I know a lot of people aren't using HANS/HANS-like devices in their cars...but deaths like Earnhardt's & the recent one at Buttonwillow, does this make you consider buying a HANS device?

If not, why not?

 

not really. its still the same statistics. ppl die, thats just the truth. and i dont drive a bigass nascar or go 200 mph in an open cockpit inches away from concrete. im not saying club racing is safe, but i have trust in the safety measures currently taken and have seen many results of accidents where drivers walk away and are checked off fine, and i dont even consider the small number of major accidents that do happen in club racing significant.

speaking of which, last regional race at thunderhill an alfa slamed right into an ITS RX7 at full speed in T8 just before the hill (90mph+) right into the DRIVERS DOOR. the RX7 actualy had a showroom stock doorbar that ran low over the rocker panel and not really protecting the body and she (the driver) was checked out fine. i was flagging, but it happened right over the hill from my station, i heard the boom, but couldnt see the wreck until the trucks took em away. there was nothing left of the alfa from the front axle forward. the accident really shook up the flagger/communicator who called in the incident.

thats racing.

 

i've been using the hutchens for quite some time now.
as a matter of fact, many of the series in which i race REQUIRE a head and neck restraint.

-tony

 

Yes. Working as a FF/EMT for a few years opened my eyes to the damage that can be done, even in a low speed crash.

And remember, we're belted in tight with an extra 5 pound (or so) helmet on...and without the benefit of air bags. The only important thing that's going to "travel" in a front ender, is our heads.

 

I disagree with Tyson... I think that using a head and neck restraint is a small insurance policy for your life... no offense Tyson! I agree yes there is a large assumed risk when you race a car (at any speed) but there is no reason to make it an intelligent risk and minimize the chance of serious injury or death just because you may not want to wear a HANS or other device because of comfort or finance's... I personally like living and think that there is no monotary ($) value on a human beings life. I don't wish anybody to get hurt racing... when after all it is supposed to be fun and exciting! 200mph or 20 mph the risk of neck injury is one of the easiest injuries to incur when racing/wrecking your car. I feel that too many people overlook the possibility of neck injury because you have a false sense of security with just a helmet on. I was in a wreck that was no more than a 10mph collision and my neck was so sore that I couldn't move my head for several days... simply from light contact. Before I had that small incident I was one of those people that thought a small incident like a 10mph collision couldn't hurt me and the invincibility factor went away after the wreck.

If anyone reads this don't kid yourself... if you race... there is no doubt you know what the risks are, but are you prepared???

 

Lyonel is indifferent about the device - only has really thought about it when I brought it up. If he were to use anything though it would be a HANS he outrught refuses to wear a Hutchins.
I would like the both of us to have a HANS.
Bottom line is its $975.00 while thats less than your life is worth its a lot of $ for a poor club racer who thinks of enjoying life (racing) not death...or such bad things..
If anyone can cook up a way to get them cheap(er) I'm sure many people would use..but cost is stopping many like us........Danielle