HANS mandatory from July 2014

[MattR]

Most FHR devices rely on the two shoulder straps of a harness to work, so unless you run a proper harness and have it fastened properly, ie the buckle across your hips and not up against your belly, then it will do SFA to help your neck in an impact.

[mazmad]

Matt and trackphotos are correct, you should not use the HANS device with seat belt setup.

Two reasons: it relies on TWO shoulder straps; and secondly, whilst harnesses will stretch a surprisingly large amount in a shunt (watch the vids, hence why you don't reuse them), seat belts allow much more movement rendering the HANs ineffective and probably actually dangerous with the yoke sticking up behind your head and you are flapping around.

[MattR]

Simpson do actually have a product designed to work without relying on harnesses. It is exxy at about $1k in the US and I believe primarily designed for instructors who hop in and out of a variety of cars which may or may not have harnesses fitted in the passenger seats.

[Dweezle]

Thanks for the advice.
Much appreciated.

At Round 2 of the NSW HIllclimb Champs at Mt Panorama i witnessed a few guys with stock seats and 3 point belts running Hans and thought that it did not seem quite right.

[4sfed5]

i wont make any comment on the HANS but here in NZ just last year a girl was killed in a stockcar.
The coroners findings were that even with a neck collar she died of a massive basal skull/neck fracture after impacting a wall.
It is questioned whether the neck collar actually magnified the injuries.
shed still be alive today if she had a HANS

[davekmoore]

Is an airbag and a collar enough protection against hyper extension if using a harness?

If not, is this item designed to retro fit to an existing helmet or is going with HANS a question of buying both HANS and a new compatible helmet?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NECKSGEN-REV-20 ... a3&vxp=mtr

[mazmad]

Hi Dave. Neck collars are referred to as safety aids but there seems to be little (I haven't seen any) evidence on this for cars. More muscular support. Not sure about the airbag with harness. I am guessing the head is still going to move proportionately more than the torso and therefore the neck is still at risk. The combination of the torso being more rigid in a harness and extra weight of the helmet - whilst the head is free to move - creates the risk.

With respect to retro fitting. This means drilling the helmet and I think you can do it to some helmets. Personally I wouldn't, I prefer the idea of a helmet which is designed to incorporate the posts for the HANS. Maybe check with the helmet manufacturer.
Craig.

[YanMa YatTai]

What he said. The advice I got was neck collars are not there for impact protection.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

[Magpie]

I think that collars are to be used with seat belts and may not be suitable for use with a harness? Seatbelts are designed to 'give' and absorb and stretch when forces applied., the whole body moves Whilst a harness also does stretch, it is designed to hold the occupant in place hence head speed in a harness could be faster (I'm happy to be corrected on this) than in a seatbelt as only the head is going to move significantly in a harness.

[davekmoore]

So, I now see how the harness in BARMY (when eventually running again!) is better than a standard belt for stopping me moving around in the seat on braking and in corners but would be worse than a standard belt in a frontal impact.

Recommendations please for a cost effective combination of HANS device and helmet.

[Magpie]

I got mine from Racer Industries http://www.racerindustries.com.au/afawcs0161688/CATID=36/HANS-Devices-and-Neck-Restraints.html when they had a group buy on, saved heaps.

It is not clear what type of Frontal Head Restraints can be used (there are different types out there) however I would suggest that if it complies to FIA requirements it will comply to CAMS requirements.

FIA approved list http://aimss.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/L36_Frontal_Head_Restraint.pdf

FIA Technical List 29 http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/D39E79E9FC035C38C1257A140055A8E9/$FILE/L29_Approved_FHR_systems.pdf

[Trackphotos]

Recommendations please for a cost effective combination of HANS device and helmet.

You could look around on www.demontweeks.co.uk, they generally have excellent prices on most things. Otherwise take a look at this package here: http://www.velo.com.au/itemdetailspage/44485 I bought this pack and it's been decent, helmet won't be up there in quality and fit with $1000 helmets, but I have had no issues with wearing it for ~20min at a time.

[greenMachine]

Recommendations please for a cost effective combination of HANS device and helmet.

I hear a group buy/special offer may be in the offing ... too late for me, but good luck for others.

One side benefit of a SA2010 helmet (ie with HANS holes/posts) is that they are proper racing helmets, and usually lighter than the run-of-the-mill motorbike helmets many of have used up to now. I know my M5 Bell is much lighter than my old helmet.

[davekmoore]

The Velo package looks good. Also available with open face helmet. But does CAMS require goggles with an open face helmet in certain events if the roof is down?

[greenMachine]

Really Dave, you would drive without eye protection?

Strictly, the MX5 is an open car, soft top up or down, and putting the hardtop on does not change that. So yes, goggles or a visor (down). That is, if you need the rules to tell you what is safe(r).