I know very few on here do any MSA regulated events - but came across this and feel it offers very valuable safety guidance that others may find of use. In particular it gives specific guidance on a 10 degree angle positioning on the harness bar for the optimal use of a HANS device. FYI anyone competing in 2016 in the UK will be required to have a HANS device. https://www.msauk.org/assets/fhrguidance.pdf
Was talking to the scrutineers this weekend about this.. There is gonna be amendments to reduce the cost of this implimented rule.. As saying you must use the recomended 10 degrees could mean costly redesign of some cages they are looking at allowing up to 45 degrees for people who mount belts to the rear seat/floor.. and historic rallying get another year without it
Yeah - its a huge expense to have to buy a new helmet with posts, a seat with wide enough harness slots, and the HANS device itself - let alone a re-design of cages etc. Remember and have a look at the RRS webpage direct from France Josh if you need anything - they're stuff is way below UK retail on things like SIMPSON HANS devices etc - they have a whole host of fire extinguishers etc etc etc also
Was looking at this as well. I need a new lid anyway but a new seat may be a faf. No real way to tell until you have the hans. Also I have been recommended 20 degree units?? Not sure why?
I ran HANS from the start back in 2010, you don't have to run exactly 10 degrees but one should follow the guidance Schroth and Stand 21 have been publishing for years (0 to 20). Its also not as simple as just looking at the slope going backwards, there is also supposed to be a slight inwards angle as well and thus the straps may need to cross if they go back a long way to their mounting which will be the case for many club racers. http://www.schroth.com/installation-instructions/en/index.html Have a study of the section "Belt Routing" and scan down to pages 11 through 14. I spent some time btw walking around the paddock a couple of years back looking at the cars I knew of guys who wore HANS and none of them had the straps mounted 100% iaw the guidelines, nearly all had the belts running parallel backwards from the seat as an example which is specifically verbotten in that guidance. I think miss understanding is very common place but now they are mandatory should be more commonplace to see decent installations. I suspect there will be a bit of leeway with the scruts for a year or two. Most big name seats manufacturers seats have been HANS compatible for many years, all it is is a bit of depression at the top of the back rest below the shoulder belt holes. Types of HANS in terms of the angle relates to versions they make suitable for single seaters where you are more or less lying down in the thing, these have more of an angle on the yokes. Tin top racers would all use the more upright version of HANS.
