B-Line

Hey all,

Had a question that I wanted to run at you DE guys.
What is your opinion on having/using a Hans Device for a DE track day? My car is currently stock but gets a bit of track duty. No racing, just lapping days with various clubs.

I have to buy a new helmet anyway and I am thinking of having the re-seller drill it for me for Hans.

Here is the catch though. I also do track days with Skip Barber. I haven't raced yet, just haven't had the time. But now I am going to be spending more time on the track than I have over the last two years (was getting my Masters Degree.)

I know when I race with Skip, even though they don't require it, I will definately be wearing a Hans Device.

So my question is, what is your opinion of buying/wearing another Hans device at a drivers ed in a almost stock street car? Would you spend the money? Or is it overkill?

thanks,
B

B-Line

Just to add to the dilemma.

Since a Hans Device costs over $1K (i think) and I would have to buy two: (one for Skip Barber racing) and (one for my lapping days at the track in my Pcar.) -- This would require two different Hans devices, set at different angles, for each seat position, street car vs, open wheel, etc..

Is my money better spent on putting a bolt in roll bar with 5 way belts in the Pcar over the Hans device?? Which is the better choice for safety?

Thanks,
B

Robert Henriksen

You can't use a HANS without five or six point belts, and a proper racing seat.

You shouldn't assume that the skippy cars will require different angle HANS - have you asked them?

poorb0yw

Just wondering how you planned to use the HANS in your 993 if you dont already have at least a roll bar and 5 point belts?

If you can afford it, I don't see any reason to forego the added safety of a H&N restraint at any level of motorsport.

chris walrod

Two shoulder belts are what retains the Hans device, and subsequently your head

Bill Gregory

B,

Safety first. As mentioned, you need a rollbar (or 'maybe' a harness bar would work [note some would recommend strongly that you use a rollbar with a harness] with the straps connecting to eye bolts in the the rear seatbelt mounting points - check the Hans website, as the belts do need to come in slightly above the Hans device), seats with cutouts for shoulder straps (again check your size relative to the cutouts in the seat), and a harness to use a Hans device. I know a number of people that use them for DE, including myself. A friends 944 recently lost all power at a bad place on the course, and he spun and hit the side, hard, against the tire wall. He he felt his head snap to the side, however, the movement was restrained by the Hans device. He was very glad he was using it.

KOAN

B-line,
I bit the bullet this season, and bought a HANS. I only do DEs, but lots of them. I have a roll bar and Sparco Evos, and 5 pts. I take it off when I am instructing in a car without 5 or 6 pts. and a roll bar. I'm also not sure that the Skippy cars would require a different HANS.
I also got the quick release clips, because instructing requires me to jump in and out of cars, and it makes things easier. FWIW, I find the HANS a little uncomfortable, but am still glad I am driving with it. At some of the tracks I drive (Watkins Glen, Road America, Mid Ohio) the speeds are pretty high, and the extra safety is welcome.

B-Line

Ahhhh, very interesting..

I did not know how the Hans device works or what setup is required as I have never used one.
So let me see if I got this straight. --

1) if affordable, it is a good idea to get one, it certainley won't hurt and safety should always come first.
2) In order to install one, I am going to need to replace my factory sport seat with a "recaro" or like, racing seat.
3) I am going to need to install either a Roll bar w/ harness or maybe just a harness. Either way, I am going to need a 5-6 point safety belt system to complete the Hans device setup as this is what the Hans connects to.
4) I might be able to use the same Hans for Skip as for my car. (Although my loose understanding is, for Skip I need a 20% and my street car, I need a 30% (or maybe I have that reversed.)) -- I will look into it.

Thanks..
B

mooty

b line.
1) is correct
2) yes, you MUST use proper racing seats with guide hole for lap, shoulder, crotch belt. or else HANS may not work properly.
3) the minimun you need is a roll bar, not harness bar (useless).
4) i am pretty certain that you need different HANS for skip and p car.

some of the reasons of why you need roll bar and harness isn't very obvious. but if you sit in a properly set up car for HANS, you will see that without these items, HANS will not work well. furthermore, it's very important to set the harness with locking rings on roll bar so that shoulder strap will not separate too far. also, the shoulder belts need to incline downward from your shoulder to the roll bar where the belts are attached to, i think no more than 5 deg (i don't recall the actual number, check hans site).

this is no joking matter. i don't race, but i DE a lot. i will not drive without my HANS.

pstoppani

http://hansdevice.com/

Traffic53

what? i'm not exactly sure what the difference is between a roll bar and harness bar when it comes to belts. i'm under the impression that a harness bar is fine for HANS. the seat seems more important than anything as the shoulder harness holes need to be high enough to accommodate the HANS piece (usually about an inch higher than your shoulders). am i wrong about this?

viperbob

The basic rules for shoulder harnesses do not change because of the HANS. You just can not tie the shoulder belts to the harness bar. They would need to terminate in the rear of the car to a solid mounting point and just come over the top of the bar. I think that is all he is saying. Although a roll bar is much safer anyway for roll over protection.

TheOtherEric

B-Line,
You should really check the Racing/DE forum, becuase there is endless discussion about the use of Hans and other H&N devices.

stedge

There was discussion of some other H&N device in the racing forum, that looked more portable. No idea how these things really compare but some folks really seemed to like the alternative device for use in street cars/occ DEs.

I am thinking along similar lines. As I want to go to the track more (actually, in my S2000 with a rollbar), I am looking at H&N devices....

ZombiePorsche44

You know it's amazing thousands of race drivers weren't killed before Hans devices hit the market, I for one will not wear one due to the limited head movement and accompanying visibility restrictions, but that's my preference.
I would consider one of the strap devices that attaches to the back of your helmet and the waist of your driving suit allowing you unrestricted turning from side to side and better visibility.
I'd rather have excellent visiblilty than not, it alone can save you from putting yourself in a position where the Hans device is necessary.........my 02c

ZP44