Head and Neck restraint systems

[Ed M.]

With the new season fast approaching and this being my first year of racing, I'm in the market for a head and neck restraint system. Over the last year, I've been casually looking at them but it still doesn't seem that there is a clear picture of one being better then another. The ones I've looked at are HANS (of course), ISAACS, and G-FORCE. I was wanting to open up a discussion and hear from those of you who are using a H&N system - which are you using, likes, dislikes, any comments you wish, etc... I know that anything is better then nothing and the one promise I've made to myself is that I won't enter a race without one - just wanting to get as much info as I can before dishing out the bucks.

 

Thanks,

Ed

[Admiral]

I have no experience with any of those listed yet but did see this link earlier this week about NASCAR testing and subsequent ruling that only the HANS would be allowed:

 

"NASCAR will only allow its competitors to use the HANS device in 2005 because the other head-and-neck restraint system did not meet performance standards. "

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?slug=ap-nascar-hutchensdevice&prov=ap&type=lgns

[onralz]

The Ohio Indiana region is having a seminar on Head and Neck restraint devices in Columbus Ohio on the 15th of January. That might be able to help you in your scenario. If you can't make it (It's quite a haul for you), I'll take notes. I personally have the G-Force setup and am very happy with it. It's not cumbersome, it's light, and I don't need three people to help me in and out of the car. Oh, and it's not too expensive except you have to use their helmet.

[Ed M.]

Thanks Mark. Unfortunately yes, that would be a bit of a haul for me to attend the seminar but I'm very interested in what is discussed and learned. Notes or some sort of write-up would be GREATLY appreciated. Also, I think it's a great idea having such a seminar and hopefully other regions will take heed and possibly do stuff like this.

[onralz]

Yeah we are pretty proud of our series director Lawrence Mansier. He has good ideas, once in awhile. We'll just see how "good" he is after the seminar when we team off and do a 3 hour go-kart enduro.

Seriously, it is a good idea. They are also going to discuss some of the structure and rules that go along with flagging, and contact. This should be fun. I have a 9 hour drive to get there and then 9 back, but I think it will be worth it.

[Tom Beverly]

Mark, please do take notes, (even if they're just in your head), and let us know the highlights. I just shelled out some big bucks for the HANS Device, and I'm curious to hear what people have to say regarding the other options out there. (x-mas was good to me this year )

Tom.

[onralz]

Tom,

A summary of the information presented by Tom is actually on the Ohio/Indiana page. I wrote something up, but then read about this page and they did a better job than I did. Here it is. http://www.racenasa.com/news/News_2005BanquetSafetPres.htm

[Tom Beverly]

Thanks Mark, I saw that over on cc.com.

[onralz]

For some reason, I can't get on CC.Com to read that. Have you had any problems Tom?

[Guest]

For some reason, I can't get on CC.Com to read that. Have you had any problems Tom?

 

I have been having intermittent problemswith cc.com all weekend.

[mwilson7]

It seems that quite a few people are having issues logging into cc.com . I would suggest trying to log in manually vs. using a bookmark (if you have one). Just a thought.....

 

How did the discussion on body contact go?

[Micks 41]

There seems to be a lot of interest this year on head and neck safety, myself included, and with the rumor that it might become mandatory in the near future, I was wondering if it might be possible to do a group buy. I myself am favoring the Hans device, specifically model # 20ME. I don't have any experience in setting up something like this, but I'm willing to try unless somebody has a connection. If this completely out of the question let me know and I will go back and sit quitely in the corner.

 

 

 

Edit: can't spell

[Grizlbits]

Lawrence has tried a group buy. No Luck. It seems like since they are 4 weeks backlogged, they don't deal. I don't think there are going to deal in the near future with NASCAR mandating it and everyone else seeming to be jumping on the bandwagon.

 

My gut feel is that we will be lucky if the don't RAISE the price......

[BOC- Beau]

Bryan Shugg talked to Gregg Baker at Isaacs and they said they would be interested in doing a group buy discount if there is enough interest. Would anyone be interested in this besides me?

[mwilson7]

There is currently a $100 discount on the HANS device. I picked mine up a couple weeks ago.

 

http://www.hansdevice.com/

 

Has the ISAAC's passed SFI 38.1?

[BOC- Beau]

There is a thread on another area of this forum where Gregg said he hopes to get the SFI compliance issue resolved soon.

[Ed M.]

Beau,

 

I might be interested. I've been considering the ISAAC but this SFI thing has me a little concerned. I don't want to buy now then have to do it again in a year or so... If they get certified, I'd probably definitely be interested if the price is right.

 

Ed

[BOC- Beau]

Ed, I have the same concerns. Did you read the thread in I think the racecraft section about this subject?

[johnbasf]

Beau, the "Wright Device" is the one I was talking to you about.

 

 

http://www.over40racing.com/

[onralz]

F.Y.I. the G-Force SRS-1 system is next in line to be tested by SFI. That will be on Monday and Tuesday of next week. It'll be interesting to see the results.

[Ed M.]

Beau,

 

Yeah, I did. Interesting. I'll be interested to see how the G-Force SRS does as I've considered it also. Plus, it's INCREDIBLY affordable. I'm just getting a little nervous because I'd like to have something by the Lowes (Mar 5/6) event and it will be here before you know it!

[95CobraR]

I personally have the G-Force setup and am very happy with it. It's not cumbersome, it's light, and I don't need three people to help me in and out of the car.

 

I am also happy with my G-Force system. I used it in 2 races last fall. I needed a new helmet anyway (to replace the SN95). All of their new helmets have the attachment points. It's a rather simple design (but effective as far as I know at this time). If I decide to go to another design, the cost of entry to the G-Force system is equal to one race tire (I'll just throw it away).

 

Another thought. I don't think the G-Force system will transfer from one car to the next (due to the measurement you take to "fit" the system). I was to co-drive another car and it wouldn't work in that car (due to shoulder harness angles/measurements). The car broke before I was to drive anyway.

[onralz]

Yes the length of the SRS-1 is taylored to the seat and harness scenario. When I was running two cars, mine fit both believe it or not. Now that I replaced the seat in the one car I drive now, I have to get a different length as it is too short now. Not a big deal as G-Force is pretty easy to deal with when it comes to getting things like that done. The SFI tests go on today and tomorrow, so it will be interesting to see what happens.

[D Algozine]

Reading the summary from the seminar given by Tom Gideon on Jan 15 at the OH/IN banquet, I find the following quote:

 

"Seat: The seat should be of a very strong construction. It should also be attached at both the bottom of the seat and somewhere near the top. Tom explained that the seat should not only provide support to the hips of the driver, but also the legs, shoulders, and even the head area. Shoulder support was especially important as the body requires a large amount of support during a side impact. "

 

Does the statement about attaching the seat near the top apply to fiberglass or carbon fiber seats? If so, any idea how?

[onralz]

Dave he was specifically talking about composite seats. He used the term "bolt them in" but no-one asked him for specifics. In my car I fabbed up a deal that bolts through the seat, but I/O port makes something similar.