Head and Neck Restraints

I have used a six point for a couple of years now. It keeps me a lot safer but equally important is that it allows me to relax more because I am not holding myself in position with my arms and legs. A three point doesnt do that for me. Now for instructing as a three point and my hans dont mix it may be a wise investment for that purpose. Jon in Delaware

 

Mark, I think the OP is looking for something more flexible and adaptable than the conventional and heretofor available devices. As most folks know, the efficiency of the head and neck restraint systems is dependent on proper mounting using conventional and full five, six or seven-point (now recommended by some sanctioning bodies) harnesses installed with the shoulder harnesses close together. With the addition of the six-point in the Lotus, now is the appropriate time for the OP to adopt a proper head and neck restraint system. The HANS and the DefNDer seem to be quite popular at the events I go to.

If indeed there is a DefNDer coming out that could be used with a street car three-point harness, then that would kill several birds with one stone and assure some future flexibility. As an early adopter of the HANS device and witness to several severe DE incidents that may have had a better outcome because of the driver and/or passenger being equipped with some type of device, it's really worthwhile to do and to do properly. I'm sure there are FChat sponsors who can chime in here with more considered advice. I have found one of the best resources for research is FChat poster Johns Stecher's TrackPedia wiki page: http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Head_and_Neck_Restraints

For instructing at DE events, several folks I know use the LFT Tech R3, which is the only system I'm aware of that can be used with a conventional three-point street harness. No connection/endorsement/personal knowledge though. YMMV.

 

I have been following the progress of the guys at Isaac http://www.isaacdirect.com/ and that is the device I will buy when I'm ready to get back on the track. The crash test numbers are better than other products and it can't slip off like some other products; a valid concern if you go in sideways and you're belts aren't 100% tight.

The HANS is extremely scary to me and I could never see myself using one, especially in a small car like the lotus. Do a LOT of research before you buy any device, you will see there are plenty of drivers who are forced to use the HANS who do not want to. There have numerous cases where guys have been hung up on things (window nets, door frames, etc) with the HANS... stuck inside the car, unable to get out. The Defndr is even worse, that thing is scary just to look at! Eggress is very important to me because I'm on the taller side so I already have things working against me.

I believe Isaac is working on something for a 3 point belt but it's not on their priority list. However, they have a great "low priced" alternative that works with the neck strap of any helmet and at least 4pt belts, so it is easily transferrable if you are giving rides to people with their own helmets, because they don't need anything mounted to the helmet.

Bottom line, you are doing the right thing by asking for more info. Do a google search and pages of discussion on some of the road racing boards will come up.

 

I agree that you should do your homework and read about these devices. I don't agree that you should avoid the HANS. I have been using one for the past 2 years in my Corvette, and I would not go on the track without it. When you understand the physics of how your head moves in a crash, there is really no choice. You need something to slow the forward movement of your head down and limit the forward movement, or you risk serious injury or death. All you need to do is read some of the testimonials of guys who were in very serious crashes and walked away from them, and you'll go out and buy the HANS before you ever get in a race car again. IMHO, it is one piece of safety equipment I would not be without.

 

Properly installed, properly mounted head and neck restraints that meet SFI 38.1 are all a good bet. The most important thing is the OP is placing his own safety high on the list. Can't go wrong with that.

 

Yes...please do your research. Last I looked the Isaac was not sfi 38.1 certified and fails SCCA required single release rule. "Single release" rule is there to do exactly what people talk about which is to not impede egress. If you want extra security getting out of your car with HANS you buy the quick release tethers and then you can exit your car via single release and leave the device in the car via the quick release hans tethers. Also, if you read the SAE reports of Dr. Melvin and Dr. Gideon you will find the cheapest most critical in car safety gear are sidenets and they work to improve head and neck restraint function of any head neck restraint. Finally, as the price difference of race seats vs race seats with head restraint aka "full containment" is almost zero there is no reason to not properly equip your safety system with full containment, sidenets, and head&neck restraint. When this is done your system works together and the lack of lateral support the HANS may not give you is handled by other parts of the system. The real problem with all this is when people try to design their own safety system for a dual use car...an impossible task in my opinion.

 

I have no idea if this means anything to you but the lotus is a brilliant "delicate" piece of engineering. This guy was just driving at slow street speeds... http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/wood-block-vs-exige-block-1-56k-no-way-44956/

The more delicate the car the more stuff I would want to protect me. An interesting thing I noticed when i raced my very nice 348 racecar people would think I would not stick my nose in and challenge them. Plus the car was reasonably small presence on track. Since racing the C5Z06 which has a very large presence in your mirrors when I come screaming up I seem to get more respect on track. That actually is safer for me because I control the situation. I guess they know my fenders only cost $150 bucks.

By the way kudos to you for instructing too. You guys are brave!

 

Good thinking. You are doing the RIGHT thing.

OT, but I was looking at FBB's lotustalk thread on that floor/footbox damage. Geez, on an aluminum monocoque race car, that's a mere flesh wound It's not an easy fix, but it seems dumb to total it just because the damage is confined to less than 10% of the chassis. There are tub, floor and box section repair techniques that would make it better than new without replacing the chassis. brian.s or lmpdesigner know what I mean. Oh, well.

 

I use an integrated system of the HANS, HANS-specific Sparco belts with the 2" shoulder belts and seat designed for HANS applications.

Everyone I know, bar one, who competes in motor racing uses HANS.

 

Scotty, a number of these devices have been available for some time now. Quite literally, everyone I know uses HANS, bar that one with the Hutchens Hybrid.

I believe that the HANS Device is the most thoroughly tested device on the market. Improvements seem to be released at a prudent pace. Also, the third-party Glide Plate seems like an interested development. Ultimately, this technology is still evolving, no matter which manufacturer we're talking about.

While I haven't crashed hard enough to test the effectiveness of the HANS, I do know drivers who have and they all swear by them--including one driver whose HANS broke during impact.

Karting? HANS was developed and engineered for an environment that includes harness belts. Should I go play karting seriously again, I'll get a Leatt.

Sliding tethers? I didn't have a problem with range-of-motion with the standard tethers, though I did order my HANS Pro with the sliding tethers. I suspect that sliding tethers are great for track day situations where you'd want that extra bit of range-of-motion. In my experience with racing applications, the sliding tethers are a 'nice to have' feature, but not necessary.

It's worth noting in this thread that HANS has taken legal action against DefNder for patent infringement.

 

I am sorry, but this argument reminds me of people not wanting to wear a seatbelt for fear of being trapped in the car. And that was common when I was a kid. The number of people that have been saved by the HANS is probably uncountable. Heikki Kovalainen would have died in Spain last year were it not for HANS.

 

Agreed! I now use the sliding tethers since all tethers should be replaced in 5 yrs per HANS. The slide is nice for when you need to reverse in the paddock or get turned around on track after a spin. Otherwise you don't need it and it does not improve survivability just vision. I did test my safety system including hans and full containment seat mounted to the rollcage. Pictures of my smashed 348 racecar on posted somewhere on fchat. Now I am part of the upsidedown club. My new car number is #88 so if my car is upsidedown it still reads.....88. I can't say it worked or it did not work but I tell you I glad I had it anyway.

 

+1 for HANS

 

Who's got #8?



Cheers,
Ian
PS - How far are we from having "HANS for 3-points"?

 

Instructing in a HANS without sliding tethers would drive you crazy, imho.

 

Other than the fact that it hasn't been explicitly tested, what is the potential drawback of using a HANS device with a 3 point belt and stock seat? It seems to me that is likely to provide a net benefit over a 3 point belt and NO HANS. What am I missing (other than the fact that my supposition has not been explicitly confirmed through controlled testing)?

 

I'm not even going to get into this one. Someone else can explain...

 

The HANS design requires the use of a pair of vertical shoulder harnesses, such as those used in a 5, 6, or 7-point system.

A diagonal belt, as used in a 3-point system would not work, as it would not hold the HANS in place and thereby not protect you from an impact.
(see pics/illus. below)

Hope this helps.

Cheers & C U @ d'Track!!
C

Chuck Hawks,
Pro-Driver, Coach, Instructor & Facilitator
DreamsFulfilled, LLC & rEvolution Performance Driving System ©
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Precisely the reason I will replace my tethers with sliders upon expiration...

Cheers & C U @ d'Track!!
C

Chuck Hawks,
Pro-Driver, Coach, Instructor & Facilitator
DreamsFulfilled, LLC & rEvolution Performance Driving System ©

 

Did you know that you also require new nutwashers for use with the sliding tether?

HANS ships all new anchors with the larger diameter nutwasher regardless. My original anchors had a smaller nutwasher.

 

I had heard there was newer/larger hardware but didn't know what all was involved. Thanks!!
I still have a little time on my hands b4 the expiration.

Cheers & C U @ d'Track!!
C

Chuck Hawks,
Pro-Driver, Coach, Instructor & Facilitator
DreamsFulfilled, LLC & rEvolution Performance Driving System ©