HANS Device for Trackdays

[SharpyClio]

So after my little off and my wife's only comment of "you need a new helmet" ringing in my ears I have been looking for new helmets the question I have been pondering is whether getting a HANS device is a but over the top or is it case of "if you can afford it then it makes sense".

Im not worried about looking a it of a helmet using one as they are a safety device with clear benefits but wondering whether its a bit much.

 

[-Jamie-]

If you have the right seat/harness etc to use one properly then get one. I hate not using a hans now

 

[SharpyClio]

If you have the right seat/harness etc to use one properly then get one. I hate not using a hans now

I will double check compatibility, the harness is good for HANS but not checked the seat. Thanks, good to know.

 

[-Jamie-]

The Simpson hybrid is a lot nicer to wear and they do one that works with normal 3 point belts, I wish I'd gotten one of them now but they are a massive amount more than hans if you get one that isn't a posh CF version.

IIRC I got a Schroth XLT and was sub 300

 

[SharpyClio]

Looks like about £260ish plus delivery which is decent. So many options need to figure out if I need 10 or 20 degs - But it all feeds into my thought process that its the right thing to do.

 

[JamesBryan]

Looks like about £260ish plus delivery which is decent. So many options need to figure out if I need 10 or 20 degs - But it all feeds into my thought process that its the right thing to do.

Almost always 20 degree for bucket seats.

 

[SharpyClio]

Almost always 20 degree for bucket seats.

I'd just come to that conclusion so thanks for confirming!

 

[charltjr]

It makes sense to me, I’d certainly buy one again if I had a car with harnesses. Seems cheap compared to potential spinal cord damage 😂

The number of cars I see advertised with harnesses where they’re incorrectly mounted so the drivers spine gets compressed in a smash still boggles my mind.

 

[SharpyClio]

It makes sense to me, I’d certainly buy one again if I had a car with harnesses. Seems cheap compared to potential spinal cord damage 😂

The number of cars I see advertised with harnesses where they’re incorrectly mounted so the drivers spine gets compressed in a smash still boggles my mind.

Seen a few with harness bars being used as a mounting point as well!

 

[JamesBryan]

The number of cars I see advertised with harnesses where they’re incorrectly mounted so the drivers spine gets compressed in a smash still boggles my mind.

Renault did it with the R26.R 😅

 

[Advikaz]

20 deg covers most tin top applications mate 👍

 

[SharpyClio]

20 deg covers most tin top applications mate 👍

Thanks!

It makes sense to me, I’d certainly buy one again if I had a car with harnesses. Seems cheap compared to potential spinal cord damage 😂

£600 for HANS and helmet - Feels like a lot but agree 100% worth it just in case!

 

[Advikaz]

Thanks!



£600 for HANS and helmet - Feels like a lot but agree 100% worth it just in case!

Can’t put a price on safety imo !

 

[JamesBryan]

£600 is a good deal.

 

[R3k1355]

It makes sense to me, I’d certainly buy one again if I had a car with harnesses. Seems cheap compared to potential spinal cord damage 😂

and base Skull fractures which have killed many racing drivers.

 

[Mr Underhill]

.

 

[ian-speedy]

Do you have a roll cage ?
If you use a Hans device , cross the belts over before they go through the seats , it'll stop the belt slipping off the hans in a bump , we do in the rally cars

 

[Touring_Rob]

I've never used one, my mate has one for the race series he is in and says initially they are quite annoying but you soon get used to it. There are some alternatives I believe but no idea what they are like, hybrids? I think they might be called?

Which is more like a harness/vest. I need to read up on it more as its something I would certainly invest in especially if I am doing more track days next year in the fiberglass bath tub.

 

[Touring_Rob]

Seen a few with harness bars being used as a mounting point as well!

There are some harness bars which are designed for the harness to mount onto. The ones on he VX220/Elise do that.

 

[SharpyClio]

There are some harness bars which are designed for the harness to mount onto. The ones on he VX220/Elise do that.

Agree, but most are just designed to give the belts the correct angles and would just fold like book if you crashed.

 

[JamesBryan]

I've never used one, my mate has one for the race series he is in and says initially they are quite annoying but you soon get used to it. There are some alternatives I believe but no idea what they are like, hybrids? I think they might be called?

Which is more like a harness/vest. I need to read up on it more as its something I would certainly invest in especially if I am doing more track days next year in the fiberglass bath tub.

Simpson Hybrid, they're like £700+

 

[Matt Cup]

You can get those hybrids for half the price if you are prepared to go 2nd hand.

 

[Touring_Rob]

Like this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274671551177?

Or does that need extra stuff?

 

[Matt Cup]

Not sure on the eBay link, but marketplace is full of them.

 

[SharpyClio]

Id worry they are chinesium, there are loads of fake harnesses and steering wheels knocking about!

 

[Matt Cup]

Id worry they are chinesium, there are loads of fake harnesses and steering wheels knocking about!

Fake Wheels and harnesses I get and are probably rife. But things like the above I’d be less dubious about tbh.

 

[JamesBryan]

Like this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274671551177?

Or does that need extra stuff?

That's just the cost of having it re-certified when out of date.

 

[Touring_Rob]

Ahh 🤦‍♂️

 

[JamesBryan]

The Simpson isn't a once size fits all too, so you need the one for your chest size.

Something to check if going second hand.

 

[colesy]

HANS devices are definitely worth it, I’ve been using one since 2013 and I don’t get in a car on track without one. Slightly annoying to begin with but really not that bad.

 

[JimF]

The Simpson isn't a once size fits all too, so you need the one for your chest size.

Something to check if going second hand.

Another bargain hunting victory for me and my fellow big lads!

 

[SharpyClio]

Got a HANS device from @Mr Underhill. Delivered swiftly so I can sit in my office at home and wear it while I work.

 

[Clart]

Got a HANS device from @Mr Underhill. Delivered swiftly so I can sit in my office at home and wear it while I work.

How much do they go for second hand?

 

[SharpyClio]

How much do they go for second hand?

Hold value pretty well tbh. There were second hand and well used ones of the stand 21 i got from Jon going for £200 when they’re around £240 new. If it hadn’t been from Jon I’d have gone new.

 

[GrahamS]

I wouldn’t do a trackday without one these days so would absolutely get the kit. I have a bell sport 5 and every level schroth hans. Package was about £550 in early 2020

 

[JimF]

Would you folks say that its still worth getting one even if you don't have other safety gear such as fireproof clothing etc?
Its a tricky one as its almost like you're choosing how to be injured. But I'd say my car is more likely to go into a wall than go on fire, but you can never really tell.
Obviously I'd need a HANS helmet, but are the special harnesses necessary or just preferred? I've got a 3" harness I'd rather not replace.
Also, seeing as we're discussing safety, what's the general feeling on open face helmets? Obviously it restricts what you can have a passenger ride in, but I find my closed face helmet annoying, and trying a friends open face felt like I didn't have a helmet on.

 

[SharpyClio]

Would you folks say that its still worth getting one even if you don't have other safety gear such as fireproof clothing etc?
Its a tricky one as its almost like you're choosing how to be injured. But I'd say my car is more likely to go into a wall than go on fire, but you can never really tell.
Obviously I'd need a HANS helmet, but are the special harnesses necessary or just preferred? I've got a 3" harness I'd rather not replace.

I was speaking with my mate who races in the Civic cup, even when he does track days and test days he wears all his kit including nomex. While crashing is the most likely thing to happen (as I did last time out at cadwell) the likelihood of it being bad is relatively low. However if you car has an oil leak or fuel leak that will be bad even if its rare so the risks of actually needing the kit is probably comparable - if that makes sense?

He also said that he knew a chap that had an oil leak the oil got into the cabin and onto his legs and melted the joggers he was wearing and they just stuck to his legs, it was pretty grim.

I think in time I will invest in some fireproof leggings at the very least.

 

[Tarticmonkey]

Would you folks say that its still worth getting one even if you don't have other safety gear such as fireproof clothing etc?
Its a tricky one as its almost like you're choosing how to be injured. But I'd say my car is more likely to go into a wall than go on fire, but you can never really tell.
Obviously I'd need a HANS helmet, but are the special harnesses necessary or just preferred? I've got a 3" harness I'd rather not replace.
Also, seeing as we're discussing safety, what's the general feeling on open face helmets? Obviously it restricts what you can have a passenger ride in, but I find my closed face helmet annoying, and trying a friends open face felt like I didn't have a helmet on.

Yes, you only have one neck. I think i will be purchasing next year as my helmet has HANS posts already.

Might also invest in a fire proof shirt though that does feel a bit full kit W******

 

[SharpyClio]

Yes, you only have one neck. I think i will be purchasing next year as my helmet has HANS posts already.

Might also invest in a fire proof shirt though that does feel a bit full kit W******

Id rather feel a bit of a t*t than be half burnt though.

 

[Clart]

I’ve ordered a HANS device but as said how far do you go ? Full fireproof suit ? plus I always take a passenger, becomes expensive when you have to buy 2 of everything