” wide chest strap gives the wearer even more confidence in the security of the device while dissipating restraint load over a larger area. Lower tethers allow more side to side head movement along with increasing the amount of load transferred to the seat belts during impact. While the added “lip” helps to insure the shoulder belts stay on the device and on you for multiple impacts.

The R3 uses a simple foam back pad to “re-make” the back of your seat so that the device has a comfortable position in your race car. Easily the most comfortable device on the market, the R3 allows the seat belts to stay on your body for a safer, more reliable impact situation. The R3 is available for all types of seats and ages from 5 and up. It is also available in an “IN-SEAT” version. For more information on the R3... visit our web-site at www.safetysolutionsracing.com .

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[lotusfan2]

> the R3 can be worn in any seat, and even provides H&N protection with 3-point belts.

That is interesting. What is the thought behind using the R3 but not upgrading to a 5 or 6 point harness and seats that can accommodate them? A compromise between better protection, and $$ to upgrade sounds like it?

[Evil Twin]

Originally Posted by JonOrangeElise

OK, maybe I am being defensive...

Um, yeah, you're being defensive. I'd meant any reputable head and neck restraint.

[JonOrangeElise]

Originally Posted by lotusfan2

> the R3 can be worn in any seat, and even provides H&N protection with 3-point belts.

That is interesting. What is the thought behind using the R3 but not upgrading to a 5 or 6 point harness and seats that can accommodate them? A compromise between better protection, and $$ to upgrade sounds like it?

Well, I have a 6-point harness. But if you are instructing in passenger seat, or driving in a friend's car without full restraints, you can can still wear the R3, which isn't possible with HANS.

[JonOrangeElise]

Originally Posted by Evil Twin

Um, yeah, you're being defensive. I'd meant any reputable head and neck restraint.

Sorry to be persnickety. It's just that HANS has become a synonym for H&NR the same way Kleenex is a synonym for facial tissue, and Dumpster is a synonym for a huge trash bin. I just want all these Exige seat owners to know that there are other options -- so they can avoid the mistake I made by buying a HANS, which wouldnt work for my torso length, seats, and harness bar with absolute by-the-book "HANS spec" perfection. (And a word about that: when I described my problems, the HANS guy basically said that everything about my set-up was 100 percent safe; just maybe not 100 percent comfortable... My takeaway is that the HANS instructions are written in a rather un-nuanced way, and some of the instructions are key safety matters, and some are more comfort related.)

[Mr. Know]

Jon, I need to trade notes with you sometime when I decide to go with a 6 point and H&R restraint. I'm starting to feel I should make the transition soon.

[JonOrangeElise]

Originally Posted by Mr. Know

Jon, I need to trade notes with you sometime when I decide to go with a 6 point and H&R restraint. I'm starting to feel I should make the transition soon.

Anytime!

[Mr. Know]

Originally Posted by JonOrangeElise

Anytime!

Cool!

On a side note, Wine Country Motor Sports (located at Infineon Raceway) are very friendly when it comes to "fit testing" different solutions for our cars. And no, I have no vested interests with WCMS.

[BRTHTAKR]

Originally Posted by MyElise

This is new and looks interesting.

defNder™ Neck Protection - State of the art neck protection for motor racing drivers

I've tried on a HANS (Kleenex version) with the Exige type seats in my car. Sure seemed to be too much seat contact, pushing my head uncomfortably forward. This new entrant in the H&N R market sure looks interesting. Has anyone actually seen/tried one?