So......has there been a decision about the H.A.N. devices for 2011 yet? Might make a great Christmas present for that special driver. Need to think about it before to long. Just thought I'd throw it out there and get some imput for all that may need it. Maybe it's to early for some.

The latest word I have from ASN Canada is that it is "highly likely than H.A.N. devices will be required for 2011" - I have advised this in several club meetings... WCMA (prairie region) have mandated H.A.N. devices in ALL cars effective May 1st 2010.

There are several approved devices and prices have started to become more reasonable...

Check the Icscc rule change proposals for 2011. The Hans device is there. Scca has also indicated that they will be requiring them.

They are pretty much off the shelf.. Depending on which you go for, there might be some trial and error involved:

1) Hans devices come in 3 different angles and a few different sizes. Usually 20 degrees for sedans, 30 degrees for single seaters and 40 degrees which are mostly used on some obscure vintage formula cars or sports racers. The right angle can also vary with how chesty you are - I'm sure Frank at Driver's Edge knows all about these and could easily find the right one for our drivers

2) the DefNder (not a typo..) is a one size fits all kinda deal. It's adjustable in both angle and size, which can make it a bit more comfortable apparently, but I guess it can also mean you might adjust it wrong haha. Slightly cheaper than the hans, but biggest advantage is if you drive both sedans and single seaters, easy to swap between settings. Then again, some people say they can happily wear their Hans on sedans and formula cars too, I guess your seating arrangements will determine how well it works.

3) there are others too, Safety Solutions makes a bunch of different ones, a couple of which have recently been approved to be FIA certified. By the way, just about every HNR device on the market is SFI approved, but FIA apparently had some wording in their specs that made it difficult to certify anything other than the HANS.

Some cars will need small modifications to the belt attachment points to make sure everything fits correctly, and 2" shoulder belts are ideal, but not required..

Finally, as far as driver extraction - both the hans and the DefNder are available with quick release straps as far as I know, which makes it easier to extract the driver while leaving the device behind.. Still, even without the quick release straps, they're not a big deal as far as I've seen, unless your car has F1/Indy style integrated head rests, then you're in trouble!

I think the safety solutions devices (some of them at least..) are a non-issue as they secure the head to the body, rather than the belts, so the whole device is attached to the driver, not the car.


EDIT: I'm all for making it mandatory.. I'm getting one either way! But maybe it is a bit short notice for some people, eh?

One question I have that seems to puzzle people is whether I can continue to use an open-face helmet with any of these head/neck restraint devices.  Bell still sells the Mag4 that I use, but I don't see any attachment info on it.  ???

I have been wearing a Hans device for two years now.  I decided to get one when we ran our first race at Thunderhill.   It took a little getting used to but after two races, I was was fine with it.  If I got in a car without one now it would feel like I was riding in my street car without a seat belt.  Or riding my bicycle without a helmet.  All the pro series have mandated the device for good reason in my view.

I just had a thought. This more for the corner workers. One of my "quick release" clips on my HANS is always stiff and hard to release.

Do all the turn workers carry a pocket knife of some kind if they would have a need to cut the straps on the HANS device?

Here's a trickier question.. I have a chance to buy an older Hans device (for relatively little money) that predates the SFI spec, so it has no certification sticker. It's the exact same device as currently sold with the sticker, though.

I've heard that some of the clubs that mandate HNR devices don't really require certification (sort of like how gloves and shoes don't necessarily need to be SFI approved).

What's the likelihood of CACC requiring the SFI sticker, rather than publishing an approved list of devices? This thing is good enough of a deal that I might get it anyway even if I can only use it for a year, but it sure would be nice to not have to buy another one next winter

EDIT: and just figured it out for myself.. Hans offers an SFI retro-certification service, $15 plus cost of whatever parts need to be replaced (they replace tethers over 2 years old and some rubber bits apparently). Great!